How Can I Get (Free) Flight And Hotel Upgrades This Holiday Season

The answer to this question is simple.deceptively simple! Ive used this technique to get free upgrades to business class flights, hotel suites, and car rentals (think: blue convertible for a trip around Hawaii for the price of their crappy compact car).

The trick? Youll laugh, its so easy. ASK.

Getting Upgraded Flights

When you check in for your flight, ask if theres any chance they can seat you in business class. I often turn it into a joke - like I know its impossible, but why not ask? I usually get at least a smile from the check-in clerk; sometimes, I actually get an upgrade, like I recently did from Delhi to Bangkok!

However Ive had more success asking at the gate. At the check-in counter, upgrades are technically chargeable, but at the gate, if the gate attendant deems it appropriate to upgrade you, they cant charge for it! Once, I had an 11 hour flight in economy from Toronto to Tokyo. At online check-in I saw I could pay $150 to upgrade to a bulkhead seat giving me more legroom, which I didnt do. Instead, I approached the gate attendant shortly before boarding and asked if there were any bulkhead seats available, as I was fighting a wicked case of restless legs and it would really help (which was the truth). Blamo! Free upgrade. Granted, not to business class, but at least to a much more comfortable seat for such a long flight.

Lastly, if youre prepared to pay for it, you can try bidding for an upgrade. Some airlines will contact you via email prior to check-in to see if you wish to bid on an upgrade. I did this recently on a flight from Indonesia to Sri Lanka, and I bid a rock-bottom price that I didnt think would be accepted (something like $75). It was! Lo and behold, I flew business class for that leg of the trip. Aaaahhh!

Getting Upgraded Hotel Rooms

Similar to my flight strategy, its as easy as asking at the registration desk while checking-in if they have any free upgrades available. The worst they can tell you is no. At best, you could be staying in the business class suite on the top floor of the hotel, as I did in Copenhagen!

Getting Upgraded Car Rentals

Ive had the most luck in getting free upgrades with car rentals. Rental agencies keep a stock of nicer cars on hand to upgrade clients for a variety of reasons. They will also ask you if you want to pay an extra $x/day for an upgrade. Simply say no thank you, but do you have any free upgrades available? I said these exact words in Hawaii for a week-long car rental, and walked out with the keys to a delightful blue convertible for the same price as their cheapest compact car. This also worked for me in Ireland and Canada.

How could I be so lucky? Im not lucky. I just ASK.

Jerry Nelson is an American freelance travel writer now living the expat life in Argentina. At last count, Jerry has traveled to and worked in 155 countries. Never far from his coffee and Marlboros, he is always interested in discussing future writing assignments. Email him today and join the million or so who follow him on Twitter . Your dreams live in his work.

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