"We fly first class to change the forecast..." Jay-Z
Too bad I'm not Jay-Z. And if you got onto this page via facebook, chances are, you're not Jay-z either.
In my experience with flying, I have never paid for a first class or business class flight but I've traveled in both areas of seating multiple times. Many people don't realize that there are rules that can be bent in regards to getting your seats upgraded. Let me start by showing you what coach class is like. Refer to video below:
Now, imagine first class as being the exact opposite of that video.
Here are a few tips that could pretty much guarantee an upgrade*
(*Some restrictions do apply.)
Give up your seat.
On a normal day, flights are typically overbooked because most airlines assume that not everyone is going to show up. So in cases where everyone does, the flight attendant will usually make the announcement asking for someone to give up their seat. Here's a chance for an upgrade. In exchange for a seat, they will promise to book you the next available flight, with upgraded seats. On top of that, they should offer an additional free airline ticket so you can travel where ever you please (within the U.S., of course). If you're not on a time crunch, giving up your seat is the way to go. You'll get two for the price of one.
Let me also note that voluntarily giving up your seat while on the plane (ex. a mother wants to switch seats with you so she can sit next to her child) will not guarantee you upgraded seats. However, if a stewardess initiates the move, you might get the upgrade depending on availability AND your attitude.
Rack up the mileage points.
Join "frequent flyer clubs" if you find yourself traveling on a particular airline over and over again. The more points you have, the easier it will be to use those points for an upgrade. Racking up points can also be done by using a designated credit card that allows you to boost up mileage points (ex. American Express has a deal with Delta Airlines, Chase has a deal with United Airlines).
Travel alone.
Loners tend to be bumped up faster because it's easier to find one empty seat in first class than two. But you can't look like a hobo loner. Hobo loners are the people that scare off the people in first class. Shoot, they even scare off the people sitting in economy. You have to be a classy, well-dressed loner...Thus, leaving me to explain the next point....
Dress to impress.
This is crucial people! You're going to have to put away that old college hoodie with the matching sweatpants. Leave those in your suitcase. Better yet, just leave them at home. I'm not saying that you need to get decked out in Ralph Lauren. You just need to look business or business casual.
Be a doctor.
Okay, before all you med-heads start wearing your stethoscopes around your neck before boarding, you're going to have to save someone during the flight. Then, you'll get bumped up.
Get to the airport early...
The early bird catches the worm! Arriving early to the gate gives you a slight advantage over the "just on time" folks because if you're "dressed to impress" and there are open seats left in first/business class, you may get upgraded.
True story: This happened to my Dad and me when we arrived at the international airport in Vietnam 3 hours before the actual flight. My Dad was wearing his business-ish attire (not because he was looking for an upgrade but because it was the only clean outfit he had left) and the airline lady simply asked, "would you two like to sit upstairs on your flight?" Hello,business!
Get to the airport late...
Yes, I know I just told you to get to the airport early but there exists opportunities when one arrives to the gate late. For one thing, the ticket people will try to rush you to your gate as soon as possible, thus, if they see that economy is over crowded, they'll just throw you in first-class in order to avoid any disgruntled behavior. The last thing they want is a customer getting pissy at them about unavailable seats even though it's technically not their fault.
Connections, connections, connections.
I'm not talking about flight connections, I'm talking about knowing an employee within the airline you're traveling on. Sometimes it's not about what you know but who you know.
Always be polite to airline employees.
I repeat, ALWAYS be polite to airline employees. Do you want your luggage flying to Hawaii when you're on a flight to Europe? Do you want crappy seats because you bad-mouthed Aaron, the Airline man? Do you NOT want to get that secret coupon that airlines give out to the nice people when there's a canceled flight and you have to stay over night at some hotel?
Exactly, I didn't think so. Be nice to airline employees or suffer tragic consequences that will absolutely spoil your whole trip.
Varying degrees of upgrades:
Get Preggers.
This is a hit-or-miss situation. If you look like you're ready to pop, the airline employees probably won't even let you on the plane, let alone give you an upgrade. However, if you look reasonably pregnant (and I can't really give you an approximation on how far along one should be to look "reasonably" pregnant), then you could get a better, more comfortable seat on the plane.
Note: There's a myth circulating around saying that if one does give birth on the plane, the baby is guaranteed free tickets from that particular airline for life. Mmm...I don't think so but let me know if it is true.
Celebrate something.
This will probably work for honeymooners or someone celebrating a 70th birthday. Remember, it has to look obvious that you're celebrating something. I recommend wearing matching t-shirts saying "just got married" or matching Hawaiian shirts to those who are celebrating their honeymoon.
For those celebrating a birthday, you're gonna have to wear some sort of tiara/crown that says "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" in bright colors.
