Here's how I get upgraded to first-class seating.
THE FIRST STEP. Sitting in Coach seating these days is horrible. The seats seem to get smaller and smaller, as does the leg-room. Here's the best way to get yourself upgraded to first-class seating. This is especially handy when you're doing a coast to coast flight, and the upgrade costs a thousand dollars.
ARRIVE EARLY. Your chances of getting an upgrade increase dramatically if you arrive very early. If you're there at the last minute, all the seats are going to be taken.
PLAY DUMB. When the first Attendant arrives at the podium, give him/her a minute to log into their computer and get going. After a few moments, approach the Attendant with a smile and good attitude.
THE "I DID THIS BEFORE" ROUTINE. Be very innocent and act dumb when doing this. Whisper something like: "I hope you don't think I'm dumb for asking this, but I did it before and I want to get your advice on trying it again." You will have the Attendant's undivided attention at this point. Then continue... "The last time I flew this airline, I gave one of the Flight Attendants a one-hundred-dollar cash tip to sit in First Class and she let me do it. Do you think it would work again?" Immediately you will see the Attendant perk up and the wheels in their head will start turning.
THE BAIT IS SET. Now that the Attendant is drooling, the trap is set. Now the Attendant knows that you have $100 in cash you're willing to give up. You'd be surprised how much flexibility and use of discretion the Attendants have to upgrade people. If the flight isn't that busy, and you've arrived early, they can exercise that ability to upgrade people. Normally you would need to be a "frequent flyer" with their airline, but if you're not, don't worry. People have Cluster Phobia, certain medical conditions or injuries that can qualify them for an upgrade. Since the Attendant won't want to miss their once in a lifetime chance to make a quick and easy hundred bucks, your upgrade is virtually assured.
BE DESCRETE. When you give the tip, be careful not to let anyone see you do it, especially if they have a coworker around. This plan to get the upgrade has been blown by my friends many times (when the Attendant was going to do it) because they spoke too loudly or the Attendant's coworkers saw the cash. At that point, it's all over. The Attendant isn't going to risk their job over a hundred bucks. Good luck!
