You're booked on a long-haul flight, but dread the cramped economy-class seats. You receive an email from the airline inviting you to bid for an upgrade. Is there a strategy for this? Kim Wonderley takes a look in this week's Road Report.
Doing a little bit of sleuthing before bidding on an airline upgrade could serve travelers well. Go back to your airline's website and plug in your travel dates anew and see how many seats are left in the superior class. Or use the website Expert Flyer, which is another source for flight details.
Depending on the number of unsold seats, you might be fine with by placing a lower bid. Most airlines have a minimum bid and present travelers with a sliding scale that indicates the strength of a bid for an upgrade.
Most people bid with the bare minimum, so increasing your offer by a few more dollars will dramatically increase the chances of winning the better seat.
There is also a mathematical equation that has been recommended to further boost your odds of success. Calculate the cost of a premium or business-class seat and subtract the price of the economy ticket. Bidding 20 to 40 percent of the difference is considered to be the sweet spot for upgrades. That's a wide range, so it can be useful to consider how many seats are still available before narrowing down your bid.
Don't forget that bids are binding. The change to your ticket is non-refundable. Generally, you'll find out if you won the upgrade a day or two before the flight.
Not all airlines offer a bidding program. Virgin Atlantic, Norwegian, Hawaiian, Lufthansa and KLM are a few that have some version of one. Typically, you must book directly with the airlines to participate. Third-party sites like Kayak or Expedia are excluded.
