Who doesn’t want a free upgrade? Sure, you could try politely asking the gate agent before your next flight, but chances are it won’t work. Rather than playing a game of roulette, there are more reliable strategies to improve your chances of scoring a better seat.
As I reflect on my travels over the past year, nearly half of my flights were booked in a more spacious, comfortable seat. Although it might appear effortless, there’s actually a lot of strategy (and finesse) involved to scoring upgrades.
While having elite status with an airline is a big part of the equation, free upgrades are increasingly rare these days — and for several reasons. In a post-pandemic world, leisure travel remains strong, flight prices have decreased, and airlines are more inclined to offer discounted upgrades to boost revenue.
Instead, I’ve relied on other tactics, which look a bit different than in the pre-pandemic travel era. While upgrades aren’t always going to be free, managing to score them for a fraction of their full cash cost always feels like a win. Here’s a closer look at several real-world examples in which I scored first-class seats for much less.
1. Using Upgrade Certificates
The only proven way to score free upgrades is by holding airline elite status. However, even then, these upgrades are not guaranteed and depend on availability. Adding to the complexity, the level of elite status you hold significantly impacts your chances, as upgrades are prioritized on a tiered list.
Personally, I prefer flying Delta Air Lines for most of my domestic travel, which has allowed me to effortlessly maintain Platinum Medallion status — the second-highest tier. Each year, upon reaching Platinum Medallion, I get to select an annual Choice Benefit, and I always choose the 4 Regional Upgrade Certificates, or RUCs. These certificates can be used for one-way Delta flights within the 50 U.S. states and on select international routes, including destinations in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central America. (Other airlines also offer similar upgrade awards for its top-tier elite members.)
While certain fare classes must be available to apply these upgrades, Delta has recently made it easier to check if a flight qualifies for a Regional Upgrade Certificate when searching for flights on the airline’s website. If upgrade availability isn’t immediately confirmed, you can contact Delta’s customer service to apply your certificate to your reservation. This places you on a waitlist, but you have priority over other Medallion members relying on complimentary upgrades with Delta.
Hot Tip: Delta’s top elite status level, Diamond Medallion, allows you to earn Global Upgrade Certificates (GUCs) instead — which can be used on international flights on Delta and SkyTeam partners.
How I Redeem Regional Upgrade Certificates
I prefer to save my RUCs for longer domestic flights, where the upgrade typically includes a free meal and the comfort of a more spacious First Class seat on a larger aircraft. Recently, I used RUCs to upgrade both my partner and me on a flight from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to Salt Lake City (SLC). Although the upgrade wasn’t confirmed right away, we were cleared on the day of travel. The difference in cost between Main Cabin and First Class for that flight was over $800!
I still have 3 certificates left to use in 2025 and plan to follow a similar strategy for longer routes. One of my upcoming flights is from Salt Lake City (SLC) to New York (JFK) this spring. Since both airports are major Delta hubs, applying an upgrade award should significantly increase my chances of securing a domestic First Class seat for the 5-hour journey.
2. Scoring Cheap Upgrade Offers on the App
While I also hold American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Pro status, I don’t depend on it to secure free upgrades. These days, many airlines — especially American — frequently offer heavily discounted upgrades directly through the app within your reservation. While this often results in fewer complimentary upgrades for elite members, these discounted offers provide a convenient (and confirmed!) way to enjoy a seat up front for less.
Knowing this, I make it a point to regularly check for these upgrade offers in the days leading up to my flight, as the rates can fluctuate. In the case of American Airlines, the airline often emails me discounted upgrade offers a few days before departure. I’ve seen these offers as low as $40 for short routes, like a flight from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to New York (LGA), and I don’t hesitate to take advantage of such deals. Even on short flights like this, I gladly take the opportunity to the enjoy extra legroom and dedicated overhead bin space for first class passengers.
I’ve experienced cheap discount offers on long-haul flights, too. For example, on a recent Delta flight from New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP), upgrades to a Delta One seat were available for $499. While that’s still a significant expense, it’s a fraction of the typical cost of these tickets, which often run into the thousands for transatlantic flights.
3. Taking Advantage of Status Match Programs
If you already have elite status with 1 airline, that may be all you really need. Airlines are always looking to attract loyal customers from competitors, so they frequently offer status match promotions, allowing you to quickly earn a comparable status level.
I stay informed about these status match opportunities by subscribing to Upgraded Points’ newsletter, which keeps me updated on the latest airline promotions. For example, I enjoyed Frontier’s top-tier Diamond Elite status for a full year by providing proof of my Delta Platinum Medallion status.
While Frontier doesn’t currently offer a domestic first-class product (though recliner seats are planned for 2025), its extra-legroom seats at the front of its Airbus aircraft provide a great alternative. It’s not a traditional “first-class” experience, but I can’t think of a better deal than my recent flight from Salt Lake City (SLC) to Phoenix (PHX) that I snagged for just $19. I got to sit in row 2 with my partner — and with an empty middle seat — and enjoyed perks like free personal items and carry-on bags that usually cost extra with budget carriers like Frontier.
Hot Tip: If you have elite status, you’re typically eligible for an upgrade for yourself (the primary status holder) and 1 companion on the same itinerary, allowing you to share your benefits with others.
4. Bidding for an Upgrade
Some airlines also allow you to bid for an upgrade ahead of your flight. I find that this is more common with international carriers, making it an excellent opportunity to secure a more comfortable seat for long-haul journeys.
I booked a Virgin Atlantic economy ticket from New York (JFK) to London (LHR) about 6 months before my trip. Although I don’t usually book flights that far in advance, I jumped on this one because the airline was only charging 7,500 Flying Club points and $150 in taxes and fees. As the travel date approached, I started receiving emails inviting me to bid for an upgrade to premium economy or business class.
Since I was flying on one of Virgin’s daytime flights — unlike the typical red-eye flights to Europe — I considered upgrading to premium economy for the 7-hour journey. Taking advantage of the bidding system, I submitted the minimum offer of $315. Months went by, and I had completely forgotten I’d even placed the bid.
A few days before my flight, I was notified that my upgrade had been approved, which was fantastic news and proved that it’s possible to secure an upgrade even with the lowest bid. Of course, you should only bid an amount you’re comfortable with paying, but the takeaway here is that you’ll never know if you don’t try.
5. Asking About Upgrade Costs in Person
If you notice that premium cabin seats are still available on the day you’re flying, you may be able to score the biggest discounts possible. Start by visiting the check-in counter (or seeing the gate agent before your flight departs) and ask about last-minute upgrade costs.
On a flight from London (LHR) to New York (JFK) with JetBlue, I had originally booked a Core ticket. However, at check-in, I noticed that 8 Mint business class seats were still available. (I found this out by starting a new search for the same flight and checking the seat map.)
Once at the gate, I asked about a possible upgrade, and the agent offered a Mint seat for $600. And, for an additional $150, I could secure a seat in the coveted Mint Studio in the first row of the aircraft. I decided to go for it, as JetBlue Mint is one of my favorite business class products in the sky.
Final Thoughts
Even if you’re flying on a 1-hour flight from state to state, an upgrade to first class can make your journey much more comfortable. While having elite status is key to unlocking free upgrades, I’m more than willing to use the strategies mentioned above to improve my chances — particularly for the flights that matter most.
