The Ultimate Flight and Hotel Upgrade Guide

This guide is the only thing you will ever need when it comes to scoring those upgrades from airlines and hotels. Bearing in mind that nothing is guaranteed and everything is up to chance, this easy to follow guide offers you the best help and advice when it comes to getting on the road to Upgrade City.

Flight Upgrades

Everyone has heard all the stories and rumours pertaining to that “friend of a friend” who receives free flight upgrades all the time because they can charm the staff or can work a “system”. You might have wondered to yourself how it’s possible to continuously get upgrades like that and how you can get the “system” to work in your favour. But the reality of the situation is that totally free upgrades rarely happen and are hard to come by, even when you know where to look and how to go about it.

Although the chances of a free upgrade are rare, that’s not to say they don’t (or won’t, or even can’t) happen to someone, or even happen to you. There are certain tips and tricks that one can learn to increase the chances of this rare occurrence and improve the odds slightly in your favour. But as with most things of this nature, you can never be certain; however, as they say: it never hurts to try, or indeed, ask.

Generally, there are a number of opportunities you’ll have and times when you can actively increase your upgrade chances: when booking, before you get on the plane and then when you are actually on the plane itself.

Booking your ticket for the flight is probably the best chance you’ll have of persuading the airline that you’re a prime candidate to receive an upgrade. This can be achieved in many ways and some can even be used in combination for maximum effect. Firstly, do you know anyone that works on the airline or would perhaps be in a position to offer you or make sure you receive an upgrade? This sort of nepotism can work wonders for the potential upgrade-seeker, but obviously not everyone is going to be able to take advantage of their contacts.

When it comes to booking the actual ticket, you should give as much information as possible in order to increase your chances and this information would include things like letting them know if you’re travelling for any particular reason (birthday, wedding, honeymoon, etc), whether or not you’re travelling alone (as a solo passenger is much easier to upgrade and therefore more likely to receive such a boon as opposed to a group), even letting them know you’ll be paying the full travel fare (rather than, say, a discounted route) will place you in a better stead to be upgraded. Following on from this, if you’re fortunate enough to be in possession of a title of worth (such as a Professor or Doctor) or anything that might otherwise mark you out as an Important Person could possibly garner you some special treatment in the form of an upgrade.

The next stage to approach after the initial booking is obviously the check-in. There are even some slight chances and gambles to be had when you otherwise might not think as such, at this stage of the game. Depending on when – and how – you check in can make all the difference to the likelihood of getting upgraded. Checking in early has its plus-points because airline staff will know that you intend to be on the flight and will therefore be in a better position to receive any upgrades that might be going. Checking in late might mean that all the seats have been filled, meaning staff have no choice but to offer you an upgrade, but then again, they may just alter your flight if there’s no available room. As with all things in seeking an upgrade: there’s an element of risk.

Within the airport itself, further opportunities for upgrades can present themselves. The most important things to remember here are similar to those for everyday life: dress smartly, be friendly, amenable and just generally being a pleasant person can elevate any upgrade chances. Looking respectable as opposed to scruffy or unkempt should be obvious, as this means that you are more likely to fit in and less likely to cause any trouble and typically just gives a good impression of your character. If the plane itself is fully-booked and airline staff are looking for passengers that might have to change planes, then being an amenable sort and agreeing to a flight change could even result in an upgrade as a reward for your good nature.

Even asking for an upgrade is not entirely out of the question, as it never hurts to ask and the worst thing that could happen is that you get a “no” in return. However, there is a chance that they might either suggest that you pay for an upgrade (in which case, it might be prudent to try haggling a little here) or can otherwise put you on a list to receive any available upgrades. The most important thing to remember when asking for an upgrade is to be charming and polite and be prepared for whatever their answer may be. Never be rude or demanding, as this will earn you an outright refusal or worse.

Even when on the plane, there are still slight possibilities that you could get upgraded; however this is the least likely place that such a thing might happen. Generally, the only way that you’d receive an upgrade onboard the actual aircraft is if you’re asked (or volunteer) to move to make way for other passengers (maybe a couple or family that want/need to sit together), or if you’ve some sort of problem with your seating arrangement (maybe an issue with the seat itself, or with your neighbour-in-seating). If either of these occurs, then there is a slight chance you might be offered an upgrade as compensation for your troubles.

The important thing to remember is that there’s no such thing as a guaranteed way of getting an upgrade and even fewer chances of having it happen regularly. All of these tips and tricks only serve so as to increase your chances of an upgrade – something which is a slim occurrence in the first place, but you never know, there are chances that you can get lucky. Good luck!

Part 2: Read about how to upgrade your hotel...