First-class upgrades may seem impossible to score in 2025—but popular travel guru “Johnny Jet” John DiScala says there are still ways to work the system if you know how. And he would know. The longtime travel insider’s been sharing advice on getting the best travel deals, maximizing travel rewards points and making the most of family travel since launching his first newsletter in 1995 and website in 1999. The ‘original travel influencer’ has flown millions of miles and visited over 75 countries in search of the best ways to take the fear and stress out of travel while scoring the best perks and upgrades.
After a T+L article on what to wear to score a ticket upgrade recently resurfaced, he updated his story on how you can really get upgraded to first class. After debunking the outdated myth that how you’re dressed can somehow score you a first-class ticket, he reveals some real, practical, industry-backed tips that can actually score you the ticket to lay-flat beds and gourmet dining of your dreams.
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The First-Class Upgrade Tricks Johnny Jet Swears By
DiScala’s article is top-notch and we suggest you go read the whole thing in its entirety, but if you want to know the general gist, we’re breaking down his main points.
- Fly during off-peak times. “The key to getting upgraded is to fly when the frequent flier business travelers aren’t,” says the travel guru. It goes without saying, but business hours generally aren’t your friend when trying to score free upgrades. DiScala says he has the best luck on Saturdays when business travelers are at home with their families.
- It pays to be loyal—to one airline, that is. He says the easiest way to get upgraded for free is to become an elite frequent flier with one particular airline. You can often get free upgrades or access to affordable ones. There are so many frequent flyers these days, he says, you really need top-tier status to earn the best perks like upgrades.
- Use credit cards appropriately. With sign-up bonuses being so high these days, they can be the equivalent of a lay-flat flight. Just make sure to pay them off in full.
- Always check prices (cash and mileage) to see if first-class tickets are actually cheaper than economy. They sometimes are if you can be flexible with dates, and even if not, they may be just a bit more, especially with all the upcharges like checked-bag costs.
- Fly alone for better odds. Flights are so full, scoring a single seat is your best bet.
- Date a flight attendant or pilot. Cheeky, yes, but it definitely opens you up to the world of cheap and free standby flights.
- Ask at check-in, but either 1) be nice or 2) ask to get bumped. DiScala says he’ll usually give up his seat for $500 and the assurance he can get on the next flight in a few hours. If they don’t have enough volunteers, this can be the right time to ask for an upgrade, he says. And as always, being nice matters. “I almost always bring three bags of chocolates when I fly—one for the gate agents, one for the flight attendants and one for me. I never ask for an upgrade, I do it because I know how difficult passengers can be and most passengers treat them like crap. You probably won’t get upgraded, but I bet they will give you first-class service,” he says.
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Is It Still Worth Trying to Get Upgraded in 2025?
According to DiScala, the chances of a last-minute upgrade at the gate are actually pretty slim in 2025, thanks to computer tracking and continual optimization of costs. Airline ticketing in general has shifted from holding back first and business seats until the last minute for desk agents to decide to a more dynamic pricing model that’s constantly shifting and making upgrades available to a higher number of flyers.
Rather than stress about your fashion game or rely on your frequent-flyer status, this means you can actually enable some pretty incredible first-class deals if you can snag them as they become available randomly. DiScala shares a screenshot he recently came across offering first-class at just $86 more.
Popular rewards-hacking site The Points Guy also recommends throwing in some points to get that upgrade. You might even be able to score one for 25,000 points on top of the economy ticket cost, says the site. Or, phone a friend. Some airline programs like Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan will allow members to transfer some elite status points to friends and family. And if those tactics fail, you can try the bidding process for premium seats.
Does all this mean you should abandon hopes of getting that lucky, last-minute upgrade entirely? No, but simply adjust your process to think about going after upgrades during time of purchase rather than the day you’re actually flying. Play with timing and wait to book until you see that impossibly low-priced first-class seat upgrade. And that way, with first-class flights in hand, you’ll have plenty of time to plan your first-class ‘fit.
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