Have you ever wanted to fly first class or business class, but never had the money for it? Or maybe you got a big bonus before the holidays, and want to upgrade the flights you booked. Alright, here's what you can do!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Method with High Success Rate
Step 1. Purchase upgrades
This is the easiest, and definitely gets an upgrade. However, unless you fly the airline frequently and get elite status, this is the most expensive way to get it.
Step 2. Become a frequent aviator
Airlines categorize their customers based on how often they fly, or how much they spend!
- At 50k miles per year, you're on your way to the elite zone, a position that makes you important to the airline. You will be rewarded with many perks all the time, such as quick check-ins, bonuses, and even upgrades to the first class.
- If you don't travel often, consider "walking mileage." It's a process of finding cheap long flights and picking them up whenever you can. The destination is not important, only the distance. The ground rule for determining whether a price is good is $.02 or less per mile. Check online sources like Farecompare for prices and other opportunities.
- You also need to consider whether you fly often enough to maintain elite status.
Step 3. Check at the airport kiosk
Arrived at the airport a few hours early, checked in with the airport kiosk. You can modify your seat if available, and if a first class seat is available, you can upgrade it for a much reduced price.
Step 4. Check in early
When there's a upgrade available and two elite aviators request it, the one who comes first to check in gets it. You must have elite status in the airline for this to work.
Step 5. Switch flights
Take advantage of what happens in travel in general. Many airlines over-book the flights, and sometimes, when they least expect it, everyone is on the flight. When this happens, they have to find the person they want to move. This could be you!
- If this flight is overbooked, your bargaining position is high. Approach the gate agent, and be alluring and sympathetic. Ask them to give you a ticket upgrade over other incentives.
- This is more likely to work if you don't have any checked baggage, as checked baggage gives the airline extra work to move you.
Step 6. Look for discounted tickets
Some airlines have more relaxed ticket upgrade rules. You may have a friend who has an upgrade voucher and is willing to sell it.
Step 7. Plan for the long term
If you're a regular aviator, considering doing some walking mileage, and you're planning a big trip that you want to enjoy in first-class style, you can buy it direct from the airline.
- Go to the airline's website, and look for the "Purchase Miles" page, usually located in the frequent flyer section.
- Enter your account number, and how many miles you want to buy.
Step 8. Book directly with the airline
When ordering direct, it is possible to add OSI (Other Significant Information) notation to your notes.
Based on that, ask for the possibility of upgrading to first class. If you are a travel agent, travel writer, event planner, or a head in the industry, this is more than possible
Step 9. Purchase a full price carriage ticket and request a first class seat
Many airlines have price codes that automatically provide first-class amenities, but you have to ask for them. Call the airline and ask how much the ticket for a carriage with first-class facilities will cost. It's cheaper than a first class ticket. Be careful though, these tickets are usually non-refundable.
Step 10. Shop around
Reward a reasonably priced airline for business class travel. As with most airlines, if you fly frequently, they'll appreciate your business, and struggling newbies will probably appreciate your business even more.
Method 2 of 2: Method with Lower Chance of Success
Step 1. Book with a travel agent
Agents usually routinely allocate multiple upgrade vouchers. These are usually not free, but you can persuade an agent for these vouchers if they are available.
- If you are not a frequent user of a particular travel agency, they will of course have very few vouchers for you. Whatever vouchers they have, of course, they will be given to customers who contribute more to them.
- Travel agents have less input about your status than ever before. Your seating arrangement is done via a computer now, and the computer does not take into account the notes added by the travel agent to your records. The computer only considers the distance and uses the status you have obtained.
Step 2. Use a mileage broker
These brokers buy mileage from frequent flyers and sell them to other travelers.
- This is very risky. Airlines have rules about purchasing mileage from frequent carriers through third parties. If you are caught doing this, you may lose your ticket, and lose all the mileage you have earned or purchased.
- Due to these strict regulations, brokers are rarely encountered.
Step 3. Ask the ticket counter agent nicely
This rarely works. In most cases, these ticket agents cannot provide upgrades. Only the manager can, and if there is only one person at the ticket counter, that is the manager.
- You usually have to use mileage to upgrade your ticket. However, you may ask the ticket counter agent to add the code to your ticket. This tells the gate agent that you are able to get an upgrade.
- You have more possibilities with international airlines.
Step 4. If you are late because of a partner airline, make sure the airline knows about it:
it's their fault and they need to fix it. Both airlines must be on the same E-ticket number, so both are responsible for getting you to your destination. If you can't get to your destination on time, this is a good time to request another flight, with an upgrade voucher because of your problem.
Step 5. If you are a travel agent, show your Iata ID or ARC
Again, this is only possible if the seat is available and even if some travel agents manage to do so, you should know that regular pilot status helps a lot more than travel agent status. If you have both, this will increase the chances.
Step 6. Ask the flight attendant for an upgrade if a seat is available
Usually this is not possible. But there are compelling reasons why flight attendants upgrade your seat. Here are a few:
- Problems with your chair. In some cases where your seat has a problem and you are not comfortable sitting there such as a seat belt problem, or the seat won't sit still, the flight attendants will find you another seat. If the seats in the regular class are no longer available and only seats in the first class are available, then you can be moved there. However this is very rare, and you shouldn't accidentally damage your chair. Also note, if there are elite pilots in the regular class seats, they will first be transferred to the upper class and then you will be transferred to the elite pilot seats.
- Choose the seat where the family and children sit. This can increase your seat, because they may need to move to your seat, this happens often.
- Problems with other passengers. If you are sitting next to a passenger and you have a complaint about it, such as harassment, the flight attendant may transfer you. If there are only seats available in first class, you can go there!
Step 7. Get to know the airline workers you have regular contact with
Do you fly through certain airports on a regular basis? If so, getting to know an agent with whom you have frequent contact will sometimes reward you. When a delay occurs, you can be the first person they remember to upgrade, or at least be placed on a better flight. They will appreciate your loyalty and friendship, and will accommodate you accordingly.
Step 8. Dress like that
Dress like a business executive, or at least business casual. No jeans, athletic shoes, or other casual make-up. Dressing like a first-class passenger helps. Airlines are more willing to for passengers who look like that than those who are willing to pay. You may also be able to get a seat in business class.
Be aware that most of the upgrades are not based on appearance, but status. If you don't travel a lot but you look like an MBA star, and the choice is between you and a sloppy-looking NBA star, your Gucci will still lose
Tips
- It's a matter of who you talk to and how. Be polite and flexible.
- Choose your purchases wisely. Regular seats won't be so bad if your trip is short. If you give upgrades, buy them on the long haul. Cross-country flights will offer more service, food and drink than shorter flights with fewer staff. You will also have a wider seat and more legroom.
- Ticket agents have some discretion when it comes to upgrading, and value patience and understanding, especially during inclement weather, or during stressful times such as holidays, weekends, midday, or when there is a delay.
- Visit the frequent flyer forum – a visual community of frequent travelers. They can offer you tips that are not often known. Just remember to stay soapy and always search the forums before you ask.
- Unaccompanied minorities can also get first class if they are sick or very young.
- To entice people to fly first class when that passenger flies with their airline for the first time, some airlines have been known to upgrade their passengers to first class at no additional cost.
- Get a regular aviator card as soon as possible. On most major airlines, it's free and helps you upgrade. You can start earning mileage with your first flight! Remember that frequent flyer members can use their mileage with other airlines.
- Even if you get an upgrade, it will only apply in the air. You will not get a first class lounge, airport limo, or any other features of your purchased ticket.
- If you have high-frequency pilot status with one airline, it is also possible for you to get the same status on another airline by notifying the airline's telephone agent and sending supporting materials.
Warning
- Don't be too pushy. This frustrates those around you.
- Don't be surprised if you don't get it. This is rare. You get what you pay for.
- Don't expect an upgrade just because your flight was delayed or cancelled. Ticket agents deal with the hundreds of people affected by the delay, and usually respond more to people who are patient and self-sufficient. Assertiveness is good, but patience is better.
- Don't threaten them. It won't help. In fact, coercive and aggressive actions reduce your chances of getting an upgrade, and you could end up being arrested.
- Upgrade vouchers from travel agents may not be rewarded by the airline if the flight is overbooked. But the travel agent makes sure you book that flight.
