‘I frequently get surprise upgraded’: How to get bumped up to business class for free

Heading on your honeymoon or travelling for a big birthday? It may have crossed your mind to ask for a free flight upgrade.

But could it really result in you sipping Champagne in a sky-high armchair or will you simply get an eye roll from the airline staff?

Frequent flyers from Reddit’s travel community have weighed in on the topic, sharing real-life experiences and insights on how flight upgrades work. 

To back it up, Euronews Travel spoke to some of Europe’s biggest international airlines to find out how upgrades are assigned.

Here’s what we found out.

Sadly, it seems the days of free flight upgrades at the gate are, mostly, long gone.

“It did happen in the old days,” says one Reddit user in response to the question, “Are free upgrades at the gate just in the movies?”

“In the late 1990s I was upgraded by the gate supervisor to first class on a flight from DC to Paris. I was dressed for the part and just politely asked for an aisle seat on a very full flight.”

Others, similarly, say they have not been given a free upgrade for some time now.

“I haven't been upgraded since 2013,” says one frequent business traveller who was bumped up to business class on a trip from Seattle to France. “I'll never forget that flight. Mimosas before takeoff. Five-course meal with an ice cream sundae cart,” they add.

“Now with credit card loyalty everywhere, it’s no longer a thing,” suggests another Reddit user.

This premise was confirmed by some airlines contacted by Euronews Travel.

“SWISS has very clear guidelines; these include, for example, ensuring that our most loyal customers are the first to benefit from an upgrade,” says Meike Fuhlrott, spokesperson for Swiss International Air Lines.

Some travellers have experienced this first hand.

“I