How to Get a Free Flight Upgrade

  • Posted on November, 27, 2015

Getting flight upgrades is no more as frequent as it was earlier. However, it hasn’t been entirely scraped off too. So don’t sideline the possibilities of getting one for yourself.

Read through our post and make use of the tips to higher your chances of lending your self a free flight up-gradation.

Given below are some tried and tested methods which have landed the passengers flying in business class air ticket in India on the cost of economy tickets-

1. Fly Solo

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Flying alone brightens your chances to get a free upgrade as it is a more effortless adjustment. The possibilities are dim if you are traveling in large groups or with family, as to accommodate too many people in the higher class is not a likely situation.

Also, a lone traveler would be the first one to be considered for an upgrade. Whether it is the flight for the USA or any other destination, if you are traveling alone, you definitely have an upper hand over the others.

2. If the cabin crew requests a move, oblige:

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If, for some reason, the cabin crew asks you to move/shift your seat, don’t decline. For instance, if you volunteer to help a family sit together, you never know if your generosity is rewarded with an upgrade. You might even get the cheapest flights for India with a business class facility just by showing a little generosity.

3. Be the first to check-in:

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Being the first to check-in can significantly increase your chances of getting a free upgrade. Also, if you have bought a cheap air ticket for India in over-booked flights, the cabin staff might offer you an update in advance, to save themselves from shuffling around to do the same at the time of departure.

4. Take the option of waiting for the next flight if given incentives:

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When the trip is running full, the check-in staff will be looking for people who could be bumped off to another flight to India, and for this, they will lure the passengers with incentives like an upgrade, etc. So if you do not mind to hop on the next flight, take the offer.

5. Special meals can ruin upgrade chances:

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If you’ve placed an order of a special meal in advance, this can hinder your chances of getting a flight upgrade. It is because the flight cabin crew has not many spares. And then adjusting to your special requirements when making a shift from economy to first/ class becomes a challenge.

6. Flying on a special occasion? Make it known:

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If you are going on a honeymoon, or it’s your birthday, it would be a good idea to let the staff know somehow. The chances are they give you an upgrade as part of the celebration. But because this is an often-used trick, so it would be wise to carry relevant documents for them to verify the same on your Chennai to Detroit flights.

7. Dressing and presentation make a difference:

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You need to look the part of flying in first-class or business class. It is not that the high paying passengers in the first-class cabin are not allowed to travel in comfortable clothes.

But then while choosing someone from the economy, the staff does consider a well-dressed person over someone in baggy jeans and a t-shirt.

8. Make use of contacts:

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And lastly, make arrangements in advance if you have some contacts in the check-in staff or higher order. Many airlines have upgrade vouchers for the staff, which they may share with their friends and family. So you can make use of such contacts to get a flight update if seats are available.

And if you cannot rely on an upgrade (because chances are not that high) and wish to travel not in the economy class, then search for cheap travel packages for business travel on online travel portals.

It would not cost you too much, and sometimes such deals can help you travel cheap. They are not just marketing gimmicks, but a win-win for both the parties.

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