Strategies to get your upgrade

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  Know your airline. Know the rules and regulations about upgrading on your airline. Some require payment for upgrades. Some do it automatically based on a cumulative mileage hierarchy in their miles programs. TravelTerminal.Com has a comprehensive matrix that compares each program in the major U.S. airlines, and details when and how upgrades may be obtained, and at what cost, if any. Anytime you fly you should be part of a program for that airline. Most miles programs are free. Merely sign up prior to booking your travel.
  
  
• 2
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  Ask nicely. Remember when your mother told you to be polite? This was what she was preparing you for. Ticketing and counter agents are overworked, and very often treated poorly by customers who demand things rather than ask. Dress nicely. Ask politely. Don't work them like you're a used car salesman, but engage them in real conversation. Many airlines do not automatically bump their mile's members to first class, but instead seek payment for the upgrade. When no one pays, the first class or business class seat goes empty, and it is up to the discretion of the agent to decide what lucky devil gets the free upgrade.
  
  
• 3). Know your fare. James Wysong at MSNBC gives great advice when he says, "When you book the ticket ask about upgrades and prices. There is a fare called Y-UP fares that cost a little more but increases your upgrade chances immensely. Many times there are ongoing promotions to spur first class revenue. I paid full fare on an airline and was amazed when an extra $20 got me sitting in 1A. I can easily justify that cost in red wine." (see reference 2)
  
  
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  Have miles and carry a big stick. So you belong to a program and you have miles. Now you belong to a much shorter line of people wanting an upgrade. Many miles programs give you the option of checking in online early. Do this because your order in the upgrade queue is often based on when you checked in. Sometimes obtaining an upgrade is automatic. Sometimes it costs money or miles. The more miles you have, the less it costs. Richard Thomas at Trails.com point out that it is important to "check with your airline's policies regarding how to spend frequent flier miles. Some permit you to do this online, but most require you to call them and handle it directly through a customer service agent. Either log in to the website or call the company and make the change.
  
  
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  Check online discount airfares. Many online airfare bundlers, such as cheapflights.com, Travelocity.com and Hotwire.com offer discounted business and first class fares. These can often be found within days if not hours of travel as airlines struggle to fill these seats with paying customers. Cheapflights.com advocates that "if you can't trade in miles or aren't able to buy an upgrade, consider discount business- or first-class fares. The airlines offer significant discounts and promotional fares on some routes, so don't overlook this option."
  
  
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  Know the secret codes. Knowing the airline lingo can carry you far. TravelInsider.com recommends asking the gate agent, ticketing agent, or travel agent to update your OSI on your PNR. This means update your "Other Significant Information" on your "Passenger Record." We're talking about the status you are flying in, such as a clergy, military on orders, or CIP CEO of Very Big Company. The code CIP means, "Commercially Important Customer." Don't overdo this and don't abuse it, but if you have a status worth mentioning, use it.