How can i get upgraded on a flight?

Question

please could u tell me the best way to get upgraded on a virgin,jet or british airways flight...please could u tell me the best if the best ways or if u have contacts who can that will be really sweet of you.

Answer 1

Typical ways to upgrade are:

- Upgrade certificates: These are usually given to passengers with elite status for accruing certain number of miles or meeting certain milestones.  Some allow you to get on the upgrade waitlist regardless of fare paid, other are more restrictive (eg, must have purchased full fare economy).  Sometimes, these certificates can be sponsored, that is, someone who holds a cert can allow you to use it.  However, there may be restrictions, like having to travel with the sponsorer.  

- Full fare ticket: Many airlines will automatically place you on the upgrade list if you purchase a full-fare ticket (economy puts you on the Biz or First waitlist; full fare biz puts you on teh First list).  This varies by airline.

- Volunteer your seat: Sometimes, airlines will need volunteers to take a later flight because the current flight is overbooked.  It's at the discretion of the gate agent, but if desperate enough, may book you into first on a later flight.

- Irregular operations: Similar as volunteering, although it helps to have status (and high status, at that).

- You get lucky: Sometimes, you just get lucky and get bumped to First for seemingly no reason at all.  HIGHLY unlikely, ie, don't count on it.

I suggest checking out the program-specific forums at Flyertalk (below).