‘I’m a flight attendant and these are 3 tips for an upgrade’ | Travel News | Travel
These three things will give you the best chance at scoring that elusive free upgrade (Image: Getty Images/Caiaimage)
Millions will be jetsetting across the world this summer and spending a large chunk of money on air travel.
With flight tickets being one of the most costly components of any holiday, most of us don’t have the extra moolah to spare on travelling Business Class.
The only other way to enjoy the perks of First Class travel is to receive an upgrade, but what are the chances you’ll be the lucky passenger selected for said elusive free upgrade?
Luckily, we’ve got the answer. Experienced flight attendants have shared the three things passengers need to do while flying to have the best chance at scoring a free upgrade, and the asks couldn’t be simpler.
Treat the staff nicely
Read more: ‘I’m a flight attendant – never touch this part of a plane’
Read more: Flight attendants explain the danger of picking up dropped phone on a plane
Getting upgraded on a flight usually seems like an unachievable feat (Image: Getty)
Speaking to Travel + Leisure, Kat Kamalani, a former flight attendant and TikTok creator, has shared her top tips.
She explained how if a passenger comes on board and just sticks to themselves, they’d be considered a great passenger by flight attendants, but even more so if they are kind to the flying crew.
Kat shared how flight attendants see “a lot of grumpy people that travel and take it out on flight attendants”, and she’d like to remind passengers to make eye contact when the flight attendant comes around. Kat also recommends thanking flight crew for their service.
Flight attendant and author Lia Ocampo shared with the publication: “A passenger who calls me by my name is someone that stands out. In my airline, our names are etched on the flight attendant wings we are wearing, and we introduce ourselves at the beginning of the flight. So, when a passenger talks to me using my name, it creates a culture of respect and recognition.”
For those who are truly looking to go above and beyond, bringing along a small token of appreciation for the flight crew is the way to go.
Kat says: “Even just a simple candy bar or chapstick goes a long way. It’s not needed, but it will definitely get you special treatment.”
Lia has even shared a top-secret hack. Gift cards, especially for a coffee shop, are some of a flight attendant’s ‘favourite treats’.
Inform the gate agents of any special circumstances (Image: Getty)
Who knows, these little gestures of appreciation may come back to you in the form of snacks, free/bottomless drink refills, or even a last-minute upgrade
For those who remain hopeful at receiving an upgrade throughout the duration of their flights, we have some bad news.
Lia explains how those receiving an upgrade would most likely get them at the very beginning of the flight, sharing: “There are times when a flight has a weight and balance issue. The flight crew will then ask flight attendants to move passengers from the back to the first-class or middle of the cabin. Then, we decide who we want to move to upgrade.”
It’s usually the passengers who have been kind to the flight crew who are among the very first to be considered for these final-second upgrades.
Inform gate agents of special circumstances
Certain passengers may have a higher chance of getting upgraded to better seats than others. Those travelling with babies, tall people, and pregnant women, to name a few.
It’s imperative to inform the agents at the gate of any special circumstances before boarding. Those who are able to score a bulkhead or Comfort seat may even find themselves at the receiving end of a bassinet for longer flights, according to Kat.
Lia also recommends telling the gate agents, very, very casually, if you’re travelling due to a special occasion. She says: “Make a friendly conversation with the gate agent and talk about your occasion. You never know. That may give you and your companion the upgrade you’re hoping for.”
With that said, remember to manage your expectations, because agents are unlikely to be able to hand out free upgrades willy-nilly for every anniversary, birthday and the like.
Your travel ensemble may be more important than you think (Image: Getty)
Dress for the job (or upgrade) you want
Even though flying in cosy, comfortable clothes is the literal dream, especially for long-haul flights, your just-out-of-bed look may actually negatively impact your chances of receiving an upgrade according to some flight attendants.
While being dressed to the nines likely isn’t going to get you on the free upgrade shortlist, being sloppily dressed may, in fact, get you off it. Who knew there was so much riding on the outfit you picked for your flight?
Getting that elusive free upgrade may seem like a daunting, unachievable feat, but if you hold on to just enough hope, who knows, maybe one day your dreams will come true. Until then, always remember to be nice to the crew, their jobs are hard enough as it is.
