How to Get a Free Upgrade On a Flight

Everyone wants to fly in style, find out what step you can take to increase your odds of getting a free first class upgrade on your flight. The situation is quite narrow, as airlines don't give out free upgrades to just anyone anymore, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. It's out of your control, but you can be prepped and ready to go if opportunity knocks.

Free First class upgrades usually go to frequent flyers, and then to those paying expensive tickets, or paid add-ons to be waitlisted in the higher cabins. Your chance to get a free upgrade on your flight will be dictated by whether or not the flight is oversold. This is your chance at that upgrade.

[Sablarwal]

I commented on this video last year. I am commenting again because I was flying with qatar airways from Doha to Boston and I asked the lady at the gate if the flight was overbooked, she checked and said yes. Is it OK if you give me seat to someone else and give me an upgrade. And guess what she said yes. I flew Qatar airways business class Qsuite for free. What you said in the video worked. Dress nicely is the key.

[denise]

I got lucky one time so far in my travels. I was coming back from New Orleans and there was a family that wanted to sit together and they had small children. I was with my sister and Mom. The counter ppl asked over the intercom if there was anyone who was willing to switch seats 💺 so the family could stay together. After they made this announcement several times, my mom noticed how stressed the mom and Dad looked waiting by the counter. She asked me if my sis and I were willing to give up our seats so the young family could sit together. I didn’t mind so I walked up to the counter and traded our 3 seats. The ppl behind the counter were super appreciative. When they issued me our new seats they were regular seats all spread out for our first leg of the trip but after our lay over on the second leg of the trip back they bumped us up to First Class, something I never expected!!! Needless to say we all got first class and was seated together happy as 3 Larks!!!

[alisontunny]

I got a miraculous upgrade to Business class from Brisbane to Heathrow. I was going back alone for my fathers funeral after he committed suicide. I was so incredibly grateful and I hadn’t sought it out. Thank you Qantas!

[kelstonify]

I was upgraded on my birthday! To first class with emirates. I was full paying business ticket tho! But wow! Simply mind blowing! Had a Buttler for goodness sake! Dine on demand! 8years ago that was impressive!

[marianvelasco]

My son was travelling with me and was pushing my wheelchair while we lined up in the check-in counter. They may me wait till the last and i was getting worried that the agent might have forgotten me..she didnt..she waited to upgrade us..because she said it was nice for my son to take me on a trip even i was handicapped..she was so kind..and i played it forward.

[billclarke]

I've been upgraded twice from coach to business class. I did not ask for an upgrade but was given one; the flights were crowded and I was dressed for success. Thanks for the pro tip of asking if the flight was overbooked; I'll try that😁😁

[andrek]

I was once upgraded on a British Airways flight from LHR to SFO. I work for a large hotel company, and the crew(s) stay at the hotel I work for in San Francisco during their layover. I simply introduced myself to one of the cabin crew as an associate of the hotel and told her that if there is anything I can do for the crew during the stay to let me know and gave her my business card. I wasn't expecting anything afterwards, but the cabin director approached me, asked me to grab my belongings and follow him. Passengers around me thought I was being escorted off the aircraft, but once passed the curtain forward of the aircraft, the cabin director pointed mew to a vacant seat in business class! Sure made my flight much more comfy, so I made sure to upgrade his stay to one of our nice suites for his 2 day layover. The price of the room doesn't compare to what people pay for a business class seat on a long haul, so I guess I was really lucky on this occasion.

[undasea]

I realize it's a slightly different thing but I always make sure to check-in online for my flights exactly 24 hours before the flight. Sometimes they will offer an inexpensive upgrade to Business or First but of course it's first come first served.

[alfr]

Watched and read many of the comments and replies. Good informative subject and delivery! I fly stand-by tickets as a close friend of an ex-American Airlines worker, so my ticket often says this tiny distinction, but I always tell the gate attendant that I have operated emergency doors if they need to put me by one and that I can sit wherever they need to move me to. Being dressed business casual and elderly and overweight and flying late in the evening I occasionally DO get a free upgrade, but I am not against paying the difference at the counter, but my flights usually cost less than $150, so it would be a big jump in cost for me. 10 years ago I was asked if I would like to upgrade after sitting in my Coach seat and I said, "Could you take my Wife here beside me instead of me? She has never got to fly in First before." Stewardess took her forward and came back later for me after they both had been crying. I never felt so bad for doing something nice.

[lookupnow]

Wow, me and my husband got upgraded to business class without asking. We knew that was a mistake, and asked the flight attended that we have not paid for upgrade. She smiled to us and she said that was a nice switch we received. She did not know it was our wedding anniversary, and we were coming from my sister funeral. We thank God and the person that gave us that wonderful gift that day. It was our first time in business class, and was supper comfortable. American airlines are the best. 😀 👍

[rolandhandy]

Very informative video. I recently got upgraded without asking on a 10 hour international flight. I found out that since I purchased my ticket close to departure I spent the most and was rewarded.

[fetabrown]

One of the most level and authentic bits of advice on ‘free’ upgrades have seen yet. Thank you.

[Kemyetta]

I remember me and my two preteen daughters were going on our first trip ever to Disney World from Philadelphia. I guess the Gate Agent saw how crazy excited we were and wanted to make our first plane trip ever and to Disney no doubt extra magical by upgrading us three to Business Class. My Daughters got to visit the cock pit, got the little Pilot Stickers and had a ball! This was 2011.

[stuioyp]

I once got a free upgrade at the gate. We weren't on honeymoon, or celebrating anything, it was our first ever flight on that airline. To this day I don't know why we got upgraded. But it was amazing!

This was Virgin Atlantic - LGW-MCO. We got upgraded from economy to first, outbound.

[jamaxion]

Got upgraded during my Qatar Airways Flight New York to Doha. I was already seated in the economy class but was approached by the ground staff and said he will be moving me to Business Class. It was the most awesome thing I got to experience!

[wlee]

On our Honeymoon, we showed up at the gate wearing our wedding clothes. My wife was wearing her gown and I was in a tuxedo. The Gate Agent offered me an upgrade to First Class when I checked us in.After we were airborne, the Captain came on the intercom and asked the entire flight to give the first class passengers Dr. and Mrs., a round of applause for believing in love.My new wife was thoroughly impressed. Please don't tell her that I just got really lucky TWICE that day.I promise, I will tell her someday, maybe. : )

[BlkPearlQueen]

You gave great info. As a former employee of an airline myself, I can concur about how they feel about giving away business class seats.

[JohnnyFuturePast]

Most people say in order to upgrade you need to be loyal to 1 airline {and its partners}, and fly a LOT, but I like that you gave us tips that aren't complicated and easy to execute! I always dress nice and I have been upgraded on overseas flights twice for looking good! That is definitely a thing! Thanks for the tips!

[ChristyKrohne]

You are the most honest guy in all the videos I saw so far on this subject. You somehow get the feeling that an upgrade is a sure thing which I find misleading. With you, it's different though. I'll be flying from Namibia-Windhoek to LA, the USA come 26 October. This will be only my third time flying and my first long haul international flight. Thanks for the video. To be honest I don't really care for business class. I only care for a window seat, which I actually already booked and paid for.

[camf]

I got upgraded once on a Lufthansa flight from Bangkok to Munich, but I had purchased an upgrade on my first leg with Thai from Melbourne to Bangkok. I had Silver status with Thai Star Alliance. There was kind of an indication that something was up when I checked-in at Melbourne, where I was advised I couldn’t be checked in for the second leg, although I they were able to confirm me on the flight. When I went to the transfer desk in Bangkok, there was no fuss or mention of an upgrade but my boarding pass was for seat 11A...and had written on it ‘no lounge’! I was also on a Star Alliance Round the World fare which may have helped a little too. On my second last leg San Francisco to Auckland on Air New Zealand, I was offered an upgrade for US$900, which I didn’t take. Again I was offered an upgrade on the last leg Auckland to Melbourne for NZ$150, which I took.
These days if I’m traveling alone I pretty much only fly business or premium economy, there is no stress that way. I am happy in economy if I am traveling with someone.