long shot but

has anyone ever gotten anyone bumped up to business/first class on a plane without paying..like maybe by calling the airline? Just asking bc my parents are going away next week for their 40th wedding anniversary..they are flying to spain and then going on a cruise..i wish i knew if there was a number i could call to see if they could flag their names in the computer and if there was avail space they could get it.

Re: long shot but

In today's world this is pretty much impossible. Honeymoons, anniversaries, etc. mean nothing to airlines anymore.

If they have space in business/1st class it goes to their most frequent/elite mile members first. Sometimes they'll offer ugrades at the gate for a fee. And sometimes, though VERY rarely, you can get bumped up if the airline has wronged you and "owes you one".



I had to sound like Mrs. Cynical but your chances are pretty slim.

Re: long shot but

no i know its prob hard to do, just had me thinking bc my parents neighbors went to france last month for their 50th anniversary, and their daughter got them a corsage and boutainaire to wear and the desk clerk asked them about it, and she bumped them into business class for the flight..i may just try to do that, but wasnt sure if there was any other way. like i said long shot but id hate not to try for them.

Re: long shot but

Re: long shot but

We got bumped up coming home from our honeymoon. The guy said he gave our seats away.

We've tried every time we fly but they always tell us there is nothing available

Re: long shot but

If you want to do something special, you can ask the pilot to make a special arrangement, maybe your dad can ask the air stewards to give a note to make an announcement about their special occasion.