how to get an airline upgrade | budget travel tricks

some of you are asking how to score a FREE first or business class upgrade.
it's a bit more complicated than just asking.

in this video, i'm uncovering ALL you need to know about...
-why airlines give free upgrades
-how they choose people to upgrade
-things you can do to increase your odds of being upgraded

JOIN MY COMMUNITY FOR FREE ITINERARIES AND GUIDES:

GET $40 OFF YOUR FIRST AIRBNB BOOKING:

OFF SEASON TRAVEL TIPS:

CONNECT WITH ME:

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0

[woofolliesmydog]

I booked premium economy from London to Las Vegas. Asked the desk agent if there were any free upgrades. She said no. I said it's never happened to me before but one day I might get that magical free upgrade and we both laughed. I said thanks and left the desk. When I got to the gate, the agent put my ticket in the machine as I was boarding then it came out and she tore it in half and then printed me a new ticket. Business-class. SCORE! That was a very nice trip in a flatbed seat with a duvet. It's never happened since. But I ask every single time.

[jrow]

Former ticket/gate agent. Being nice can not be overstated. Everyone is harried, especially us. Nearly everyone who comes up to the podium has a problem and aren't happy about it. It's a lot to deal with. It's our job....yeah yeah yeah. We're human, too. When you're constantly bombarded with negativity, it hurts. So be nice and you will be loved and get whatever we can give you!

[debrahartwig]

My mother and I were upgraded. So thrilled, as it was her last flight. The staff treated her well and were not aware she had cancer!

[twtall]

i was once upgraded in Orlando with my flight back to Philadelphia by the pilot as i was wearing a Dallas Cowboys hat... Pilot was great called me over said to follow him..took me to the counter and said "upgrade this man because he's flying into philly with that hat on i want his last few hours to be enjoyable".

[SufiKingdom]

I got a free upgrade on Qatar Airways from Economy to Business Class, because a daughter was sitting away from an elderly mother, I loved their union and my free upgrade from JFK to DOHA, felt super luxury. Lol 😂

[Darthxcannabis]

I almost never fly, but I travel with a service dog.
Last time I flew I got bumped to help make room for my seizure alert dog.
I did not ask. They pulled me aside and put me in a roomier area.
It was such a pleasant surprise!
Thanks United!

[alejandraahmed]

I am happy sitting in the last seat in the back.

Chances are my luggage gets checked in for free and I have two or one seat empty. I love it😊

People sitting at the front get to board first, but the airplane wont leave until the last group, settle in.

[russellmania]

I got upgraded to business class at least twice now and it was a total shock. Both times it happened as we were boarding. When the gate agent scanned my boarding pass it made a different buzzer sound than the person before me and the agent said"step to the side" sir! I thought I was in trouble and then she tore up my boarding pass and handed me another with a lower seat number YES!!!! I knew I got upgraded right then!

[royrowland]

I have heard multiple flight attendants (as in at least three or more) say that dressing like you belong in Business or First DOES matter. Even if someone is a frequent flyer with that airline, shorts and flipflops probably aren't going to cut it.

[mholcombify]

When I was in college I got upgraded from economy to first class for JetBlue from Fort Lauderdale to SFO, the lady at the desk mentioned she saw how long I had been waiting since the flight was delayed and I’m one of those who doesn’t wait last minute to get to an airport. So out of pity she gratefully upgraded me, that was my first time flying with them and sad to say I haven’t flown with them since. It was a nice experience though and I appreciated it a ton!

[learman]

I just want to give props to the foreign carriers that recognize a crew badge and give complimentary upgrades without asking.

[Trblmkr]

I've been upgraded a few times without having to do any of those. One of those times I was coming back from the Gulf War and on the last leg of my trip, I was asked where I was coming from with normal chit chat and I told them from Turkey. A few minutes later she came back and asked if I would like to move up to 1st class. Of course I would. Thanked her and the rest of the crew for making coming home that much more special.

[ahhitskatie]

These are great tips!! Delta usually upgrades me on one flight from Basic Economy to Premium Economy if I'm flying by myself, especially if using Skymiles redemption. Also, one time I was actually upgraded from Economy to First Class on a flight from ORD to YYZ with Air Canada. The plane was almost empty so the flight crew treated my ex-boyfriend and me (we didn't ask for this at all, lol!). It was such a great experience, and has made me more loyal to AC if I need to fly them.

[gregorylunsford]

Your absolutely right about how to go about upgrades. When I was a Regular Flyer with EVA from 2005 to 2012. I could usually ask for a Bulk Head in Premium Econ and get it. Once I was flying Regular Economy and at regular check in offered Premium Econ for extra $ since the Ticket Agent saw I usually fly Pre Econ. I respectfully said No. Well, at the gate the The Agent called me up and put me in Premium Econ - no charge. I'm always Very Polite to "All Agents" and dress very Neat and Clean - A Cut Above most passengers. It makes a difference.

[AnimeEncoreBeats]

I work for an airline and the last part about asking for free upgrades is so true, whenever I get asked that I immediately say it's full, even tho there are seats still available 😂😂

[marthahurdcall]

I book coach; however, I usually get an upgrade to first class for about $100 just by asking if there are any empty first class seats they want to sell. The last three times I've flown have been first class for just $100 extra. Great deal!

[richardgarno]

Paying full price helps. A friend was on a flight to Europe that was mostly empty. There were enough seats in first class to move every coach passenger up. And every coach passenger was given a first class seat for the eight hour trip, except one. When someone asked, they were told that the reason the one passenger was left in coach is because she bought her ticket through a discount website.

[ohcliff]

I’ve been upgraded 5 times, usually because of an airline’s mistake (which rarely happens). The best time was a flight from JFK to LAX. There were mechanical problems with our plane and we got shuffled around to 4 different airports leaving the east coast before not getting to leave that day at all. They did put us up in hotels and gave us food vouchers for dinner and breakfast, but by the next morning there were so many angry travelers trying to get home, chaos ensued. I was in no particular hurry, so I just bided my time and waited to get to the counter. The young lady looked so flustered, and I felt sorry for her. I told her to relax, take a breath, and that I was not going to yell at her. She got herself together, we made polite conversation, and she was able to smile. She upgraded me to 1st class as a thanks. I guess sometimes it just pays to be nice!

[kitchy]

Flying as a solo female from Manila to Istanbul on Qatar Airways, my seatmate fell asleep with his head on my shoulder on the first leg to Doha. This route gets a lot of Overseas Filipino Workers as passengers and I kinda have a soft spot for them so I didn't want to just wake him up rudely. An FA came and asked if he was with me, I might have smiled at her awkwardly and said no, but it's alright. She woke him up, my seatmate apologized and I said it was fine. Upon exiting, another FA asked if I have a connecting flight and asked to see my ticket. When the desk attendant gave me the upgraded ticket, I asked her why me, she said flight is overbooked but that I must be a frequent flyer but it was my first time flying Qatar. I did join their Priviledge Club and booked the ticket from their site. But ultimately I think I was chosen because I wasn't rude to that guy. So, in short, just be nice.

[willgbecker]

Ms. Jess I just came across your post and channel. I found your post to be spot on. I wasn't aware of the possible penalty to an employee of an inappropriate upg. I have flown lots across the Pacific in long haul 747's and in transcon 767, 757 aircraft. As a disabled tall traveler I always appreciate the gift of an upgrade. I look forward to reading your channel. Cheers