Is it an urban myth that honeymoon holidaymakers get free holiday upgrades? If they do how do you go get one?
Richard Dixon, director of honeymoon specialist, Holidays Please explains….
It is not a myth! Many holiday companies understand that honeymoon couples will give more business in the future and that providing an upgrade can create future goodwill.
They realise that as most people just go on honeymoon once and so it should not cost the tour operator a fortune.
So how do you go get an upgrade?
There are a couple of different types of upgrades you can receive. Either a flight or hotel room upgrade …. or both!
Flight upgrades:-
Believe it or not airlines generally aim to overbook flight seats. As many as 5% of passengers will not arrive for their flight. If they get their maths right the airline can therefore sell 105% of the seats without running out.
Richard Dixon, director of honeymoon specialist, Holidays Please explains….
It is not a myth! Many holiday companies understand that honeymoon couples will give more business in the future and that providing an upgrade can create future goodwill.
They realise that as most people just go on honeymoon once and so it should not cost the tour operator a fortune.
So how do you go get an upgrade?
There are a couple of different types of upgrades you can receive. Either a flight or hotel room upgrade …. or both!
Flight upgrades:-
Believe it or not airlines generally aim to overbook flight seats. As many as 5% of passengers will not arrive for their flight. If they get their maths right the airline can therefore sell 105% of the seats without running out.
That’s if things go according to plan!
However if more people turn up to the flight than they predict then there is an issue. They then have to use business and first class to accommodate passengers who don’t have a seat in economy. This is when upgrades occur.
People on the check-in desk will know this and they will look at your class of ticket (not many people know there are different classes of economy tickets), how you present yourself and whether you are on a special occasion.
Our advice would therefore be:-
1)Dress smartly and speak politely to the check in staff,
2)Let them know you are on your honeymoon.
3)Ask if the flight is up to capacity. If so, you can offer to move around if it would help.
4)Use a Travel Agent who will have probably already told the airline that you are on honeymoon.
5)Get advice from your Travel Agent on when different airlines upgrade sooner or later in the queue. This will help your decision on whether you join the check-in queue earlier or later.
However if more people turn up to the flight than they predict then there is an issue. They then have to use business and first class to accommodate passengers who don’t have a seat in economy. This is when upgrades occur.
People on the check-in desk will know this and they will look at your class of ticket (not many people know there are different classes of economy tickets), how you present yourself and whether you are on a special occasion.
Our advice would therefore be:-
1)Dress smartly and speak politely to the check in staff,
2)Let them know you are on your honeymoon.
3)Ask if the flight is up to capacity. If so, you can offer to move around if it would help.
4)Use a Travel Agent who will have probably already told the airline that you are on honeymoon.
5)Get advice from your Travel Agent on when different airlines upgrade sooner or later in the queue. This will help your decision on whether you join the check-in queue earlier or later.
Hotels
The easiest way to get a free upgrade at your hotel is to agree them before you travel.
Different holiday companies have different offers and so your best bet is to use an independent travel agent who can tell you which companies are offering free upgrades.
If there are no upgrade deals then get your travel agent to tell the hotel and tour operator that you are on your honeymoon and would appreciate anything extra on arrival.
Sometimes you might find some wine or a fruit basket for you, sometimes you might find a completely upgraded room!
For more fantastic advice on your honeymoon just visit Honeymoons at Holidays Please
Richard Dixon is managing director of the honeymoon specialist web site Holidaysplease.co.uk He has run travel agencies for over 20 years.
The easiest way to get a free upgrade at your hotel is to agree them before you travel.
Different holiday companies have different offers and so your best bet is to use an independent travel agent who can tell you which companies are offering free upgrades.
If there are no upgrade deals then get your travel agent to tell the hotel and tour operator that you are on your honeymoon and would appreciate anything extra on arrival.
Sometimes you might find some wine or a fruit basket for you, sometimes you might find a completely upgraded room!
For more fantastic advice on your honeymoon just visit Honeymoons at Holidays Please
Richard Dixon is managing director of the honeymoon specialist web site Holidaysplease.co.uk He has run travel agencies for over 20 years.
Can honeymoon couples get free holiday upgrades?