Dummys guide to being upgraded to business class (Airlines - Comments & Tips)

Member Name: shuttlex

Product:	Airlines - Comments & Tips
Date:	24/08/09 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Business class customers are treated well

Disadvantages: Need to do some preparation

From the moment you check in, to boarding the flight, to arrival, its nice to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Flying is nothing fun or interesting, it's just a way to get from point A to point B. I have flown to many places around the world and have experienced the best and the worst. The first point people must realize, airlines are customer service orientated, there to service the customer yet often this isn't the case. For example once I was on a BA flight from Heathrow to LA. I kindly asked the flight attendant when the next meal would be served yet in reply I was asked why I hadn't eaten before boarding the flight. The reason for this, I was flying on economy class and I looked like a tourist.

To make the flight pleasant, everyone wants an upgrade yet very few receive it. I have been upgraded from an economy seat to a first class business seat costing worth at least 4 times the value. Airlines never upgrade groups or couples, only people on their own.

Secondly, you must look professional and you must look rich. No trainers and no rucksacks. They're not upgrading people for free just to be nice, they're upgrading them as an incentive to buy a business class seat the next time they travel. If you don't look like an executive you won't be upgraded.

My third piece of advice, for whatever country you are flying to and from make sure you speak their local language at the check in. For example if you're at HK airport and you check in with a British passport you have to speak to them in Chinese. You must speak the language with confidence; acquiring basic language skills to do a simple check-in shouldn't be difficult. Also carry a newspaper in the local language. They will either assume that you are a diplomat or an entrepreneur. I have followed these steps and have had fairly good success rate in being upgraded.

Summary: See review