15 Secret Airport Perks That Even Frequent Flyers Don’t Know About

5. The Airport to Airplane Upgrade Trick

Some airlines have bidding systems that allow you to score a business-class upgrade for far less than the full price—but there’s a catch. Instead of bidding online, go to the airport check-in counter and ask if any last-minute upgrades are available. Sometimes, airlines release these seats for a fraction of the usual cost, especially on oversold economy flights. This trick works particularly well at major hubs like Newark, London Heathrow, and Dubai.