4 Clever Tips to Score an Upgrade on Your Next Flight

Even if you’re sandwiched in the middle seat, you have to admit there’s something inherently glamorous about flying. Catapulting into the air only to land somewhere new and exotic a few hours later is riveting. That said, we can’t help but get hit with a pang of jealousy when we walk past first or business class and watch the in-flight elite clink champagne glasses and test out their lie-flat seats. Sigh, if only that could be us.

Well, why can’t it be us? If you ask the pros, jumping the waitlist and getting an upgrade is more within reach that it was years ago. “It used to be business class and first-class seats went to the airline’s most loyal flyers, but those days are gone,” explains Clint Henderson, travel expert at The Points Guy. “Elite members of frequent flyer programs are the losers these days, and infrequent travelers are the winners as more and more airlines sell cheap upgrades to the front part of the cabin.”

You could  pay through the nose for an upgrade, but here are some under-the-radar tips for first-class treatment.

1. There’s an App for That

Flying domestically? Henderson says airlines like Delta, United, and American sell continental upgrades “very cheap using cash or miles.” “That’s why I always tell people—even infrequent flyers—to have the airline app installed on their phone,” he says. “The major airlines will offer cheap upgrades to you inside their apps.” 

If it costs a lot of money to switch to a nicer seat, wait it out. “Pricing is dynamic even for upgrades, so check the app frequently,” he recommends. “The best deals though are usually in the days ahead of the flight.” A good deal might be subjective, but Henderson says to spend no more than $50 an hour for a domestic upgrade and about $100 an hour for international long-haul.

2. Place a Bid

Depending on your route, some airlines (and even train services like Amtrak) allow passengers to “bid” for an upgrade. Similar to a fancy auction, the highest “bid” usually wins. While Henderson often bids the starting price and hopes for the best, doing a little math can better your chances. Some pros recommend subtracting your current fare from the price of a first or business class ticket. From there, you should aim to bid anywhere from 20 to 40 percent of the difference.

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3. Use Your Points

After years of booking travel, there’s a good chance you’ve racked up a lot of credit card points. So why not treat yourself to an upgrade? In fact, that’s exactly how Henderson ends up in business class on 75 percent of his long-haul flights. “One big credit card signup bonus can get you enough points or miles for a one-way business class flight, so I also tell people to not be afraid of credit cards,” he explains. “They can unlock premium travel for free.”

4. When in Doubt, Ask

If you don’t have enough points or lost out on a bid, the very least you can ask upon check-in. A long shot? Sure, but Henderson says you can sometimes get better deals. “I once got into business class on a KLM flight by paying $800 at the ticket counter,” he shares. “I once got a first-class seat on a Japan Airlines flight for just $75.”

Whether or not you get an upgrade, we firmly believe you should always be kind to your airline’s staff. However, just as a head’s up, you can’t sweet talk your way into first class. “These seats are a commodity,” he says. “The days of flight attendants upgrading passengers they like are over.” But it never hurts to ask—and have a good attitude—right?