Flying economy? Not if these flight upgrade hacks have anything to say about it! 

It’s hard to beat the feeling of turning left after boarding, settling into a lie-flat seat and sipping a welcome glass of bubbles. Especially when you didn’t pay full price for business class. But how do you actually land yourself in that situation? 

Of the 80 flights I took last year, more than half were in premium cabins, including every international journey. That might sound pretentious, but here’s the truth – I am never paying top dollar for those seats. As a travel hacker, I know that scoring an upgrade is less about luck and more about strategy. 

My general rule is that for flights over four hours, I will do what I can to travel in a more comfortable cabin. That could mean booking a frequent flyer reward seat, locating a discounted business-class fare, or leveraging upgrade tricks like the ones in this guide. 

That said, flight upgrades are not guaranteed. Airlines will always prioritise full-fare paying customers, and getting an upgrade often comes down to timing, status and knowing how the system works.  

1. Join a frequent flyer program 

It might sound obvious, but airline loyalty pays off when it comes to flight upgrades. Airlines tend to prioritise their frequent flyers, especially those with elite status. While we might not get as many upgrade opportunities as flyers with American carriers, who will fill the entire premium cabin on some flights, it does happen in Australia. 

Qantas Frequent Flyer is known for offering surprise and delight upgrades to Platinum and above members, often via an automated system on the day of departure. Meanwhile, Virgin Australia’s Velocity program gives Platinum members up to four complimentary business class upgrades per year on eligible flights. 

Even if you don’t fly often, signing up for a frequent flyer program is an easy way to slightly increase your chances of snagging an upgrade. It’s also free to join for most respected airlines, and why would anyone voluntarily skip earning points? 

2. Bid for an upgrade with points or cash 

Many airlines allow passengers to upgrade their journey using frequent flyer points or by placing a cash bid. The amount will depend on the airline, route and upgrade class, but generally, this can be an affordable way to upgrade. Especially if you got a good deal on the original economy ticket. 

While not every flight offers this option, it could be worth checking the airline’s website a few days before departure. For cash bids, I wouldn’t recommend going too overboard, as the upgrade chance graphics are just a way of making passengers bid higher. I’ve been successful with the minimum bid and a few stops above multiple times. 

3. Arrive early and ask for a last-minute deal 

It can be worth asking how much it costs to upgrade when you check in at the airport, especially for international flights where airlines regularly offer discounted upgrades at the counter. Some airlines, like Virgin Australia, occasionally have pop-up notices during automated check-in that offer business class for a fee. 

I never bother asking the check-in agent for a free upgrade to business class, as it is more likely you will find a unicorn in your backyard. What I will ask is if they need anyone to sit in the emergency exit row, which offers more legroom. Depending on the country, airline policy and how full a flight is, these rows are required to have a set number of passengers sitting in them.  

4. Speak up if something is wrong with your seat 

If you notice that your seat is broken or malfunctioning, politely bring it to the attention of your cabin crew before take-off. For example, if your seatback screen doesn’t work, the seatbelt is torn or there is a suspicious stain waiting for you. While airlines won’t always offer an upgrade in these situations, they may relocate you to a better seat if one is available. If no seats are open in the same cabin, there’s a small chance they may move you to a premium cabin as a courtesy.  

Of course, be respectful when reporting issues. Complaining that your window is dirty is a fantastic way to get your coffee spat in. 

5. Dress the part 

While your wardrobe isn’t a golden ticket, and no sensible airline would ever admit to upgrades based on appearance, a well-groomed look never hurts your chances. Airline staff may be more inclined to offer upgrades to passengers who look the part, especially when they’re looking to fill a last-minute premium seat. I’m not recommending you dust off your bow tie, but the gym outfit probably won’t get you too far. 

6. Volunteer to be bumped 

If a flight is oversold, meaning more passengers have tickets than the plane has seats, most airlines will compensate those who volunteer to fly later. Perks can include accommodation, lounge access, flight credits and more.  

If you’re not in a rush, volunteering to be bumped could work to your advantage. In some cases, the airline might offer a business class upgrade on your rebooked flight as a gesture of goodwill. 

7. Look for larger aircraft and off-peak flights 

When it comes to snagging an upgrade, the size of the aircraft and the timing of your flight can play a prominent role in your chances. Larger aircraft tend to have more premium seats, which means there’s a higher likelihood of space being available at the pointy end. That might not be the case for premium-heavy routes, but more seats are better than fewer. Look for flights on wide-body planes as they tend to have larger business and first-class cabins compared to smaller narrow-body jets. 

Similarly, flying during off-peak times can mean flights aren’t as full, and again, more premium seats are left open. Mid-week flights, overnight redeyes or flights during quieter travel seasons typically have lighter loads. That means more upgradable seats and less competition for those upgrades. 

Final thoughts: how to land a flight upgrade 

Armed with these hacks in your back pocket, you should be in a much better position to hook that elusive upgrade. It’s all about playing the game, from loyalty programs to timing your ask just right. While flight upgrades should never be expected and are certainly not guaranteed, a little bit of knowledge and preparation can go a long way. Next time you are at the airport, hopefully it is sipping Champagne in business class without breaking the bank.