January 2nd 2025.
If you're someone who loves to travel but doesn't love the hefty price tag that often comes with it, then we have some exciting news for you. There's a little known secret that airlines have been keeping under wraps, and it could save you hundreds of pounds on your next flight.
The trick is simple - airlines are now offering passengers the chance to upgrade their tickets on quieter flights. And all you have to do is submit a bid. That's right, you can actually tell the airline how much you're willing to pay for a business class seat. While it's not guaranteed that you'll win the upgrade, the chance to snag a cheap business class flight is definitely worth taking a chance on.
So whether you're dreaming of a winter getaway or already planning your summer vacation, bidding for an upgrade is a great way to add a touch of luxury to your trip without breaking the bank. And don't worry, we've got you covered with all the details on how to make the most of this opportunity.
First things first, have you ever successfully bid for an upgrade on a flight? If not, don't worry, we've got you covered. The following airlines allow passengers to bid for a business class seat - just check their websites for more information:
- Aegean Airlines
- Aer Lingus
- Aeromexico
- Air Asia
- Air Astana
- Air Canada
- Air Europa
- Air India
- Air Mauritius
- Air New Zealand
- Air Serbia
- Air Transat
- Austrian Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Caribbean Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- EgyptAir
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Etihad
- Fiji Airways
- Flydubai
- Icelandair
- Japan Airlines
- Kenya Airways
- Kuwait Airways
- LOT
- Lufthansa
- Oman Air
- Philippine Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- Swiss Air
- TAP Air Portugal
- Vueling
- Virgin Atlantic
Now, onto the exciting part - how to actually bid for an upgrade. It's simple, really. After you've purchased an economy class ticket, keep an eye out for an email from the airline offering you the chance to bid for an upgrade. This usually happens about a week before your departure date. You can also check the airline's website to see if your booking is eligible for an upgrade.
The airline will set a minimum and maximum bid price, and most people tend to bid close to the minimum amount. So if you want a better chance of winning, try bidding around 20-40% above the minimum. This also means that if the flight is busy or the prices have gone up, you may need to bid a little more to secure your upgrade. Pro tip: bidding may be less competitive on leisure routes or flights that depart later in the day.
It's important to note that not all airlines allow you to bid for seat upgrades, and those that do may have specific routes or time windows in which you can bid - usually less than 72 hours before departure. But if you do win the bid, you'll receive an email from the airline and your ticket will be upgraded. This usually includes all the perks of the upgraded travel class, such as fast-track check-in, access to airport lounges, and complimentary food and drinks.
But wait, there's more! Keep in mind that your bid only counts for one segment of your journey. So if you want to upgrade both your outbound and return flights, you'll need to place two separate bids. And if you're still not convinced, just take a look at some of the successful bidding stories shared by travelers on Reddit.
For example, one user flew with Air New Zealand and bid for a Premium Economy seat at the minimum amount and got accepted. Another user had their bid accepted twice with Air NZ, once for business class and once for premium economy. And for those of you wondering if it's worth it, one Aer Lingus passenger said they bid the minimum and found it to be worth it.
But remember, bidding for an upgrade is just a way for airlines to make money from unsold seats. So while it's definitely a nice perk, make sure you don't bid more than you can afford. And with that, we wish you good luck on your next flight and happy bidding! And if you've got a successful bidding story to share, we'd love to hear it. Just send us an email.
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[Generative AI is experimental.]
