What is the best way to get an upgrade from economy to business without paying for it?
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Your best bet is undoubtedly going to be using a Frequent Flier program, and in as such, attaining "Elite" status.
Elite members in some airline programs get auto-bumped if there’s a seat available. Some will allow you to call/surf their website a certain amount of time prior to your flight’s scheduled departure time.
Elite level membership often has a number of levels as well, perhaps as many as four or so.
Other than that, you need to dress to the nines, be courteous to the gate folks, and MAYBE they might bump you up from econ to business. Or maybe econ to econ plus or whatever the "better" economy fare is on that particular airline.
I have decent level Elite status for both NWA & United, as they fly most of the routes I regularily travel. I’m in the Twin Cities, home to NWA, so I actually use them more out of convenience to my location, though they’re a fairly good airline (not even near the best though). Premier Exec on United and Elite Gold on NWA.
I get upgrades more often on United than NWA ironically, despite making more flights out of MSP.
5 Comments
May 31st, 2010 at 5:28 am
These days airlines do not allow that due to security reasons. But you can try at the check in counter. It is possible, if at all, only in over-booked flights to areas like Gulf countries.
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May 31st, 2010 at 6:09 am
Join their frequent flyer programme.
Dress your best, be polite and show up at check in as late as possible.
For international flights that is.
For US domestic flights – most likely nil chance if you hold no FF programme with some status.
References :
May 31st, 2010 at 6:50 am
Your best bet is undoubtedly going to be using a Frequent Flier program, and in as such, attaining "Elite" status.
Elite members in some airline programs get auto-bumped if there’s a seat available. Some will allow you to call/surf their website a certain amount of time prior to your flight’s scheduled departure time.
Elite level membership often has a number of levels as well, perhaps as many as four or so.
Other than that, you need to dress to the nines, be courteous to the gate folks, and MAYBE they might bump you up from econ to business. Or maybe econ to econ plus or whatever the "better" economy fare is on that particular airline.
I have decent level Elite status for both NWA & United, as they fly most of the routes I regularily travel. I’m in the Twin Cities, home to NWA, so I actually use them more out of convenience to my location, though they’re a fairly good airline (not even near the best though). Premier Exec on United and Elite Gold on NWA.
I get upgrades more often on United than NWA ironically, despite making more flights out of MSP.
References :
May 31st, 2010 at 7:06 am
Something for nothing, eh?
At some airlines, giving out upgrades like that are grounds for termination, so I doubt the agent is going to risk it all for a beggar.
My suggestion: Fly at least 100,000 miles a year with that airline. I do.. and I get my upgrades.
Sorry, but the harsh reality is that they don’t give "nobodys" a second look.
(Oh, and yes, they’ve heard every excuse in the book… it’s actually really sad to sit there and watch the beggars come up to the counter and ask… PATHETIC)
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May 31st, 2010 at 7:48 am
Become a frequent flyer and use points to upgrade + become a high tier member and get them for free if they have a full flight etc..
If you want cheaper prices to upgrade, try paying for an on departure upgrade at the airport. Some airlines have set upgrade prices that aren’t the normal fare.
Work in travel and get a few contacts to get you bumped up front
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