For the majority of us, purchasing first or business-class tickets at full price is usually out of our travel budgets. Thankfully, there are seat upgrades that are available to let us fly in style and have a bit of extra space for our legs – at a fraction of the cost.

One of the more popular ways to move from an economy to a business class seat is to bid for an upgrade.

Many airlines, such as Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand, allow you to participate in an online "auction" for an upgrade on available Business class seats.

You can set your own price, as long as it falls between a minimum and maximum range, and you won't have to pay anything until your upgrade is approved. If there are still empty seats in Business class, you will be given the chance to move up!

However, not everyone has the money to spare to bid for a better seat. So how exactly can you get a seat upgrade without spending a single penny?

Bidding for an upgrade is a common way to move from economy to business class. Credit: Qantas.​

According to Allie Marshell, a travel influencer who is known for her hacks and tips on social media, there is a way by which passengers can obtain a free upgrade to an exit row, which typically provides more room or a window seat, without having to pay anything.

"I refuse to pay for an upgraded seat. Like $US19 ($27 AUD) is too much for me to select my seat in advance on American Airlines," Allie said in a TikTok clip.

Apparently, she feels "silly" to say this is a "travel hack" because it's really just about being a nicer person in general. But it worked for her twice so it must be worth giving it a shot!

If you want your seat to be upgraded, Allie suggests that all you have to do is go to the airline desk (10 to 15 minutes prior to the flight boarding) and, while grinning broadly, say the following:

"Hi, good afternoon! 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?"

The travel influencer emphasised the need for you to deliver the entire line while smiling as broadly as you can, as if it were the best day of your life. Nine times out of ten, this approach works for her.

Hundreds of comments on Allie's post were from other solo travellers who claim that it frequently works for them as well.

"When I travel alone, I always tell them that if anyone needs to sit together, I'm willing to move seats. I'm usually upgraded," one user wrote in the comments. Another added, "It does work a lot. I make BFFs with the gate people, the desk people, the baggage people, even the TSA… it helps!"

A third user also suggested that the key for this 'travel hack' to work is to wait until they're almost done boarding. Being kind and friendly to your gate agent also helps a lot, an airline worker added to the conversation.

"We will do everything we can if there are seats available," they said.

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However, Allie's travel hack was not well-received by everyone. A former gate agent claimed that Allie's request for a free upgrade caused their "stomach to knot up."

"We can tell when someone is being overly nice and wants something," the former employee explained.

Meanwhile, some others advised that it's much better to be early to check in instead, saying: "If you do not have an assigned seat and are among the first to check in, you will be given one of the better options by default."

This much is true: genuine kindness is contagious and definitely goes a long way!

What are your thoughts, folks, especially to our members out there who are frequent solo flyers? Are you willing to try this travel tip?

 

[Ricci]

All fine and dandy if there are empty seats on the plane but otherwise you are just putting someone out. What makes your journey more special than theirs? Let's face it, you're all going to get to your destination at the same time.

 

[Senor]

I don't try any hacks like these. I am nice to staff as too many people tend to be difficult with them expecting stuff from them. But then again I have never got an upgrade and I have flown to several countries over the past 10 years. I just look forward to my holiday and excited because I will travel to a new destination. Life i fun.

 

[Lynette Finnigan]

Lucky her!! The only time my seats have changed are when someone with more power and influence has demanded an upgrade and my early booked tickets were swapped out for some shitty cramped spot!!

 

[Thecla]

My hubby and I both like the aisle seats and that's what we ask for and get. Him on one side me on the other. Concerned passengers always offer us their seats so we can sit together....heck no we don't want to do that. I don't care how much I have to let people out...all I have to do is get the armrest up swivel into the aisle and voila the person who wants to get out can do, same thing coming back. With my bladder usually when someone gets up I go as well hahahaha The only time we sit together is we have the whole row to ourselves.