We all like to travel in comfort, and one way to do so is to secure an upgrade to your flight or hotel stay. While this might seem out of reach for the average traveler, there are several ways to secure upgrades without breaking the bank.
So, let’s take a look at ways that you can travel in comfort on a budget.
Join a Loyalty Program
Many airlines and hotels offer loyalty schemes through which customers can earn upgrades and discounts by repeatedly using their services.
You may need to book directly rather than use comparison websites, and you might have already built loyalty points without realizing it if you have used the hotel or airline website before. The loyalty points can be exchanged for an upgrade certificate for your next trip.
Use a Travel Rewards Credit Card
Travel rewards credit cards enable you to earn points while you do your regular shopping, which can be exchanged for special rewards that can improve your trip.
The points can be used to upgrade your flight or hotel room. You might also get benefits like access to hotel lounges or free drinks when you travel.
Check for Upgrade Options While Booking
When booking through a travel website, check the upgrade options offered at the checkout stage. At this point, the company you are dealing with will want to do everything they can to get you to complete your booking, so they often offer the best upgrade deals at this stage.
Be Early (or Late!)
You can increase your chances of an upgrade by timing your arrival to perfection.
If you arrive early, you can access canceled upgrades before others do. Alternatively, if you check into your hotel at the latest possible time, you may be able to get an upgraded room if others are already full.
Dress Smartly
Airlines prefer Business Class travelers to be presentable, so it is logical that dressing smartly will increase your chances of being moved to that class during your trip.
Smart but comfortable clothing is excellent for traveling, and it can help you to secure an upgrade, enabling you to travel in style.
Mention Special Occasions
Is it your birthday? Are you traveling for your honeymoon or wedding anniversary? If so, let the staff know, and they may upgrade your travel.
Don’t lie about it, though, particularly if you plan to say it’s your birthday. One look at your passport will put an end to that immediately.
Be Flexible with Your Seating
Airlines regularly make booking mistakes by assigning people the wrong seat or failing to sit group bookings together.
If you see this happening and are willing to change seats, you might be reassigned to a better one. Airlines do not want unhappy customers or complaints and will be grateful that you are open to switching.
Bid for Upgrades
Unbooked upgrades are regularly auctioned on hotel and airline websites, which usually go for much lower than the initial price. Not everyone knows about this, so you’ll be in a great position to get a deal.
There are also apps where you can bid to upgrade your seat or room if you already have a booking.
Offer to Pay Extra on Arrival
If purchasing an upgrade when booking is too expensive, see what price the airline or hotel offers on arrival. They may still have upgrades that have not been bought and, at this point, may be willing to offer one to you at a discounted rate so that they do not go unsold.
Check Flash Sales
Discounts on upgrades are often available on days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and many hotels and airlines offer flash sales throughout the year.
This includes last-minute deals for upgrades or discounted rates on premium flights and rooms. These sales often occur at the same time every year, so try to predict when they will take place so you can be first in line for a deal.
Use Discount Code Websites
If you book directly through the website of your hotel or travel provider, you can get deals, particularly if you are a first-time customer.
Check out voucher websites to see if there are any discount codes that will help you secure a cheap upgrade. You can also search for your chosen hotel or airline on cashback websites to save even more.
Travel Solo
If you are a lone traveler, then good news — it will be far easier to secure an upgrade than traveling in a group. Speak with the airline staff or your hotel reception to find out what options are available and whether you can pay to upgrade to a premium experience.
Earn Elite Status
While loyalty schemes reward you for repeat purchases, achieving Elite or Platinum Traveler status takes things to the next level.
Using the same hotel and airline every time you book, particularly if you are a frequent traveler, will eventually reap the rewards. Prepare to be prioritized over other customers, offered exclusive deals, and given complimentary items like free drinks.
Use Social Media
Have you had a great travel experience, or do you always book the same hotel because of their excellent customer service? Post about it on social media and tag them in it.
Social media administrators love positive feedback from real customers, as it is more genuine than advertising, so they will likely share your post and may even offer you exclusive discounts.
Complain if Justified
Nobody likes someone who complains for no reason, but if there is a genuine issue with your flight or hotel, such as overcrowding, then let the staff know.
If you complain respectfully, you may be offered a partial refund of your initial payment or even an upgrade to your travel.
