Life at the Top: How to Increase Your Chances of an Upgrade

Looking to sit at the front of the plane? Your chances increase greatly if you're a premier or elite passenger with your airline. Most of the airlines award upgrade coupons to their best customers, based on the number of trips they take. These coupons can then be cashed in for an upgrade to business or first class, based on availability. There are usually different levels on the program. The big difference between the levels is that the higher up you are, the sooner you can confirm the upgrade.

Using American's Aadvantage program as an example: An Executive passenger with American can upgrade 100 hours in advance, whereas a Platinum flier 72 hours and a Gold 24 hours.

Clearly, the higher up on your airline's system you are, the better your chances of an upgrade. Many frequent fliers claim that it is worth being high up on the system simply for the ability to upgrade before anyone else. If first class is full, by the way, most airlines operate a waitlist system which is worked automatically so you don't need to track it. If your airline doesn't sell all the first class seats, they may release some more for upgrade use closer to flight time. After all, they want every seat to be taken.

I'm Not an Elite Passenger...

Suppose you aren't an elite passenger with your airline. One option is to use your hard-earned frequent flyer miles to upgrade - although this can be notoriously difficult to do; some flights to popular European destinations have virtually no upgrade seats allocated. If you're trying to do this, it's worth choosing your flight based on the upgrade availability, rather than booking a flight and then hoping the upgrade is available. This is one of those occasions when it pays to call and speak to a person. You can also be waitlisted if you are using miles to upgrade and the upgrade isn't available. Most airlines also offer a one-way upgrade with miles - another useful option to know about.

I'm Not Elite and I Don't Have FF Miles...

Not an elite passenger and don't have enough miles? If you are buying a full fare ticket, check the price of first class before you buy - it may not be that much more. Some airlines also have discount first class fares (which may have penalties for changes and may need to be purchased in advance) but it's still first class. Inexplicably, these fares are often cheaper than a full coach ticket. If in doubt, call the airline and ask. If you have already paid for your ticket, see if it's worth the change fee and the fare difference to bump it up to first class, even if you are not actually changing your flights.

Play the Game

Some savvy business travelers have become expert at playing the oversold flight game. All airlines routinely overbook flights as a forecasted number of ticketed passengers won't show up for whatever reason. If you know your flight is overbooked in coach, make a point of checking in early and make it known that you don't mind being bumped up to first. Airline reservation agents are required to tell you if a flight is overbooked; they just won't give you specifics. If your flight is overbooked in coach, your airline must either protect you on another airline or put you in first class.

Just Ask

If all else fails, just ask nicely. But don't be pushy. Many travelers swear that this strategy works, especially if you are dressed appropriately or are obviously having a bad day. A slightly underhanded approach is to tell the agent that you have status with another airline but would really like to switch your allegiance to this airline. If you fly out of the same airport every week and it's the same people on duty every time, make a point of getting to know them. Any upgrade is more likely to go to someone who is a familiar face and who flies regularly.