You sit in coach, squished into a seat too small for a pygmy, arm rests digging into your sides, knees crushed by the seat in front of you. You cannot stop your gaze from wandering to the curtain that separates first class. Ah, leg room--a mere pipe dream for the holder of an economy ticket. These days, even cheap seats are still costly. How is a budget-conscious person ever going to make the leap into that spacious first or business class seat? Without winning the lottery, you're going to have to find a work-around. With a little luck and the following techniques, you may find yourself sitting the roomy lap of airline luxury.
Book your flight to leave in the morning--the earlier the better. Arrive at the check-in counter well before the crowd, when the ticket agent is less likely to be busy.
Be nice. Once you're at the counter, politely ask, "Would it be possible to get an upgrade?" If you're hoping for a freebie, most of the time this won't work, but many times the person at the counter will code your ticket to let the gate agent know you are eligible for a potential upgrade. Then, if there's space available, they may move you.
Use your miles. Being a frequent flyer doesn't guarantee an upgrade, but it certainly helps. Purchase an economy ticket and then use your miles to upgrade at the ticket counter. Just remember, if you upgrade a discount ticket it will take more miles than if you upgrade a full-fare economy flight.
Buy your way in for less. Everyone has a different definition of "affordable." If you're not a member of a frequent flyer program and the ticket counter won't give you a freebie, you can always pay for an upgrade. For $50 to $250, depending on the length of the trip, you can move on up to the luxury seats. If you are considering this option, it is best to call the airline prior to booking your ticket and ask about their upgrade policy, as each company has its own set of rules.
Ask the flight attendant. If you're on the plane and you spot a vacant seat, ask the flight attendant to move you. He will generally agree if one of the following has occurred: There is some sort of problem with your seat, such as a seat belt that won't fasten or a tray table that won't stay up; there is some sort of problem with the person you are sitting beside (be discreet if this is the case), or the flight is overbooked and they have to shift people to the front in order to seat them.
