Who doesn’t love free stuff?This becomes even truer when we’re talking about free flight upgrades. If you are looking to get a free seating upgrade on your next flight, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll fill you in on three strategies that can help you get that coveted upgrade.
Following the information in this guide could seriously help you out on your next flight—so let’s not waste any time!
1. Use Airline Reward Points
If you’re looking to get a seat upgrade, getting airline reward points should be your first step. If you haven’t already found a preferred airline, it’s time to do so. Having a preferred airline will help you rack up reward points quicker—getting you that seat upgrade faster than you ever could have imagined.
In order to get reward points, you must enroll in your preferred airline’s reward program. It would also help if you get a travel rewards card that’s geared toward your certain airline. This way, whenever you make certain designated purchases, you will earn points toward your next seating upgrade.
Once you get enough points, you can redeem your earnings for a certificate that will allow you to upgrade your seat on your next flight. And trust me—once you’ve upgraded once, you’ll never want to go back to regular seating again.
2. Arrive Early
Arriving early is one of the best ways to secure a free seating upgrade if you’re not enrolled in any rewards program. It’s as simple as this: sometimes your airline’s seats won’t fill up entirely. If that’s the case, one or two select passengers may be chosen for seating upgrades.
Showing up early can help ensure that that passenger is you. Though it may seem like a gamble to show up to your gate twelve hours early, there’s no denying that it will put you on the front of your airline’s mind when it comes time to giving out seating upgrades.
This is especially true if you are well-dressed. Though it may not seem fair, airlines are much happier to reward customers who are well-dressed. This means that if you are wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, you will likely get passed over for that seating upgrade—no matter how early you show up.
Keep these factors in mind the next time you fly so you can potentially secure your seating upgrade.
3. Ask a Travel Agent
Let’s face it: most of us don’t go through a travel agent. Instead, we simply choose to go our journeys alone. While this can help us feel independent and save costs in certain ways, it can put us at a disadvantage when it comes to earning free seating upgrades.
Here’s the reality: your travel agent may have the connections and the clout to recommend you get a seating upgrade. If this is the case, those extra few bucks you’re spending on your travel agent will prove more than worth it.
Your travel agent may also recommend other ways in which you can earn points and upgrade your flight seating for free. Make sure to ask your agent what options are available for you before your trip.
The Bottom Line
Are you looking to make your next flight something special?
If so, it’s time to follow the advice listed here and get that free seating upgrade you’ve been waiting for! As it turns out, getting a seating upgrade on your flight isn’t as difficult as some would make it out to be. With a little effort and smart strategy, that next upgrade could be yours.
So start planning ahead today!
