Why You Should Think Twice Before Asking Flight Attendants For A Seat Upgrade

In an ideal universe, we'd all be living the high life every time we jet off somewhere — think complimentary lounge access, lie-flat beds, meals that are actually edible, priority boarding, and a smattering of other VIP treats. But the truth is, these luxuries are only reserved for those with first or business-class seats. Snagging those coveted upgrades isn't as easy as wearing your Sunday best or sweet-talking flight attendants. In fact, flight attendants cannot freely hand out upgrades without jeopardizing their jobs.

Flight attendant Vinia DiGeronimo set the record straight in an interview with The Washington Post, debunking the myth that dressing elegantly or unleashing your charms might boost your odds of being upgraded to first class. "I know that if I were to upgrade someone out of order and not go by that [upgrade] list, I would get in so much trouble," she said. In a similar vein, another flight attendant named Amber told the outlet that playing favorites can land them in hot water, especially when eagle-eyed passengers start complaining to the airline about why they also didn't get the royal treatment free of charge. "There are times where the people who actually pay for economy plus will call the airline and ask for a refund because they saw people moved up for free," she said. "And we can get terminated for that."

It's important to remember that flight attendants don't exactly have the power to give out upgrades. Their main function is to ensure your safety and comfort in the skies, not fiddle with your booking details to sneak you into fancier sections of the plane. "There's so many limitations to our job and what we can and can't do," seasoned flight attendant Rich explained to Vox. "So in terms of issues with rebooking flights or baggage issues, reroutes, diversions, delays, maintenance — there's just so many things that occur when people travel that the flight attendants have zero control over. We always joke: the best I can do for you is a round of drinks."

It's not really a joke, though, with Ivette Rivas, a flight attendant of over a decade, telling The Daily Beast that she makes sure to compliment those who make an effort to dress up. Sometimes, she'll even offer a treat to those who are particularly pleasant. "I try my best to treat everyone with fairness and respect, but if I love your outfit, I will definitely say it," she said. "If you're nice to me, I might compensate a drink or two." And it seems that dressing to the nines can pay off, according to Gretchen Petrus, who has been with Delta for over 20 years. "We definitely appreciate people who take the time to make themselves look presentable," she shared with The Daily Beast. "So our exchanges [with those passengers] might be a little more personable."

So, with charming flight attendants out of the question, how does one score an upgrade without whipping out their credit card? First and foremost, you need to be loyal to your airline. Clocking miles with the same carrier bumps you up the ranks in their loyalty program. And if you reach elite status, you are usually prioritized for a free bump, should there be any available. But if your frequent flyer account is looking a bit sparse, consider flying with someone rich in miles, or see if they can transfer their unused upgrades to you, even from afar. Oh, and don't forget your credit card points and hoarded miles — they can be used for upgrades, too. "Our process for upgrades is based on a number of [factors] such as elite status, type of upgrade used, and load factors," an American Airlines representative told The Daily Beast.

Do you have a flight that's overbooked? Channel your inner Katniss Everdeen and volunteer when they seek volunteers for a later departure. There's no guarantee you'll end up in first or business class on your flight, but it's possible. If all else fails, there's the old-fashioned way: Buy your way in. Take advantage of seat bids if the opportunity presents itself. Just be sure to bid around 30% to 40% of the price difference between what you paid and the seat you're eyeing to increase your chances of winning. May the odds be in your favor!