1. Loyalty pays
If you have a particular choice of airline(s) that you prefer, be sure to sign up for their loyalty programs. It shows up in their records when you book a flight and enter your membership details. This ensures that you’re among the first to be considered for an upgrade, and more often than not, most airlines go out of their way to retain their most loyal customers – regardless of which class they generally fly.
2. Advantage: body type
Don’t get us wrong. This isn’t a ‘get fit’ kind of article. On the contrary rather. If you’re on the healthier side (cue to understand euphemism here), you can get upgraded. One of the people Skyscanner spoke to said “My ex-husband was somewhat oversized. He always got upgraded, while I stayed in economy. So stop your diet, get fat, and get upgraded.” We don’t know whether the ‘ex’ status was due to that, but that’s not the scope of this piece! Also, if you’re too tall, there’s a chance too. You can always use the “Is it possible to get a seat with extra leg space?” question. It might result in an upgrade!
3. Be well connected
Being friends with a senior crew member, someone from the ground staff, or even better (the pilot) can certainly result in an upgrade. Simply send a message saying “Hey. I’ll be flying on this date…do you think it’s possible for..” Don’t forget to add a smiley at the end! People enjoy being in a position of power, and they would be glad to help you if it’s in their hands.
4. Show up a little late
The key word here being ‘little’! We certainly don’t want you to miss your flight! However, if you’re decently late (you know what we mean) and the flight is overbooked, then there’s a chance that you can get upgraded. This strategy however is a little risky, so don’t blame us if your flight is gone by the time you reach the airport though! Better still, reach the airport and hang around, and get to the counter several minutes after everyone is done.
5. Show up early
This can actually work very well. Sometimes, there are only a limited number of upgrade slots and showing up early at the counter can maximise your chances. If it doesn’t work, use the extra time shopping at duty free! It’s definitely worth a shot, though. Moreover, if the flight is largely empty, the chances are even greater.
6. It’s nice to be nice
‘Mind your Ps and Qs,’ the old adage goes and it’ll always be relevant. Being nice at the counter, a little chatty even, and a friendly disposition can certainly get you an upgrade. It’s worked for many people we’ve spoken to. But of course, if it doesn’t, it also doesn’t give you the liberty to be rude and get angry! (which oddly enough in some cases has worked too – but we certainly don’t advocate it!)
7. Check your email
Before you pass this off as a ludicrous suggestion, consider this: many airlines have offers going on them at any given point of time. Once you’ve booked, it’s likely that the airline has a heavily discounted price on an upgrade (not free, of course), and oftentimes the cost to bump up is rather reasonable. With most of us reading emails on our phones now, this isn’t a hard task now, is it?
8. Go solo
Don’t worry. We aren’t asking you to abandon your family and friends. Save that for the day you decide to become an ascetic and renounce the world. We’re simply saying that travelling alone does increase the likelihood of getting an upgrade, since airlines would find it easier to accommodate one person in business than a whole family. The singles among us are in luck here!
9. Don’t ask for it
Yes, you heard that right. Requesting for an upgrade at the counter is almost always going to be refused because – well – it just comes across as too desperate and too many people are already doing it in the hope for one, so expect the staff to be rather annoyed with the request after hearing it so often! Unless of course, as we mentioned in point no. 3, you’re actually good friends with someone among the airport authorities.
10. Be an avid traveller
It’s only obvious to expect us to have this recommendation as the final tip. Go out, explore the world, and if you usually fly one airline or those that belong to the same alliance, be sure to sign up for their air miles program. These can be converted into business/first class tickets – should you have a sufficient number of them. So channel that inner Columbus now!
Have you ever been upgraded? Share your tips with us in the comments section!Upgrade or no upgrade, it’s the travel that really matters! Check out the Skyscanner website or download our award-winning app to get the best flight prices and deals.
