Upgrading to First Class/Aloha Airlines

[ebco]

Hey everyone,
going on a honeymoon to the Cook Islands on Aloha airlines and looking for suggestions on how to get upgraded to first class if it is not sold out. With a 14 hour flight any suggestions would be appreciated. Is it ok to ask the flight crew? Or would this just bother them. Thanks for the help.

ebco

 

[sjcsean]

Well generally the flight crew will not upgrade anyone once onboard.

AQ does offer a $200 o/w upgrade to first on the day of departure , which on such a long flight would be a nice seat to have, not too mention the Alan Wong cuisine and free liquor.

Have fun there as AQ drops Raratonga in December from the south pacific routes. Just Pago Pago after December.

 

[dispatcher121]

Hey everyone,
going on a honeymoon to the Cook Islands on Aloha airlines and looking for suggestions on how to get upgraded to first class if it is not sold out.

Ask the ticket agent upon check in. Usually there's an upgrade fee. (The F/A's are normally not allowed to upgrade pax.)

It is OK to tell the F/A's it's your honeymoon. Some carriers will give you a complimentary drink, or bottle of wine. (After they make a big huge announcement to em-bare-ass the crap out of you!)

Have fun on your honeymoon.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Tell the gate agent you are Auntie Nellie's cousin.

 

[Resume Writer]

Do not ask the flight crew. Here is what I would do. (since I worked the gates as an agent and a trainer) Now, you have to play this just right...

When you walk up to check in, (arm around your new wife, acting loving) say hello to the gate agent and then CASUALLY mention that you are so excited to be going to that destination as you are on your honeymoon. Then wait for the gate agents response. See if he/she says something promising. If not, then act like it just occurred to you and ask how much it would cost to upgrade to F/C. A phrase like, "Honey, (to your wife, not the agent! ) maybe we can upgrade to F/C." Then ask the agent, "How much does it cost?" Then, how you choose to proceed is up to you. (pay or decline) When you leave the gate counter, thank the agent for being so helpful and tell him/her something like, "You have such a tough job, I could never do your job." That will make the agent feel like someone understands their job and will put you in good graces with them. They may surprise you at the last minute with a free upgrade.

Do not ask for it for free. I always bent over backwards for people that were genuinely nice to me.

Not going to guarantee this will work, but it is worth a shot!

Kathy

 

[English]

Good call, Kathy.

Also, bring some malasadas and maunapuas for the gate agents. That'll do the trick. A box of krispy kreme donuts will probably work, too.


You likely won't get the free upgrade to HNL, as those flights are usually full. However, the flights to Rarotonga are usually pretty light. If you aren't sucessful at your departure, then try again in Honolulu.