By Steven Barasch:
How to get upgrades on airline flights? You may think that the only way to get an upgrade on an airline flight is to be a frequent flyer, belong to a certain loyalty program, or be willing to shell out for business or first-class tickets. On some airlines, that’s still true. But there are other ways to get free or heavily discounted upgrades on standard coach flights. The pressure in economy cabins is rising. Manual pdf Airlines have cut back on complimentary services and first class seats are commonly sold at bargain basement prices. This means there are opportunities for savvy travelers willing to go the extra mile for a better flight experience. To do so, you’ll need to understand how airlines price their tickets and which hidden costs can be reduced. Read on for insider tips on how you can get free upgrades and cheap first-class seats on any airline…
Your Loyalty
Depending on the hubs and routes that work best for you, choosing to stick with one airline could be in your best interests. Oneworld Alliance is an association of 14 airlines including American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Quantas, Alaska Air, and others. The points you earned for flying can be used for upgrades at the check-in or gate if seats are available. You are more likely to be upgraded without additional cost by being a member of a loyalty program. Especially if they need to reseat passengers. More on this in a moment.
Fly at the Right Time: Off Peak
If you want a free upgrade, you have to be ready to deal with the airline’s pricing algorithms. These computer systems price tickets based on demand. In many cases, the less in demand a route is, the cheaper the tickets will be. And the cheaper the tickets are, the better chance you have of getting an upgrade. The best time to fly is on routes that have low demand but still get daily flights. This is because airlines use a complicated formula to determine seat inventory and pricing. The trick is to find out when demand is low. The best way to do this is to follow airline blogs and social media accounts. Airlines regularly post tips on routes with high frequency but low demand. Be careful, though, as airlines sometimes post these tips for the express purpose of tricking bargain hunters like you into overpaying for flights.
Check for Upgrades When You Book
Not all upgrades are created equal. Some airlines offer things like a free snack, a better seat selection, or a free checked bag as part of their upgrade program. But sometimes these upgrades come with a catch. Manual pdf For example, some airlines tack on extra surcharges for a better seat selection. This is usually the case with more expensive seats like bulkhead or emergency exit seats. To avoid these charges, check the booking page for each seat. If the seat you want isn’t available, you may be able to select a lesser seat and pay a lower price. If you see an option to pay extra for an upgraded seat, it never hurts to ask if you can have it for free. If an airline is willing to tack on a surcharge, they’re probably also willing to give it away.
Redemption of Miles
If you’re using travel rewards credit cards for flights and hotel rooms redeem your points for upgrades to business or first-class seating. If your flight is only a couple hours or so, don’t bother and keep on collecting points. Use them on longer trips.
Ask for an Upgraded Seat During Check-in
In fact, some of the best upgrades happen at the check-in counter. If you want a free first-class seat, you’ll need to know that economy passengers are almost never granted access to first class. However, it may be feasible to upgrade to business class or economy plus. The easiest way to do this is to visit SeatGuru.com This website has detailed information on every seat on every aircraft. Check the seat configuration of your flight and find the seat you want. Then, ask the agent if there are any upgrades available for that seat.
Ask Again at the Gate
If you’ve already checked in for your flight, you can try one more thing: asking at the gate. Approach the gate agent with a friendly and respectful attitude. Let them know you are available and happy to assist in reseating. You can also ask the gate agent if there are any last-minute deals on upgrades. In some cases, airlines will consider upgrading passengers if their flight is overbooked. This isn’t the time to ask for a free upgrade, though. Focus on getting cheaper upgrades.
Traveling Alone?
Even better. A lot of times there are families and couples separated in the current seating assignments who are asking to be seated together. Flying alone gives you a much better chance of being upgraded because you are what the airlines call more ‘portable’. As a reminder, always approach the gate agent in a positive, respectful, and friendly manner. Give them your name and current seat assignment and availability to be reseated for an upgrade.
The Not So Friendly Skies
Things go wrong that’s for sure. You were denied boarding, lost luggage, onboard entertainment failures and so on. When experiencing an unpleasant flight and it is clearly the fault of the airline, requesting compensation is not unreasonable. At the airport, onboard, or after your flight let a representative know your concerns. They may give you a voucher for an upgrade for a future flight.
Using your travel agent
Travel agents usually have relationships with specific airlines. They can do a lot for you. They can add comments to your reservation such as any VIP status you hold, you’re on your honeymoon, or even traveling as a review writer. All these can enhance your chances of an upgrade.
A final note
Airlines have all kinds of problems in this covid-19 world we live in. Staff and pilot shortages causing delayed and cancelled flights, overbooking, and a shortage of number of flights. There might have been 4 flights daily to some destinations and now they only have two. Manual pdf Book early to avoid any headaches, book off-peak hours if you can, and if your flight is longer than 3 hours try for an upgrade.
Happy Trails to You
See also: https://directchallenges.com/how-to-pack-for-a-long-flight/
