How to Travel Like a VIP With Free Airline Upgrades

We’re flying less these days, which means there is more chance to travel like a VIP with a free upgrade.

Here are five ways to get a free upgrade, to business class or even first class, and enjoy the perks including social distancing, room to stretch out or lie flat, and meals with fine wines.

Join the Airline’s Frequent Flyer Program

Upgrades are normally issued based on a complicated algorithm based on the amount of money a passenger has spent and the number of miles a passenger has totaled.

So upgrades to the front of the plane normally go to the the highest-ranking elite flyer, or to the person who purchased an upgrade-eligible coach fare, rather than to the person who cashed in miles for that flight.

That said, passengers who paid for their flight with miles can get upgraded out of the hated middle seat, to an aisle or window, if there is space.

You’ll also get priority if there’s a flight change which requires rebooking you.

Get an Airline Branded Credit Card

Branded credit cards offer additional perks, such as priority boarding and one free checked bag – so if you fly more than two round-trips a year, the $95 annual fee for the basic card pays for itself with free checked bags.

My Delta American Express card also provides one free checked bag and priority boarding to anybody I’m traveling with – which helps expedite trips with my son to family events, and with friends to ski excusrions.

You’ll also get priority if there’s a flight change which requires rebooking you.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter personal experience –

• A few years ago, my flight home from a ski vacation in Utah was disrupted by a snowstorm. I was rebooked on the next available non-stop flight, while a friend I was traveling with was rebooked with one-stop with a connection.

Dress Like You Belong in Business or First Class

Dressing well helps. Don’t expect to be upgraded if you are wearing flip-flops, a tank top, track suit, t-shirt with a wiseguy or political statement, and cracking your gum loudly.

Many passengers might not even want to sit next to you in this case, let alone upgrade you.

Also, courtesy helps. Gate attendants have the final choice who gets upgraded, or not. So if you are rude, you may be passed over even if you meet all the other requirements for an upgrade.

Be the First to Check In

What’s that saying about the early bird catching the worm?  In this case, the first check-ins get the best chance of nabbing an upgrade.

Online check-in is available beginning 24 hours before your flight.  As time passes, more travelers check in and request upgrades, and your chances diminish.

At the airport, check-in agents and gate agents also have discretion to upgrade a passenger.  So if you want an upgrade, the earlier you are there to request one in person, the better your chance of getting it.

Be sure to ask politely.  Courtesy always works better than sarcasm or anger..

Volunteer to Give Up Your Seat

Airlines routinely overbook flights, and will pay you to be “bumped” to another flight if everybody shows up. You also are likely to be upgraded, as well.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter personal experience:

• Years ago, traveling with my two young children, we agreed to give up our three seats to a military wife and two kids, flying to meet her active duty husband, including to introduce him to their newborn. If she did not get on my flight, she would miss her connection.
• It was a no brainer.  My children and I offered to take the next flight – and were upgraded to first class.  Honestly, I don’t remember whether we were paid anything in addition to the upgrade.
• My son wound up sitting next to a famous Hollywood actor whose action movies he adored, and my daughter and I looked on jealously in the next row while the other two chatted happily.  My son talked about the experience for years.

This article is (C) Copyright Evelyn Kanter

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and guidebook and smartphone app author – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.

Also follow my NYC website, www.nyconthecheap.com.