What is the best way to get upgraded to first class on airlines?

Question

I'm flying on U.S. Air on November 2nd and would like to be upgraded to first class without additional charge. I've heard that this is sometimes done. Anyone work for the airlines and know of a good way?

Answer 1

Ask the ticket counter agent nicely. Does this work? 99% of the time, absolutely not. In most cases, on most airlines, the ticket agent is not authorized to upgrade passengers unless you have frequent flyer status and even with frequent flyer status, you will most likely need to use miles to get your upgrade. However, you might be able to ask the ticket counter agent to kindly add a code to your ticket. Why? Because the code signifies to the gate agent that you as a passenger are potentially eligible for an upgrade. It works with the right airline and you will need to know which code to use, as each airline uses different codes for different situations that are independent of other carriers.
If you are late because of a competitor, make sure the airline is aware of that. They will try to give you a good impression of their airline, especially after your bad experience with one of their competitors.
Use your connections. If you just so happen to be related to a family member or are friends with an airline employee, you certainly could ask for an upgrade, but keep in mind that airlines are in the business of making a profit, and if there are upgrades to sell, or loyal frequent flyers to keep happy, don’t expect to be first in line for an upgrade.
If you happen to be a travel agent, show your ID. Again, if and only if seats are available will an airline offer a free upgrade and even though a travel agent might have some pull, you always have to assume that frequent flyer status will help more than just travel agent status. If you have both, you will only improve your chances of an upgrade. It certainly does not hurt to try.
Ask a flight attendant for an upgrade if you see a seat available. Typically flight attendants never upgrade passengers and simply asking for an upgrade is not going to work. However, there are legitimate reasons why a flight attendant will upgrade you. Here are a few:


An oversold flight – Typically airlines overbook flights and hope that some passengers will simply not show. If, however, there are more passengers than seats in coach, your best chance to be upgraded is to get assigned a seat towards the front of the aircraft. If there are no seats left and the flight is oversold, you may also be asked to volunteer to take a later fight. This would also mean (usually generous)compensation, but not necessarily a first class upgrade.
A problem with your seat – In some cases where your seat has malfunctioned and you cannot comfortably sit there, i.e. a seatbelt problem or the seat will not stay in the up position, the flight attendant will make an attempt to find you another seat. If no other seats are available in coach yet space is available in first, you will be moved to first class. However, this is a very rare occurrence, and you should never try to purposely break your seat.
A problem with a fellow passenger – If by chance you are sitting next to a passenger and you have a legitimate complaint, the flight attendant can, at his/her discretion, move you to first.
Book with a travel agent. When you book with a travel agent, it is possible, with a valid reason, to have the agent mark your reservation with a comment, such as OSI (Other Significant Information). The record may indicate that you are a VIP or CEO of a big corporation (but if you are a VIP or a CEO of a big corporation, then chances are you can afford first class, and you probably have your own private jet plane anyway!). Airlines like to see this information as they are trying to win more and more business away from their competition. If there is a chance that an important decision maker is flying with them, it could potentially mean extra revenue for the airline as they may want to try to win your company’s account. This may lead to a free upgrade.
Book directly with the airline. When you book directly with the airline, there is the possibility of also adding an OSI to your record. If you are a travel agent, travel writer, or event planner, it certainly won’t hurt your chances.
Upgrade using frequent flyer points or status. If you are a frequent flyer, you can certainly use your miles to upgrade as long as allocated seats are available for upgrade. Not all seats are allocated for frequent flyer upgrades, as the airlines want to hold a certain block of seats for fully paid customers so that they can earn as much as they can for each flight. Using the right miles at the right time is also of importance. Each airline has their set terms and conditions for frequent flyers, miles and upgrades. You will need to determine the best case scenario for each flight you want to take. Short flights are typically not worth the upgrade since you would waste valuable miles. Of course, on many airlines having frequent flyer status will only help to get free upgrades. Typically, the higher the status, the better chance of getting a free upgrade confirmed days before the flight.
Be in the know. In an attempt to woo passengers and business, airlines will offer specials frequently throughout the year. You might even encounter a special that allows you instant status in their frequent flyer program. This refers to a higher level than just basic frequent flyer membership. For example, American Airlines has these levels: Member, Gold, Platinum, and Executive Platinum.
Buy an upgrade.


Many domestic carriers, in an attempt to earn more business, will happily sell first class seat upgrades on a first-come, first-serve basis. Obviously, they want to earn as much money as possible and they will release first class seats typically only at the airport and only on the day of the departure. Instead of paying $1,200 for a first class flight coast to coast, you might end up paying $300 for the coach ticket and just $150 each way for the first class upgrade.
Keep in mind that there are specific rules for who can use them and how they are used. You need to read the fine print carefully.
Upgrades for most major carriers can be purchased on eBay, in travel forums, and some can be found for sale in classified ads. In some cases you can purchase an upgrade for as little as eight dollars, but as usual, these upgrades can only be applied to your ticket at the check in counter once you arrive at the airport. Other more expensive upgrades will allow you to confirm your upgrade over the phone before you arrive at the airport.
Buy discounted first class tickets cheaply. Contrary to what you may have seen or heard, first class tickets are not always expensive, and there are numerous ways to purchase discounted tickets. The price may not be as cheap as coach tickets but with fierce competition, one can buy tickets that are heavily discounted that in comparison to coach tickets, may make sense to spend a little bit more to travel in style.
Volunteer to get "bumped" from an overbooked flight. If you do get bumped, you usually get a free flight to use within a year, and some spending cash. If they end up not needing you to get bumped to a later flight, they may upgrade you for your willingness to get bumped.
Buy a full fare coach ticket and ask for a first class seat. Many airlines have a fare code that automatically grants first class privileges, but you have to ask. Call the airline directly and ask them how much a coach class ticket with first class seating privilege will cost. This will be much less than a first class ticket. Be careful though, like most coach tickets it will probably be non-refundable.
Arrive at the airport ahead of time, dressed smartly and well-spoken. Greet the ticket clerk with a smile and strike up a conversation. Make them laugh if you can. Do all this BEFORE you hand them your tickets. Quite often they will offer you a free upgrade because of the amount of hassle they normally get.

Answer 2

This won't happen. Years ago yes, now no. There are to many people looking for freebies or cheapies. This is what has gotten the airlines into trouble. If you want to upgrade you are going to have to pay. Nice agent or not. They aren't authorized to do this. In all honesty I'm glad for the fact that it really isn't fair for you to get upgraded to first class while the guy next to you paid for it now is it?

I'm sure you don't want to look at it in this way because it doesn't benefit you. But it is just the way it is. Same with for example Insurance....if someone who purchases insurance has a death in the family and it is a covered reason, however the person who doesn't buy insurance has a death and they call saying "Come on my mother passed how come you can't do ANYTHING about the penalties". How is this fair again to the one who PAID for insurance.

Nothing in life is free......get used to that with the airlines. Book in advance, it is those who will be rewarded!

Answer 3

You need to get a frequent flyer card. Once you reach elite status, if there are seats available, the airline will bump you up based on priority. For example, I am a Continental OnePass member and so is my husband. He has gold elite status. If there are first class seats available, then if he just requests it, he will get the seats. As a gold elite, he also gets free companion upgrades for me. However, if there are platinum elites waiting for an upgrade, they will get the seats first. It goes by level of priority. We get free upgrades all the time flying from Newark to Miami.

Another tip is to check how many first class seats are available when booking your flight. If we see that there are only a few seats available, chances are we won't get the upgrade - so we look for a different flight with more empty first class seats. The more empty seats, the greater the chance of getting an upgrade.

We also use the frequent flyer miles we accumulate to buy an upgrade (usually within the U.S. it's 15,000 miles each way). My husband and I recently purchased 2 first class tickets to London using our miles (100,000 each). However, you still have to pay the appropriate taxes - it came out to $150 each. So we ended up getting 2 first class tickets for only $300.

Answer 4

Complain is one way, but be smart, because if the staff member feels irritated with your complaint, the chance of getting upgraded is less likely. Second, come a bit late, provided the flight is far from full. If the staff member is nice, they can normally upgrade you. Third, ask nicely if they still have a lot of seats in the first or business class and if you could be upgraded. You can say you've never flied first class before, of you're not felling very well, etc. The chance of getting upgraded is in the hands of whoever checks you in, so be nice to them.

Answer 5

USAir will upgrade you for a fee if there's open spots in First Class. I know you said "without additional charge" but it's so unrealistic that you will be upgraded for free without frequent flyer status, and at least paying the fee gives you half a chance. Upgrade fees run from $50-200 for domestic flights and I think $500 for International. You have to wait till 30 hours before the flight to see if there is space available and you have to call, you can't book this online. Check their web site for details. Like I said, I know you asked for a free way to get upgraded but since that probably isn't going to happen, at least this is another option for you.

Answer 6

When you check in to your flight, ask if they will give you a upgrade gratis. Sometimes, they are looking to shift around seats if their are kids on the plane or families that want to sit together. If you are flying alone, you may have a better chance. Not too long ago, my parents got a free upgrade! They loved it! I dont think my mom wants to fly any other way.

Answer 7

The easiest way without paying is to take a bump and when rebooking ask if they can move you up. Alot of times though when you check in at the kiosk you can upgrade for as low as $25.

Answer 8

The need to run out of room. I tried this when there was trouble with a row on an international flight that they did not fix. They moved us, but not to a better place just moved one person. They did not fix the tray that fell down just moved the one person. Not to a better place either. I do not know who they choose, but it seems to be more business travelers. It is not so much vacationers. I do not know why. My ex got this when he was traveling for work. He dresses really bad, but he works for a very powerful company. I guess that is part of it.

Answer 9

Yes they have upgraded their business class cabin with the flat lying beds :) "The Flat Bed: We know how important your journey is to you, and that is why we want to make it as comfortable as possible for you. Our new Business Class offers you a flat-bed at 80” seat pitch to relax restfully, while the privacy divider ensures enhanced seclusion and the dedicated ‘buddy-seat’ enhances your comfort."

Answer 10

It is almost never done for a casual flyer, particularly since frequent flyers can get upgraded on an availability basis through the USAir loyalty program.

Answer 11

The only way to do that is to PAY for it. My sister gets free airfare any day and everyday ONLY because her son works for the airlines.