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Flight Upgrades in a Weak Economy

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    The airline business is hurting and travelers who still want to travel are being enticed by increasingly generous offers. For example, I received the following from Delta Airlines earlier today:

    Purchase an Economy seat now and upgrade to BusinessElite for 1 mile.

    BusinessElite Benefits

    Dear Customer,

    We're so convinced that you'll love our BusinessElite® service, that we're offering a one-way international upgrade for only one mile.

    You can now upgrade to our award-winning BusinessElite cabin for one mile each way when you fly internationally on a paid Y, B or M Economy fare between June 30 and September 15, 2009.

    Availability is limited for these premium seats, so hurry! Call Delta Reservations at 1-800-323-2323, or the phone number listed on the back of your SkyMiles® membership card, now through July 13th to confirm your upgrade, or to purchase a ticket and take advantage of this fantastic offer. Be sure to provide your SkyMiles account number and PIN when prompted.

    Then sit back, relax and enjoy our full range of premium BusinessElite products for a comfortable, relaxed and productive in-flight experience.

    BusinessElite Benefits

    Terms & Conditions
    Eligible Fares/Booking: All taxes, fees and blackout dates are governed by the rules of the Y, B or M economy class fare purchased. Additional upgrade tax may apply. SkyMiles members can request a one-way upgrade Award for 1-mile for paid tickets purchased in Y, B, or M economy class between the continental United States, Alaska, and Canada and any international destination that offers J class fares (BusinessElite) where upgrade class of service is available on Delta or Northwest-operated flights only. SkyMiles members must call a Delta reservations representative for upgrades. Tickets: Must be purchased and upgrade requested no later than July 13, 2009. Travel Period: Travel must be completed by September 15, 2009. Restrictions: Availability of one-way upgrade inventory is limited and may not be available on all flights. Some markets may have more availability than others. Members may reissue existing tickets to be eligible for upgrade offer, but will need to pay applicable fees. Customers may combine this upgrade Award with other one-way upgrade Awards. Upgrades not available on Air France and KLM or any other SkyTeam® or codeshare partner operated flights. Tickets are nontransferable. SkyMiles accrual will be for class of service originally purchased. Miscellaneous: All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. Fares, taxes, fees, rules, and offers are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. Please refer Delta reservations representative to 970222.

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    According to Joe Bracatelli, the upgrades are from full-fare coach to business. The cost of discounted (restricted) business is practically the same. The one advantage to spending the one mile is that you have a much more flexible ticket.

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    Evidently, the substantial discounts that airlines are currently offering are having an effect and people are starting to take advantage of them, as discussed in this recent article:

    http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=a6ZHr9G9jDbs

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    I have travelled just domestically in the last month (Miami and LA) and it was easy as pie to upgrade to first class. For years, the seats have been filled to capacity and even if I went on the wait list, I never made it. Now I find it very easy. I suppose it is a combination of people are no longer buying first class tickets so much as well as people are travelling less.

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