5 Tips To Score A Flight Upgrade, According To A Former Flight Attendant

Be nice to staff.

Sometimes getting what you need (and want) is as simple as a smile and nice convo. Flight attendants have to deal with a lot — especially when it comes to unruly airline passengers. Strike up a conversation, ask them how their day is going, and maybe you’ll score a seat upgrade.

Bradley even recommends taking it one step further and bringing treats for the crew. “It may not score you an upgrade, but will mean they will remember you and perhaps bring a glass of bubbles or an extra pillow,” she adds.

Just ask!

The most simple course of action here — just ask. The worst they can say is no, and at least you know you tried. Plus, asking before boarding may keep you in mind should a seat upgrade pop up later on.

Travel solo and at off-peak times.

Booking.com predicted that 2024 is the year of solo travel, with 59% of travelers opting to travel alone. According to Bradley, traveling solo is actually the best time to strike up a conversation at check in. Ask how busy the flight is in your booked cabin (and the one above, if applicable). “The busier your cabin is, the more chance [for a flight upgrade],” she says.

If you have the flexibility in flight times, sometimes the opposite can occur, where you're traveling at off-peak times and the flight attendants have some extra First Class seats to fill. During the off-season, there’s also a higher chance for sales and deals that will secure you a fancier seat — after paying for your ticket, you may be able to bid on an upgrade.

Stay loyal to your favorite airline.

Joining an airline's frequent flier program can rack up some literal points for you. The program is there to encourage customer loyalty, often resulting in first picks for upgrades. Accumulating points is a great way to redeem air travel rewards. If you fly enough where you can reach elite travel status, your chances for perks grow even more — like seat upgrades, free checked bags, and more.

Oversold flights might be your best friend.

Oversold flights aren’t exactly an ideal scenario for travelers, but they can be for flight upgrades. If a plane ride is oversold, the flight attendants will often hop on the loudspeaker and offer flight credit to passengers to change to a later flight. If that’s the case, Bradley suggests volunteering to go on the next flight — but assure yourself a flight upgrade for doing so.