featured-image

Who hasn't glanced wistfully at the lucky travelers in first-class while shuffling down the aisle to their cheap seats? Snagging the extra legroom and complimentary service would be a sweet score. But if you're trying to save money by locking in affordable airfare deals , you probably don't want to shell out a few extra hundred dollars per person for a seat upgrade. Our family frequently travels, especially my husband for business.

We've gotten our share of free seat upgrades on flights and are here to offer some wisdom about how to get bumped up on your next flight without putting a dent in your bank account. Read more: What's the Cheapest Way to Get Airport Lounge Access This Holiday Season? We Did the Math Get a seat upgrade on your next flight using these 10 strategies A little extra legroom and early boarding options make business and first class a luxury most travelers can appreciate. Here are some strategies my family uses to snag upgrades without paying full price.



This is pretty simple math. You can't get upgraded to a better seat if there are simply no extra seats available on your flight. Generally, more seats available mean more opportunities to be upgraded.

Booking your ticket on slower travel days, typically in the middle of the week, helps avoid full flights. You can also search for flights that leave very early or very late (hello, red eye) to see if you can get a seat to yourself with extra room to stretch out. The exception to this rule is if you end up on a.

Back to Luxury Page