Simple way to get a seat upgrade for free

If you have always wanted a seat upgrade but never got one – here’s how to get it for free. But it comes down to two important rules.

It’s something we all hope for when travelling – especially when you just want to daze out the window, or have a bit of extra space.

But how exactly do you score a seat upgrade without having to fork out a single dollar?

Bidding for an upgrade is one of the more common ways to step-up from economy and into a business class seat.

Some passengers are invited by email in the days before their flight to put in a bid of points or dollars for an upgrade.

It tends to be popular with airlines like Qantas, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific and Singapore.

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US travel influencer Allie Marshall reveals how to get a seat upgrade ‘for free’. Picture: TikTok/alliegoneaway

However, if you’re on a flight in economy and just want the freedom to stretch your legs a little, you can select your own seat – but it too can sometimes come at a cost.

So, how do you get around not paying a single dollar?

US travel influencer Allie Marshell, who is known for her hacks and tips, revealed how passengers can get a free upgrade to an exit row, which generally offers more space, or a window seat.

“I refuse to pay for an upgraded seat. Like $US19 ($A27) is too much for me to select my seat in advance on American Airlines,” Allie said in a TikTok.

“I would rather be placed in the middle seat at the back.

“I feel so silly to say this as a ‘travel hack’, because really it’s just being a nice person, but this is what you do if you want to be upgraded. It worked for me twice.”

She said the ‘hack’ has worked twice for her – so what is it? Picture: TikTok/alliegoneaway

Allie recommends that 10 to 15 minutes before the flight boards, to head over to the airline desk and say the following – emphasising it must be done with a big grin.

“You are going to walk up to the desk and you are going to do it with a big smile … like the ‘best day of my life’ smile.

“Like, just nice in your core energy.

“You’re gong to say, ‘Hi, good afternoon’,” adding that is the most important part.

“Then you’re going to say ‘I’m so sorry – I didn’t pay for an upgraded seat, so I’m in a middle seat in the back. I was just curious if any aisle or window seats opened up today?’.

“Still talk with a smile.”

Allie said nine times out of 10 the approach works for her.

“If the flight sold out sure, it’s not going to happen and you’re in the middle seat at the back but it works a lot (for me),” she said.

Walking up to the desk and simply asking – but there’s a time when you should ask and how you should ask for it. Picture: TikTok/alliegoneaway

Allie’s post attracted hundreds of comments from fellow solo travellers who say it often works for them too.

“It does work a lot. I make bffs with the gate ppl, the desk ppl, the baggage ppl … even TSA, it HELPS (sic)!” one TikTok user commented.

“When travelling alone I always tell them that I’m willing to move seats if anyone needs to sit together. I usually get upgraded,” another person wrote.

“The key, as you indicate, is to wait until they’re almost done boarding. It worked for me Chicago-Lisbon on TAP Portugal,” a third person suggested.

A gate agent also chimed in and said being nice to your gate agent is “key”.

“We will do all we can if we have seats available,” they wrote.

But a former gate agent disagreed, saying when Allie asked for a upgrade for free, their “stomach knotted up”.

“We know when someone is overly nice and wants something,” the former employee continued.

Others advised to “be early to check in”.

“When you don’t have an assigned seat and you’re one of the first to check in you’ll get one of the better options by default,” they wrote.

“Hi – great idea – Fyi – know all open seats are available at no extra cost 24 hours before departure. you are 100 per cent correct that your way works too,” another added.

“When travelling alone I always tell them that I’m willing to move seats if anyone needs to sit together. I usually get upgraded,” a third person said.