Domestic

The Free Upgrade: Can You Really Get One?

Are there surefire ways to be upgraded free on your flight? Well, yes and no and maybe. Today, let's eliminate the no's. Tomorrow, hope springs eternal.

Airline Passenger: What are my chances of getting a complimentary upgrade on this flight?
Gate Agent: Slim and none, and both have left the building.

OK, it's an old joke. But it's also based on truth, says a survey of more than 8,000 readers of the website MoneySavingExpert.com. The survey asked respondents if they'd ever been upgraded.

How many were counted among the lucky?

Eliminating those moved up due to airline errors, only 8% won the magic ticket to the forward cabin. Half that group got upgrades regularly, making it likely that they had some special status. That left only 4% who got upgrades by asking for them. Even so, there persists a belief that there are "surefire tricks" to get to the front of the plane.

Researchers from MoneySavingExperts have examined those tricks. Today, Wing Tips will brief you on the so-called tricks that don't often work. Tomorrow, we'll offer tips that are more likely to be successful, including some that can get you that golden ticket right at the airport.

Dress for Success
A popular myth is that if you look like a First or Business Class passenger, you're more likely to be seated among them. Therefore, show up at the gate in your most impressive business attire. The flaw, say the researchers, is that there's no longer a uniform that paying upscale passengers wear--they tend to don casual clothes just like coach travelers (though likely bought at better stores).

Say You're Somebody ... Even If You're Not
Yes, it's true that celebrities, top politicians, and captains of industry (especially of companies with big travel budgets) get preferential treatment, but airline personnel now can view just everything about you but your choice of toothpaste on their computer monitors. They will likely see through your bluster should you try to hoodwink them.

Invent a Reason
The same is true for making up a sob story on why you'll just be devastated if you don't fly up front. "Remember, [airline staff] have checked in thousands of people." reminds MoneySavingExpert, "So whatever carefully contrived story you use, they've heard it before and it's annoying."

Sweet Talk'Em
You may be able to charm a turtle out of its shell, but the fact is that airline people are highly restricted in their ability to grant upgrades, for one solidly financial reason: They sell upgrades, and the carriers want the money. So there's a rigid pecking order that can't be sidestepped, and those willing to shell out the extra bucks will get the better seats.

Carp and Complain
Upgrades are one area where the squeaky wheel doesn't get the grease. In fact, complain loudly enough, and especially within earshot of fellow passengers, and you're more likely to invite a chat with the TSA than to browbeat the airline's agents into moving you forward.

Tomorrow, as we said, we'll look at the reverse side of the coin ... tips and tricks that do seem to work, and also a proven tool that doesn't depend on your charm and wit to move up. Instead it teaches you how to use the airlines' own policies, loopholes and anomalies to catch a seat up front on the plane.