Trip Coach: March 27, 2006

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Copenhagen, Denmark: I have quite a few United Mileage Plus miles, however, because I'm temporarily living in Copenhagen, I frequently fly SAS (5-6 times/yr) back to the States.I earn UA miles for these flights through Star Alliance, but it doesn't seem like I can use my UA miles for upgrades on SAS. Is there a way to use UA miles for their partner airline flights? Thanks.

Matthew Bennett: Yes, through United's "Star Alliance Award Chart," you can redeem miles on any of the partners. See its web site or you can call them directly.

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Scottsdale, AZ: I travel often for business, lately my bags have not been arriving when I do and are delivered to my hotel after arrival. Stressful to say the least. A friend said she noticed the same issue and felt the delays were because of security checks on her bags being triggered by a hair dryer that resembled a weapon. She began carrying on the hair dryer and no more issues with late bags. I also notice when I check my bags with the skycap, they seem to arrive as well. I always have them tagged with priority tags, makes no difference. Any other tips you can offer to make sure the bags arrive when I do?

Matthew Bennett: Yes, stop getting to the airport so late : )

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Nashua, New Hampshire: Dear Matthew,

My husband, aged and I, both in our 60's, are going on a vacation to St. Thomas, USVI, on May 13 and returning on May 27, 2007. We are flying out of MHT, Manchester, NH, on award tickets on USAirways. We will have 1 stop in Philadelphia on the way there, and 1 stop in Charlotte on the way back. Do you have any suggestions for upgrading these seats?

Thank you,

Barri Jo

Matthew Bennett: Award tickets are not upgradeable. But you can redeposit the miles and pull out enough for First Class if they're available.

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Moderator: Is there such a thing as non-refundable first class tickets?
If so, if you cancel a non-refundable first class ticket, must the airline refund your taxes in full?

Matthew Bennett: Good question¿fortunately, yes.

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Dallas, TX: If you purchase a package trip (say thru Gate 1 or Globus), can you use airline miles to upgrade to business class?

Matthew Bennett: Usually yes. But again, make sure you find out the applicable fares from your airline, BEFORE you call the tour operator to book.

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Washington D.C.: One advantage of elite status used to be, at least I thought that was the case, you get preferential seating not only on the airline you accumulated the miles, but other members of your airline's alliance. But apparently no more. I'm elite status with U.S. Airways, but noticed that I'm no longer entitled to up front (coach) seating on United, another member of the Star Alliance. Is this true for all the airline alliances? I remember being silver elite on Northwest, and getting a first place upgrade on Continental. Are those days over?

Matthew Bennett: No they're not. But you're probably looking at Economy Plus seats, which are not game. All other economy seating on other carriers are usually available for preferred seating privileges between partner carriers.

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San Diego: We are planning a trip to Italy. We have enough points on United to use toward upgrades. What class of ticket must we buy to guarantee our upgrade to business or first class?

Matthew Bennett: While there is no guarantee, applicable fares are C, D, Y, B, M and H class.

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Union, NJ: Hi Matthew!

I am traveling from EWR to Honolulu on May 20 and returning on May 28. My boyfriend (29) and I (24) are on the non-stop flight both ways. We are currently booked in coach, but would like to upgrade to first class. I have enough miles to make the upgrade and my boyfriend is about 3,000 miles short.

Can you help us? I don't know if I can stay in coach for 10 hours straight!

Thanks!

Sheena

Matthew Bennett: Ten hours is indeed a lot of hours in coach. It might even feel like 20 if you're not careful. So, you should know that you can buy the remaining miles directly from Continental, through its "top off" program.

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Henderson, Nevada: Hello,

I was a United Premier member but it lapsed at the end of February 2007. I purchased a ticket from Las Vegas to SFO to Shanghai (PVG) on May 10 and got stuck with a middle seat. All the other legs are fine but I would like to get an aisle or window on the long flight to Shanghai. I actually use the United credit card for purchases and even used it for this ticket. I think the problem is that I booked it through a travel agent and not United itself.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes,

Jiemin

Matthew Bennett: Here again, this is a great opportunity to get value out of United's "Economy Plus Access" program, especially when you're stuck in the worst seat imaginable.

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San Juan Capistrano, CA: Is there a way to upgrade airline tickets made through a cruise agency? On April 7th we are flying from LAX (Los Angeles, CA) to Honolulu, HI and then have a seven day cruise around the Hawaiian Islands on NCL cruise lines' Pride of America ship. We got the best airfare through the cruise line, but wonder if and how to upgrade the flight? Passenger info: 2 males, ages 50 and 67. Also, can you upgrade tickets made with frequent flyer miles without using more miles? Thank you. Lon James

Matthew Bennett: You should be able to use your miles, but make sure it's an "upgradeable fare" you bought. While cruise lines don't often promote them, there are often special "negotiated" premium fares that can be available. But you must ask for them specifically.

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durango colorado: when is the best time to be able to upgrade a class ? Especially if i want to upgrade using frequent flyer miles.

thank you very much

Matthew Bennett: Off season, morning flights to Europe, newly introduced routes, and partner carriers are best.

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Sonora, CA: My wife and I (both seniors) have economy coach seats from

SFO to London (and return 3 weeks later) on British Air May

18. We don't have miles accumulated on BA, but we do on

one of their "partner" airlines. Is there any way to use these

"partner" miles to upgrade to business class on BA?

--Tony

Matthew Bennett: Remember, you can buy 20,000 BA miles annually directly from the airline, and it only takes 25,000 to upgrade from Premium Economy to Business. A good value for the airline's lie-flat seats. You can buy another 5,000 Starwood Starpoints, which you can then transfer to BA.

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Austin, TX: I am flying to Shanghai, China on American Airlines on April 20th (Austin to Chicago to Shanghai) and returning through Tokyo on March 2nd. I am interested in finding out ways to upgrade.

Ages of travelers, 33, 43 and 40.

Matthew Bennett: Here again, if you don't have enough miles to start with, the airline will sell you enough miles to upgrade. For this long a flight, it's well worth considering.

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Santa Cruz, CA: My fiance and I, both 26, will be traveling to Italy for our honeymoon this June. This will be his first trip out of the country and I am very concerned with his comfort on a long flight as he is six foot six. I wouldn't mind being upgraded to an exit isle as long as we aren't directly over the wing, but being upgraded to First Class or Business Class would be ideal, especially since this will be our honeymoon. Any ideas?

HERE IS OUR FLIGHT INFORMATION:

Thurs June 7th:

DELTA AIRLINES

SFO to ATL 8:45am

ATL to MXP (Milan Malpensa) 5:30pm

Sunday June 24th:

DELTA AIRLINES

FCO (Rome Leonardo da Vinci) to CVG10:45am

CVG to SFO 4:40pm

Matthew Bennett: Seatguru.com will show you where the best seats are.

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St. Louis, MO: My fiancée and I are getting married in September and traveling the world starting most likely Oct 1-ish. What are the chances of getting upgrades on any flights since we are newlyweds?

Matthew Bennett: This is the one time gate agents might respond. Let everyone around know about the occasion!

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Tulsa, OK: I have been upgraded to first class twice. How does an airline choose who it upgrades? I've heard the earlier booked passengers get the upgrade or frequent flyer members have priority for upgrades. What helps?

Di

Matthew Bennett: You're right, it usually goes in order of the highest elite status member to the lowest, then it goes by who paid the highest fare.

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Foothill Ranch, California: In April 2007 issue (page 48, "HOW"), "A Back Door to VIP Status," Budget Travel talks about the AA 90-Day challenge. Is this promotion still on? If so how/where to find it on web at AA.com? ---

--Kris

Matthew Bennett: Yes! And it's one of my favorite elite fast-track strategies. You must call American, and specifically as for "AAdvantage Customer Service." They will know all about it, and give you all the specifics.

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Matthew Bennett: I can't remember an hour that went so fast! Sorry if I didn't get to your question and thank you all for taking the time to discuss with me my favorite topic: Upgrading! Matthew Bennett, aka Mr. Upgrade, Editor firstclassflyer.com

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