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Who hasn't glanced wistfully at the jet set while shuffling through the first-class cabin on your way to the cheap seats? Snagging the extra legroom and complimentary service would be a sweet score. But if you're trying to save money by scoring cheaper airfare , it doesn't make sense to turn around and shell out a few extra hundred dollars per person for a seat upgrade -- especially if you're trying to stick to a tighter holiday budget this year. 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. 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 an overbooked flight.

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