Travel insiders’ expert tips to get a FREE upgrade, from asking for a hotel room with a bath to always choosing the train carriage closest to first class

In the past, a big smile, nice clothes and a confident demeanor might have gotten you an airline upgrade at check-in.

But times have changed and now the computer invariably says ‘no’.

Is there a way around this when it comes to hotel rooms, trains, cruises and, yes, flights?

Here, our experts reveal the best upgrade tactics. . . and good luck!

HOTELS

by the Daily Mail’s undercover hotel inspector

• Simply ask in an undemanding manner if an upgrade is possible at the already agreed rate. This has a good chance of success if it is already 6:00 PM or later, as the hotel is unlikely to sell the room at a higher price at that time.
• Rooms with a bath are usually larger than rooms with a shower only. So emphasize that you have your sights set on a nice long soak in a bathtub and hope the receptionist is sympathetic. If so, an upgrade is likely.
• Honesty pays, so if it’s a special occasion, say so and ask if an upgrade can be offered. Special occasions can be interpreted freely.
• Tell the receptionist how much you have been looking forward to your stay and how much you have heard about the hotel. Then have a conversation about how an upgrade would be the olive in the Martini.
• If you are staying for the second, third or fourth time, please tell the hotel that you would like to experience a different room category, space permitting.
• If the hotel has a loyalty program, join it. You are entitled to perks, including upgrades, free nights and discounts on food and drinks.

CRUISES

by Lesley Bellew, Daily Mail cruise correspondent

• Choose to sail out of season when the ship is unlikely to be full and there is a better chance of upgrading. That’s generally from November to April (excluding Christmas) in Europe; May and September in Alaska and September to December in the Caribbean.
• Stay loyal to one cruise line and you’re more likely to get a free upgrade or an upgrade at a lower price. Some cruise lines offer this automatically. If not, please ask.
• Look out for promotions like Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ‘Upgrade and Explore More’ deal. It offers a suite upgrade in two categories for 33 European trips between July and November 2024 (book by April 30).
• Meet the cruise specialist from a travel agency who is ‘up to date’ with the latest offers.
• Book a guaranteed cabin in a certain category (so you are guaranteed a cabin, but only assigned it about a week before departure) so that if it is full, you may get an upgrade.
• Be brave. Call your cruise line a few weeks before departure and ask about an upgrade.

TO FLEE

By aviation expert Daniel Ross

• Be realistic: putting on your Sunday best, flirting with the cabin crew or announcing that you’re on your honeymoon is unlikely to get you a free upgrade.
• Overbooked flights offer the best solution. And airlines like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic almost always oversell their flights, especially on long-haul routes. When this happens, they will often move ‘elite status’ holders (see below) up one cabin class to free up more space in the oversold cabin. You should always ask (don’t be shy).
• To gain ‘elite status’ you must join the airline’s frequent flyer club. For BA this is the Executive Club (free to join on ba.com) and for Virgin Atlantic: joining the Flying Club (free on virginatlantic.com). And don’t forget that these arrangements are linked to other airlines. BA’s Executive Club is part of the Oneworld Alliance which also includes American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and others, while Virgin’s Flying Club has ties with SkyTeam airlines such as Air France and Delta. Upgrades may also be possible.
• Sign up for websites that list “error rates.” These are pricing errors made online by an airline or travel agent due to human error or incorrect currency conversions. Such fares are often up to 90 percent cheaper than the standard price and only available for an hour or two before being noticed and removed by the airlines. So sign up for email alerts from kayak.com, hopper.com and secretflying.com.
• Register online as soon as possible. Airlines rank passengers in priority order based on their order number. The earlier you check in, the lower your tracking number. For example, if there are 300 passengers on a flight to New York and you are the fifth person to check in, you are more likely to get an operational upgrade than the 300th person.
• Collect frequent flyer points. Using airline miles is another way to secure an upgrade. Most airlines, such as BA and Virgin, allow you to upgrade one cabin using points.
• The premium economy cabin is the smallest of all planes and the cabin from which you are most likely to get a free upgrade to business class.

AIRPORT LOUNGES

by Ben Smithson of The Points Guy

• Consider signing up for a credit card that offers lounge passes as part of the annual agreement, such as American Express Platinum (which includes a Priority Pass and travel insurance) or American Express Preferred Rewards Gold, which offers up to four Priority Pass lounge visits.
• Stay loyal to one airline and its frequent flyer program – or to other airlines within the group (see the ‘Flights’ section above) – and loyalty points will be accrued that can lead to free airport lounge passes.

TRAINS

by Tom Chesshyre, rail travel writer

• When UK trains are overcrowded, managers can announce that first class areas have been released. However, you may later be required to ‘give up your seat to a passenger holding a valid first class ticket’ under National Rail’s travel conditions if someone with a paid ticket turns up.
• If a train looks like it is full, stand on the platform near the standard car closest to first class. This makes an unexpected “free” upgrade most likely in the event of an announcement releasing first-class.
• Please note that you will not be allowed in first class because the standard class is full, even if you are standing in the hallways. There must be an official announcement.