Upgrading to a better seat for your next flight may be high on your wish list. Whether you want a little more legroom or to experience a truly better level of service, upgrading your flight can be tricky. Not only does an upgrade work differently for each airline, but there are ways to score an upgrade with some airlines.
To help you understand how to upgrade to first class, or perhaps just to a better seat, here’s a list of our airline-specific upgrade guides:
These airline-specific guides give you plenty to compare. Even if it’s not possible to get a free upgrade for your flight, there may still be a way to win an inexpensive upgrade. So here are some suggestions on how to upgrade to first class, exit row or seats with more legroom.
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Use your miles for free upgrades on flights
When you fly multiple major airlines, you can use your miles to upgrade. However, each airline handles mileage upgrades a little differently. Some, like American and United, charge a copay for most mileage upgrades (although United waives copay for elite members). Meanwhile, Delta offers mileage upgrades at a flat rate of about 1.07 cents per mile.
In some cases, the mileage required to upgrade your seat is significantly less than you may need to redeem for an award flight. Redeeming miles for an upgraded seat can be a great benefit to your mileage if you only have a small amount of mileage with one airline.
Redeeming miles for upgrades can also be a great use of transferable currencies like The Bilt Reward or Chase the ultimate reward as you can transfer the amount you need to top up your account.
Related: How to upgrade to first class without spending a lot of cash
Consider a plan for a free upgrade
As you explore the world of low-cost airlines, you’ll find that you can pick up better seats on them as part of buying a package. Buying a single-seat package with extra legroom is rarely a good idea. However, if you’re going to check baggage or want priority boarding, you may find that buying those items a la carte is more expensive than buying a bundle of add-ons.
Frontier’s “The Works” package includes items such as carry-on and checked baggage and allows you to choose any seat on the plane, including seats with extra legroom. Allegiant and Spirit offer similar packages Spirit sells unique large front seats individual. When considering a low-cost airline, think about the add-ons you can buy and how that decision could help you get a free or cheap upgrade to a better seat.
Related: ‘Until death – or a first class upgrade – do our part: Wedding vows test at 35,000 feet
Take advantage of elite status for free upgrades
During the 1990s and 2000s, domestic first-class cabins were typical of American, Delta and United seats mainly for business travelers of elite status. In those days, that was how to get free upgrades on flights.
Over time, airlines have turned to profit management to monetize the seats they give away for free. First class seats are sold for a lot less today than they were decades ago. Airlines now fill their first class seats mainly to customers who book first class tickets.
However, there are still plenty of opportunities to get a free upgrade to first class. This is especially true if you fly unpopular routes or fly during off-peak times. You can also increase your chances of getting a free upgrade by using services like Expert flyer (owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures) to look for flights with higher upgrade opportunities.
There are reasons it might be better to have top elite status on one airline than mid-tier status on multiple airlines. Upgrades are one of these areas, as the upgrade waitlist is sorted by status level.
Related: Here’s how to use your miles to upgrade to first class
Pay for the seat you want
Many business travelers are reluctant to admit a new mantra is being applied when flying: “Buy the seat you want”. It’s an admission that a free upgrade is more unlikely than ever, and that someone is often willing to pay for the first or last row seats you used to get for free.
Fortunately, a few credit card offers annual travel credit you can use to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Chase Sapphire Reserve is a prime example, with an easy-to-use $300 travel credit for each account anniversary year. To a lesser extent, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another option with a $300 travel credit, but you must use the credit through Capital One travel portal.
Related: How to upgrade from economy to premium economy without breaking the bank
Key point
If more comfort is important to you the next time you fly, make sure you do your research before buying a ticket. On all major US domestic airlines, you’ll find a wide range of upgrade procedures. So learn about your airline’s upgrade policies and procedures before clicking the buy button for your next flight.
