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how do you get a first class seat without paying for first class

W

weezergirl

Diamond Member
a few weekends ago i went to new york. of course the planes were not full and there were especially a lot of empty first class seats. i'm a poor college student and of course was sitting in the economy section but was DYING to just sit in the first class seats...just once! but i couldn't bring up the courage to ask the lady if i could get upgraded (i'm not suave enough to get away with these things hehe).

anyways, how easy is it to get bumped up if there are empty seats? and has anyone got bumped up before? how did u do it? what did u say?
 
They won't bump you. You get all kinds of perks in first-class and they will not just let you partake in them without paying for them. Forget it.
 


<< They won't bump you. You get all kinds of perks in first-class and they will not just let you partake in them without paying for them. Forget it. >>



if you travel with a guy, say you are a newlywed couple, usually they will bump you.
 
no that's not true...i have a friend who's gotten bumped up a few times. but in her case the stewardess just told her there were empty seats and if she wanted she could sit up there. why can't i ever be that lucky?! 😛
 
I got bump to first class once, but that was when I was checking in. But first class on a domestic flight isn't all that great. Now on a international flight, that'll be nice..
 
I used to always get bumnped up to 1st class for free prior to 9/11

requirements:

1. non-restricted coach class ticket
2. dress nice...shirt and tie or business casual
3. Having an odd hour/mid-week flight usually helps

then just ask the counter/check-in attendant if there are any open first class seats. If so, ask for a "courtesy upgrade". Worked 90% of the time for me.

but after 9/11, everythings changed


 
I getted bumped quite alot, I fly Delta and fly quite alot, I have a Gold Medalion with them any any time there are open seats I get bumped, also I get 15 free upgrades to First Class per year that I can use when I buy my Tickets
 
ok so what exactly happens in first class...besides the comfy seats hehe. what kind of food do they serve up there??

thanks for the tips btw. i will try it when i fly home this winter... 🙂
 
Earlier this year my wife and I were returing from our honeymoon and we got bumped to first class. We were coming from the Bahamas to Detroit and had a layover in Phily. When we hopped on the plane in Phily, it was about 50 degrees and we were both tanned and wearing our Hawaiin shirts. The plane was pretty much empty and a steward asked if we were on our honeymoon. We said yes and he asked if we wanted to sit in first class. We were the only people in first class and we got free champagne, all the candy bars we wanted, and the flight attendants all sat around and talked to us. Also the seats were leather, soft, and huge.

It will probably be the only time either of us get to ride in first class but it sure did rock.
 
was almost bumped to 1st class when i traveled with the GF on int'l flight. we were returning with her parents from taiwan. they always fly 1st class and we fly economy. they only had 1 seat available on 1st class so we didn't get to go up there. otherwise they would've let us.
 


<< no that's not true...i have a friend who's gotten bumped up a few times. but in her case the stewardess just told her there were empty seats and if she wanted she could sit up there. why can't i ever be that lucky?! 😛 >>


Yeah that happens, but only if you catch the attendants eye.

99% of upgrades go to frequent flyers. Poor college students have zero chance...
 
I was "Executive Platinum" level on American for a number of years due to business travel. (100K+ miles/year)

Alot of what was said above is true. At least 90% of 'upgrades' go to frequent flyers. Once you get to 'elite' status (25K+ miles/year on most airlines) it is easier. You can always ask at the gate and if they are nice and 1st isn't full they will bump you. If you want your bump confirmed, you can request it when you reserve your flight but you are gonna give up something. American gives so many upgrades per 10K miles you fly depending on what level you are at. These are free and in addition to earning your regular miles. Each upgrade is worth a 500 mile flight segment. After that, you can buy upgrades at $25 each. These things may have changed or gone up recently.

If the flight is not full, it is usually easy to get bumped if you are flying on a full-fare ticket - just ask.

Anyway, the thing to remember is the gate attendant is god here. The check-in/baggage check person technically can bump you but they normally will get heat if they do. Same thing goes for flight attendants once you have taken off unless the flight is *really empty.

Gate attendant has the power.

There are exceptions of course, but this is what I've noticed over the years.

That being said, I only fly rarely now that I changed jobs and I've lost my 'elite' status. I dread the next time I have to fly. I haven't flown coach in at least 7 years. Scary 😱
 
Once I got bumped up when I was coming home from Washington DC. My flight was delayed and when we were checking in the lady at the counter asked if I wanted first class.
 


<< anyways, how easy is it to get bumped up if there are empty seats? >>



When at the gate you can ask the attendent if you can be bumped to first class. what happens is you have to wait until about 10 mins before the flight takes off and if there are seats available, they will offer it to you. If you are a frequent flier you can also get bumped and much easier too.

Also, if you are flying standby with a companion pass from an employee, you just list for 1st or business class.
 
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