It’s every traveler’s dream: you book an economy seat, but when it’s time to board, you check your boarding pass and notice your seat is suddenly at the front of the plane.
I’ve been upgraded several times this year alone, and it’s always a rewarding experience. Though, magically finding yourself upgraded is increasingly rare these days.
But it’s not impossible. You just need to take a few steps (or spend a little money) first.
Whether you secure an upgrade through your elite status or buy one yourself, there are several ways to experience luxury for less. It’s certainly not an outcome that I expect, but I still hope for one each time I fly.
Here are four tips to successfully secure an upgrade on your next flight.
In this article
Hold Elite Status
The best way to get an upgrade is to hold elite status with your preferred airline.
Last month, I was upgraded on a six-hour flight from Buenos Aires (EZE) to Medellín (MDE) thanks to my Avianca elite status. But every airline has its own rules regarding upgrades.
For instance, Delta Air Lines separates elite upgrades based on the type of flight. All Delta Medallion members can be upgraded on flights within the U.S., as long as you book an eligible fare.
However, these complimentary upgrades are based on availability, so the higher your tier of elite status and the emptier the flight, the better chances you’ll have to secure an upgrade. If you want to get upgraded to business class on a long-haul international flight, you’d need to hold a higher tier of status and use one of your Upgrade Certificates.
I typically earn Gold Medallion status each year, and my success with upgrades varies. Complimentary upgrades are less frequent than they used to be, but are still available on less popular routes. Your success will be heavily dependent on which airlines you hold elite status with, and how often you fly.
Redeem Credit Card Benefits
If you hold a co-branded airline credit card, you might be lucky enough to secure an upgrade.
For instance, Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members are eligible for the same complimentary upgrades as Medallion members. However, upgrades for cardholders clear after upgrades for Medallion members, so you will only receive an upgrade after all elite members have been upgraded.
If you hold elite status and you are a cardholder, you will receive upgrade priority over non-cardholder elite members in your tier.
Delta is somewhat of a unicorn, as many other airlines, such as American Airlines, do not offer complimentary upgrades to cardholders without elite status.
Other airlines, like Alaska Airlines, give priority to elite members with co-branded credit cards, but that’s as far as your card benefits will take you.
Bid On or Purchase an Upgrade
If you don’t want to rely on a complimentary upgrade, you can always pay for one.
There’s a lot less strategy involved in this method than planning to book your ticket when prices are lowest. The cost of an upgrade will depend on whether you are bidding for it or buying it outright.
Select airlines—mainly international carriers like Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, and Etihad—allow you to bid on upgrades. The way bidding works is, when available, you can select the amount you’re willing to spend. If the airline accepts it, you will be charged; if it doesn’t, you remain in the same class of service and don’t pay anything. Just be realistic: no airline will accept a business class bid for $50 on a long-haul flight.
You can also take the airline up on a promoted upgrade surcharge, which is usually listed in the app. These are usually available to purchase at some point between booking and departing.
For example, a few months ago, I purchased an upgrade to business class for a 12-hour flight from Paris (CDG) to Mexico City (MEX) so I could lie down and sleep for most of it. This was a fairly empty flight, so my upgrade only cost $388. I have a rule that I’ll pay for an upgrade if it costs less than $50 an hour, and this upgrade cost me just $32.33 per hour.
You can also ask about upgrades at the check-in counter to see how much they would cost at the last minute.
Negotiate an Upgrade When You Get Bumped From a Flight
If an airline asks for volunteers to move to a different flight because your current flight is overbooked, ask whether you can receive an upgrade as part of your offer to rebook.
This is often the best-case scenario, as airlines are more desperate for volunteers, and will often compensate passengers who move to a different flight. How would you like a $1,000 voucher plus a business class seat on a flight departing a day later? I’d jump on that any day of the week, but unfortunately, it hasn’t happened to me yet.
In this situation, some airlines might “upgrade” you while keeping you in the same cabin. For instance, I have a friend who was bumped to a different flight, and although she didn’t get upgraded to business, she did get an extra-legroom seat at the front of the cabin, even though she originally booked a regular seat at the very back of the plane.
How To Improve Your Chances of Getting an Upgrade
To improve your chances of getting an upgrade, try to stay loyal to one or two airlines.
Elite status is the best way to receive a complimentary upgrade. You can also consider applying for a co-branded airline credit card. Not only will these cards help you receive upgrade priority or lounge access, but they can also help you access the next tier of elite status faster (or give you complimentary elite status).
For example, I’m a cardholder of the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card, which grants complimentary Silver elite status. This status is what helped me get upgraded on a flight to Colombia.
The other way to improve your chances of getting an upgrade is to fly on a less-popular route on a less-popular day of the week. That’s when flights are more likely to be emptier, and airlines might be willing to part with a premium seat for less than usual.
At the end of the day, an upgrade is only possible if a seat is available. The more open seats, the higher the likelihood you'll be selected for an upgrade. My Avianca upgrade occurred on an overnight flight on a Wednesday, and my Air France upgrade happened on a daytime flight on a Thursday. If these flights had happened on a weekend, it’s hard to say if I would’ve had the same success.
The Shortcut
If you're paying for an upgrade, consider using the $50/hour rule: divide the cost by flight hours. If it's under $50, it may be worth it.
Getting bumped is a negotiation. Ask for an upgrade as part of your volunteer compensation before you agree to rebook.
Airline elite status and holding the right credit card are the most reliable paths to a complimentary upgrade. Just know that higher-tier members will always take precedence.
Flying on off-peak days and times gives you better odds, whether you're paying for the upgrade or hoping for a free one.
