Upgrading to Business Class or a Real Catch-22?

There is no fulfilling travel experience than to enjoy the benefits of a restful flight. For those traveling over long distances, this becomes even more critical. This is where the premium classes, First and Business Class of an airline comes out as a life saver for the passengers. It isn’t that straightforward though. Because the airfares to these classes are sky high; it often stays a dear dream of passengers to travel through these. This is where upgrades play an important role for the frequent flyers. Because airlines are just like any other business, they would do their best to maximize their profits. This is why getting an upgrade often seems like a Catch-22, especially when it comes to the business class.

One of the most beneficial aspects about traveling with business class is that with a comparatively lower fare, you get the same perks as flying with the first class. Since the business class is turning out to be more profitable for the airlines, they’ve become more focused in perfecting their services.

Here’s what you can do if you’re planning of upgrading to business class!

1. Act Promptly

Upgrading to business class is tough, but not as tough as you’ve been thinking all this while. To put this to test, access an airline’s webpage. The flights are often posted on the webpage mostly 330 days before the departure is scheduled. If you’ve accumulated a pocket full of miles, it would be insensible to wait too long to put them to use. Even when you consider this time to be early, most airlines would reserve a number of seats for the mileage upgrades instead of awards. To enjoy this privilege, it would be sensible to book an inexpensive coach ticket. The miles can be used for getting upgraded to the business class.

2. Check Frequently

Because the upgrade availability is often limited, the best and the most obvious way to get hold of an upgradable seat is to keep checking frequently. If you can’t view it while you book the coach ticket, do not end up in dismay. The airline keeps upgrading these, until the very last moments. Since they wouldn’t want to easily feed them to you, you would have to take this pain. Because it is often monotonous to keep checking, you can opt for a useful flight alert program. Expertflyer.com offers the Flight Alerts service where the flight related notifications will be sent to multiple addresses at the same time!

3.Choose the Quiet Times

You’d have to often play the mind game if you wish for an upgrade. One of such hacks is to travel during the quiet times if you badly want to get upgraded. A bank holiday or any other time of the year when it is generally quiet would be ideal. These are the ideal times when businessmen are less likely to travel and as a result, the airlines would be more willing in letting you rest in that magical business class seat.

4. Loyalty Game

However you view it, it will give you sure shot benefits. The obvious benefits of an airline’s loyalty program is that signing up won’t cost you anything. Above that, frequent flyers get a lot of benefits. Even when you are at the lowest level of your program, getting an upgrade is highly possible!

5. The Early Bird

If you find it painful to arrive early, you might want to change it for an upgrade. The early bird here gets more than the worm; a wonderful journey through flying business class. This might mean arriving at the airport 12 hours prior to the departure for the check-in. Because the seats available for the upgrades are often very rare, arriving early increases your chances.

6. Become Sad or Mad

Dramas, although not highly recommended, but can help you to achieve your dreams. Whether this means getting mad at the airline staff for some inefficient services or emotional blackmailing, it can evoke sympathy. However, only resort to this if you’re really desperate to get an upgrade.

As opposed to this, being pleasant and friendly to the staff can also help in upgrading to business class.