How to get a flight upgrade

Rachel Robson highlights five ways to help you get upgraded to first class!

If you’re jetting off on holiday any time soon, you might be hoping to be given an upgrade to first or business class. So if that’s your mission, here are five ways to help you achieve your goal!

Dress correctly

Make sure you look respectable for your flight. This doesn’t mean you have to turn up in a suit and tie, but if you are wearing jeans and a scruffy t-shirt, this isn’t likely to do you any favours.

Use special occasions to your advantage

If you’re off on your honeymoon, or it’s a special birthday, casually drop this into the conversation at the check-in desk. Even if you don’t get an upgrade, you might still get a glass of champagne.

Of course, the downside to this is that if you’re checking in online, there are fewer opportunities to do this.

Join the club

If you join a frequent flyer scheme and regularly collect points or airmiles, you’ll show how loyal you are to the airline. And this may mean you get an upgrade. This is even more likely if you can get the top level of membership.

Check-in at the right time

If you’re checking in at the airport, rather than online, leaving it as late as possible might be the key to an upgrade. If you’re on a busy flight and there are no economy seats left, you may be lucky enough to be moved into business or first class.

Alternatively, you may be asked to wait for a later flight and you’ll then be upgraded as compensation. That said, this strategy can backfire and you may be left with the worst seats on the flight!

Just ask!

Finally, you could of course simply ask for an upgrade. However, if you are going to do this, don’t be demanding and don’t shout it out so that everyone else can hear. Airline staff get tired of people asking for upgrades, so don’t assume that just because you’ve asked, you’ll get what you want.