If you're planning a trip in the coming months, you may be wondering if it is possible for you to upgrade your airline travel arrangements. Who can blame you? Coach seats are tight, often uncomfortable and an endurance test. But, savvy travelers also know that an upgrade to premium seating is possible if they work every angle in the book including the following:
If you plan to take a flight that is normally fully booked, no upgrade will be available to you. Therefore, consider flying during off peak hours such as catching a "red eye" or late night flight or other flight that normally leaves half full. Check the airline's website to compare flights and seat availability.
Your chances of being upgraded are severely diminished if you're traveling with someone else such as your spouse or children. An upgrade for one person is possible, but upgrades for two or more people in a party can be difficult to pull off. Business travelers are accomplished upgraders, especially when traveling solo.
If you want to increase the odds that you'll be given a premium seat, then you should look the part. Khaki shorts and a Hawaiian shirt may be comfortable, but if you're trying to impress airline personnel, then you need to dress for the part. The suit and coiffed haircut crowd dominate first-class.
Arrive early and you could score an upgrade. If you check in when time is of the essence, busy airline personnel may not be able to accommodate your request. Besides, other upgraders probably arrived before you, snagging the last few premium seats available.
If you have some flexibility with your travel arrangements, allow yourself to get bumped from an overbooked flight. Because of your willingness to help the airline out, you may be able to get that first-class seat on the next available flight.
Airlines are always running specials which means if you frequent their website, you could come across an automatic upgrade especially if you are a frequent flyer and you have enough points accumulated to "buy" an upgrade.
Airlines favor those passengers who are frequent flyers. This means if you fly one airline in particular, then you should join their frequent flyer club to enjoy many benefits including seat upgrades. The more often you fly, the better the chance that the airline will honor your request for a seat upgrade at no cost to you. An airline affinity credit card can help you accumulate frequent flyer points faster -- get one.
Always be polite when dealing with airline personnel--a warm, friendly smile can spell the difference between sitting in cramped coach or enjoying opulent first-class. If your request is turned down, don't sulk--a later upgrade is possible if one becomes available.
