Having to walk past those luxurious, roomy, and comfortable-looking lie-flat beds in business-class on your way to economy is enough to trigger a pang of jealousy. But before you crunch yourself into that teeny, tiny economy seat, elbow to elbow with your fellow passengers, know there is a better way—and that’s by upgrading to a better fare class. Even better, you can do it without spending a fortune.
“It’s nearly impossible for the average traveler to get a free upgrade to business or first-class today,” Julian Kheel, founder and CEO at Points Path, shared with Travel + Leisure. Airlines, Kheel explained, are increasingly monetizing upgrades. However, all hope isn’t lost. “[It’s] extremely rare, but it does happen once in a while.” And understanding the best timing and approach to requesting an upgrade could give you an edge.
From knowing who typically gets upgraded to strategically timing your request, here’s the inside scoop on moving up to the front of the plane.
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Who is typically eligible for a flight upgrade?
Frequent travelers and airline loyalty members usually top the upgrade list. Most airlines prioritize status holders within their frequent flier programs for complimentary upgrades to Economy Plus or business class. Airlines like Delta, United, and American explicitly list their loyalty tiers and corresponding upgrade eligibility, offering members who fly the most often, travel the furthest, or spend the most on tickets with the greatest chances.
However, there are a few things that can make you more attractive for an upgrade. If you’ve experienced a flight disruption, for example, the airline may want to butter you up with a better deal. When an airline announces their flight has been oversold, and asks if any passengers are willing to take a later flight, this is a perfect time to request both compensation and an upgrade.
As Kheel explained, wearing a nice outfit isn’t going to score you an upgrade. “Wearing a suit or fancy dress isn’t more likely to get you upgraded, though looking like you might be a difficult passenger definitely hurts your case,” he said. The only time clothing is a factor is if it runs afoul of the airline’s dress code, meaning the wrong outfit could get you kicked off, but not upgraded.
How likely is it to score a free upgrade on a flight?
Realistically, without having status, scoring a free upgrade is tough these days. Kheel explained, “In the last several years, airlines have worked aggressively to sell upgrades rather than give them away, and even passengers with elite status get fewer complimentary upgrades nowadays.” That doesn’t mean it never happens, but you shouldn’t count on it.
“Your best chance at an upgrade is when there’s still a seat left up front after all the elites have been upgraded,” said Kheel. That means it’s worth checking the gate monitors, which publicly list upgrade availability. Even if you aren’t on the list, you can quickly assess your odds by scanning the screen and then approaching the gate agent to see what’s available.
So, when can you ask for an upgrade?
Timing your request is crucial. Kheel recommends approaching the gate agents early, ideally before boarding becomes hectic.
“The boarding process is the busiest part of their day,” he explained. “Attempting to talk to an agent about an upgrade in the middle of boarding, or when they’re trying to get the plane closed up and pushed back, isn’t likely to succeed.”
Being polite when you speak to the agent is equally essential. “As the saying goes, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar,” said Kheel. “Scoring a complimentary upgrade without elite status has very long odds, but if you’re going to try for it, ask as nicely as you can. Mentioning some sort of special occasion or reason could also slightly increase your chances.”
Once you’re on the plane, your odds of an upgrade are essentially zero. As one flight attendant explained on Reddit, “At my airline, [flight attendants] are not allowed to upgrade [passengers] to first class. Talk to [the] gate agent or ticket agent when you check your bags. They are the ones who assign seats and can upgrade you.”
There is, however, one more chance to score an upgrade if you’ve already boarded: “If you’re on the plane and there’s something physically wrong with your seat, like a broken armrest or tray table, that can also be a reason to ask if you might be moved to a better seat up front,” shared Kheel.
When should you buy an upgrade instead?
Buying an upgrade is the easiest way to get to the front of the plane. But even with this, timing matters if you want to get a good deal.
“Upgrade pricing is based at least partially on supply and demand, so if you’re hoping to pay for a cheap upgrade, you can get an idea of your chances by looking at your flight’s seat map,” said Kheel. If plenty of premium seats remain open as your flight date approaches, the airline may lower prices to fill them. Conversely, Kheel warned, “If most of the premium seats are already taken on your flight’s seat map, the price of an upgrade is only likely to rise as time goes on. Lock the seat down now while you can.”
The bottom line: Make sure to keep an eye on that flight as often as possible and check upgrade pricing. Have a set number of what you’re willing to pay in mind, and if it drops to that price, book before the seat disappears.
Should you bid on an upgrade if you can for the best price?
More and more, airlines are now offering passengers the opportunity to bid for upgrades rather than purchasing them outright. This auction-style method can provide significant savings. Usually, airlines will send emails prompting eligible passengers to bid, often starting several days before departure. That includes carriers like TAP Air Portugal, Aer Lingus, Etihad Airways, and Copa Airlines.
To boost your chances, submit your bid thoughtfully. You may be tempted to offer the lowest possible bid, but placing a moderately competitive one can often increase your odds of winning the seat, and you still won’t have to pay full price for it. Just remember, bidding is always a gamble—there’s no guarantee it will be accepted. However, if you’re flexible, it’s a great option.
