While cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms and cheap vacation packages remain plentiful, it is much trickier these days to be upgraded to first or business class seating for free.
Given that planes are flying fuller than ever and almost every flight related feature has a price tag, passengers are paying $99 to upgrade to the front section of coach simply for the right to get off a plane sooner and possibly have an inch or two of extra legroom.
Although the odds of being awarded free upgrades are more difficult these days, the following steps may help:
Dressing well increases your chances of being selected for an empty first class seat.
Speak to an agent at the check-in desk at the gate and ask politely and directly to be considered if any passengers will be upgraded on your flight. Use the word please whenever possible.
Be smart about when you make your request. Showing up late and requesting an upgrade when an agent is trying to check everyone in is not how to snag an upgrade. Make your request before a line forms and when no one else is competing for an agents attention.
Come across as reasonable. If you are traveling with a family or purchased a very cheap ticket, the odds of being upgraded are close to non-existent.
Be aware that how full your flight is impacts the likelihood of you being upgraded. Relatively empty flights are not good candidates for upgrades. Airlines usually do not upgrade passengers for no reason. On full flights airlines often upgrade passengers either to accommodate overbooking in coach or to be able to seat entire families together.
If you are willing, volunteer to give your seat up if a flight is oversold for whatever incentive is being offered if the airline will upgrade you on its next flight.
If you have been inconvenienced by the airline, politely explain your situation to an agent and request an upgrade.
If you have a title, such as Judge, Minister, or Doctor include that title in your reservation. www.cheapfares.com