How to Get a Free Airline Upgrade on Your Flight

Everyone wants to buy a cheap economy ticket and get bumped up to business or first class. I mean who doesn't want more comfort, more legroom, better service and lounge access? The new generation of flat seats makes flying long-haul more comfortable than ever before.

Here are a few tips for maximising your likelihood of getting that elusive upgrade.

1. Become a member of your airline's frequent flyer program. If you can reach 'elite status' then you will greatly improve your chances of getting bumped up a class.

2. Avoid flying from your carrier's main hub. You will be competing against masses of frequent flyer members so your chance of a free upgrade is minimal.

3. Book a flight that is likely to have a full economy section. A few days before your flight, check the availability of business/first class seats by doing a pretend booking on the web.

4. Choose a destination that doesn't carry heavy business traffic. Also try to fly on wide-body aircraft with plenty of available first class seats.

5. This is a cliché, but you should dress well and have decent looking luggage. If you don't fit in with the flying elite the airline will not upgrade you. Turn up with an economy ticket and a backpack and you'll be sitting at the back!

6. Do not order a special meal as this cannot be upgraded with you.

7. Travel with someone holding a higher class ticket than you.

8. Fly premium economy class - you are 2 times more likely to be upgraded than in standard economy.

9. If you are flying away on honeymoon then contact the airline in advance and ask to be upgraded.

10. If you want a guaranteed business class flight then pay for one! Use your miles to purchase an upgrade or haggle a deal at the airport.

11. Read the 'Ultimate Airfares, Upgrades and Cheap First Class Flights Guide'. If you fly internationally this unique insider ebook will show you how to find amazing cheap flight deals and help you reach the elusive first class cabin.

By utilising these tips you may be sitting at the front of the plane next time.

Safe flying!

A must-read for any international flyers, the Ultimate Airfares, Upgrades and Cheap First Class Flights Guide is now available at http://www.airtravelgenius.com

---

Material Memory and NASA High Tech Plastics for Rotor Blades

Some new materials, types of plastics seem to be stronger... Read More

Business Aviation Networking Notes

The process of finding out about a job, getting interviewed,... Read More

Entering Business Aviation, Part III: Training Options

Time for some training! So, you are not sure what... Read More

Static Electricity to Flap UAV Material Memory Wings

How can we keep aircraft and UAVs aloft longer and... Read More

First Class Airfare: How the Rich Travel

Have you ever wondered what all entails first class airfare,... Read More

Fuselage Mounted Laser Vortex Enhancer Directed to Airfoils

DARPA has developed a small laser cannon, just like Star... Read More

Jet Lag - 7 Steps To A Successful Trip

Don't let jet lag spoil that much needed holiday trip... Read More

A Look at Fractional Jet Ownership

We've all experienced it - the commercial flight. After a... Read More

Future Shuttle Launches

The military aircraft we have are all equipped with anti-SAM... Read More

Sport Aviation and Jet Aircraft

Do you want a little business jet with a lot... Read More

Airport Travel Tips: Reducing Waiting Times

Key Travel TipsFollowing these tips will help you reduce your... Read More

Top Ten Secrets to Saving Big Money in the Airline Flights

Do you know that some people travel around the country... Read More

How to Overcome Jetlag

Jetlag seems to be every traveler's worst nightmare ? especially... Read More

NASA SATS for Point-to-Point Air Travel Solutions

It appears NASA's studies of the future of air travel... Read More

Airbus A-380 is Pretty Big

You know the Airbus A-380 is so huge it takes... Read More

Aluminum Cleaner for Aircraft Detailing by Alcoa

There are many choices for aircraft detailing when it comes... Read More

General Aviation Manufacturing is in the Tank; Hang On It is Going to Get Worse

Change is a constant, Outsourcing Jobs, Capital flows, Emerging Markets... Read More

Mexico to Manufacture Aircraft

It appears Mexico with its 120 million population is considering... Read More

AWACS Automated Flight Following System for Nuke Bunker Buster Accuracy

The Aerial Fire Fighting Industry uses a system called AFF... Read More

Diamond Twinstar

Probably one of the coolest experimental aircraft twin-engine aircraft is... Read More

Getting Cheap Airfares

Airlines offer tickets at a fraction of the cost you... Read More

Young Men Trying to Imitate the 9-11 Scenario, Part II

What happened to General Aviation after 9-11? Why did we... Read More

Leading Private Jet Charter Operators

Flying with the airlines can be a time consuming as... Read More

Tips to Finding Really Cheap Airline Tickets

Finding really cheap airline tickets onlineLooking for a really good... Read More

Entering Business Aviation, Part II: Pay Rates for Flight Attendants

Pay. You know that aviation pays better than commercial, in... Read More

FAA Intervention in Privatized Space Flight is Ridiculous

Burt Rutan and his team of designers, engineers and test... Read More

Flying As A Hobby

Ask a room full of people what hobby they have... Read More

Downed Pilots Hibernating From the Enemy

When we watch Oliver North's "War Stories" or the "Wings... Read More

The History of the Aircraft Wash Guys, Part Three

As we study this grass roots history of a franchise... Read More

Tactile Strip Sensors on Leading Edge of Material Memory Airfoils

Aircraft designers have always tried to figure out the best... Read More

Aviation Lawyer: Whether Passenger, Pilot or Owner, You May Need an Aviation Lawyer

If you or a family member has been the victim... Read More

Young Men Trying to Imitate the 9-11 Scenario, Part IV

In conclusion of this young man who crashed a single... Read More

Entering Business Aviation, Part I: Types of Aircraft

The jets that people fly in corporate aviation are usually... Read More