How to Get a Free Airline Upgrade on Your Flight - Fly Business Class

Everyone wants to buy a cheap economy class ticket and get bumped up and upgraded to business class or first class. Who doesn't want more comfort, more legroom, better service and the lounge access which come as standard for first and business class passengers. The current generation of flat seats in premium cabins of major carriers makes flying long-haul much more comfortable than ever before.

Every so often airlines will give out free upgrades for operational reasons. Here are a few basic tips for increasing your chances of getting that elusive upgrade and rubbing shoulder with the first class jet-set.

1. Become a member of your airline's frequent flyer program. If you can reach 'elite status' then you will greatly improve your likelihood of getting upgraded if there is any availability on the day you fly. Airlines will give upgrade priority to their top-tier members.

2. Avoid flying from your carrier's main hub if it is a large airport. You will be competing against masses of frequent flyer members so your chance of a free upgrade is minimal. For example it is difficult to get upgraded with British Airways if flying out of London Heathrow. You will be up against many top-tier BA Gold flyers - and possibly a few more with the even higher Gold Guest List or Premier VIP status.

3. Consider choosing one of the smaller frequent flyer programs with fewer members to reduce competition. The biggest programs in Europe are those of Lufthansa, AirFrance-KLM and British Airways with literally millions of members. US programs are massive - the top 3, United, American and Delta probably have well over 100 million members between them! A good option is to join a quality Asian based carrier like Thai Airlines or Cathay Pacific or smaller programs like Alaska Mileage Plan or bmi Diamond Club.

4. Book a flight that is likely to have a full economy section. Try to fly on wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 777 with plenty of available first class and business class seats. A few days before your flight, check the availability of business and first class seats by doing a pretend booking on your airline's website or use one of the class availability tools on the web.

5. Pay for a full fare economy or premium economy ticket on your flight which will also give you upgrade priority from the airline.

6. There is no harm in dressing well in 'smart casual' or business attire on the off-chance you are pre-upgraded and the airline is happy you will blend into its premium cabin. Note however, this is not a serious upgrade strategy today - it may have worked in the 1970s!

7. Look for cheap cash upgrade opportunities with your carrier at check-in - either online or at the airport.

8. Try and stay informed and up-to-date with airfare strategies and upgrade tips from industry experts and forums. The inside track can help you save both money and frequent flyer miles.

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How to Get a Free Airline Upgrade on Your Flight

Everyone loves to get free things, right? Well what if I told you that I know how you can get a free upgrade on your flight, leading you to sit in business class for free? Since no one wants to sit back in the economy class, I want to give you some great tips that work for me and a thousand others that have implemented these tricks as well.

Join the airline's programs - You're going to find that airlines have programs from credit cards, to signing up for miles. You'll want to do this, and most of the time it's free. This is going to increase your chances big time, because it's going to show them that you're loyal to the airlines, which is a very good thing.

Get the desk early - When you're about to fly, you'll want to make sure that you go straight to the desk, and ask if there are any first class openings. If first class isn't full, you'll find that they will put your name on the waiting list. The trick here is to make sure that you're flying out of a smaller airport, rather than a bigger one.

Dress to impress - Since many airlines want nice looking people in the front (trust me, they do), if you dress to impress, this is going to increase your chances as well. The flight attendant, and passengers around you don't want to deal with some hillbilly wearing cut off shorts yelling for beer all the time.

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Here's How to Upgrade Your Flight to First Class

Getting into business or first class means more comfortable seats, more legroom, better service, complimentary food and drinks, and much more. But how do you get there without mortgaging the house? A number of ways:

Pay For Upgrades

Sometimes you can buy your way into business or first class, with a confirmed seat, for much less than the posted are difference. Some ideas:

--- Buy international business class at 50% of the full fare price. Some discount agencies regularly sell those tickets. Large transatlantic airlines occasionally offer business class sales.

--- The American Express Platinum card offers twofers in business class on numerous international flights. Diner's Club Carte Blanche offers twofers on British Airways on premium economy and business class tickets. Even at half price, this can still be several times the price of a coach seat.

--- Some small domestic airlines, like Spirit and Sun Country, sell business or first class for less than the legacy lines. Again, those fares are higher than the lowest coach fare.

--- Some domestic airlines offer a special coach fare that provides an immediate, confirmed upgrade. Referred to as "Y-up" fares (Another article will explain these). A good deal only if circumstances force you into an expensive coach ticket.

--- Air Transat's business class upgrades range from $40-$80. US Air upgrades start at $50 for short-haul domestic flights, up to $500 for European flights.

-- Spirit Air offers day-of-travel upgrades based on availability at the departure gate.

-- Delta offers same-day standby upgrades for $50-$200.

--- Northwest and United offer upgrades for travelers using self-service check-in kiosks for domestic flights.

--- Keep your eyes peeled during check-in, or ask at the desk if they are offering any specials.

Frequent Flier Mile Upgrades

This is the way most travelers get from coach to first class. How much you pay depends on how high you are in the program and how much you pay for the ticket you are trying to upgrade.

Each airline has its own upgrade levels, starting at 5,000 earned miles on up.

One way you can assure yourself a confirmed seat in first class is to use your miles, either for a free seat, or to upgrade from coach. Going for the free seat is the better use of your miles.

--- Many airlines sell upgrade coupons, denominated in multiples of 500 miles, for domestic trips. You simply give the airlines as many as required for your trip. Generally, you must be at least one elite level up the scale. If not, you can only use this for the most expensive coach seats.

--- Mileage upgrades are usually for one-way travel. Thus you can upgrade your red-eye outbound flight, then save miles on your return day flight. If you want to upgrade round trip, you need to use twice the number of miles.

--- Some airlines require you to book upgrade over the phone. Others on line.

--- Low-ranking frequent fliers for cheap tickets take their chances at the departure gate.

--- Some airlines allow you to search for flights eligible for mileage upgrades.

--- Super-elite passengers find upgrades easier than lower level passengers.

Free Upgrades

On domestic flights, only 20% of travelers buy first class tickets. Airlines fill the first class cabins by upgrading passengers from coach for free.

Free standby upgrades depend on your frequent flier status and the price of your coach ticket. Super- elite frequent fliers almost always get upgraded. Ordinary frequent fliers almost never.

Free upgrades are scarce on overseas flights.

Upgrade myths

Your behavior at the airport used to snag you an upgrade, but this has dramatically decreased. It is now almost impossible to sweet talk gate agents, dress nicely, arrive early, and simply register for a frequent flier program to get an upgrade.

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