14 Ways To Get A Flight Upgrade That Don't Include Selling Your Soul
If you're a poor college student or even if you're just unable to afford a flight upgrade to more than a budget airline ticket, you'll know the feeling of pure hatred jealousy that runs through your veins when you see those people in business and first class boarding before you. So how can you be one of them? Here's 14 flight upgrade tips to try... good luck!
1. Dress to impress
This one is a bit of a no-brainer but seriously, you ain't getting upgraded if you're wearing a pair of tracksuit pants and a hoodie. Dress the part and you never know, they could upgrade you 'cause you look important.
2. Check your inbox
Sometimes airlines email their upcoming passengers with upgrade deals that are much cheaper than the original listed price. You might only need to pay a couple of hundred euro more for complete luxury.
3. Travel at quiet times
You have a better chance of being upgraded if you book on a bank holiday or a day when business travellers are off work - the seats in business won't be as full and you'll be a prime candidate... maybe?
4. Travel alone
Most of the time if an airline has seats available for upgrade, it'll be a single seat, so it pays to leave the bae at home. Soz.
5. Be loyal
Join the airline's loyalty program. Yes, you might get thousands of unwelcome spam emails but you might be in luck, especially if you book with the airline all the time.
6. Be on time... or earlier
It's good to arrive with time to spare but when it comes to upgrades, it's honestly first in, best dressed. It might only be a couple of hours before the scheduled departure but you could be in luck if you get to the front of the line.
7. Or be late
Let's contradict what we just said! Be late to check in, i.e. the very last in line, not the one they have to call for, and if the flight is overbooked, you might just be able to get a business ticket that's left over.
8. Be nice
Well yeah, be nice all the time, but especially nice to the people at the check-in. Ask how they are, comment on how busy they must be and tell them to take their time if they apologise. And also comment on something they're wearing or make them laugh - they'll remember you if they need to upgrade someone at the gate.
9. Be charming
No, not like that. Bring along some chocolates or sweets and give them out to the flight attendants. This might be bribery in a way, but it could be very worthwhile. Ya never know.
10. Ask politely
Hey, it can't hurt to try. Just say at the check-in counter: "If you're upgrading passengers, I would like to be considered". Add in something about just checking and it's your anniversary or something you just made up.
11. Tell them you can wait
Tell the flight attendant that if they don't need your seat but they do need somebody to upgrade, you'll be happy to volunteer for that. If they end up needing your seat for someone else, ask whether you can be upgraded on the next flight.
12. Ask your travel agent
When you book your holiday, see if there's a chance of an upgrade and any way to add comments on the booking to make you look even better.
13. Buy an extra seat
On some of the long-haul flights, you can be offered to buy the seat next to you or a row for a little bit extra. This can actually be as good as an upgrade because you can spread out. Oh and bring double the check-in luggage.
14. Settle for premium economy
Like above, you might be able to get premium economy for a hundred euro or so, which is actually pretty good. If nothing else, it's premium OK?!