USVI-On-Line

The only flights that we were able to find for this trip are on Delta. We normally fly AA so we have no miles to upgrade to First Class this trip. We always use our miles for upgrades, I am a very bitchy traveler and I don't like people touching me...I know, flame me all you want, but it makes Chip much happier if I am not complaining the whole time

There are seats available but I am not paying full price to upgrade and I have NO delta miles.

Any suggestions other than asking at the gate? (which sometimes works)

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Joshie wrote:I was on a flight once where the guy across the aisle from me actually faked air sickness during the boarding process (slumped forward, puke bag cupped to his mouth, loud sound effects).

The passengers sitting next to him quickly requested to be re-seated.

As the plane taxied for takeoff, the guy staged a sudden and complete recovery. I saw him neatly fold up the still empty air sickness bag and return it to the seat pocket.

He had three coach seats to himself all the way from LA to NYC.

-j

Not really what I was looking for when I asked for tips, but interesting story.

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From what I understand, and from my attempts (ranging from subtle to outright shameless), these days it's damn difficult.

Occasionally, I've observed the airline call people, once we're all seated, to move up front. But they tend to be FF people who have high status.

Best bet is to ask. The worst thing that an happen is that they'd say no. Try again as you board. Or, just board the 757 and turn left like you own the place and have them force you back into coach with the other cracker-eating weenies.

pipanale wrote: Best bet is to ask. The worst thing that an happen is that they'd say no. Try again as you board. Or, just board the 757 and turn left like you own the place and have them force you back into coach with the other cracker-eating weenies.

I may try that!

pipanale wrote:Or, just board the 757 and turn left like you own the place and have them force you back into coach with the other cracker-eating weenies.

you crack me up!

X, I was just wondering the same thing. I keep looking at our upcoming flight and first class is still totally empty.

Although, letting my husband into first class would cause me nothing but grief as he would likely refuse to eat crackers (in pipanale speak) ever again.

PA Girl wrote:Although, letting my husband into first class would cause me nothing but grief as he would likely refuse to eat crackers (in pipanale speak) ever again.

The Mrs is not happy flying coach after the trip in August. It's suddenly beneath her status in society.

Of course, this is coming from a women married to me. She can't be all that bright or classy.

I wish I had some tips for Delta. We have quite a few Delta miles and they make it damn hard to use them. I just once again easily used AA miles to book a business-class flight.

Definitely ask at the airport. My husband flew to Ireland in August and he didn't want to pay Aer Lingus's ridiculous first-class fare (their first-class section is really sub-par anyway), but asked at the airport and got an upgrade for a couple of hundred dollars.

We were pulled out of a mob boarding a TWA flight from JFK to San Juan and upgraded to first. I was convinced it was because my husband had on a coat and tie and I was wearing a dress and low heels. Everyone else had shorts or jeans etc.

We had to be in business dress because I was on a familiarization trip, but the agents at the gate didn't know that. Wearing pantyhose is a high price to pay for an upgrade!

My first thought was dressing nicely and greeting the ticket agent and flight attendants with "Hey Y'all, how are yew today?!" in a Kellyanna accent would work well with an Atlanta-based flight crew. Yankee reserve won't do. It beats paying $600 more per ticket for first class.

After years of travel all over the world, I've learned to enter a dissociative fugue state when I travel. I stagger onto the plan, sit in my seat and ignore all sensory inputs until I arrive. The only things that break me out of it is having a double-wide sit in my lap or Sweet Christine grabbing my ulnar nerve in a panic as we land. I understand that Valium or Thorazine have a similar effect, but I save my recreational inputs for arrival.

Antibacterial wipes work well for Monk, just wipe the hand rest every time the passenger next to you touches it. Wearing a breathing mask and mumbling "tuberculosis" under your breath as a mantra helps too.

Offered with a smile and empathy. I'll do air kisses when we meet.

Cheers, RickG

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Yeah, actually it *is* supposedly standard procedure to upgrade honeymooners and 25th anniversary celebrators, on the outbound trip. Maybe you can pass for being married 25 years ?

"Hey how are you?"

"Thats good, I was wondering if you could upgrade me if you have open seats?"

"One hundred and what? No, No. I wanted to know if YOU would upgrade me?"

Doesn't hurt to ask and proper dress helps on Delta even though they don't require it in 1st class any longer.