Clever Ways to Score a Free Seat Upgrade on Your Next Flight

8. Book a Flight on a New or Less Popular Route

Airlines are often more generous with upgrades on new or lightly booked routes, as they want to promote their premium services. Looking for recently launched flights can work in your favor since airlines may offer upgrades to fill business class for marketing purposes. Long-haul flights on new aircraft also present opportunities, as airlines sometimes overbook economy while premium seats remain available. Flying on holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s Eve can also increase upgrade chances since fewer business travelers are in the air, leaving premium cabins with empty seats. Pro Tip: If you’re flexible, check flights to secondary airports. A flight to Osaka instead of Tokyo or Milan instead of Rome may have better upgrade availability.