How To Get An Upgrade To First Class
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- Videojug
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How To Get An Upgrade To First Class
Everybody wants to fly first class but not everybody has the cash do do so. Don't worry because VideoJug knows the secrets to helping you move from coach to the big seats for practically nothing.
Step 1: Ask The Gate Agent
Generally, a gate agent can't help you with an upgrade to first class because their rules of conduct state specifically that upgrading without permission from a supervisor could cause them to lose their job. However, knowing airline ticket codes could help you move up to first class. There is a code for asking nicely for an upgrade that could put you in position if a seat is available. So be nice.
Step 2: Wear A Wedding Gown
If you are flying for a special occasion like heading to your honeymoon, wear your wedding attire to the gate. This could put the gate agent in a generous mood and do all they can to put you in first class.
Step 3: Tell Them What You Do
If you go the route of using a travel agent or calling the airline directly to book your flight, ask them to put the code OSI on the ticket. This means "Other Significant Information" and could indicate that you are a VIP or CEO of a corporation. Airlines like impressing the CEO's of corporations because that could mean more business.
Step 4: Get Connected
Using your airline connections is a great way to get an upgrade if one is available. If you are related to or are friends with an airline employee mention that at the gate. The gate agent should upgrade you if a seat is available.
Step 5: Hit The Call Button
If the gate agent wasn't any help in getting you that upgrade, wait until you are on the plane and take a stroll to the front to see if any seats are available. Then ask the flight attendant to be moved up. Be aware that the flight attendant can only move you if your seat is broken or if you have a problem with the passenger sitting next to you.
Step 6: Put It On
If you are planning on asking for an upgrade into first class, try to look the part. Men should wear a jacket and tie and women should wear a dress or suit.
Step 7: Connection Sympathy
If you are late to your connecting flight or inconvenienced by the airline, mention that to the gate agent. Most airlines like to make up for your troubles because it keeps you coming back.
Step 8: Get Bumped
If the flight you are getting on is over sold, request to take a later flight. If you don't get upgraded on your next flight at least you will get some serious airline cash for your next trip.
Step 9: First Class Find
If you check Ebay, classifieds, and travel forums you could find first class fares for as little as $8. Just make sure you read all the rules that accompany those deals.
Step 10: Upgrade Yourself
Most airlines offer an upgrade to first class for a reduced price that would cost you far less then buying a first class ticket.
Step 11: Join The Club
Being a member of an airline's frequent flyer club increases your chance of getting that upgrade when you request it. Upgrades usually go to paying customers first then to frequent flyers. Many airlines offer specials throughout the year that will give you instant status in their club.
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Tips & Comments
Thanks for the tips but this might rarely help as I have practically observed. I was supposed to travel with my Granny and it was a long distance. All of a sudden I had to cancel my flight and so Granny was to travel alone. It was all so sudden -- I thought to request the Airlines but it did not help even looking at her age... I had asked her to request while boarding on- but this neither helped her and it really was very embarrassing!
I think with first class getting more posher and less seats and a few more attendants at £5.000 return on a A380 return to fr new york fr london or you can get the same in less posher first class a part fr being a suite lke in the A30 its about £4.000 I think I think more passengers have a chance in business class than first class the a business class passenger might have a slight chance of first class but its a slight chance though lets dream we can all fly first class one day lol
the one thing this video taught me was to get the guts to ask for the upgrade. i'm always so worried they're gonna yell at me then i realized that the airlines don't even give you peanuts anymore and now they're making us pay to check luggage. we all deserve upgrades!
Thanks for your comments guys - big help.
About E-bay.... be warned folks, I can confirm that SEVERAL major carriers browse E-bay daily looking for their customers selling upgrades or free tickets, etc. Do you REALLY think airlines want others to give away their valuable real estate when oil is well over 100$ a barrel and airlines are shutting down weekly? If it's too good to be true, it probably is.
One more thing.... just putting the letters "OSI" or "SSR" into the PNR mean there is some service request or service info... you have the say WHAT this service request/info is.... such as SSR WCHR - which means special service request, wheelchair.... etc. There are no existing codes like OSI GETFREEUPGRADE.
Sorry, but a lot of those tips are outdated and some of your facts need checking. After 10+ years in the industry, please let me correct you: (1) OSI stands for "other service information" and this can be confirmed by the four major GDS' and IATA which basically set the codes up for industry standards. (2) a passenger can't put an OSI message into their PNR... it's also intended for the AIRLINE or AGENCY booking the PNR, and if an AGENCY wants to play games saying so-and-so is a VIP and putting an OSI message in the PNR, good luck... everyone is a VIP these days... (3)agents at the airport are being watched from each airline's HQ... if upgrades are given out to non-elite-frequent flyers in overbooking situations, you can be sure that the agents are going to be questioned. what USED TO be the case where you could get upgrades easily, isn't the case anymore now that everything is tracked in computer systems to "protect revenue" (4) i've had INOP seats before and never been moved up... i've been told to write to consumer affairs after the flight... depending on how true your case of an INOP seat is, lying won't help... but if it's legitimately broken (which is rare because seats get reported broken and put in the computer and those seats are then blocked until maintenance can fix them), then you might get moved - but perhaps an elite frequent flyer would get moved up front, and the economy flyer with a 'broken' seat might get the elite flyers former seat.
its better to sit in coach so incase ur plane crashes, its usually the front that gets crushed first (sometimes only the front) , stay in the back ...ull have more time to escape
Awesome! had to view it over and over - it kills me! Love the passengers - I think I know some of them - LOL
cute - but the tips are marginally helpful at best. the days of talking one's way into first class are long gone. Simply and politley asking about availability is still the most effective technique any "trick" above that actually working is just coincidence.