As a fellow 5AM traveller, I’m sure you’ve always wanted that holy grail of the business flyer – an upgrade to the land of free champagne and legroom!
Cheers!
This post will provide you with some tips on how to do just that. This is based on my own, successful experiences at European airports. I assume the system is the same in other continents, but I can’t guarantee it.
Prerequisites
1/ You must have paid a full economy fare. If you’re on a super special deal, forget it. Your ticket will have been marked with a code to prevent upgrades.
2/ You need to look the part. That doesn’t mean you should be wearing a suit or tie, but equally an un-ironed T shirt and scruffy jeans won’t work either. You have to create the impression that you’ll fit in with the business class people, and that you belong in the front of the cabin.
The Process
1/ Check in early – you’re far more likely to get an upgrade if you get in before the other savvy travellers have tried!
2/ Be professional at check-in, so have your papers (and passport) all ready and don’t be flustered. You want to make it look as though you know what you’re doing, and that you do it all the time.
3/ “Flash” a card or two! If you have another airline’s loyalty card, or even a hotel chain’s card, have them on display in your travel wallet. This will prove you’re a serious traveller, and airlines will want to get your business.
4/ Simply ask: “Is there a possibility of an upgrade on this flight?” Then be quiet and let the desk clerk do the talking. You’ll get one of four answers:
- “Yes, I can do that for you.” In which case proceed to the business class lounge with a smile on your face.
- “That may be possible, but you’ll need to check at the gate.” Now this is encouraging – it only means that the desk clerk isn’t empowered, but what he or she will have done is to mark your boarding card “SFU” or suitable for upgrade. In this case go straight to the gate, and make sure you’re there when the first person comes to the desk, then ask the same question. I’ve had a better than 50% success rate at this point.
- “I can’t offer you a free upgrade, but I can sell you one.” This is very common now, and you’ll find that the price at this point is both much lower than the published price, and is also negotiable. So, over to you, have a haggle and do a deal if you can.
- “I’m sorry, that’s not possible.” Generally you’ll get this answer if it really is not possible. That could be because the flight is full, or your ticket has been pre coded. Either way, forget it and move on.
Getting upgrades isn’t a sure thing, but I’d guess I’ve been succesful in about 10% overall in my attempts using this process, and on one memorable flight I was lucky enough to be bumped to first class on British Airways. So give it a go – you’ve got nothing to lose!
Tell us your stories about flight upgrades, leave a comment below.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow – nice one Mike – I think I’ll use that. The only time I’ve ever been in first class is when I tested out a cabin at a show. It can’t be that much better, can it?
In a word – yes! Attentive service, great food, lots of drinks, pyjama suits, full bed, legroom, wash kits, spacious toilets, stand up bar, dozens of films to choose from……need I go on?
Wow – a whole new world! I’d love to do it, but don’t fly that much so haven’t really had chance to complain about it. But I’ll have a crack next time
I tend to book my flights so far in advance, I’d probably always fail at the first hurdle: paying the full fare.
I always knew it………… heheh, flying on an aircraft that has upgradable seats is always a must…… the farthest I ever got was free extra leg room pre-credit crunch lol….was always great as I am 6″3′ lol….good post Mike, will use this theory when I next fly!
I got upgraded to business class once – it was fab.
I did feel a little guilty though – I’m only 5ft 2 so the extra leg room was a little wasted on me