When to Buy an Airline Upgrade
Most of us economy shoppers never entertain the idea of upgrading a seat to first class on an airline when we have purchased a ticket. First class is reserved for frequent flyers and high paying business customers after all. However, that might not be the case in all circumstances.
The truth is that airlines would prefer to sell those first class seats rather than have a frequent flyer customer upgrade to the seat just because it is available. There are cases, especially with domestic travel, where the first class seats are really not that much more once you factor in the other fees.
For example, my wife and young son went to a trip to Orlando to visit her family. At the time he was still under 2 years old, so he was traveling infant in arms. On the trip going to Orlando, the flight was full and my wife had a terrible time with our son. As you know the seats are cramped in coach and there was almost no room with him sitting in her lap. On the return trip my wife investigated the first class upgrade option and found it was only an additional $70 dollars. However, with a first class ticket, you get one bag checked free and the weight limit on the bag goes from 50 pounds to 70 pounds in most cases. Her bag was over weight as well. So she was able to get a better seat and avoid the checked bag fee and bag overweight fee which would have been a combined $50. Her first class upgrade really cost us $20. Plus in first class you get food included on some flights. For her, it was an easy decision to upgrade her return ticket to a first class ticket and the trip home was much better.
This option may not work out as well for everyone as it did for my wife, but it is certainly something to consider. You can usually find out the cost of the first class upgrade if you check-in online at the airline website prior to your flight. It certainly could make your travel experience more enjoyable.
Most of us economy shoppers never entertain the idea of upgrading a seat to first class on an airline when we have purchased a ticket. First class is reserved for frequent flyers and high paying business customers after all. However, that might not be the case in all circumstances.
The truth is that airlines would prefer to sell those first class seats rather than have a frequent flyer customer upgrade to the seat just because it is available. There are cases, especially with domestic travel, where the first class seats are really not that much more once you factor in the other fees.
For example, my wife and young son went to a trip to Orlando to visit her family. At the time he was still under 2 years old, so he was traveling infant in arms. On the trip going to Orlando, the flight was full and my wife had a terrible time with our son. As you know the seats are cramped in coach and there was almost no room with him sitting in her lap. On the return trip my wife investigated the first class upgrade option and found it was only an additional $70 dollars. However, with a first class ticket, you get one bag checked free and the weight limit on the bag goes from 50 pounds to 70 pounds in most cases. Her bag was over weight as well. So she was able to get a better seat and avoid the checked bag fee and bag overweight fee which would have been a combined $50. Her first class upgrade really cost us $20. Plus in first class you get food included on some flights. For her, it was an easy decision to upgrade her return ticket to a first class ticket and the trip home was much better.
This option may not work out as well for everyone as it did for my wife, but it is certainly something to consider. You can usually find out the cost of the first class upgrade if you check-in online at the airline website prior to your flight. It certainly could make your travel experience more enjoyable.