How A Professional Traveler Upgrades His Flights

The chances of scoring an upgrade on a flight varies depending on whether you’re traveling on a domestic or international route. Backlund says that airline loyalty programs usually dominate domestic flight upgrade possibilities, so it’s crucial to stay loyal to your domestic carrier and build status. If you’re like Backlund, though, and select flights based on fare and schedule, keep checking your flight’s seat map a few days before takeoff to see what’s available and if there are any last-minute offers.

If you booked through a credit card that has great travel rewards, you could also call your credit card company to see if you have any points to put toward an upgrade, or if they have any deals that could take you from an economy to a premium seat.

When traveling internationally, Backlund spends some cash. “I pay for a seat upgrade at check-in to go from Economy to Premium or Business class,” he says. He’s found he can upgrade to a premium seat sometimes for as low as $100-$200 more, which is well worth it. He’s had luck bumping himself to business class for as low as $300-$400, but says he’s had significantly more luck on European, Middle Eastern and Asian airlines.

While upgrades can always make your travel experience more enjoyable, Backlund’s key tip for less stressful travel comes down to a change at the airport: “Apply for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry,” he says. “It’ll make your trip easier and less stressful. Some credit cards even offer discounts.”