A former air hostess who racked up thousands of trips during her career has revealed one thing you should avoid saying to get a free upgrade. Jane Hawkes, 48, first became a cabin crew member when she was in her twenties. Since then she has travelled the world and made the switch to becoming a consumer expert, telling people how they can make their travels a breeze.
There is however always one question on everyone’s lips when they find out what Jane does, and that is how to travel in luxury on a budget. One way she says is to try and snag yourself a free upgrade. Writing in Woman's Own, Jane said: “Subtlety is key, so never use the word ‘upgrade’ because it sounds desperate.
Instead, mention to check-in staff if it’s a special occasion and they may move you to a higher class if there’s space, or at least give you a complimentary drink. “If you’re travelling alone, you’re more likely to be upgraded, and people who dress in smart-casual clothes have the edge over those in jeans.” Jane also shared tips for fuss-free travel, including using packing cubes to save space in your luggage, packing your underwear into your shoes, and buying your toiletries in duty-free.
She also recommends passengers bring their own anti-bacterial wipes, because one part of a plane in particular is “germ-ridden”. Jane explains the tray tables regularly go without a clean between flights, leaving them “more germ-ridden than the toilets”. During one flight, she even saw a pass.