Skipping a meal may mean a free flight upgrade

Did you know that skipping a meal may mean a free flight upgrade? Believe it or not, how to get flight upgrades can be as simple as offering to forgo dinner! In this day and age of rising fuel prices, airlines seek to find ways to cut non-essential costs. One of the methods they use for this is to only load enough meals for first and business class to feed those with reservations. That also means that free flight upgrades can be very difficult to get at the last minute, as the airline staff does not want to run the risk of not having enough food for their top tier customers. However, this can work to your advantage, if you are polite and unassuming.


Before take off preparations, politely ask a flight attendant if there are any available seats in first class or business class. You can also ask the gate agent, but this approach works best with on-flight crew. Be sure to be to the point and polite. Airlines, and their staff, have heard every excuse and trick in the book, and they are usually very busy. That means they have no time or tolerance for a long story, or an obvious ploy to try to win their sympathy (and therefore win a free flight upgrade). Being straightforward and concise will avoid alienating your best potential bet for securing a free airline upgrade.


Do not approach any airline employee for a free flight upgrade when they are busy. You will come across as selfishly demanding and be an annoyance or difficulty when they already have their hands full. Be sure to approach them about possibly getting airline upgrades when they seem the most idle or least busy. It also helps if you are somewhat discreet about it, as they do not want other passengers to demand free flight upgrades in the name of fairness. They will appreciate your consideration greatly and will be more likely to give you that coveted airline upgrade.


When you inquire, gently state that you do not mind if you are not served a meal. This indicates to the cabin crew that you understand how things work and that you are not looking for special treatment, despite requesting an airline upgrade. It indicates that you are willing to be flexible and that you are unlikely to be a demanding or difficult passenger. A flight attendant's greatest fears include a passenger who not only knows how to get flight upgrades, but feels entitled to preferential treatment. Securing flight upgrades can be a simple matter of politeness and skipping dinner.


Jonathan Kittley is the airline employee, and wasinterviewed on: http://www.free-flight-upgrades.com where you can learn all about cheap flights and free flight upgrades.