The Big Issue: The art of the upgrade

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This was published 6 years ago

The Big Issue: The art of the upgrade

By Michael Gebicki

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THE BIG ISSUE: The art of the upgrade

"Congratulations, you've been upgraded," are the sweetest words you'll ever hear at the check-in desk, but how and when does it happen?

One situation is when the class you're flying in is overbooked and the class above has empty seats. Front of the upgrade queue are those passengers who have demonstrated their loyalty to the airline by flying with them regularly. Next in line are passengers travelling on full flexi fares rather than discounted tickets, and that's about it.

If neither criteria applies in your case there are still a few strategies you can use to get yourself into the world of soft linen napery and lie-flat seating.

The Plusgrade website gives you a hotline to the relevant seat auction sites of leading airlines including Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Etihad, which all put unsold premium seats up for bids. Prices and qualifications vary, but these airlines are ready to bargain.

Optiontown sells unsold premium seats aboard a small number of international carriers at a big discount. You might have to wait until the check-in desk to find out whether you're in but if not you'll get a full refund.

Ask how much an upgrade is going to cost when you check in. It might be a major burn, but maybe not. Some flyers have reported upgrades on Emirates on long-haul sectors costing as little as $US200.

Fly with a budget airline that has a premium cabin. Only rarely are the premium cabins of low cost carriers filled with full-fare paying passengers, and a small cost may get you a much better seat. Approach the airline's premium counter at the check-in desk with your let's-make-a-deal face and smile like a winner.

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