How to Get a Free First Class Airline Ticket
by: Tom Tessin

If you like to travel a lot or you just travel every so often, we have some great tips on how you can get upgrades to first class at no charge at all.  Let’s face it; most travelers don’t want to pay ridiculous first class fees.  Instead, we pay coach prices and along with those coach prices come coach perks.  We aren’t saying these tips are going to work 100% of the time but it will give you better shots at getting that free first class seat.

Ask right away

Right when you get to your terminal, make sure you go straight to the desk and ask if you can get a complimentary upgrade if first class doesn’t fill up.  Is this going to work you might ask?  Not all the time but it doesn’t hurt to try.  Airliners typically give frequent fliers the free upgrades.  If you’re a frequent flier with that particular airline then you have a shot.  The higher you are up the ladder, the better your chances are.  It’s extremely important that you arrive first because they usually give the upgrades on a first come first serve basis.

Connect with family and friends

If you have family or friends that work in the airline industry, make sure that you connect with these people.  Before you fly out, give them a call and see what they can do for you.  This will give you a better shot at getting the seat rather than some Joe waiting.   Like anything in life, connections are important and will work just as well in the travel industry.

Find problems on the plane

This technique works sometimes depending on the situation.  If you notice that when the flight is about to take off and there’s a few open first class seats available, ask the flight attendant if you can possibly move up to first class.  A lot of the times it won’t work but if you make excuses up it will increase your chances.  Some common excuses are seat troubles.  Complain that your seat doesn’t work or you may simply complain that your neighbors are too loud and you need to get work done.  Use your imagination and this could possibly work to your advantage.

Volunteer

If you’re travelling during prime hours, volunteer to get bumped for a late flight.  Out of your generosity, the airliners will usually give you a free ticket and they will also generally upgrade you to first class if the seats are available.  This of course happens once in a while but if the chance comes up and you have the time do it, take advantage of it!

These are just a few ways of how you can get complimentary first class upgrades.  We aren’t saying they are going to work but it’s definitely worth a shot because you have nothing to lose at all.  The next time you decide to fly, give these tips a shot and see if they work to your advantage.  You’ll thank yourself after the flight.