{"id":19537,"date":"2011-12-08T06:00:57","date_gmt":"2011-12-08T12:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=19537"},"modified":"2018-03-08T13:10:20","modified_gmt":"2018-03-08T19:10:20","slug":"moving-up-how-to-get-hotel-and-airline-upgrades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2011\/12\/moving-up-how-to-get-hotel-and-airline-upgrades\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving up: How to get hotel and airline upgrades"},"content":{"rendered":"
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At the Best Western Plus Hospitality House in New York, a corner room with a view is an ideal upgrade.<\/p><\/div>\n

By Mark Chesnut<\/em><\/p>\n

Whether it’s a seat at the front of the plane or a nicer hotel room, few travelers would turn down a free upgrade. But how do you snag these elusive — and complimentary — delights? Here are a few tips and strategies to help you along.<\/p>\n

How to get airline upgrades<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Be a member of the airline\u2019s frequent flyer program — preferably, elite level. Even if you\u2019re not eligible for an upgrade, you\u2019ll be higher on the list of passengers moving to the front if the plane is full.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Volunteer to be bumped. If your schedule is flexible, there\u2019s no harm in negotiating and asking for a first- or business-class seat on the next flight out.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dress well. Sure, beauty is only skin deep. But someone who looks like they belong in first class is a bit more likely to actually be placed there.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Fly alone. The fewer seats you need overall, the greater the chance that you\u2019ll be moved to a better place.<\/p>\n

How to get a better hotel room
\n<\/strong>\u2022 Join the club. According to Chris McGinnis, business travel expert and blogger for You Must Be Trippin\u2019, the Best Western blog, elite-level hotel program membership accounts for 32 percent of upgrades. So you\u2019ll increase your odds if you\u2019re a member.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mention the business you bring. If you\u2019re a frequent guest, a decision maker or business manager who sends a lot of guests to the same chain or hotel, be sure that the hotel knows. And don\u2019t be shy at hotel manager receptions. Introduce yourself — especially if you\u2019re going to be a repeat visitor.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Just ask. In hotels, upgrades mean different things to different people. You may be dreaming of the biggest suite, or a regular room on a club-level floor, or simply a standard room with the best view. Be specific and you’re morelikely to get what you want.<\/p>\n

And finally, the most important tactic of all, whether you’re dealing with an airline or a hotel: Be nice. Smile. Treat people with respect, and they’ll be more likely to treat you well.<\/p>\n

Related resources<\/strong><\/p>\n