13 Ways to Score Business Class for Cheap (or free)
Air travel can be stressful, even if you’re a pro. Fortunately, there are perks available if you know where to look.
Do things right and you could relax, stretch out, and enjoy an adult beverage before take-off. Expert travelers have dished out their fool-proof methods of scoring cheap, or sometimes free, upgrades to business class.
Next time you’re traveling, try these tips to see if you are lucky enough for a bump up in classes.
1. Be a Loyal Flyer
Airlines, like any other business, appreciate repeat customers. If you are a frequent flyer, stick to one airline, and you might see some free perks in the future.
Sign up for their rewards program or get their signature credit card to show your brand loyalty. The points you earn on travel can add up and lead to a free upgrade or a free flight. How easy is that?
2. Check-In Super Early
Checking in early for your flight might put you ahead of other travelers looking for a cheap upgrade. It’s also a good way to deal with agents when they aren’t busy with long lines.
Some experts say getting to your flight 4 hours early is the best way to get bumped up. It may sound like you will have too much time on your hands, but you can relax at the airport bar or restaurant knowing you just scored some better seats.
3. Volunteer For a Later Flight
If you are an avid flyer, you have most likely encountered a situation where an airline overbooked a flight. This can be a headache, especially if you have somewhere important to be.
But if you’re flexible, you can give up your seat for a later flight. This act of kindness will get you on the next plane with an upgrade. Plus, if the flight is the next day, it’s common for the airline to cover your hotel stay and it might throw in a complimentary dinner voucher.
4. Arrive Late
Arriving late without checking in with an assigned seat could be the easiest way to cause an overbooked flight. As we just mentioned, this could lead to freebies if you’re traveling without a strict timeline.
This can be a bit of a gamble. The last thing you want to do is miss your flight entirely. Still, being one of the last to board could equal an open seat up front or a minor delay with a promotion in class on the next flight out.
5. Let Staff Know About a Special Occasion
Are you on your way to a honeymoon? Or, maybe you are celebrating your retirement with a fancy vacation? Either way, let the airline staff know about your special occasion, and you could find yourself with some nicer seats than you booked.
It’s important to share this information casually. You never want to seem like you are fishing for freebies, and veteran employees can see right through that façade. Instead, drop it in passing and see how they react. Even if you aren’t upgraded, you might get other in-flight freebies.
6. Sometimes, it is Okay to Complain
When flying, inconveniences happen all the time. Your flight could be delayed, you could get stuck next to a crying baby, you could be double booked, or you could be a victim of a canceled flight. During times like these, it’s perfectly fine to complain a little.
The trick is to be as understanding and polite as possible. It’s not the front desk’s fault this happened to you, and odds are, many other angry flyers have taken out their frustration on them. Respectfully asking for an upgrade could be all it takes to get into business class. So, remember to smile and stay calm so you stand out among the other rude passengers.
7. Purchase Directly Through Airline
When it comes to handing out upgrades, agents rarely choose flyers who purchase through third-party apps. This shows loyalty to the airline, and as we mentioned, there are benefits to staying true to one company.
This will also come in handy if there is an auction for the upgraded seats. Most airlines won’t allow third-party customers to participate once the seats are up for bid.
8. Fly Mid-Week
Most professionals fly for work on Monday, Thursday, or Friday mornings. On those days, there are rarely open seats on the flight.
But, if you book your flight during the middle of the week, these seats might be available. The prices of tickets on Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be cheaper anyway. Now, you’re paying less for a seat, with a better probability of getting bumped up. Sounds like good odds to me!
9. Dress Nice
Dressing up nice not only makes you look like you belong in business class, but it also gives you the confidence to get the upgrade.
Standing out among the rest is the perfect way to score the better seat. If it comes down to the person dressed like they stepped out of a board meeting or the passenger wearing the pajamas, who do you think they are going to pick?
10. Travel Solo
The odds of a single vacancy in the business class are much greater than that of multiple seats. If you travel solo, you are much more inclined to get the seat than you would if you were a couple. Airlines want people to refrain from fighting over who gets the seat.
Even if you are traveling with a group of friends, don’t tell them. They will figure it out when you send them a selfie of you sipping champagne while they are crammed in the back.
11. Check Your Emails
Often, the airline will contact you and offer special rates. Most people ignore these notifications and brush them off as spam, but doing so could result in loss of upgrades.
The price of a bump up to another class might get lower and lower as you reach take-off. If you get an email hours before you are getting ready to head to the airport, this could be your lottery ticket to extra legroom and a comfortable seat in business class.
12. Simply Ask, Nicely Of Course
One of the easiest ways to score a better seat is to just ask the flight attendant working the gate. If you factor in all of the previous tips and politely ask, what do you have to lose? A friendly, smiling face might be all you need to convince them to swap your seats.
Again, the way you approach the subject is the most important. Those who come as genuine and not entitled are more likely to get beneficial treatment.
13. Be Extra Tall
Lastly, being genetically blessed by being tall is a surefire way to get upgraded. While it might not seem fair, and not everyone can grow a foot overnight, flight attendants have been known to feel bad for taller people and treat them to seats with more legroom.
As a man who is 6 foot 4 inches myself, I have had this happen to me. I have never felt so lucky, and to this day, I try to stick with the airline that treated me so well.
My professional tip is to travel with someone who is abnormally tall, and maybe you can benefit from their need for excess space.