A flight attendant has shared a number of tips for anyone hoping to land themselves a free seat upgrade while travelling.
If you're flying long-haul it can be less than ideal, trying to collapse yourself like a deckchair into a fairly small space, in the hopes of getting a tiny bit of sleep. But while many of us would like to turn left after embarking, First and Business class seats can cost a fortune.
Thankfully, a flight attendant has revealed secrets about getting a coveted flight upgrade for free. The member of cabin crew spoke with tour operator Ski Vertigo, to give their best tips.
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One trick suggested was to check-in either super early, or at the last minute. The expert said: "Sometimes, checking in as soon as your flight opens can place you at the top of the list for an upgrade, as seat assignments are yet to be finalised.
"Conversely, checking in at the last moment can also be effective because if the economy class is overbooked and there are seats available in a higher class, airlines might upgrade the remaining passengers rather than rebook them onto another flight."
Other hacks include using loyalty schemes, as airlines often reward loyal customers, and travelling during off-peak times. This is because quieter flights may have more available seats in premium classes, making airlines more amenable to offering complimentary upgrades.
Alternatively some credit cards offer perks and airline vouchers, and if you offer to be bumped from an overbooked flight this may also see you rewarded with a better seat - as well as compensation.
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