www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I disrespected first class.

I flew to Costa Rica every week for a year so I quickly got frequent flier status. One day I went to check in and my ticket read 1-A, automatic upgrade from then on.

Free Drinks in first class and they knew to keep em coming. I used to love delays as I'd just sit there and get drunk and watch music dvds.

One time they had to remove me in a wheel chair. I just remember waking up already pass customs. Not saying I'm proud of that but thats how it went.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Dan: I'm Silver Elite on Continental. I get the upgrade >75% of the time to SJO. "Butt in seat" flight miles are 25K for Silver. My last trip was upgraded to biz on all 4 legs.
CH

Anyone have a rough estimate of how many miles it would cost to upgrade to 1st from iah to SJO?

So unless you plan to do a lot more flying, you are not going to have the miles - still its a good question, and FF rules (which can change almost daily ) are a great point of discussion especially from the perspective of guys like Srlim who are "in the biz" and fly a lot. Don't feel bad; he likely flys more in 2 months than you did in 10 years, so he knows his stuff.

You still should join the frequent flyer program(s) - most are free - and get on the e mail list for specials, and you can still ask what it will cost for an upgrade that day - lets face it, you are not going to spend thousands of dollars on flights to attain a milage level you have not come close to in ten years

So what - while its not gonna happen by flying at your current levels, pay the extra AFTER just asking for one - if you are nice, have developed a rapport, you might just get one.

Its like casino comps - if you are gambling a certain amount anyway, then, sure, go for it - but to increase the amount you gamble to get the comps is dumb - but I suspect thats exactly what the casino wants you to do - these guys give zero away without getting a return.

What about in $? Right now the difference in coach and first is $450 or so. That's pre purchase of course. The web site says there's an opportunity to purchase upgrade when the transaction is complete.

I did not realize that you could pay to upgrade to business class at the gate. Do this apply even if you are not a member of their FF club? I read an article that your chances of being upgraded often reflect your attire. The guy dressed in a suit will always get an upgrade over the guy dressed like a bum.

Lots of great info on this thread.

Devo

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The most dangerous adversaries are the ones that come with a smile instead of a sword

AA charges a $50. co-pay each way for your upgrade.

The longer the flight, the better the experience. For a short flt to SJO of less that 3 hours, I would even take a middle seat. If I was flying to PI, I would consider Economy Plus or something better for the extra space.

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“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

This is a great plan with the Exception of delays. I have sat on the tarmac in SJO for 45 minutes waiting to depart and for an hour in ATL waiting for a gate. Since this is the time you cant leave your seat, it really sucks to be sandwiched in between two girthy people with a little rat K*D behind you kicking your seat and crying .

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Free Drinks in first class and they knew to keep em coming. I used to love delays as I'd just sit there and get drunk and watch music dvds.

One time they had to remove me in a wheel chair. I just remember waking up already pass customs. Not saying I'm proud of that but thats how it went.


This belongs in the same category as PRICELESS

I think so too! To me, this is what this site is about - sharing info and experiences on a wide variety of subjects

Check the counter; also ask at the gate - there are more "unwritten rules" in the airline industry that the general public has no clue about.

And I'd agree w/ you re the better dressed guy (or gal) probably having a slight advantage, but its attitude thats the most important thing (although not suggesting you dress like you just left the Salvation Army Shelter, or how many do in the HDR ) - smile, make a (tasteful) comment like - "Wow - long day, huh - I'm dead too..."

And see where it goes from there - can't hurt. And asking about upgrades - assuming he/she does not pick up on your comments and offer you one for free -- makes you look more on the ball and less clueless than 90% of the flying public.

PS - to Srlim - re your air vs land hours - WOW....Jesus!

At IAH, almost everything has become automated. Do you flag someone down if you are not checking a bag and are using one of the self check in terminals?

Bump. I'm two days away and the upgrade online is $250 with two seats left. I'm considering it because the flight looks pretty full and I'm a big guy. Should I wait and see if the cost online goes down as I get closer to takeoff?

Nah,
Go ahead and buy the upgrade, I don't want a "big guy" in the seat next to me, been there done that.

Regards, 911 Driver

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The happy hour is a device either for getting rid of social obligations hurriedly en masse or for making overtures toward more serious social relationships, as in the etiquette of whoring.- Brooks Atkinson

Come on now. I'm not that big.