Getting A First-Class Upgrade

Here are some good tips:

Ask the ticket counter agent nicely. In most cases, on most airlines, the ticket agent is not authorized to upgrade passengers unless you have frequent flyer status and even with frequent flyer status, you will most likely need to use miles to get your upgrade.

It can work if flights are not full and seats are empty in first class.

Again, if and only if seats are available will an airline offer a free upgrade and even though a travel agent might have some cloat, you always have to assume that frequent flyer status will help more than just travel agent status. If you have both, you will only improve your chances of an upgrade. Ask a flight attendant for an upgrade if you see a seat available. Typically flight attendants never upgrade passengers and simply asking for an upgrade is not going to work. However, there are legitimate reasons why a flight attendant will upgrade you. An oversold flight – Typically airlines overbook flights and hope that some passengers will simply not show. If, however, there are more passengers than seats in coach, your best chance to be upgraded is to get assigned a seat towards the front of the aircraft. If no other seats are available in coach yet space is available in first, you will be moved to first class. Again, if and only if seats in coach are not available.

Upgrade using frequent flyer points or status. If you are a frequent flyer, you can certainly use your miles to upgrade as long as allocated seats are available for upgrade. Each airline has their set terms and conditions for frequent flyers, miles and upgrades. Short flights are typically not worth the upgrade since you would waste valuable miles. Of course, on many airlines having frequent flyer status will only help to get free upgrades. Buy an upgrade. Many domestic carriers, in an attempt to earn more business, will happily sell first class seat upgrades on a first-come, first-serve basis. Instead of paying $1,200 for a first class flight coast to coast, you might end up paying $300 for the coach ticket and just $150 each way for the first class upgrade.

Other more expensive upgrades will allow you to confirm your upgrade over the phone before you arrive at the airport.

1. Buy discounted first class tickets cheaply. I recently purchased business class seats and the price difference flying 15 hours was 150 per ticket. Volunteer to get "bumped" from an overbooked flight. Buy a full fare coach ticket and ask for a first class seat. Call the airline directly and ask them how much a coach class ticket with first class seating privilege will cost.