Getting an Airline Seat Upgrade?

With the flight reductions that nearly all airlines are implementing, it is very difficult to get an upgrade unless you are in the upper tiers of the frequent flier programe.

The best thing to do if you really want an upgrade is to either buy a discount restricted First Class fare or use your miles

- 3 days prior to departure, the uppermost elite frequent fliers can get guaranteed upgrades. You may have a few per flight that qualify

- 2 days prior to departure, the middle elite frequent fliers can get guaranteed upgrades. You may have a few per flight that qualify

- 24 hours prior to departure, lower elite frequent fliers can be placed on the upgrade waiting list which they can use their miles and or pay a small fee but they can only get the upgrade if their are seats available and the order they are selected is based on their status to the airline, basically the more you fly, the better the chance.

- Depending on the number of First Class seats available, the airline may open up upgrades to econ my travelers from $25 to $300 depending on the distance of the flight.

- If by chance there are still seats available once everyone is on board, the flight attendant may offer the seats to military in uniform but usually only if there are enough seats for all of them. Or they may offer them to elite frequent fliers who did not opt to upgrade using miles. Or they may just leave the seats open. I've had both seats a few times.

I never managed to get a seat upgrade, even with economy seats all occupied and business seats almost all empty. Resons for airlines not to move people to business could be commercial and I also think that business seats allow for more and better supplies hence bear higher costs for the airline.

1: Pay for one

2: Upgrade using miles

3: Pay full fare for your ticket, in case of overbooking you may be upgraded

4: Become a very frequent flier (once a month is not a frequent flier)

Asking for a free upgrade will almost guarantee that you won't get one!