Did you know that skipping a meal may mean a free flight upgrade? Believe it

or not, how to get flight upgrades can be as simple as offering to forgo

dinner! In this day and age of rising fuel prices, airlines seek to find ways

to cut non-essential costs. One of the methods they use for this is to only

load enough meals for first and business class to feed those with

reservations. That also means that free flight upgrades can be very difficult

to get at the last minute, as the airline staff does not want to run the risk

of not having enough food for their top tier customers. However, this can

work to your advantage, if you are polite and unassuming.

Before take off preparations, politely ask a flight attendant if there are

any available seats in first class or business class. You can also ask the

gate agent, but this approach works best with on-flight crew. Be sure to be

to the point and polite. Airlines, and their staff, have heard every excuse

and trick in the book, and they are usually very busy. That means they have

no time or tolerance for a long story, or an obvious ploy to try to win their

sympathy (and therefore win a free flight upgrade). Being straightforward and

concise will avoid alienating your best potential bet for securing a free

airline upgrade.

Do not approach any airline employee for a free flight upgrade when they are

busy. You will come across as selfishly demanding and be an annoyance or

difficulty when they already have their hands full. Be sure to approach them

about possibly getting airline upgrades when they seem the most idle or least

busy. It also helps if you are somewhat discreet about it, as they do not

want other passengers to demand free flight upgrades in the name of fairness.

They will appreciate your consideration greatly and will be more likely to

give you that coveted airline upgrade.

When you inquire, gently state that you do not mind if you are not served a

meal. This indicates to the cabin crew that you understand how things work

and that you are not looking for special treatment, despite requesting an

airline upgrade. It indicates that you are willing to be flexible and that

you are unlikely to be a demanding or difficult passenger. A flight attendant'

s greatest fears include a passenger who not only knows how to get flight

upgrades, but feels entitled to preferential treatment. Securing flight

upgrades can be a simple matter of politeness and skipping dinner.

Jonathan Kittley is the airline employee, and wasinterviewed on: http://www.

free-flight-upgrades.com where you can learn all about cheap flights and free

flight upgrades.

Jonathan Kittley is the airline employee, and wasinterviewed on: http://www.free-flight-upgrades.com where you can learn all about cheap flights and free flight upgrades.