What is the best way to get an upgrade on a scheduled flight?

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dcgirl

If you want to get upgraded free and are not a frequent flier, your only real hope is for an Operational Upgrade aka "op-up." That only happens when Coach is oversold but there are still seats in First; instead of denying one or more of the Coach passengers a seat, they will move people up to First until that is full too. But there is a fairly standard order the gate agents will go in when they choose who is moved into First. Frequent Fliers get moved up first. If all the Frequent Fliers have been moved into First and they still need to move someone, they check the flight roster to see what fare class everyone has purchased in, and upgrade those with the highest fare classes. That doesn't mean cabin class like first or coach, but within each cabin class are many levels of tickets that are usually named by letters (J, Y, B, etc). Each fare class has different restrictions and usually had different prices. The passengers with the highest fare class are upgraded first.

So to make your chances higher, fly a flight that is frequently oversold, purchase as high a fare class as possible, and cross your fingers.

IceTrojan

Why did you ask, rather than see all the other times this question has been asked when you typed in this question in the box?

May you not only never get upgraded, but you get to sit in the middle seat of the last row by the lavs. I'll wave from Row 1.

f0xymoron

There's virtually no chance of getting an upgrade for more than one person, unfortunately, and should an upgrade become available, it will be offered to the traveller with the most points on their frequent flyer scheme. If you are smartly dressed, have minimal luggage, are alone and have loads of frequent flyer points, it's worthwhile asking - otherwise, forget it!

Trevor h

Pay the difference for a 1st class ticket - works EVERYTIME!

Paul McDonald

Be a premiere class with the airline's frequent flyer program, purchase a full-fare ticket, and you'll likely get upgraded.

Doesn't matter what you wear (except that sometimes Class A military uniforms help)

tshark44

to be upgraded, there is an extra fee, it is never free, unless you work for the airlines and those are the only seats left and open to employees and/or companion passes that fly standby..

kittycat

if you're talking about a free upgrade then you need to be a very frequent flyer and be registered in a frequent flyer program for the airline you travel with the most. they will send you upgrade certificates to use after you fly so many miles.
not sure how to do it without paying otherwise.

Sarcasma

Wait until the plane has levelled after taking off. Kindly ask one of the cabin crew, if there are any spare seats in business or first class, and how much it would cost to upgrade.

It doesn't work all the time, but the crew working economy have more peole to deal with, so are sometimes happy to get rid of a person or two.

Remember - be nice about it, say your pleases and thank yous.
Always offer to pay. If they say it is going to cost $1000 and you can't afford it just say so. You should expect anything for free.

I have been upgrade three time from economy to first (paid $150 once, free other 2 times). Once from economy to business. Once from business to first for free.

I took a flight just after 9/11 and there was 6 people on the plane - we all go to go first class.

Johnny B

Pay for it

NOLA guy

Paying money to upgrade is the obvious answer. As another answerer said, "it works every time" - at least when there are seats available up front..... (not always the case).

Your chance of getting an "operational" upgrade w/o being a "premier" member of the airline's frequent flier program is remote. Even then, getting a free upgrade on an international flight is rare.

Join the airline's frequent flier program anyway. There are usually LOTS of ways to collect miles without flying and you may be able to earn enough to upgrade, or even get a free ticket.

anitaS

Why don't you buy an upgrade, hey? If you want to travel in an expensive cabin - pay the difference!
Annoys me big time when people ask for upgrades! :-(

I would much rather upgrade someone who is nice and polite, if a flight is overbooked, check in agents will upgrade some passengers and guess who will those be? The ones who demanded an upgrade, pretended to have a birthday / anniversary etc?.... nope... Those, who were nice to people who checked them in.
Remember that and, of course, frequent traveller's card helps along with smart appearance.

Good luck!

luddite

It's difficult to get upgraded. You do need to be a member of a frequent flyer programme. My husband has been upgraded from economy a couple of times. Had nothing to do with appearance and arriving late and any other of these myths. Economy was over booked, he was travelling alone, he had a lot of frequent flyer miles, one small piece of luggage.
There is no system to this, you just get lucky.

jam

do you mean upgrade or update? you can check with expedia.com they have a service where in you can send alerts to your email or mobile phone. if you mean updgrade of seats from coach - first class better to call the airline directly...

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