10 Secret Upgrades Airlines Won’t Tell You About
Flying is a combination of excitement and hassle for most of us. We anticipate new destinations, but sitting in cramped seats and long layovers really can derail all the enjoyable aspects of the experience. There are ways to elevate your flight without spending a fortune.
There are little-known perks, upgrades, and insider tips that can make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Let’s explore some of these perks!
Credit Card Perks: Early Boarding
Did you know your wallet could already be the key to early boarding? Some credit cards associated with airlines offer an incentive for priority boarding. This can be a perk even if you’re flying economy — it’ll get you a leg up to get those coveted overhead bin spaces. A 2023 JD Power study found that travelers with these cards reported much less stress during boarding.
Day Passes for Complimentary Lounge Access
Elite flyers aren’t the only ones who can enjoy airline lounges. Day passes in many lounges cost only as much as a decent airport meal. They can be a lifesaver on long layovers, with complimentary Wi-Fi, some snacks, and cozy seats. Travel journalist Sarah Thompson says she has been saved by lounges countless times during flight delays. They’re worth every penny.
Seats With Extra Legroom
A bit of comfort doesn’t require an upgrade to business class. Select bulkhead seats or emergency exit rows. Seat Guru is a website that provides seat layouts so you can choose one with extra legroom. Sometimes these seats can be secured without an additional fee and you can always confirm with a quick call to the airline.
Food Upgrades on Flights
Some airlines let you pre-order special meals that are fresher and more appetizing than the standard options. Often this means kosher, vegetarian, or gluten-free meals. Frequent traveler Mark Harris commented, “I always order the vegetarian meal. I get served earlier, but the food is better.”
If You Ask Nicely, Unlimited Snacks
Flight attendants sometimes have extra snacks stashed away, believe it or not. You shouldn’t abuse this kindness, but a friendly request will sometimes get you another bag of pretzels or cookies. Good manners go a long way, remember.
Free Upgrades at Celebrations
If you’re traveling for a special occasion, like a honeymoon, birthday, or anniversary, mention it at check-in. There’s no guarantee, but some gate agents have the flexibility to upgrade you to a better seat or give you complimentary champagne as a goodwill gesture. This is a long shot, but it’s worth a try!
Overbooking Has Hidden Benefits
Being bumped to another flight may seem annoying, but overbooking can be to your advantage. If you’re flexible with your schedule, you can volunteer to give up your seat and get paid generously. Cash vouchers, meal credits, and even free round trip tickets are often given to you by airlines for your trouble.
Dress The Part
This may sound superficial, but often if you dress professionally or in business attire, then you are more likely to be upgraded on the flight.
Complimentary Inflight Entertainment Access
A few airlines will unlock paid in-flight entertainment for passengers who ask. It doesn’t always work, but if you’ve got nothing to read, it’s worth politely inquiring about.
Frequent Flier Perks
Frequent flyer programs are not limited to ticket debits. Often miles can be used for upgrades, lounge access, and more such baggage allowances. To take advantage of this, keep an eye out for promotional emails from your airline and you’ll often find steep discounts on these perks.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
