Do you fly frequently for business or pleasure? Next time you do, consider trying out one of these tricks for getting cheap or free upgrades. You won’t regret it!
Excerpt:
As airlines dangle last-minute lures for travelers willing to pay to upgrade to first class, it takes more strategizing than ever to find the best cheap or even free deal.
Try these tips to increase your chances:
Fly When Others Aren’t Off-peak days and less popular departure times are when the most first-class seats will be available.
These periods vary with the destination and season, but Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday flights are generally less crowded. And midday flights are a better bet than the first thing in the morning or the end of the business day.
Scout Ahead Check how many first-class seats have been sold and the size of the first-class cabin when choosing a seat on an airline’s website to hazard a guess whether a cheap upgrade will be offered on your flight.
Be Compulsive Once you have booked, log into the airline’s mobile app or website periodically to check for low-cost offers to move to first class. Upgrade pricing is always changing, based on inventory.
Take It a Leg at a Time On a flight with a layover, consider paying to upgrade only the longer segment of the trip.
Read the rest: Six Tips for Getting Cheap or Free Upgrades | The New York Times | http://nyti.ms/2dW6T2F