Upgrade To Business Class: Austrian Airlines Secrets Revealed

Austrian Airlines offers a variety of options for passengers looking to upgrade from Economy to Business Class. Upgrades can be purchased at a fixed price or through a bidding process. Passengers can also use their miles to upgrade, with as little as 10,000 miles needed to enjoy the benefits of a higher booking class. The bidding process for an upgrade allows passengers to set the price they are willing to pay, with bids accepted up to 60 hours before departure. Upgrades can also be purchased during online check-in, which opens 47 hours before departure, or even at the last minute by speaking to staff at the check-in desk, gate, or on board. Business Class offers a range of benefits, including additional baggage allowance, priority check-in, lounge access, comfortable seats, exclusive meals, and more.

Fixed-price upgrades

If you have already booked an Economy or Premium Economy Class ticket with Austrian Airlines but would like to switch to a higher travel class, you can do so by upgrading at a fixed price.

To upgrade at a fixed price, access your flight under "My Bookings" and click on "Upgrade flights". All flights on your travel route that can be upgraded will be displayed automatically. You can choose to upgrade just one of your flights or both your outbound and return flights at the same time.

Upgrades at a fixed price are available up to 48 hours before departure. To book, simply select all the flights you want to upgrade and then click "Continue". Enter your payment information and confirm the purchase. Your credit card will not be charged until your upgrade is confirmed, after which you will receive an email confirmation.

Please note that upgrades are subject to availability in Premium Economy or Business Class, and only confirmed bookings (not waiting list bookings) are eligible. Additionally, upgrades can only be made for flights with a ticket number beginning with "OS" (e.g. OSxxx), indicating that they are Austrian scheduled flights operated by Austrian Airlines.

Bid upgrades

If you have already booked an Economy or Premium Economy Class ticket with Austrian Airlines but would like to upgrade to Business Class, you can submit a bid for the upgrade. This option allows you to determine the price you are willing to pay for the upgrade.

To submit a bid upgrade, follow these steps:

• Access your flight under "My Bookings" on the Austrian Airlines website or mobile app.
• Click on "Upgrade flights". All flights on your travel route that are eligible for an upgrade will be displayed.
• Select the flights you want to upgrade. You can choose to upgrade just your outbound flight, your return flight, or both.
• For a bid upgrade, use the slider to enter the amount you want to pay. Then, click on "Continue".
• Enter your payment information and confirm your bid. Your credit card will not be charged until your upgrade is confirmed.
• You will receive an email confirmation once your bid is accepted.

Please note that bid upgrades are subject to certain terms and conditions:

• Bids can only be made on selected flights operated by Austrian Airlines, and you must have a valid, issued Economy or Premium Economy Class ticket for the flight. Bids for tickets sold in India are not accepted.
• All bidders must be of legal age in their country of residence at the time of submitting the bid.
• Your bid remains open for acceptance by the airline until 60 hours before the scheduled flight departure time. You can revise or cancel your bid during this period.
• The airline is not obligated to accept your bid, even if you are the highest bidder. Acceptance is at the sole discretion of the airline.
• If your bid is accepted, you are legally bound to complete the payment for the final bid amount.
• Refunds, credits, or exchanges are generally not allowed once your bid has been accepted, unless certain exceptions apply (such as flight cancellation or failure to provide the upgraded seat).
• The fare conditions for your original ticket, including cancellation policies, change fees, and baggage conditions, will still apply even if your bid is accepted and you are upgraded.

Last-minute upgrades

If you're looking to upgrade your Austrian Airlines flight to Business Class at the last minute, there are a few options available to you.

Firstly, you can purchase an upgrade at check-in from 47 hours before departure. This can be done online or at the check-in desk at the airport. You will be offered an upgrade, subject to availability, and you can choose to accept or decline. If you accept, you will be charged for the upgrade, but the terms and conditions of your original travel class booking will still apply.

If you decide even closer to your departure time that you'd like an upgrade, don't worry! You can simply talk to a member of staff at the check-in desk, at the gate, or even with the crew onboard to request an upgrade. They will be able to assist you in upgrading your ticket to Business Class.

It's important to note that upgrades are subject to availability and certain conditions. For example, upgrades are only possible if there is availability in Premium Economy or Business Class, and you must have a confirmed booking (not a waiting list booking). Additionally, you must have a valid and issued Economy or Premium Economy Class ticket for an Austrian Airlines flight.

So, if you're looking to enjoy the benefits of Business Class at the last minute, don't hesitate to reach out to Austrian Airlines staff, and they will be happy to assist you!

Upgrade with miles

If you earn miles, you can use them to upgrade your Austrian Airlines Economy Class ticket to Business Class. You can book your upgrade using miles directly at the check-in desk at the airport or via the Miles & More service team in your country. From 10,000 miles, you can enjoy the benefits of a higher booking class on a flight originally booked for Economy Class.

You can earn miles by flying with Austrian Airlines or other Star Alliance airlines. You can also earn miles through credit card partnerships. For example, Avianca Lifemiles is a popular frequent flyer program with partnerships with Amex, Citi, Capital One, Brex, and Marriott. Citi, Capital One, and Brex transfer at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly, while Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio in around 1 business day. Amex, Brex, and Citi also offer transfer bonuses of up to 30% at times, making it even easier to amass miles.

Additionally, you can purchase miles through various promotions. For example, LifeMiles offers lucrative mileage sales where you can buy miles for 1 to 1.1 cents apiece thanks to purchase bonuses of up to 200%.

Upgrade at check-in

If you are looking to upgrade your Austrian Airlines ticket to business class at check-in, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, the Austrian Airlines online check-in window opens 47 hours before departure. You will receive an offer to upgrade, subject to availability, but it is important to note that the terms and conditions of the travel class originally booked will still apply. This means that the fare terms and conditions of your original ticket will remain unchanged, even after upgrading.

When upgrading, you will receive status and award miles based on the value of the upgrade. If you have collected miles, you can use them to book your upgrade. From 10,000 miles, you can upgrade your flight to business class. You can do this directly at the check-in desk at the airport or via the Miles & More service team in your country.

If you would like to upgrade by paying a fixed price, you can do so by accessing your flight under "My Bookings" and clicking on "Upgrade flights". You will then be able to select the flights you want to upgrade and choose the desired option for each flight. After that, simply follow the payment process and confirm your purchase. You will receive a confirmation email once your upgrade is booked.

Frequently asked questions