Upgrade Secrets from the Experts!

I have a long, transcontinental flight coming up. I dread being cramped in a  coach seat, but I can’t afford first class. What are my chances of getting  bumped up for free?

They’re actually better now than ever. To cut costs, some U.S. airlines have  been offering fewer flights in recent years, and coach can be overbooked. If a  carrier bumps passengers, it’s frequently required to provide either a  substitute flight or a refund or both, per government regulations. The airline  may not want to bump people if first-class seats are available.

So how do carriers select the lucky few who get ferried to first class? It’s  all about the miles. Computers track frequent-flier and program miles and  upgrade passengers automatically, based on who has earned the most. About 95  percent of those in first class on domestic flights last year were upgraded or  used frequent-flier miles (sometimes with an additional fee), according to Joel  Widzer, author of The Penny Pincher’s Passport to Luxury Travel. But  you need a lot of miles to qualify: Delta requires you to fly at least 25,000 a  year to qualify for its entry-level Silver Medallion level. On the other hand,  you can sometimes find upgrade certificates for sale online, courtesy of  frequent fliers who can’t use them before their expiration date. For instance,  some United/Continental vouchers on eBay start with bids as low as $1.

You Get What You Pay For

                Click on the image above to pop up the  chart

Should you cough up extra cash for a better seat in coach? That depends on  how tall you are, how long the flight lasts—and how badly you covet a speedy  exit. Click on the image above to pop up our guide to  mini-upgrades.

But even if you don’t travel often, simply being a member of the airline’s  frequent-flier program helps your chances. It indicates some level of brand  loyalty. Having an airline-sponsored credit card in your name helps, too, though  those may come with hefty annual fees.

Does dressing up so that you look like you’d belong in first class improve  your chances of getting upgraded?

Looking polished helps, but not as much as it once did. There’s one outfit  that seems to work better than even the finest couture: a military uniform. In  the past few years, it’s not unusual to see a first-class passenger give up his  or her seat for military personnel.

Any other tips for flights?

Remember that gate agents deal with a lot of demanding, obnoxious passengers,  and offering a few kind words and a smile goes a long way. John E. DiScala,  founder of travel-advice site johnnyjet.com, reveals that chocolate helps him get  upgraded-or at least moved to a better coach seat-about half the time. DiScala  says he brings one-pound chocolate bars for the gate agents and flight crew, who  have discretion on seating after the cabin door closes.

Some people swear by the sob- or celebration-story strategy. Personally, I  wouldn’t go this route unless you really are a newlywed, on your way to a  funeral, etc. Karma, you know.

Showing up late might work, but it’s risky. A man sitting next to me once in  business class on Air New Zealand was huffing and puffing-he confessed to being  intentionally late for every international flight, because then they rush you on  the plane and into any available seat. Of course, the downside is you’ll be  turned away if the flight is already full.

One big  upgrade advantage is flying solo. Airlines try to put families  together, and they may need your coach seat to do that. Chances are there’s only  one empty seat in first or business class.

Finally, before you book the flight, you may want to consider trading in your  frequent-flier miles for an upgrade, though the numbers may be steep: On Delta,  it takes 10,000 miles for an upgrade on domestic round-trip tickets and 30,000  miles for flights from the U.S. to Europe-but that’s not applicable on certain  discount fares. That said, there are more opportunities now than ever to earn  frequent-flier miles, not only by traveling but also through credit cards, hotel  stays, car rentals, and online shopping sites. “When you consider that one can  earn three points per $1 spent on a credit card, 10,000 miles seems less  daunting,” Widzer points out.

A friend of mine ended up getting upgraded to a suite at a hotel in Vegas.  She’s not a high roller, so how did she land that freebie?

Just as with airlines, brand loyalty really helps. If you’re visiting a chain  hotel, sign up for its frequent-traveler program.

Also, according to Widzer, you’re more likely to get upgraded if you book  directly with the property, on the hotel’s website or by phone, rather than with  a third party, such as hotels.com. “Booking direct is by far the biggest thing  you can do to get an upgrade,” Widzer advises. If you see a lower price online,  call the hotel and ask them to match it.

Unlike with the airlines, however, you are most likely to get a hotel upgrade  if you travel during a low-occupancy time, such as weekends at business-oriented  hotels. When vacant suites are available, the hotel may bump you up, hoping to  impress you and gain future business. You also may have better luck at a new  property that’s angling to create good word of mouth.