A travel agent offers tips for trying to secure a bargain first-class upgrade by monitoring seat availability and asking at check-in, and shares an example from a trip to Jamaica.
As a travel agent, I meet many clients who would love to fly first class without breaking the bank. Often, the cost of upgrading to first class when booking a vacation can almost double the vacation costs. If you are traveling and first class is a want rather than a need, there are ways to try your luck at getting a bargain first-class upgrade.
Step 1
Check seat availability. Once you book your vacation and select your seats, check the seat availability map for your flight to see how many first-class seats are available. Make a note of it.
Step 2
Check back. Depending on how many days remain until your departure date, check the flight availability maps periodically to see how the flights are booking. If economy seats are filling up and first class is not, your chances increase.
Step 3
On the day of your departure, check seat availability again before arriving at the airport. If economy class is sold out, arrive at the airport as soon as you can and work with an airline associate at check-in to determine the availability of your first-class options. Sometimes availability is not offered until you arrive at the gate, but by letting the associate know up front, you may be able to “catch the worm.”
My fiancé and I were taking our annual Jamaican vacation, and while we were waiting at our gate for our connecting flight to Jamaica, the associates announced the first-class option for a mere $80 per person each way—a total of $320 for two people round trip, as opposed to the usual doubled expense if booked in the initial stages.
If first class is your strong preference, this is not for you, as you are definitely playing the odds of the flight selling out. However, for some it can be an added bonus to a vacation if you are able to capitalize on the discount. It can definitely be the icing on the cake for a fabulous vacation. Happy travels!
Happy Travels,
Ms. Oshana M. Brooks
GDS Travel Solutions
www.gdstravelsolutions.com
866-597-0585
How to Fly First Class Cheaply
A travel agent offers tips for trying to secure a bargain first-class upgrade by monitoring seat availability and asking at check-in, and shares an example from a trip to Jamaica.
As a travel agent, I meet many clients who would love to fly first class without breaking the bank. Often, the cost of upgrading to first class when booking a vacation can almost double the vacation costs. If you are traveling and first class is a want rather than a need, there are ways to try your luck at getting a bargain first-class upgrade.
Step 1
Check seat availability. Once you book your vacation and select your seats, check the seat availability map for your flight to see how many first-class seats are available. Make a note of it.
Step 2
Check back. Depending on how many days remain until your departure date, check the flight availability maps periodically to see how the flights are booking. If economy seats are filling up and first class is not, your chances increase.
Step 3
On the day of your departure, check seat availability again before arriving at the airport. If economy class is sold out, arrive at the airport as soon as you can and work with an airline associate at check-in to determine the availability of your first-class options. Sometimes availability is not offered until you arrive at the gate, but by letting the associate know up front, you may be able to “catch the worm.”
My fiance and I were taking our annual Jamaican vacation, and while we were waiting at our gate for our connecting flight to Jamaica, the associates announced the first-class option for a mere $80 per person each way—a total of $320 for two people round trip, as opposed to the usual doubled expense if booked in the initial stages.
If first class is your strong preference, this is not for you, as you are definitely playing the odds of the flight selling out. However, for some it can be an added bonus to a vacation if you are able to capitalize on the discount. It can definitely be the icing on the cake for a fabulous vacation. Happy travels!
Happy Travels,
Ms. Oshana M. Brooks
GDS Travel Solutions
www.gdstravelsolutions.com
866-597-0585
How to Fly First Class Cheaply
By Howtodotips
A travel agent offers tips for trying to secure a bargain first-class upgrade by monitoring seat availability and asking at check-in, and shares an example from a trip to Jamaica.