Home HOME Review Guidelines Review Guidelines | Review TOS Review TOS | Signup FREE Signup FREE | Submit Travel Articles Submit Travel Articles
Search Our Travel Article Directory:



Home | Transportation | Air Travel


Free Articles on Air Travel and many other travel topics.
Here is another free Air Travel article for you.

The secret to getting a flight upgrade

By: Evan Moss

Most of us will, at some point, have fantasized about first-class as we contemplate another long-haul flight rammed into the stuffy confines of economy, nose to tail with all the other poor saps who can't afford anything better. Given the frankly astronomical prices it's an exclusive club the majority of us are forever destined to be barred from. Unless, that is, you manage to wangle the holy grail of air travel – an upgrade.

Don't get too excited; whilst the possibility shouldn't be dismissed entirely as an impossible dream, there are a host of factors that could stand in your way. Take note of the following tips though and who knows, it's just possible you could find yourself stretching out with a glass of champagne, enjoying a complementary massage whilst a flight attendant plumps your Egyptian cotton pillow ready for a restful night's sleep:

• The first goal is to get your boarding pass stamped with SFU – Suitable For Upgrade. One of the key factors here is looking like you'll fit in. So don't turn up looking like you're on your way to the gym. The best policy is to dress for business, so for men smart trousers, shoes and a formal shirt are a good bet. A few luxury accoutrements like quality luggage wouldn't hurt either.

• You're also more likely to succeed if you're travelling alone - turn up with a gaggle of screaming kids and you may as well not bother trying. Make sure you look as though you could be quietly ushered into business or first class without too much hassle or disruption.

• Make a bit of effort with the check-in staff. Just asking straight up if there's any chance of an upgrade probably won't cut the mustard, so charm them and find a slightly more subtle way of asking – a bit of humour might help your chances too.

• Remember that realistically you're only in with a fighting chance if there are seats available - if business and first class are full then it clearly isn't going to be your lucky day.

• Airlines are far more likely to reward members of a frequent flier club. If seats come up then obviously first option is likely to be given to passengers with a loyalty card to elevate them above the rest of the economy rabble. So even if you're not a particularly frequent flier why not sign up – it's free. And if all this blagging rests heavy on your conscience, should you actually rack up some hefty air miles it's quite possible you'll earn a perfectly legitimate upgrade anyway.

• Try to book flights that might be oversubscribed, so go for busy periods like school breaks and Saturdays. Airlines will often do this anticipating that a few people won't turn up. If this happens and you're prepared to be bumped to a later flight then you can expect some form of compensation… Of course, should this plan back fire you'll be stuck back in economy on a particularly packed flight. Better luck next time!

Most of us will, at some point, have fantasized about first-class as we contemplate another long-haul flight rammed into the stuffy confines of economy, nose to tail with all the other poor saps who can't afford anything better. Given the frankly astronomical prices it's an exclusive club the majority of us are forever destined to be barred from. Unless, that is, you manage to wangle the holy grail of air travel – an upgrade.

Don't get too excited; whilst the possibility shouldn't be dismissed entirely as an impossible dream, there are a host of factors that could stand in your way. Take note of the following tips though and who knows, it's just possible you could find yourself stretching out with a glass of champagne, enjoying a complementary massage whilst a flight attendant plumps your Egyptian cotton pillow ready for a restful night's sleep:

• The first goal is to get your boarding pass stamped with SFU – Suitable For Upgrade. One of the key factors here is looking like you'll fit in. So don't turn up looking like you're on your way to the gym. The best policy is to dress for business, so for men smart trousers, shoes and a formal shirt are a good bet. A few luxury accoutrements like quality luggage wouldn't hurt either.

• You're also more likely to succeed if you're travelling alone - turn up with a gaggle of screaming kids and you may as well not bother trying. Make sure you look as though you could be quietly ushered into business or first class without too much hassle or disruption.

• Make a bit of effort with the check-in staff. Just asking straight up if there's any chance of an upgrade probably won't cut the mustard, so charm them and find a slightly more subtle way of asking – a bit of humour might help your chances too.

• Remember that realistically you're only in with a fighting chance if there are seats available - if business and first class are full then it clearly isn't going to be your lucky day.

• Airlines are far more likely to reward members of a frequent flier club. If seats come up then obviously first option is likely to be given to passengers with a loyalty card to elevate them above the rest of the economy rabble. So even if you're not a particularly frequent flier why not sign up – it's free. And if all this blagging rests heavy on your conscience, should you actually rack up some hefty air miles it's quite possible you'll earn a perfectly legitimate upgrade anyway.

• Try to book flights that might be oversubscribed, so go for busy periods like school breaks and Saturdays. Airlines will often do this anticipating that a few people won't turn up. If this happens and you're prepared to be bumped to a later flight then you can expect some form of compensation… Of course, should this plan back fire you'll be stuck back in economy on a particularly packed flight. Better luck next time!

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com

Wherever you’re jetting off to give Fly Monarch a look for cheap flights to a wide choice of destinations

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Air Travel Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From - Home | Transportation | Air Travel
Sign Up for a free account or learn more.

HAWAII ACTIVITIES, TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
Book your Hawaii Activities in advance and save precious vacation time!
Submit Travel Articles
Member Login
Top Authors
Most Popular Travel Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds
DISCOUNT CRUISES
Click for the best cruise prices available on the net!
Sitemap
New Stuff
About Us
Travel Blog
Forum
Link to Us
Add your Link
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

Save on all the things you love to do!
TravelArticlesExpress.com » Copyright © 2006     Site Designed by Global Impressions Web Designs
Terms of Service | Submission Guidelines | Contact Us | Link to Us | Privacy Policy | About Us
Partner Websites 111Reservations.com Hawaiian-Holiday.com
  Go2Jasper.com Go2Waikiki.com

Powered by Article Dashboard