Sam Chui Travel Hacks 2 - How to get an UPGRADE?

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  • čas přidán 6. 06. 2024
  • In this week's travel hack tutorial video, let's explore the following:
    1. Amazing cheap Lufthansa/Swiss First Class airfare
    2. How do you get a Free Upgrade?
    3. How do you value an Upgrade?
    Blog Post: samchui.com/2018/04/20/amazin...

Komentáře • 206

  • @SamChui
    @SamChui  Před 6 lety +82

    Hi guys, next week I will fly Malaysia Airlines A350 from London to Kuala Lumpur, so I will be sharing you my experience onboard the MH A350!

  • @gregslade6054
    @gregslade6054 Před 6 lety +185

    Last summer I got the luckiest upgrade ever!
    I was flying from London to Hong Kong booked in economy with my other 4 family members. We got to the gate and they said due to over sales we’d ALL been upgraded to business. So I spend 10 days in Asia and then have to fly back from Singapore, and the same thing happens again!
    Utter madness from BA but I loved it!

    • @NintendoFanboy21
      @NintendoFanboy21 Před 6 lety

      did went on ba because I love them

    • @ShahanazShafi
      @ShahanazShafi Před 5 lety +2

      The same thing happened to me once, on Emirates. My family of 4 including me, were upgraded to business class to and from but on different flights to the same destination to accommodate us.

    • @Talal_D47
      @Talal_D47 Před 5 lety +3

      Lucky bastard

    • @TheKulasFamily
      @TheKulasFamily Před 4 lety

      Greg Slade hi how did you do the upgrade with BA did you ask them or they just did it?

  • @jeruelleapigo3642
    @jeruelleapigo3642 Před 6 lety +21

    Great Video Sam! I found a flight from Saudi to Philippines for SR2,000- SR6,000, and that is $533-$1600 in Business Class Sam, yes in Business Class. 2 Adults and 1 child. Please give this heart.

  • @sarinfserg4965
    @sarinfserg4965 Před 6 lety +5

    There is just one word to describe your vlog.... EPIC ,
    Very informative indeed, thank you Mr Chui

  • @GnawNehc
    @GnawNehc Před 5 lety +377

    Skip to 4:58
    Thank me later

  • @hipoff
    @hipoff Před 6 lety

    Sam just discovered your videos. Love them. Look forward to catching up and watching more.

  • @rinobomocaig
    @rinobomocaig Před 6 lety +5

    Nice video, as usual.
    Just one more detail to consider when to upgrade using cash. Usually you can ONLY get the upgrade in seat (eg. Emirates) without all other benefits (lunge access, for example but mostly miles earned). So, when I use this upgrading way, I also consider the value of these things. So, the price I pay for the upgrade should be not only lower than the price difference, but lower than price difference+lounge access price+value of delta of miles between business and economy (usually we talk about 100-150 $ of value).

  • @ahojhonzo5674
    @ahojhonzo5674 Před 5 lety +29

    My friend was flying with Emirates on Business. He asked at check in how much would be upgrade to First. They told him $2500. Then he asked just before boarding started at the gate, suddenly they offered him upgrade just for $500.

  • @matzvlog4364
    @matzvlog4364 Před 5 lety +4

    I was upgraded twice on my Emirates flight, first was from Hongkong to Dubai and the other was from Dubai to Beijing. It was such an amazing experience

  • @4xhilo381
    @4xhilo381 Před 6 lety +13

    Sam ever since I have been watching you I have found the best deals on flights for my family thank you so much bro I appreciate it 👌🏻👍🏻😀 I have always flown a lot but I fly heaps more thanks to your way of finding deals bruh you the best 👍🏻👌🏻

  • @AnilGupta-dr4vr
    @AnilGupta-dr4vr Před 6 lety +3

    Great video Sam! From my experience, Emirates does offer a business class upgrade to all passengers in economy class 3 days before the flight (when applicable). It was $600 to move from Economy to Business, which was a great deal for a 10 hour flight on the 777-300 ER!

  • @thethirdman225
    @thethirdman225 Před 6 lety

    Another great video Sam! Keep them coming because I'm learning a lot watching you. Thanks heaps.

  • @Gwailo54
    @Gwailo54 Před 5 lety +7

    I got an upgrade business to first from Changi to Zurich in 2016. At check in I asked. I was told it was X miles. I replied that's the full fare not the upgrade. The check in assistant, who seemed new, went to the supervisor to check, and when she returned I was told I would find out in the lounge if I could upgrade. All done very politely on both sides. Once in the lounge, I was given a free upgrade.
    My advice? Know your upgrade awards chart for the flight, always be very polite, and also have the bare faced cheek to ask for an upgrade. It's the first time I tried it. I haven't tried since!

  • @NathanielVillapando
    @NathanielVillapando Před 6 lety +3

    Love your videos, and Keep the good the work.

  • @rummon
    @rummon Před 6 lety +39

    WOW!...Definitely I will try this to get an upgrade. Thank you for this information. Sam, you are awesome.

    • @bosteador
      @bosteador Před 6 lety

      Rummon are you a bot?? Lol

  • @jonathannewman5523
    @jonathannewman5523 Před 6 lety +1

    Thank you for sorting out your microphone! Much easier to hear you now. Keep up the great videos!

  • @izakkertznus4005
    @izakkertznus4005 Před 4 lety +2

    So useful! Thank you so much Sam!

  • @danb.9713
    @danb.9713 Před 5 lety

    Excellent video -- very useful and practical. Thank you!!

  • @lowpross11
    @lowpross11 Před 6 lety +6

    I won Premium seating auction on Norwegian Air from Stockholm to LAX for $205 plus my original fare of $479USD. I think all airlines should offer auction. Totally worth it!

  • @nickbanhidy7262
    @nickbanhidy7262 Před 6 lety +1

    Sam you're a wiz !. You know the game better than the airlines. How can us mere mortals ever gain your level of expertise?.

  • @asbusinos
    @asbusinos Před 6 lety

    Great tips as always, thanks Sam.

  • @arnebrauer
    @arnebrauer Před 6 lety +2

    Just a short Information. I already booked the cash-upgrade at Thai airways. The upgrade-fee from Economy to Business depends on the class, you booked your economy ticket. I bought the cheapest ticket and i had to pay around 200,00 € more for the upgrade, then with another economy ticket.

  • @teetwilight
    @teetwilight Před 6 lety +1

    Thank you Sam this is really useful!!

  • @blakewillshowyou
    @blakewillshowyou Před 4 lety +1

    Great video! Excellent Information!

  • @caralhoguy
    @caralhoguy Před 6 lety +5

    Thanks for the helpful tips ❤️ 👍

  • @desertsailorii
    @desertsailorii Před 4 lety +1

    Thank you for the ITA Matrix. Works very well.

  • @magdanieniewska2687
    @magdanieniewska2687 Před 5 lety +1

    Extremely useful content!! 👍

  • @derekow5638
    @derekow5638 Před 5 lety

    Formerly, when I was an inexperienced flyer, I didn’t really care about how much value miles hold until now. Back then, I only cared about collecting them for upgrades or redemptions. This video just validated the fact that miles are just like our own wallet currencies. U can’t make mistakes if u don’t wanna make your wallet lighter. Thanks Sam!

    • @andresil8330
      @andresil8330 Před 5 lety

      Godly Giorgio what would be a better way to use the miles?

  • @nishant7sharma
    @nishant7sharma Před 6 lety +10

    What a great vlog sam #samchuiforever

  • @Fluterra
    @Fluterra Před 6 lety +1

    Excellent overview!!!

  • @liayesung5721
    @liayesung5721 Před rokem

    I surprisingly got upgraded once by Etihad Airways! Out of the blue my connecting flight to BKK was upgraded because my monitor wasn't working for the first flight to Abu Dhabi. Probably because I flew very often with them, but still, such a nice move. Very attentive service, and it also suggests customer trust in an airline.

  • @l.a.rivasesq.8841
    @l.a.rivasesq.8841 Před 4 lety

    Awesome content. Thank you!

  • @skebir2506
    @skebir2506 Před 6 lety

    Your travel hacks are great. I will have to review your video to understand fully.

  • @koreandevil604
    @koreandevil604 Před 4 lety +3

    sometimes you just get lucky with upgrades. I once had a carry on that the check in lady had me weigh and it was a bit over. She suggested I check it in and i didn't want to . Then she told me to put some stuff in my larger suit case that I was checking in....after 2 seconds of thought I figured it was too much work and she smiled and agreed.
    I was later waiting to board my flight and heard my name called and I thought i was getting picked to stay behind due to over booked flight or something. But, to my surprise it was the same girls and she upgraded me to business from economy. The economy area was not over booked or anything.....I just got lucky in the situation.

  • @nitziefitzie4982
    @nitziefitzie4982 Před 5 lety +1

    Very useful Sam, I had back surgery and I don’t think I can fly economy for long distance flight anymore. It would be nice to know that I have the option to lay flat and stretch my back either in business or first class.

  • @davidcorbett8125
    @davidcorbett8125 Před 5 lety +2

    Ok
    A few things need to be said re upgrades.. on the airline I worked for, ask or demand an upgrade and it was virtually certain you would remain in the cabin you paid for. Most European airlines work the same way. Airlines are fully aware of the ways people try to manipulate an upgrade ie by watching the sales on flights BUT there are always no shows on flights so it's a far from foolproof way of using your loyalty status to earn an upgrade. One other thing, if you have ordered a special meal ie diabetic, veggie etc then your chance of an upgrade is virtually nil as it means the airline have to re cater a special meal at the last minute, not something they like doing

  • @chintanmaniar2887
    @chintanmaniar2887 Před 4 lety +1

    Hi Sam..Its always a great pleasure to hear from you and have a look at the videos. There is one fare search if you can help with. This is a typical request for helping get cheaper fares from BOM to YYZ. Help will be much appreciated.

  • @rickm7923
    @rickm7923 Před 4 lety

    Great videos and reviews. Do you have any plans to fly on and review the Global 7500. I would love to see a picture of the shower option in the 7500

  • @anyamaneesmeenk3313
    @anyamaneesmeenk3313 Před 6 lety +1

    Thank, This is very helpful
    And I have a question
    I will fly with Thai airways next week
    and my leg is in gyp
    Is there a chance to get a upgrade ?

  • @evacheng5684
    @evacheng5684 Před 2 lety

    excellent info, Sam!

  • @trojanette8345
    @trojanette8345 Před 4 lety +1

    Hello, Sam. I'm watching one of your older videos. Great information as always.
    2:50 -- Got a question for you. You didn't finish your thought, here. If, in the case of your example you could have paid (higher cost of ) 2,500€, how much DID YOU save by, using "ita Matrix"? Do you remember your savings amount back then?
    Also, thanks for the tip of NOT using your miles to upgrade. I've been a rewards member of a particular airline for almost 27 yrs, now. I try and tell my friends that all the time. Granted when airlines first started their frequent flyer programs there used to be a time when this strategy was advantageous. However, nowadays with airlines tightening the belt and their own corporate budget digging, in to your own mileage bucket does you no good.
    As always, thanks for sharing your information and expertise.

  • @almabl
    @almabl Před 6 lety

    Great video as usual. Next time share with us your opinion about using electronic tickets/bouchers you get as Top Tier FF for upgrade. What do you think about selling miles? or exchange miles? Do you do that? Keep up the great job!!

  • @NathanielVillapando
    @NathanielVillapando Před 6 lety +7

    Thanks again, My parents needs this again. :D

  • @dcapurso
    @dcapurso Před 4 lety

    Hello Sam ; my name is Domenico Capurso am a Italian but live in USA for 51 years and i am hooked watching your aviation traveling and i just subscribed to your channel
    would love to have more input how to travel in the future thank you so much i live in Florida near Fort Lauderdale and watch you at all the time thank you Domenico

  • @apb1441
    @apb1441 Před 6 lety

    very informative, thanks!

  • @mundotaku_org
    @mundotaku_org Před 5 lety +1

    I got to upgrade from Mexico City to Narita (Tokyo) on Business class for $750 USD. The ticket From Miami to Mexico City to Narita cost me $1,000 bucks. Aeromexico business class was excellent.

  • @ybmb1121
    @ybmb1121 Před 6 lety +2

    I remember last year I was looking to book a flight from Muscat Oman to Boston or NYC business class prices with BA was $2100 and with Egypt Air for $1600, crazy.

  • @mfhm8644
    @mfhm8644 Před 5 lety

    Hi Sam, I liked this video please keep guiding us how to fly cheap on business and first class

  • @321aliimran
    @321aliimran Před 5 lety

    Can you please also advice on how to purchase tickets at the price for someone has seen on Matrix ITA?? Love your videos.

  • @Pushkin62
    @Pushkin62 Před 6 lety

    Thanks for the heads up. How do you get wind of cheap first class and business class routes?

  • @user-nj5le3rw1t
    @user-nj5le3rw1t Před 6 lety +6

    Actually if there's lots of options to get an upgrade, i think that you guys must be VERY lucky you know its a thing that they gives you money for free

  • @AmbienceNight
    @AmbienceNight Před 6 lety

    Love this guy

  • @JohanMsWorld
    @JohanMsWorld Před 6 lety +1

    How important is personal contacts when it comes to getting upgrades? Is it helpful to know "the right persons" within an airline? I ask cause I do feel that these sort of contacts are really usefull in the theatre world when it comes to atend those special tickets youd like. Johan.

  • @T1ger8oi
    @T1ger8oi Před 6 lety +1

    Any tips for traveling from San Francisco to Hong Kong? Any ways to get an upgrade for cheap?

  • @lordcolby5010
    @lordcolby5010 Před 6 lety +2

    That Expert website doesn't show what the minus factor is in economy, in other words it could be oversold by 1 or as many as 75. The trick is to know how oversold a flight is. Airlines will way over sell on some routes, ie: LHR-JFK as the no show factor is huge, sometimes as many as 75 per flight but they won't try to oversell on a trip to Miami as it's mainly holidymakers who are definately going to make their trip.
    There are lots of factors to take into consideration such as time of flight, whether it's the airline's hub or a connecting flight etc.
    Good luck to anyone who plays the games & gets results

  • @MrDedeque
    @MrDedeque Před 6 lety

    Hi Sam, can you make a comprehensive review of Garuda Indonesia Business Class from Soekarno Hatta Airport Terminal 3 to any destination. Thank You.

  • @robertyuan2593
    @robertyuan2593 Před 4 lety

    Sam, is there any situation or airline process so we can upgrade onboard the aircraft. If so, is the price cheaper?

  • @ahsanhabibhasan1678
    @ahsanhabibhasan1678 Před 6 lety

    SAM No no no I just got First class on Lusfansta Airbus A350 your r the best #EveryonelovsChui

  • @christopherhanges4257
    @christopherhanges4257 Před 5 lety +1

    On one airline I had utter upgrade fail. Honeymoon + email to purser from airline's customer relations team + special request note on system + business ticket does not equal upgrade to first with multiple available seats. Instead I was told "lowest priority" at check in and prior to boarding.

  • @kannapiranr.p9607
    @kannapiranr.p9607 Před 6 lety

    Thank you Sam chui

  • @bec_breen
    @bec_breen Před 6 lety +1

    Hi Sam, Do you believe that all the travel agents that Momondo searches can be trusted? I know sometimes they add extra tax or fees at the end, when you are at the final step, enter payment details, fine no problem, but would there be any other issues to be aware of?

  • @BrysonCY
    @BrysonCY Před 6 lety +1

    How do you normally pay for your seats? Do you just get discount for member or do you use your own income to pay? Im curious because Casey Neistat (another CZcamsr) shared and said he paid for economy seats which is one of the cheapest and get an instant upgrade as a member.

  • @ashwinpathak915
    @ashwinpathak915 Před 6 lety

    THANKS SAM

  • @2008MrsKim
    @2008MrsKim Před 5 lety +4

    Just checked this Matrix out and it says it has been discontinued as of Dec 2017...I'm cunfused

  • @Therealleofitlife
    @Therealleofitlife Před 6 lety

    I needed this! going to Thailand this May on Cathy Pacific!

  • @tskhan3173
    @tskhan3173 Před 5 lety

    Sam please make video of Kenya airways to Zambia

  • @dkumar3749
    @dkumar3749 Před 6 lety

    the world is a family and you are the leader

  • @louisluciano415
    @louisluciano415 Před 6 lety +1

    thanks sam i will tray with china airlines on 1-6-18 class premium tobusiness

  • @ikramcader850
    @ikramcader850 Před 6 lety +1

    Please do british airways a380

  • @Manni99
    @Manni99 Před 6 lety +1

    Great Video.
    But as far as I know Lufthansa based their A340-300 in Frankfurt and the 340-600 only flys to Munich.

  • @RKDJSongs-tq1iq
    @RKDJSongs-tq1iq Před 6 lety

    Cool flying

  • @SimonCU
    @SimonCU Před 6 lety

    How and where do you bid for an upgrade? Is it from the website or in person?

  • @prsr8564
    @prsr8564 Před 6 lety +5

    Hey does United has bid concept for upgrade?? I would love to get upgraded at lesser cost.
    Thanks😊

  • @jimbroganjamesebrogansr169

    hi Sam, i traveled from bkk too lsx buss. ckass 2800 round trip

  • @abhcy
    @abhcy Před 6 lety +29

    Don't pretend to be sick, that can get you deported off the plane according to my book.

  • @fmsd26
    @fmsd26 Před 5 lety

    Nice chui....

  • @warangel67
    @warangel67 Před 6 lety

    Hi Sam, if we bet on an upgrade, are we refunded if we don’t get it ? Thanks

  • @nickieshadowfaxbrooklyn5192

    Ita matrix: New website ? I've been using it for years. Bad thing is they seem to have abandoned to develop it.

  • @byronalvarez525
    @byronalvarez525 Před 4 lety

    Sam, When will you have a premium membership service that will allow us "flexible" travelers to join in on some of your inaugural and special flights. I'm retired and ex airline and can jump on flights anywhere 24/7

  • @StrainXv
    @StrainXv Před 4 lety +1

    That really doesn't seem like a "How to" but more like this is how they pick upgrades and how to look at fully booked flights. The Expert flyer is likely the upgrade from Business to First, I think most people are looking for how to get out of Economy.

  • @VitaliyBorovyk
    @VitaliyBorovyk Před 6 lety

    Hi, what mic do you use, ​please?

  • @varunchandra1
    @varunchandra1 Před 3 lety

    So if the economy seats are all filled how can we book them to try and get an operational upgrade?

  • @hemamaliniraghuraman3290

    Why are you so goooooood?

  • @drunkensloth8626
    @drunkensloth8626 Před 5 lety

    I got upgraded to first class twice by Air Canada during my trips to Florida when I was younger. In my case I think it was due to my physical disability since it was far faster to transfer me into the first row, than wheel the aisle chair to economy. Regardless I wish I was older so I could have fully appreciated the experience, getting a free meal and the exact same treatment as a paying customer for free was quite awesome. The only downside was we were flying back to horrible weather in Toronto after a long stay in Orlando..

  • @edmundsoh8029
    @edmundsoh8029 Před 4 lety

    Dear Sam, I'm flying Lufthansa Airbus A350-900 Premium Economy on 11th August, which happens to be my birthday. Good enough reason to bump me up to first class if I ask for it over the counter?

  • @Reprodestruxion
    @Reprodestruxion Před 6 lety

    Tuesday is a good day to book right?

  • @tilakmagodia5070
    @tilakmagodia5070 Před 6 lety

    Sam what about India International flights sales

  • @rubyvos191
    @rubyvos191 Před 6 lety

    Cant wait to try these things on my next Flight!!!

  • @hujanair2
    @hujanair2 Před 4 lety

    Yep... can confirm on an overbooked plane, i got a free upgrade to business by just being a frequent flyer with lufthansa. Normal tier member, nothing special.

  • @nikhiliyer9371
    @nikhiliyer9371 Před 6 lety +1

    Hi Sam, Nikhil here, can I from Mumbai, India avail such low priced business class /first class tickets?

  • @wcarp4231
    @wcarp4231 Před 5 lety +2

    I'm Gold on American Airlines with a dozen upgrades in my account. That means that Pigs will fly before I get upgraded.

  • @dodytom3960
    @dodytom3960 Před 3 lety

    Hlo brother, could please tell how can we get free launch access..? Or we have pay for launch access. Or its only for regular flying customers?

  • @asfamdyabshah6352
    @asfamdyabshah6352 Před 6 lety +1

    Nic

  • @alfredwhite3841
    @alfredwhite3841 Před 6 lety

    When will we see a flight?

  • @saadqureshi446
    @saadqureshi446 Před 6 lety

    If a person have choose first class and by chance first class is full so what will happen the person will send to business class or where

  • @shaunpierce4174
    @shaunpierce4174 Před 5 lety +11

    " Nice cheap flights"...yeah, maybe for you Sam.

  • @nabilumeri
    @nabilumeri Před 6 lety +1

    But the cabin not something “ummpphh” or wow factor yet..

  • @jackkuck7948
    @jackkuck7948 Před 4 lety

    1:11 u can't book there because in Germany are school vacations

  • @TheE71462
    @TheE71462 Před 4 lety +1

    How can you advise Matrix airfare , it dont compare the same Fligh. Moreother, its necessary to spend 35h flying vs 17h to join hanoi from PARIS or change 3 Times plane or go to STrasbourg , spend the night on the airport for 12h to go atlanta.i cant believe, sorry

  • @juneedali9571
    @juneedali9571 Před 6 lety

    Wow