The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

How to increase your chances of being upgraded by plane?

2021-08-10T06:18:03.348Z


Who has never dreamed of sitting in the front of the aircraft and enjoying the comfort of business class by paying for an economy class ticket? If the upgrade remains a chance, here are ten tips to force fate, with advice from Magali Morin, flight attendant at Air France.


1. Check your emails

On the day of departure, up to one hour before take-off, certain airlines occasionally offer upgrades at discounted prices when seats are vacant in business class.

If you accept, you will be asked to pay for a package (usually around € 200 for a long-haul flight) or miles will be deducted from your loyalty card if you are a holder.

If your mailbox is empty, do not hesitate to ask the price of the upgrade to the hostess at the counter.

Read also: Six tips for sleeping well on planes

2. Be faithful

The loyalty card is precisely a major asset in your quest.

“Even though the status is at a low level, our members get more attention, from the glass of champagne to the opportunity to upgrade.

And the more the passenger has a high status in the program, the more miles he has accumulated, the more priority he will be ”

, confirms Magali Morin.

An economically logical choice: the airlines prefer to offer an upgraded long haul to a regular customer, in the hope that during his next reservations, he will opt directly for a higher class.

Know how to invest to hope to have a return.

3. Choose the right period

When booking, the choice of timing is crucial. Business class seats are mostly occupied, as their name suggests, by businessmen or women and personalities who travel mainly on weekdays. By prioritizing weekends and holidays to depart, the likelihood of having free seats in the front of the aircraft will be higher. Also bet on a flight in the middle of the day rather than a morning schedule.

"However, school vacations should be avoided when flights that provide sought-after connections are overloaded, unless you bet on overbooking," said

the flight attendant. At your own risk, as you are more likely to have to wait for the next plane than to enjoy champagne in a comfortable armchair.

Read also: Why drinking alcohol on planes is always a bad idea

4. Arrive (really) very early ...

Being upgraded to business class has to be earned ... Maria Perez

If spending hours in the airport's duty-free shops and restaurants doesn't scare you, patience can sometimes pay off.

In the event that the flight has only one or two seats available, arriving early at check-in could facilitate the process for some companies.

Be careful though, in advance does not mean four hours before the flight, but more than ten hours!

Notice to amateurs.

5. ... Or at the last minute

Conversely, for other airlines, the decision to upgrade is made when the flight closes, one hour before take-off.

It is therefore at the end of the check-in, when most of the passengers have already boarded that you are most likely to be moved to a higher class.

This would work particularly well at peak times, but beware of the risk of missing check-in.

Read also: Border crossing: why so much waiting at Orly and Roissy?

6. Travel alone

In the event that a place becomes available, it will obviously be easier for the chief cabin attendant to install a single passenger there.

If an upgrade is sometimes granted to a couple, during honeymoons for example, families can put aside their dream of migrating as a tribe.

The airlines value the serenity of space and (rightly) avoid installing young children there.

7. Be kind

Remember, nothing is owed to you.

While courtesy and kindness are valuable qualities in everyday life, they are also valuable at the airport.

“There really is no rule when it comes to upgrades.

It all depends on the mood of the chief cabin crew, the personality of the pilot.

So instead of asking for a favor head-on, which is frowned upon, it is better to bet on one's sympathy capital

,

suggests Magali Morin.

Showing off a nice row of teeth may earn you some positions in the row of upscaled passengers.

Read also: At the hotel, on the train, on the plane ... Have travelers forgotten good manners?

8. Wear proper attire

The habit does not make the monk, but can work in your favor or, conversely, against you.

“We don't ask to wear a suit and tie, but there is a minimum.

A person wearing shorts or flip flops will not be upgraded.

Jeans and sneakers can also be prohibitive for some

flight attendants,

admits the flight attendant.

Forget the comfortable but shapeless pants, dress elegance is the key!

9. Take care of your relationships

It's a fact, having a loved one who works for the borrowed airline can help.

The person concerned should ideally submit a letter of request to the flight captain and the flight attendant explaining that their brother or best friend is on the plane.

If there are vacancies, an upgrade may be possible.

If this is not your case, know that diplomatic passports also have magical powers ...

To read also: Surgical mask, FFP2 ... Which model do you need on the plane?

10. Cultivate your uniqueness

Do you have a leg in a cast? A significant overweight that could disturb your seat neighbor? You are pregnant ? Be proud of it, these features may well earn you a class change. And if you travel extra on your birthday, the chances of the flight attendants paying a little attention to you will be doubled ... Madam, Sir, would you like a little haircut?

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-08-10

You may like

Trends 24h

News/Politics 2024-03-27T16:45:54.081Z

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.