What is the best way to have your seat upgraded on a flight without paying?

Answer 1

I am a former airline employee and worked the gates for many years. Honestly, if you want an upgrade, pay for it. The only way to not have to pay for an upgrade is if you are a Medallion Level Frequent Flier, or whatever that airline calls their high level Frequent Fliers. At that time, they are given as a complimentary upgrade, should space be available in order of their qualification level or you can redeem miles as a regular Frequent Flier if you have enough.

The only time I EVER had to upgrade anyone with out charge were due to the following situations:

1)Coach was oversold and I only had 1st Class seats left. If there were seats left after I cleared all Medallions and stand-by's I would then scope the gate area looking for people who were well dressed and seemed well manored, if they were with in a few steps or I could quietly summons them over with out making it obvious, I would upgrade them. If I had revenue passengers who were on standby for a seat, that meant they checked in late. If I noticed they were not dressed nicely if they happened to check in at the gate, or were rude about being put on stand-by, I'd chose some random person in the gate area that looked better deserving of an upgrade, move some seats around if I had to and then clear the stand-by list.

2)If the flight was oversold and I had no other seats and I had a volunteer, I would check the next available flight, if coach was full and 1st was all that was left, automatic upgrade. OR if the next flight wasnt for several hours, I would consider an upgrade to coax them off the original flight. Its usually up to the gate agent but we have to be able to justify the upgrade.

3)The only people to get a FC seat for free, no questions are passengers flying what is called Non-Revenue, and employee or their family member or on a Buddy Pass given to someone by the employee. Any left over seats will go to those passengers if they meet the requirements for sitting in First Class.

4)If I had to clear the stand-by revenue passengers in a hurry and I had filled up coach and only had seats in FC left and if I had time I would see who paid more for their ticket. A full fare always will get an upgrade over someone who paid $200 round trip.

There are different levels of pricing on most major airlines. There are full fare First Class prices as well as a discount First Class fare. Sometimes the discount FC fare is cheaper than coach, or not much more. So, become familiar with the fare codes for that particular airline. F-will always be full fare first class. On some airlines, the discount FC fare is an A fare, but the letters always very from airline to airline.

People I would NEVER upgrade:
-Anyone who bought a ticket using bulk consolidator websites like Priceline, Cheap Tickets, Hotwire, Lowestfare.com etc. These websites lock out any potential to change a ticket with the exception of a protection flight in cases of delay.
-Anyone dressed inappropriately for First Class. If they are in sloppy jeans and a t-shirt, Id be less inclined to upgrade them. Id take the guy wearing khaki's and a golf shirt over him. Even if the blue jean guy was a mulit million dollar corporate genius who was just trying to scrimp on a dime and sit in coach.

Don't expect these things to happen or ask for it at the gate. If you are bumped off of a flight involunterily or volunteer, you can ask if it is possible to be upgraded on the next flight. But dont expect a $200 roundtrip ticket to be upgraded to an $700 seat with out cause.

Answer 2

Firstly, if you got a supercheap ticket, then you are least likely to be upgraded. The only real chance you have is, as someone alluded to earlier, offer to give up your seat and go the next flight (which could be the next day). Volunteers are taken in order which the signed up--so last-minute strategy isn't good. Frequent flyer members who checked in with their ff card go before non-members, and more loyal customers go first. So, to review... sign up for ff card with the airline, check in with it, offer to give up your seat, pray that the flight is way overbooked. Good luck.

Answer 3

Find an old man or lady in first class, smash em in the head, drag em to the bathroom, hit the occupied sign, shut the door, and enjoy their seat.

Answer 4

Get there as late as possible. If the flight is overbooked, They will bump you to first class...though you would have to wait a day or so.

Answer 5

If you are a frequent flyer and u've earned enough points then u can be upgraded to business class

Answer 6

Be an a Travel Agent , you would have perks, travel like a pro!!!

I got some good experiences.
email me at [e-mail]
for more details or go to my web site
www.aatcheaptravel.com

Answer 7

hi jack the plane and take what ever seat you want

Answer 8

Perform sexual favors

Answer 9

sit on someones lap!!