Have you always wanted to fly first class or business class but never had the chance? There are several ways to get one of those comfortable and roomy seats. With a bit of luck, you may find yourself in a luxurious cabin. Here are some secrets that a travel agent shared with us.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Methods with Higher Chances of Success
Step 1. Purchase an upgrade
Of course, this is the safest and easiest way to be sure you can enjoy first-class benefits. However, unless you have traveled extensively, earning elite passenger status, it will also be the most expensive.
Step 2. Become a frequent flier
Airline companies classify their passengers based on the frequency of their flights - or more precisely, based on how much they spend!
- Traveling 50,000 miles a year, you will be in the middle of the "elite" zone, a position that makes you important to the company. Along the way, you will be rewarded with various benefits - such as priority check-in, mileage bonuses, and upgrades to first class.
- If you are not a regular traveler, for business or pleasure, you can resort to a "mileage running" flight, or a flight specifically designed to earn miles. This process consists of looking for long cheap flights, and taking them whenever possible. The destination won't be important - just the distance. Search the web for more information and to find prices and opportunities.
- Take into account how often you fly to see if you can keep your elite status.
Step 3. Use automatic check-ins
Go to the airport a couple of hours in advance and check in automatically, using the special self check in stations. If possible, you can change your seat assignment and, if first class seats are available, you can purchase an upgrade at a significantly reduced price.
Step 4. Check in early
We repeat, for all of this to succeed, you should have a certain status. When only one seat in business class or first class is available and two frequent flyers request it, the person who checks in first will get it.
Step 5. Take advantage of setbacks
Take advantage of opportunities that can arise during the normal course of a trip. All airlines overbook, accept bookings that exceed the number of seats available and, from time to time, when they least expect it, all passengers show up for boarding. In these cases, the ground crew will be forced to move a few people to first class. Well, you could be among them!
- If the flight is overbooked, you will have good negotiating margins. Approach the check-in staff, and show off your charm and your sympathy. Offer to change your booking in exchange for a voucher for an upgrade and any other benefits they want to offer you.
- If you haven't checked any baggage in the hold, your attempt will be more likely to be successful, otherwise the company will have to do some extra work.
Step 6. Try to purchase an upgrade at discounted prices
With regard to air tickets purchased at full (non-discounted) rates, some airlines have relaxed their upgrade procedures. Also, some of your friends may want to sell one of their vouchers for an upgrade.
Step 7. Plan for the long term
If you fly regularly, collect miles and are planning an important trip that you would like to take first class, you can decide to buy miles directly from the airline.
- Go to the airline's website and enter the section reserved for the purchase of miles, generally found in the section dedicated to frequent fliers.
- Enter your details and the number of miles you wish to purchase.
Step 8. Book directly with the airline
By booking your flight directly with the airline, you will have the option to add an OSI (Other Significant Information) to your booking, which is additional meaningful information.
In this regard, inquire about the possibility of receiving an upgrade to first class. If you are a travel agent, travel writer, event planner, or business leader, your chances are sure to benefit
Step 9. Buy a return economy ticket and ask for first class seat assignment
Many airlines have a code that automatically grants first class privileges, but you have to be willing to ask. Call the company and ask how much an economy ticket costs with the privilege of sitting in first class. Definitely cheaper than a first class ticket. However, keep your eyes peeled - like all Economy class tickets, yours will probably not be refundable either.
Step 10. Look around
Rewards airlines for providing reasonable prices for their business class seats. As always, the airline will appreciate any frequent flights you may have, especially if it has recently established itself.
Method 2 of 2: Methods with Lower Chances of Success
Step 1. Book at a travel agency
Agencies, in fact, are assigned a certain number of vouchers to move from one class to another. Getting one is not free, but you may want to persuade your agent if they have one available.
- If you are not a frequent visitor to a particular travel agency, it is unlikely that anyone will feel the incentive to give it to you. Whatever the amount of vouchers available to an agency, in all likelihood, it will be willing to pay homage to its best customers.
- Compared to the past, travel agents currently have less power to act on bookings. The seats, for example, are assigned by the computer, and there is no possibility to add any information notes to reservations. Computers are content to check the miles traveled to update your passenger status.
Step 2. Contact a broker
There are brokers who buy airline miles from frequent flyers and then resell them to regular passengers.
- This is a big risk. In fact, airlines have very restrictive rules against purchasing miles from third parties. If they find you, you risk losing your flight ticket, as well as potentially all the miles you have earned or purchased.
- Due to the restrictive rules it is not easy to find a broker.
Step 3. Kindly contact the person issuing the tickets
This works? 99% of the time, absolutely not. In most cases, among other things, the person handling the tickets is not authorized to make the change. Only the manager has this kind of permission, but you may be talking to him, especially if he is alone.
- You will likely need to use your miles to get the lift. In any case, you can always ask the person issuing the tickets to add a code to the ticket. Because? Because the code indicates to the gate employee that you are a potentially eligible passenger to upgrade to a higher class.
- With international airlines you will have more possibilities.
Step 4. If you are late due to a partner airline, make sure they know and act accordingly
For both companies to be responsible for your arrival at your final destination, both companies must appear on your flight ticket. If they fail to get you to your destination in time - as courteously as possible - request that you book another flight and receive an upgrade voucher for any inconvenience you have suffered.
Step 5. If you are a travel agent, show a document that can prove it
If there are seats available, the company could offer you the ride, even if it is unlikely to happen. In fact, you always have to assume that being a frequent flyer will help you a lot more than being a travel agent. In case you are both, your chances will obviously be higher. There's no harm in trying.
Step 6. Did you see that there is a vacancy in business?
Ask the hostess to help you. Flight attendants generally do not meet these requests. However, you can list some absolutely legitimate reasons why you are entitled to upgrade to first class:
- A problem with your seat. If the seat is broken, does not bend or if the seat belt does not work, the flight attendant will have to find another one for you. In any case, this almost never happens and don't try to break the seat intentionally! If no other economy class seat is available, you will be upgraded to first class. Alternatively, a passenger of elite status could be upgraded to first class, and you will be invited to take his seat in economy class.
- You could choose your seat in the bulkhead, where families traveling with children usually sit: often, they will need your seat, allowing you to upgrade to a higher category.
- A problem with your flying neighbor. If you have a LEGITIMATE complaint, the hostess can, at their discretion, assign you another seat. You could say that the person sitting behind you is kicking your seat or that you would like to report harassment. If the only other seat available is first class, that's it!
Step 7. Get to know the airline employees you interact with on a regular basis, so you are more likely to get discounts and rewards and, when a delay occurs, you will be the first person they think of if there is a vacancy. in first class or business class or, perhaps, they will immediately put you on another flight
In fact, they will appreciate your loyalty and friendliness and will act accordingly.
Step 8. Drop into the part
Dress like a CEO or a manager or, at least, opt for a "business casual" look. This means that you should avoid jeans, sneakers and, in general, any item of clothing that is too informal. Looking like a first-class passenger helps. Airlines are much more willing to grant the upgrade to those who "deserve" it for the look than to people who would pay more.
Be aware that most upgrades are based on status, not look. If you don't travel frequently, but look like an MBA star, and the choice has to be between you and a scruffy frequent flyer, your model look won't be enough
Advice
- If you get a class upgrade, you will only be able to use it on the plane. It will not allow you to enter the lounge dedicated to the first class, to have a limousine at the airport, etc.
- Talking to the right people and knowing how to do it is everything. Be polite and flexible.
- Choose your ticket wisely. An economy class seat is not bad for a short trip. Buy one in business class or first class for a longer flight. In fact, during an intercontinental travel, they will offer you many more services, food and drinks than on a domestic flight. You will also have a larger seat and more legroom.
- Visit frequent flyer forums, virtual communities of people who travel a lot. They will be able to give you tips and tricks that not everyone knows. Just remember to be nice and do a search on the forum before posting.
- Try to get your frequent flyer card as soon as possible. It is usually free, it is also useful for getting the upgrade and, of course, it allows you to earn points from the first flight. Some companies are also associated with others, allowing you to use your miles with partner airlines.
- Unaccompanied minors could get a first class seat if they are sick or very young.
- Ticket agents have some discretion when it comes to upgrades and appreciate patience and understanding, especially in bad weather, or during particularly stressful times - such as holidays, weekends, night hours, or when there are delays.
- If you are an advanced level frequent flyer at a particular airline, it is possible to obtain an equivalent status with another by faxing the documentation that proves it.
Warnings
- Don't be upset if, in the end, you have to stay in tourist class, you will get what you paid for. All of this rarely works.
- Don't be too pushy. You could annoy fleet members, travel agents, ticket clerks, and other staff.
- Don't threaten anyone - it won't help you. In fact, being pushy or aggressive will only drastically lower your chances of getting an upgrade, and increase the chances of you being held or even arrested.
- Don't expect a upgrade just because your flight is delayed or canceled. Ground Assistants will have to deal with hundreds of people who have the same problem as you and will be more helpful with those who are patient towards them. Being assertive is fine, but being tactful is always better.
- Vouchers from travel agencies that allow you to upgrade to a category may not be taken into consideration by the airline if the flight is very full.
