On autumn flights between Toronto and Warsaw, Julia Gifford offered around $300, barely above the minimum, for a premium economy class trip with LOT Polish Airlines. The original round-trip economy fare was around $800.
“I upgraded each majors after a fantastic first experience,” said Ms. Gifford, a native of Toronto who lives in Riga, Latvia, where she runs a content marketing and public relations agency. She reported that the food, space and mood of the stewards improved significantly. “It was price it.”
While airline prices are notoriously buoyant taking a look at the identical route on current flights, the difference between economy and premium economy prices for traditional fares prior to any auction is usually over $300. According to recent prices, a successful $300 upgrade offer seems to save lots of between 7 and 30 percent off the value on the time of booking.
“I’d definitely recommend it to individuals who wish to fly for business and are not sure if it’s price it,” said Shamarel OE Odusanya, a Dubai-based psychologist who won a business class upgrade for roughly what she paid for her seat in economy class. (995 Emirati dirhams, or about $270) on an Etihad Airways flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and avoided the hefty fee for extra checked baggage since it was included in her upgrade ticket. “I especially liked the calmness of the lounge, which made what could possibly be stressful quite enjoyable.”
Travelers may receive other upgrade offers directly from the airline, sometimes immediately after booking a flight, and even on the airport check-in desk.
Consumers set their threshold for engaging in auctions, which provides a level of control.
“Ultimately, it is a win-win for each the airline and the traveler,” said Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst who leads Atmosphere Research Group and recently won a $100 Business Class upgrade auction for a flight from Vienna to Warsaw, bringing total the price of a ticket as much as $350, a 3rd lower than the $525 business class ticket available when booked economy. “The airlines collect additional revenue and are paid for the premium product. The passenger wins because he pays a price he considers fair and budget-friendly.”
Upgrade services are based on the premise that flyers are less efficient with their budgets when travel is on them.
