Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

I really liked Jackie Blue - you reminded me of that. I'll have to download it tonight.. thanks anyway, on to your question.. Here are my experiences. Some work, some don't. But you have to ask and the seats have to be available. No matter what, become a Frequent Flier member of the airline. You can by going to their web site (usually). Even if you don't have 1 mile, have a FF number when you requesting an upgrade. Sometimes, they upgrade FF members before upgrading others. Fly on a non-major airline. Spirit Air and AirTran have simply upgraded me at the gate when I asked. [Spirit reminds me of Continental before they got too big! They used to upgrade all the time] Pay full fare (not first class). Often, full fare refundable seats are automatically upgraded to 1st class. [You need to actually talk to a reservation agent for this to work.. it doesn't automatically on web bookings] Use some "Professional influence" techiniques. Some that have worked for me: Ask, and give a truthful, compelling reason (you need to stretch your leg out; you have broad shoulders and nobody wants to sit next to you). Ask not only at the check in counter, but at the gate. Go when the lines aren't long, near when the bording will start. I've gone back a few times to the agent closer to boarding time.. (if I am not perceived as a pest). Give something to the agent(s). Often, they collect lapel pins (Olympics are coming up). I used to give away peanut M&Ms to an agent in Salt Lake City to get an upgrade. But you have to ask firmly; the worst thing they can say is no. Look like a businessman. They won't upgrade anyone that may upset other frequent fliers in first class (like kids). Look like you belong in first class or have been upgraded often (the old white-male look). [By the way, nobody ever pays for 1st class, especially on domestic flights] Complain. I've been able to get upgraded by visiting the customer service counters (in the terminals) and make a complaint, and ask for an upgrade, food voucher and/or comp ticket. Again, you must ask or insist forcefully. I used to get connecting flights in Las Vegas for red eyes. Often, the flight was a little late. I went the in-terminal customer service counter and said I was upset, and asked for a better seat (not a direct "upgrade") and it worked ~75% of the time. It helped that I knew my FF number by heart..... All this being said.. First Class is NOT worth the money on domestic flights. Not $.01 more. It is very worthwhile if you can get it for nothing... Also.. some flights and routes, especially to hub airports, there are never any available seats in 1st for the agents to give away. Other times, like vacation routes where business people don't frequent, there are many 1st class seats available. If the flight is oversold, they automatically fill those seats anyway.