Top tips for getting a flight upgrade

Getting upgraded on a flight is one of the best travelling perks around, there's nothing like relaxing in first class knowing you paid for economy! But the thing is getting a flight upgrade need not just be a stroke of luck, there are ways to get upgraded on a flight and here's how...

Blagging, flannelling, verbal gymnastics, sweet talking – you know what we're referring to: that ability to talk yourself into a business class or, better still, first class seat when you haven't paid for it! Almost everyone, provided they're not bags-of-money travellers, wants to buy a cheap economy ticket and get upgraded so that they're travelling in business class or first class. After all, who out there doesn't want more legroom and better service when they're travelling – especially if it's free?

To improve your chances of getting that much-sought-after upgrade , check out realbuzz's following tips – which should help to get you rubbing shoulders with the first class jet-set while being pampered by attentive staff and stretching out on a flatbed chair!

Top tips for getting a flight upgrade

- Become a member of your airline's frequent flyer mileage club. The more miles you rack up against your name, the greater your chances of getting an upgrade will be if there is one available. Also, remember that you can be a member of many different airlines' clubs.

- Travelling alone may help when you're trying to secure that cherished upgrade. You won't have a realistic chance of getting bumped up to a higher-grade seat if you're being trailed by others – particularly if you're travelling with the whole family.

- Travelling with someone else who is holding a higher-class ticket than you and asking to sit together may reap rewards. And you may be even more likely to blag an upgrade if you, as the lower-class ticket holder, have good status in a frequent flyer programme.

- Really try to look the part if you're looking for an flight upgrade . Smart casual wear or business attire should ensure you fit in, while some decent-looking luggage will complete the picture. A battered rucksack and sandals are unlikely to fit the bill!

- Make sure you're early at your flight's check-in, because your chances of getting an upgrade will quickly diminish over time. If you're one of the last to check in, then it's a certainty that you're going to be one of the last to be enquiring about an upgrade – by which time they will probably all be taken.

- If you can help it, don't order a special meal if you want to get upgraded. This is because a meal cannot usually be moved up with you – plus an airline would never want to be seen serving an economy meal in business class in the same way that you wouldn't want to be seen eating it!

- You should nearly always be willing to move from your seat when asked to do so by the cabin crew, as it's quite possible that the seat you are being offered as a replacement is in first class. Of course, there's always the possibility that you may not get a better seat than the one you had before – but you never know!

- It may sound obvious, but make sure you're courteous. Being nice to ground staff – who are probably used to being on the receiving end of hassle and abuse – can go a long way towards making you stand out and getting you that upgrade.

- If you feel like laying it on thick, then make it known that you have been inconvenienced on a previous flight. Do this in such a way that you don't make a scene, however – otherwise you might end up in the worst possible seat! If you handle this well, the airline may be more willing to accommodate you.