Unique Ways to Get Upgraded for Long Overnight Flights

My husband is headed off on another trip to the Middle East and I encouraged him to upgrade to business class for his 16-hour flight, but he’s rather frugal (and not quite the first class diva I am – an unapologetically so). But he’s become rather clever at finding ways to upgrade for minimal and reasonable costs. And remembering my flight to Jordan in which I bid for an upgrade and snagged it for a great deal, I decided to delve into this issue for my readers.

For travelers, long overnight flights are the perfect opportunity to arrive rested and ready to explore a destination’s culinary scene. In fact, I swear it’s worth the extra money because you literally gain an extra day and avoid that arrival day jetlag so I often get creative to get an American upgrade to first class with lay flat seats. But let’s face it—cramped economy seats can make those red-eye flights miserable – plus, I’m one of those people who can not sleep sitting up. Scoring an upgrade to premium economy, business, or even first class can transform your journey, offering more space, lie-flat beds, and better meals to fuel your foodie adventures. I’ve compiled unique strategies to help you snag better seats on long-haul flights, from bidding for upgrades to purchasing entire rows, with specific airline examples to guide you. Here’s how to fly in comfort without breaking the bank.

First Class vs. Business Class vs. Premium Economy

Airlines typically offer four main classes of service—first class, business class, premium economy, and economy—each varying significantly in comfort, amenities, and price. First class is the most luxurious, often featuring spacious suites with lay-flat seats, gourmet dining, and personalized service, ideal for long-haul travel. Business class (my jam) also offers a high level of comfort, frequently including lay-flat seats (yes, please!), enhanced meal options, and priority boarding, making it a popular choice for both business and leisure travelers. Premium economy bridges the gap between economy and business class with wider seats, extra legroom, upgraded meals, and additional baggage allowance, but it does not typically include lay-flat seating. Economy class is the most affordable option, offering standard seating with limited legroom and basic services. Lay-flat seats are primarily found in first and business class cabins on long-haul international flights, significantly enhancing the in-flight rest experience.

Ways to Score Upgrades For Your Next Flight

1. Bid for Upgrades Through Airline Auction Programs – Many airlines now offer bidding systems, allowing passengers to bid for premium seats at a fraction of the regular price. These virtual auctions typically open 2–7 days before departure and close 5–48 hours prior, depending on the airline. You submit a bid within a set range, and if accepted, you’re upgraded to a higher class (e.g., economy to premium economy or business). This is ideal for overnight flights, where a lie-flat seat can make all the difference.

How It Works:

• Check Eligibility: Book directly with the airline, as third-party bookings often aren’t eligible. Basic economy fares may also be excluded.
• Monitor Emails: Airlines like Aer Lingus or Icelandair send email invitations to bid, while others require you to check their bidding portal with your booking reference.
• Strategize Your Bid: Use tools like ExpertFlyer to check how many premium seats remain. If many seats are unsold, bid closer to the minimum (e.g., 20–40% of the difference between economy and business class fares). For busy routes (e.g., New York to London), bid higher.
• Tips: Bid slightly above the minimum to outpace low-ball offers, and avoid overbidding by comparing the bid ceiling to the cost of buying a premium ticket outright.

Airline Examples

• Singapore Airlines: Bid for upgrades to premium economy or business class via their mySQupgrade program. Bidding opens 7 days before departure, and you can pay with cash or KrisFlyer miles.
• Etihad Airways: Offers bidding for one-class upgrades (e.g., economy to business) on most routes, with no destination restrictions. Bids are accepted up to 24 hours before departure.
• Lufthansa: Their Bid Upgrade system lets you bid for premium economy, business, or first class up to 60 hours before departure. Successful bidders enjoy perks like lounge access and priority boarding.
• Air Canada: The AC Bid Upgrade program allows bidding with cash or Aeroplan points for premium economy or business class, closing 48 hours before departure.
• Hawaiian Airlines: The only U.S. domestic carrier with a bidding program, Bid Up For First Class, lets you bid for lie-flat first-class seats up to 28 hours before departure.
• Virgin Atlantic: Bid to upgrade from economy to premium or premium to Upper Class. Bidding closes 2 days before departure, and you must book directly with the airline.
• Air New Zealand: The OneUp program offers one-class upgrades (e.g., economy to premium economy) on international flights. Bids can be submitted via email or their call center, with notifications 7 days prior.
• Scandinavian Airlines (SAS): Their bidding system often accepts low bids if business class isn’t full, with notifications 6–48 hours before departure. One traveler reported upgrading for the minimum bid multiple times.
• Aer Lingus: Bid for business class on select transatlantic flights, with invitations sent via email. Bids close 5 days before departure, and lounge access is included.
• Cathay Pacific: Bid for upgrades to premium economy, business, or first class on select flights, with bidding closing 24 hours before departure.
• All Nippon Airways (ANA): Invites eligible passengers to bid on international flights, with minors needing guardian permission. Bidding closes 36 hours before departure.
• Kuwait Airways: In partnership with Plusgrade, allows bidding up to 24 hours before departure.
• Icelandair: Invites passengers to bid for Saga Premium 10 days before departure, closing 36 hours prior.
• Japan Airlines (JAL): Bid for upgrades from economy to premium economy or business class on international flights. Bidding closes 36 hours before departure, and you can apply via their website or email.

2. Purchase Entire Rows for Extra Space – If bidding isn’t available or you prefer guaranteed space, purchasing an entire row in economy can mimic the comfort of a premium cabin. This is what my husband does on his flights to the Middle East. (Sidebar, when we flew to Fiji, our flight was relatively empty so the moment the cabin door was closed, we gathered out things and moved to the back of the plane and scored entire rows to ourselves!) This strategy works best on airlines with flexible seating options or low-cost carriers where extra seats are affordable. It’s perfect for overnight flights, allowing you to stretch out across multiple seats.

How It Works

• Book During Low Season: Choose off-peak flights (e.g., midweek or non-holiday periods) when flights are less full, increasing the chance of empty rows.
• Select at Booking or Check-In: Some airlines let you buy adjacent seats at booking, while others allow it during online check-in or at the gate.
• Use Seat Maps: Check seat maps on the airline’s website or apps like SeatGuru to identify rows with empty seats, then purchase them.
• Cost: Prices vary, but buying an extra seat can cost 50–100% of the original ticket price, still cheaper than premium cabins.

Airline Examples

• Frontier Airlines: Offers extra-legroom seats at the front of Airbus aircraft, often in rows with empty middle seats. A traveler snagged two seats in row 2 for $19 on a Salt Lake City to Phoenix flight, enjoying carry-on perks.
• Spirit Airlines: Their Big Front Seat option, available for purchase or bidding, provides wide seats with extra legroom at the front. No free drinks or bags, but it’s a budget-friendly upgrade.
• Allegiant Air: Their bundles include seat selection, allowing you to buy extra seats for legroom. Check seat availability to secure a row.
• Breeze Airways: Upgrade from “Nice” to “Nicer” seats for $100, which include up to 39 inches of legroom and perks like free bags and priority boarding. Ideal for regional overnight flights.

3. Buy Extra-Legroom Seats or Bundles – Many airlines offer economy seats with extra legroom (e.g., exit rows or bulkhead seats) or bundles that include better seats and perks. These are more affordable than premium cabins and ideal for long flights where legroom matters.

How It Works

• Book Early: Extra-legroom seats sell out fast, so select them at booking or during check-in.
• Check Bundles: Low-cost carriers often bundle seat selection with bags or boarding perks, making upgrades cost-effective.
• Cost: Expect $20–$100 per seat, depending on the airline and route.

Airline Examples

• United Airlines: Economy Plus seats offer up to 6 inches of extra legroom, starting at $20. An annual subscription ($599) allows unlimited upgrades for frequent flyers.
• Alaska Airlines: Premium class seats provide 4 inches of extra legroom, with free drinks on routes over 350 miles.
• JetBlue: Even More Space seats offer extra legroom and priority boarding, ideal for transcontinental redeyes.
• Frontier Airlines: Their “The Works” bundle includes extra-legroom seats, carry-on, and checked bags, often cheaper than buying add-ons separately.

4. Use Miles or Points for Upgrades – I’m one of those people who strategically accumulates points for every single purchase! Chase Sapphire is my preferred card for points. If you’re part of a frequent flyer program, using miles or points to upgrade can be a cost-effective way to secure better seats. This works best for long-haul flights where miles stretch further.

How It Works

• Check Eligibility: Ensure your ticket is upgrade-eligible (basic economy often isn’t). Log into your frequent flyer account to view options.
• Redeem at Booking or Later: Some airlines allow upgrades at booking, while others offer them at check-in or via email.
• Combine Cash and Miles: Airlines like Qantas or Air France allow hybrid payments, reducing out-of-pocket costs.

Airline Examples

• United Airlines: Redeem MileagePlus miles for upgrades to premium economy or business class. Check options at booking or gate for last-minute deals.
• Air France: Upgrade with Flying Blue miles by calling customer service. Recent changes lowered miles needed for business-class upgrades.
• Lufthansa: Use Star Alliance partner miles for upgrades, though the process is complex. Check their website frequently for availability.
• Qantas: Bid with a mix of cash and Qantas Points for premium economy or business class upgrades.
• Virgin Atlantic: Upgrade to Premium or Upper Class with Flying Club points, available via their website or at check-in.

5. Ask for Last-Minute Upgrades at Check-In or the Gate – Yeah, this was a great tactic back in the day but I’m finding this is less and less available. But hey, it doesn’t hurt to ask! Airlines sometimes offer discounted upgrades at check-in or the gate to fill unsold premium seats. This is a gamble but can yield great deals for overnight flights.

How It Works

• Arrive Early: Visit the check-in counter or gate 2–3 hours before departure to inquire about upgrades.
• Be Polite: Experts suggest asking respectfully, as gate agents have discretion. Solo travelers are more likely to be upgraded than groups.
• Check Seat Maps: Use the airline’s app to see available premium seats, then ask about costs.
• Timing: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays have 20% more upgrade seats available compared to peak days.

Airline Examples

• JetBlue: A traveler noticed 8 Mint business class seats available on a London to New York flight and secured a last-minute upgrade at check-in for a reduced rate.
• KLM: Offered a business class upgrade for a 10-hour flight during online check-in 24 hours prior, significantly cheaper than booking outright.
• United Airlines: Occasionally offers cash upgrade deals post-booking or at the gate, sometimes as low as the fare difference.

6. Leverage Elite Status or Companion Benefits – I’ve been flying American Airlines for years (love me some status) so I’ve been fortunate to accumulate a lot of miles and often get American Airlines upgrades. Frequent flyers with elite status often get complimentary or priority upgrades, which can extend to companions. This is ideal for long-haul flights where elite members are prioritized.

How It Works

• Join Loyalty Programs: Enroll in airline programs like Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus to earn status.
• Check Perks: Higher tiers (e.g., Delta Diamond, United Premier 1K) offer systemwide upgrade certificates or priority.
• Travel with Elites: Some airlines allow elite members to upgrade companions on the same itinerary.

Airline Examples

• Delta Air Lines: Diamond Medallion members receive 4 global upgrade certificates annually for one-class upgrades.
• United Airlines: Premier 1K members get 6 systemwide upgrades, usable for one-way, one-class upgrades.
• Alaska Airlines: MVP Gold members purchasing certain fares get immediate upgrades to premium class.

7. Volunteer for Overbooked Flights – Another of my (frugal) husband’s tactics for getting free flights! If a flight is overbooked, airlines may offer upgrades to volunteers willing to take a later flight. This is less predictable but can work on busy routes.

How It Works

• Express Willingness: At check-in, tell staff you’re flexible if the flight is overbooked.
• Solo Travel: Single passengers are more likely to be upgraded than groups.
• Perks: Volunteers may get a better seat on a later flight, plus compensation like vouchers.

Airline Example

• Delta Air Lines: A traveler volunteered to take a later flight from Atlanta to Paris and was upgraded to premium economy on the new flight, plus received a $500 voucher.

Some Insider Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Getting Upgraded

• Research Routes: Avoid business-heavy routes (e.g., New York to London on Monday mornings) where premium seats are coveted. Opt for off-peak times like Tuesdays or Saturdays.
• Check Policies: Some upgrades (e.g., bids) are non-refundable, so read terms carefully.
• Be Flexible: Combining strategies (e.g., bidding and checking at the gate) increases your chances.
• Look Nice: Cabin crew report being more inclined to upgrade well-dressed, polite passengers.
• Use Technology: Apps like ExpertFlyer or SeatGuru help you track seat availability and choose the best seats.

Even when you’re comparing business class vs premium economy, upgrading to better seats on long overnight flights doesn’t have to cost a fortune. By bidding smartly, purchasing extra seats, using miles, or leveraging elite status, you can enjoy lie-flat beds and premium meals, arriving refreshed for your culinary adventures. Airlines like Singapore, Etihad, and Virgin Atlantic make bidding easy, while low-cost carriers like Frontier and Spirit offer affordable row purchases. Start planning your next flight with these strategies, and share your upgrade success stories with us at Travelforfoodies.com. Happy travels—and happy eating!

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