Has anyone ever gotten a free flight upgrade from coach to business or first class? How did you do it?

Answer 1

It happens, but it is very rare. The airlines give free upgrades to their frequent fliers first; usually there's enough of them on any one flight to fill up first/business class. But sometimes, very rarely, there's not. In that case, the coach class would have to be overbooked and some people would either be denied boarding or, if there's space in first/business, they'd be bumped up instead of being bumped off. There is a strict heirarchy of passengers that controls the order that they get bumped up in. They will first upgrade members of their own frequent flyer program who have not earned enough miles to be considered "elite" (for example you need 25,000 miles to reach the Silver elite level which is the lowest, so they would upgrade someone who had only earned 20,000 miles) and for those who have reached Elite level in their partner airlines' programs (like someone who has Gold level on Air Canada might get upgraded on a United flight because they are both in the Star Alliance). If they are still overbooked in coach, they will upgrade based on price paid for the ticket, with the highest fares being upgraded first. So the average traveller who flies a few times a year (or less) and sticks with the cheapest ticket out there has very little chance of being upgraded. The only exception is, if you are scheduled to fly and your flight is overbooked, when the airline asks for volunteers, you can volunteer to give up your seat (which gets you a free flight later on) and ask if you can be rebooked into a first class flight--- sometimes that works, sometimes there is not a first class seat available on a later flight.

It used to be that you could show up dressed nicely and give a story about how it was your birthday or anniversary or what-not and sometimes get upgraded but that doesn't happen any more.

Answer 2

I am a writer for a travel magazine and the answers given here interest me greatly. Major carriers such as British Airways, KLM, Virgin, BMI etc etc, will NEVER upgrade passengers from economy to Business or First Class, the thought is laughable. The most any airline would offer is a one class upgrade so if you are in economy you would be in Economy plus. The ONLY reason an even higher upgrade would be offered is very extenuous circumstances such as complete failure of media functions etc. Sadly a lot of answers given will be false.

Answer 3

Asked the gate agent is it possible to upgrade if seats are available, they want to fill these seats anyway. I asked a few times and they asked me before also probably because i'm an airline employee lol but this is why I know they hate seeing empty first class seats.

Answer 4

Normally the airline has to screw up something like overbook the flight in order to get free upgrades. Normally if you wait until you get to the airport to try to upgrade it will cost about $70+ depending on the airline.

Answer 5

I've done it by accruing enough miles to be given a coupon for an upgrade if a spot is available. And also by answering the call to give up my seat for someone on standby.

Answer 6

Be very, very nice to the customer service agent, especially if you can see other passengers are giving them a hard time.

My wife is a CSA, and she's upgraded a few PAX to 1st Class just because they were sweet. They didn't even ask her to.

Answer 7

Being friendly, and ask.

So instead of checking in at one of the machines go to an agent that is "nice", ask and if its available they might give it to you.

The answer to your question is yes. And all I did was ask the guy that checked me in. He was a pretty nice guy and I said do you know if I can get an upgrade. He said I'll do it for you. I said thanks and well upgrade!

Answer 8

Its only ever happened to me when the airline screwed something up.

Answer 9

The airline will tell you when you get there and direct you to the new seat.