If you’ve flown before or you’re new to flying, you may not know this but it is possible to get your airline ticket upgraded at the gate before you take off to your destination.  While it can be easy to get an upgrade sometimes, some other times it may be hard.  To increase your chances at getting upgraded to either first class or a better seat, there are some certain steps you’ll need to take to improve your odds.

Be loyal – If you fly a lot, make sure you fly one airline ALL the time.  Ticket agents look for passengers who have been loyal to the airline.  If you don’t have a frequent flyer card with the airline, defintely sign up, this will increase your odds greatly.  They will most likely give you the upgrade over some bum who has never flown the airline before.  Remember, loyalty is your number one concern.

Have manners – Nobody on this planet hates someone who acts like an idiot or is mean.  No matter what kind of mood you’re in, make sure you treat the ticket agent with a bunch of respect and be as nice as possible.  If you’re an idiot to everyone at the airport including the agent, you can kiss your chances of getting a free upgrade to first class goodbye.

Be aggressive and ask – The first thing you should do when you arrive at the gate is casually ask the agent that you’re interested in an upgrade to the first class if at all possible.  The agent will most likely tell you how packed the flight is going to be and will probably write your name down.  If you’re the lucky person to get upgraded, they will call your name over the PA.  Only ask ONCE and forget about it, if you keep coming up and asking, this will only annoy the agent and they will not upgrade you seeing you’ll probably be just as annoying first class to the other customers.

Frequent flyer mile trade in – If you’re part of the airline’s frequent flyer program, if you have any extra miles leftover, you may be able to trade them in for an upgrade.  If you’re willing to trade in your miles, I’d say do it because this will almost get you in 100% compared to someone that has nothing to offer.

Upgrading to first class as I mentioned above can either be easy or hard all depending on how packed the flight is.  If the flight is going to be crowded, you’re probably not going to get the upgrade.  Remember, it never hurts to ask, the worst that’ll happen is either the word, “no” or “we will put your name down on a list”.