Flights can be very expensive, especially when flying long distance and wanting upgrades such as extra legroom or premium seats. Flying business or first class is one of the most luxurious travel experiences airlines offer, and there’s a hefty price tag which comes with it.
However, there are some tips and tricks to try in order to bag a free plane upgrade from airlines. One airline insider took to Reddit’s travel forum to explain some ways you can try for a free upgrade.
They wrote: “24 hours before the flight, people start checking in, the frequent travellers confirm they are coming, and the seat is taken.
“If no confirmation is recieved the next people in line will recieve the upgrade as they come and print their boarding pass.
“The upgrades are 99% gone before the plane has boarded, and if it isn’t, they will call the names of the next people on the list.”
However, Skyscanner, a search engine to find travellers the best deals on flights and more, suggests travelling at a quiet time.
They said you have a better chance of a free upgrade by booking a flight on Bank Holidays and at other times of the year when business users are less likely to fly.
However, you may have to invest in order to get a flight upgrade.
This means you may not get an upgrade immediately, but could spend a lot of money on one flight and be returned with a free or cheaper upgrade on the next.
A frequent Skyscanner user said: “My wife and I got upgraded when we moved here from the US on BA. Not sure why, but we think spending $1,600 on baggage fees helped.”
Also, sticking to flying with the same airline every time you travel can help, as the rewards may rack up.
Being loyal to a specific airline when flying is potentially one of the most important pieces of advice when wanting to receive any upgrades.
Skyscanner also recommended being early for your flight, as there is a bigger chance of upgrades being available.
However, some passengers may not like this as this may mean spending a few extra hours in the airport.