A free upgrade is like a Jetstar flight taking off on time: so rare you sometimes wonder if it actually exists. But if you’ve got travel plans marked on your calendar, a business class upgrade might be what takes your trip from good to great.
However, upgrading your seat isn’t as simple as a sweet smile and a “pretty please” at the check-in counter. Airlines aren’t giving out business class upgrades as often as they used to, so to snag that upgrade, you’ve got to play by the rules.
Lucky for you, we've done some online sleuthing to find the most effective ways to score an upgrade, according to the airlines themselves. So if you’re looking for luxury without paying the big bucks, these tips could be just the ticket.
1. Status really does matter
If there’s one thing that makes an upgrade more likely, it’s your membership status. The higher your status, the more likely you are to secure an upgrade. If you aren’t already a Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity Frequent Flyer, now’s the time to sign up and start climbing the tiers.
If you’re already a member but are only on the base tier, there are a few ways you can earn more status credits:
- Booking flights
- Rewards cards linked to your frequent flyer membership (e.g. Everyday Rewards or Flybuys)
- Frequent flyer credit cards
- Shopping with airline retail partners
Qantas recently changed its rules for status credits, allowing members to roll over up to 50% of their excess status credits into the next year. Virgin Velocity customers aren’t so lucky, with status credits resetting to zero every 365 days.
Keep an eye out for emails or texts from airlines about bonus status credit promotions and monitor your status. Moving up even one tier will increase your chances of being picked for an upgrade.
2. Book the unpopular flights
You’re more likely to get an upgrade if you book an off-peak flight. This means taking off mid-week, during off-peak seasons, and at less desirable hours—those ghastly midnight takeoffs might be your ticket to business class.
The same goes for popular routes and destinations. High-traffic routes like Melbourne to Sydney and in-demand destinations like Singapore tend to reduce your chances of getting a business-class bump.
3. Choose the right fare type
Not every fare and seat type will be eligible for an upgrade, so if you’re holding out for one, it’s important to make sure your booking ticks the boxes. Typically, seats bought through promotions or sales are excluded from upgrade eligibility.
If you’ve already booked your flights and want to upgrade, check your booking through the airline’s website or app to see if you're eligible.
4. Make points work smarter, not harder
Instead of using points to pay for your economy ticket, it might be worth saving them for an upgrade instead. If you’ve got a hefty points balance stashed away for a rainy day, you might get more bang for your buck if you use them for multiple upgrades rather than spending them all on one business class ticket.
5. Get in early
The old saying about the early bird and the worm rings true when it comes to flight upgrades. Different airlines have different rules around upgrading, with some offering confirmed upgrades within 12 hours of making your initial booking. For others, online upgrade bidding may open about 24 hours before departure.
Keep an eye out for communications from your airline as those emails or texts will let you know when upgrades are available, and might even have special deals and offers too. Check your airline’s app too as they may share notifications about upgrades.
6. Bid strategically
Most major airlines let you bid for an upgrade rather than pay the full fare upfront, and a bit of strategy can improve your odds. Before you bid, compare the cost of the upgraded cabin to your economy fare. If the gap is small, that's a sign of low demand, so bid low. A bigger price jump gives the airline more room to accept a modest offer and still come out ahead.
Timing and a little research can also work in your favour:
- Bid early if you just want better odds. More seats are usually available at this point.
- Bid closer to departure if you’re chasing a bargain since airlines would rather accept a low bid than fly with an empty seat.
- Check the seat map to see how full the premium cabin already is. An emptier cabin means better odds of acceptance.
- Favour off-peak flights over business-heavy or overnight routes, where premium demand (and competition for upgrades) tends to be higher.
Depending on which airline you're flying with, you'll be able to pay for you bid with points, cash, or a combination of both. In Australia, Qantas and Jetstar give you the option to bid using either cash, your Qantas points or a mix of both. You can only bid with cash for a Virgin upgrade.
7. Simply ask for one
There’s no harm in asking for an upgrade at the check-in counter. Often, staff working at the check-in desks and gates have some discretion (read: power) when it comes to handing out upgrades. According to Skyscanner, customers who arrive on time, come prepared, dress appropriately and are polite have the best chance of an upgrade when asking.
While it might feel awkward to ask, a simple, “Are there any options available for an upgrade today?” can go a long way. The worst they can tell you is no, and if you’re lucky you might be on your way to a very comfortable flight (maybe even for free!).
