| Getting into business or first class means more | | | | you are in the program and how much you pay for |
| comfortable seats, more legroom, better service, | | | | the ticket you are trying to upgrade. |
| complimentary food and drinks, and much more. But | | | | Each airline has its own upgrade levels, starting at |
| how do you get there without mortgaging the | | | | 5,000 earned miles on up. |
| house? A number of ways: | | | | One way you can assure yourself a confirmed seat |
| Pay For Upgrades | | | | in first class is to use your miles, either for a free |
| Sometimes you can buy your way into business or | | | | seat, or to upgrade from coach. Going for the free |
| first class, with a confirmed seat, for much less than | | | | seat is the better use of your miles. |
| the posted are difference. Some ideas: | | | | --- Many airlines sell upgrade coupons, denominated in |
| --- Buy international business class at 50% of the full | | | | multiples of 500 miles, for domestic trips. You simply |
| fare price. Some discount agencies regularly sell those | | | | give the airlines as many as required for your trip. |
| tickets. Large transatlantic airlines occasionally offer | | | | Generally, you must be at least one elite level up the |
| business class sales. | | | | scale. If not, you can only use this for the most |
| --- The American Express Platinum card offers | | | | expensive coach seats. |
| twofers in business class on numerous international | | | | --- Mileage upgrades are usually for one-way travel. |
| flights. Diner's Club Carte Blanche offers twofers on | | | | Thus you can upgrade your red-eye outbound flight, |
| British Airways on premium economy and business | | | | then save miles on your return day flight. If you |
| class tickets. Even at half price, this can still be | | | | want to upgrade round trip, you need to use twice |
| several times the price of a coach seat. | | | | the number of miles. |
| --- Some small domestic airlines, like Spirit and Sun | | | | --- Some airlines require you to book upgrade over |
| Country, sell business or first class for less than the | | | | the phone. Others on line. |
| legacy lines. Again, those fares are higher than the | | | | --- Low-ranking frequent fliers for cheap tickets take |
| lowest coach fare. | | | | their chances at the departure gate. |
| --- Some domestic airlines offer a special coach fare | | | | --- Some airlines allow you to search for flights eligible |
| that provides an immediate, confirmed upgrade. | | | | for mileage upgrades. |
| Referred to as "Y-up" fares (Another article will | | | | --- Super-elite passengers find upgrades easier than |
| explain these). A good deal only if circumstances | | | | lower level passengers. |
| force you into an expensive coach ticket. | | | | Free Upgrades |
| --- Air Transat's business class upgrades range from | | | | On domestic flights, only 20% of travelers buy first |
| $40-$80. US Air upgrades start at $50 for short-haul | | | | class tickets. Airlines fill the first class cabins by |
| domestic flights, up to $500 for European flights. | | | | upgrading passengers from coach for free. |
| -- Spirit Air offers day-of-travel upgrades based on | | | | Free standby upgrades depend on your frequent flier |
| availability at the departure gate. | | | | status and the price of your coach ticket. Super- elite |
| -- Delta offers same-day standby upgrades for | | | | frequent fliers almost always get upgraded. Ordinary |
| $50-$200. | | | | frequent fliers almost never. |
| --- Northwest and United offer upgrades for travelers | | | | Free upgrades are scarce on overseas flights. |
| using self-service check-in kiosks for domestic flights. | | | | Upgrade myths |
| --- Keep your eyes peeled during check-in, or ask at | | | | Your behavior at the airport used to snag you an |
| the desk if they are offering any specials. | | | | upgrade, but this has dramatically decreased. It is |
| Frequent Flier Mile Upgrades | | | | now almost impossible to sweet talk gate agents, |
| This is the way most travelers get from coach to | | | | dress nicely, arrive early, and simply register for a |
| first class. How much you pay depends on how high | | | | frequent flier program to get an upgrade. |