How to get upgraded to business or first class?

Question

So i'm flying quantas airlines to America from australia in december.

Been there before but when i was younger.

Is there any tips on how to get upgraded?

My parents have been before.

I know that if you dress classy it helps but anything else?

thanks

Answer 1

Upgrades cost--either money or frequent flyer miles.  Doesn't matter how you dress as long as it is within standards.  You can be dress as a poor person and if you pay the price of the business or first class seat it is  yours.

Answer 2

The only way you will be upgraded is that there is an over-sold condition in economy. If that occurs, most airlines will only upgrade regular full-fare passengers. Business class tickets from Sydney to Los Angeles, for example, cost about $8000 more than economy, so upgrading an economy passenger for nothing is not much of an option. As a gate agent, I would up-grade a frequent flier business person, not a vacationer.

If you want to be up-graded, pay the fare.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 3

Show up early.  Ask at the ticket counter AND at the terminal gate.  Especially the latter.  If they like you and there's room, it's your best bet.  Good call on dressing nice.

Answer 4

Dress nicely, be polite and friendly at check in.

Answer 5

People travelling alone have a better chance of upgrade than other passengers. Unfortunately the airline usually chooses you rather than the other way round but no harm in asking. It can happen as you are actually physically boarding the plane. Also there have to be seats available and many people use frequent flyer points to upgrade so good luck.

Answer 6

Tell them you are going to meet someone to get married !

Answer 7

Free upgrades on any airline -- be it domestic or international -- are usually only given in rare circumstances, such as if the coach cabin is oversold and they need to move passengers up to free space there.  When this happens, airlines are typically more apt to reward the person who is an elite level member of their frequent flyer plan, since they tend to spend a lot of money with that airline in the first place.

The best way to get upgraded to a premium class on any flight is to pay for it -- either by using frequent flyer miles, another instrument upgrade or coupon, or by paying the difference.  Those cabins are premium cabins -- the airlines want to treat it as a premium product, so there is generally an expectation that people have paid something for getting there (rather than just giving it away to anyone who asks -- fewer people would pay for it if they knew they had a good shot at getting it for free.)

If you want to dress nice and ask at the counter, you should be fully prepared to sit in your originally assigned seat, as the odds of actually being upgraded simply because you asked is next to nil.