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How
To Fly First Class Without Spending More Money
While air travel isn’t the typical person’s
favorite relaxation method, flying first class can certainly
feel like pampering—especially compared with travel in the
coach section these days. Large, plush seats, complimentary
meals and drinks, and adept attention by your own personal
flight attendant can make flying feel like living in the
lap of luxury—especially if you don’t have the extra cash
to pay for the seat. So, is it possible to fly first class
without spending the extra cash? The simple answer is yes.
For tips on booking your dream flight, read on.
In
order to get favors, you must ask. Asking nicely works
best. Sweetly begging the counter agent will not work 99%
of the time, as most airlines do not authorize agents to
upgrade customers unless they hold elite fight status on
the airlines. Your smiling entreaties may convince the agent
to add a code to your ticket that would allow flight attendants
to upgrade you if first-class seats are available.
After walking by those empty first-class seats on your way
to your cramped seat in coach, ask the flight attendant for
an upgrade. Although flight attendants typically won’t upgrade
you without good reason, there are instances when you can
use certain circumstances to your benefit. If there’s a problem
with your seat or with another passenger seated near you,
you may be able to convince the flight attendant to move
you up. Additionally, and typically more profitably, overbooked
flights may get you in good position for a first-class flight.
If you get bumped due to an overbooked flight, certainly
take advantage of the situation and ask for an upgrade to
first class.
Booking
your trip through a travel agent can also help your
odds of flying first class without spending extra cash. Travel
agents can sometimes mark your ticket with a special code
(OSI, which means Other Significant Information). This OSI
can signify that you’re a VIP or CEO of a company, travel
agent, event planner, or other person that the airline may
want to impress for future business. Booking your trip by
phone with the airline directly can also allow you to “apply”
for OSI status.
One of the more standard means for flying first class with
spending extra cash is to use frequent flyer upgrades, points,
or status. As long as seats are available and allocated for
frequent flyer upgrades and points, you should be able to
arrange for a first-class seat without paying extra money.
You can ask for an upgrade when you book your flight or when
you check in for your flight. Plan your use of upgrades and
points carefully. It would obviously make more sense to upgrade
for a cross-country flight rather than a quick jaunt. Also,
check in early for your flight. First-class seats are typically
given away in the order that passengers checked in. Simply
holding frequent flyer status can aid in your mission to
fly first class for free. Booking agents, counter agents,
and flight attendants are all much more likely to upgrade
you if are a “Premier” member of their airline—the higher
your status, the better your chances. For this reason, many
frequent flyers are loyal to a single airline, even if it
means sometimes paying more for flights.
If you are in the unfortunate position of paying for a full-fare
flight, ask for a first-class seat. Buying a coach class
ticket with first-class seating privileges is much cheaper
than buying a first-class ticket.
Finally, a piece of what may sound like silly advice. Look
the part. Airline representaives are more likely to give
a first-class seat to a passenger who looks like he or she
should be in first class. Although that business suit may
detract from your ability to fully enjoy the plush seats
and free wine, dressing the part may just be worth it.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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