Getting a free upgrade on a flight is something that most people dream of. Although it rarely happens by chance, there are a few ways to increase your chances of being bumped up to a higher class.
For that, let us know why airlines upgrade-
Flying with an airline can be a great experience, but it can also be stressful when upgrades don’t happen as expected. Upgrades in airlines are usually done for a variety of reasons, including customer satisfaction, operational needs, and cost efficiency.
These upgrades may occur when an airline needs to fill seats on a plane or when they need to accommodate passengers with special needs.
In some cases, the upgrade may be offered due to customer loyalty or if the airline has overbooked flights (this is one of the common reasons).
Sometimes, due to operational disruptions of the airlines, passengers may miss their connecting flights. Airlines upgrade to compensate them.
Upgrades can also happen when an airline needs to balance its load factor or make sure they have enough seats available for customers who need them.
Sometimes while changing aircraft, the configuration of the aircraft may not match. The economic class passengers are upgraded to business class to make room for everyone.
Ultimately, upgrades are beneficial for both the customer and the airline as it provides better service and helps keep costs down. Upgrades are most often offered on domestic flights and less often on international flights.
Do airlines downgrade as well?
We have understood that passengers are upgraded in certain conditions. Similarly, certain conditions compel airlines to downgrade their clients as well.
Downgrading may occur when an airline needs to fill seats on a plane or if they need to accommodate passengers with special needs.
In some cases, the downgrade may be offered due to customer loyalty or if the airline has overbooked flights.
Downgrading is not typically an option for domestic flights but can occur when there isn’t any more room in the cabin.
Let’s probe a little into which factors are responsible or can be helpful so that you may be upgraded.
Up-gradation happens! And, it’s not always luck! You may earn upgrades, if you:
Earn airlines elite status: Airlines offer free upgrades to their loyal passengers. The chances of getting an upgrade are decided by a higher membership tier. Fly frequently or fly with someone who has elite status. Many airline loyalty programs allow elite travellers to sponsor another traveller for a complimentary upgrade.
Use miles: You may also be upgraded by using miles to pay for it. The mileage upgrade process varies from airline to airline.
Use the right credit cards: Several premium credit cards offer incidental airline fee credits, that you as cardholders can use to spend on travel expenses.
Airline staff: Staff members are upgraded whenever there’s an opportunity. This motivates them.
Last-minute Upgrade: If there’re empty business class seats, and if you politely ask at the check-in, you may get lucky and get an up-gradation.
Dress appropriately: Dress according to the dress code specified for first/business class on the airline’s website. If you wear a tee shirt, shorts, and flip-flops; airlines may not pick you up for up-gradation.
Good behaviour: Politeness to the staff can pay off. When you check in for your flight or at the gates, ask if there’s any chance they can seat you in business class. Sometimes, you may be upgraded.
Volunteer to be rebooked: Airlines often offer upgrades when they are at fault. Suppose, a flight is heavily overbooked. There’s a lot of confusion. At this point, if you volunteer to get off the flight, you can get an upgrade as compensation.
Complain: Sometimes, airlines offer upgrades when resolving a complaint. This depends on the airlines’ policies. It can differ from airline to airline. It’s not a sure thing. But if you’re lucky, and express your concern with good reasons, it may work in your favour.
Bid for an upgrade: It doesn’t hurt if you have to pay a few pounds for an upgrade from economy class to business class flights to Australia. Airlines may contact you through email in advance to check whether you wish to bid on an upgrade.
Notify the airline of special occasions: If you are going to a destination for a special occasion, let the travel agent such as Business Flight Shop know. They will notify the airlines. You may receive something special.
Don’t order special meals: Special meals are allocated to your seat, not your name. The meal choices in higher classes are always better. So there’s a possibility of complication. Hence they’ll avoid it. Sadly, you’ll miss your chance!
Look like a VIP: This is a very interesting fact. A person looked quite similar to Richard Branson- the CEO of Virgin. Every time that person flew on Virgin on the economy, he was upgraded. The airlines knew he was not the CEO, Maybe, they were worried that someone may think, that it was their CEO in the economy. So, they decided to avoid the confusion.
The way a free upgrade works is a complicated algorithm that has no logical or rational explanation. There’s no sure-shot way/trick to upgrade. But it will not harm to comply with thesefor better chances of being upgraded.
Try checking in earlier than others. If the flight is overbooked, the check-in staff will know that the flight is “overbooked” and they may upgrade you to business class flights to Sydney.
You may also check-In last. When airlines overbook on the economy and there’re some empty seats in Business Class; they may accommodate you there.
Don’t Web-Check in. Then, your seat on the flight will be blocked. So chances of upgrades decrease. On the flip side, you may not get a preferred seat in the economy when not upgraded!
Buy a Y Class Ticket – When you get a full-fare economy class ticket, they’ll upgrade you to business class to accommodate other passengers in an economy with discounted tickets.
If you know the Captain/Co-Pilot/Crew, they generally can get you upgraded.
Lastly, there is the luck factor!
You can always pay for first-class flights or business-class flights; irrespective of whether you are on a leisure trip or flying for business. It is advisable to fly relaxed or even do some work in first/business class. You can opt for professional agents such as Business Flight Shop, who will help you with discounted flights and more.
With an involuntary upgrade, it kind of brings in that element of surprise or excitement!
Hope you get that upgrade!