Just thought this post would serve as a reminder that good stories do still exist – and how it simply never hurts to ask.
I am currently sitting in 6F on my flight from SEA-PHX; I cashed in and used some of my 500-mile upgrades, and I was ecstatic when the “You Have Been Upgraded” email arrived in my inbox a few days ago.
Next to me, on my left, is a very kind and good-spirited gentleman.
When I took my seat, he greeted me by asking how my day was going, and we immediately started chatting. Naturally, the conversation drifted to my favorite topic – points and miles.
My new friend Dennis was saying hello to what seemed like, every other passenger that walked by, so I jokingly said “wow, you seem to know the entire plane!”
Turns out he is not the mayor, but is instead returning from a very large family get together. He then voluntarily explained how he was sitting in the front.
Dennis does not have any status with American (in fact, he’s not even sure he has an AAdvantage account… tsk tsk). What he does have though is a good attitude.
He told me that prior to boarding, he went up to the gate agent and asked if there were any upgrades available. His intention was to pay for one.
Instead, the gate agent printed him a new boarding pass with 6E as his new seat. She had given him a complimentary gate upgrade.
In a world where getting an upgrade has turned into a battlefield, we constantly hear stories of “DYKWIA” elites huffing and puffing when they don’t get upgraded.
It’s nice to hear stories like this that restore hope for the casual flyer. Complimentary upgrades aren’t extinct. And they aren’t always just reserved for newly-weds.
Dennis’ excitement and appreciation about sitting upfront is contagious; it put a smile on my face.
Life lesson here – the answer is always no if you don’t ask.
Anyone else have any similar stories? Would love to hear them!
God save the airline who does this at the expense of an elite customer on the waiting list.
I would be furious.
Obviously there weren’t any waiting and that’s why the customer got the upgrade
Gotta love how you just assume elites were passed over, not knowing anything else.
I’ve actually received a complimentary upgrade at the gate too. It was from SEA-ORD on UA.
Sounds like a direct correlation. Washington offers legal marijuana and employees willing to hand out freebies. Ha
Sounds like all of the grinches like to hang out in the comments section here LOL
Only EXPs get complimentary upgrade, so the gate agent often has extra F seats to give out, not to elites, but to whomever she likes.
Let’s be realistic for a moment. It was a Sunday evening flight, and my upgrade as a platinum cleared as soon as the upgrade window opened days ago. I can easily assume all of the elites were taken care of. Bottom line was he asked. Never hurts!
I’m not too familiar with AA but is SEA-PHX an elite heavy route for AA? I have seen gate comp upgrades in the past as well but only for non-status heavy routes.
My in-laws actually received a complimentary upgrade on an oversold Lufthansa IAD-FRA flight last month almost the same way – went to the desk asking if there were upgrades for sale and given one “because she seemed like a nice person.” And she is!