Can You Negotiate for a Cheaper Upgrade?
Reader Questions are answered twice a week by TPG Senior Points & Miles Contributor Ethan Steinberg.
If you need a larger seat or bigger hotel room in order to travel comfortable, it's always advisable to book what you want instead of hoping to score an upgrade. However, it's always nice to get the opportunity to bump yourself to a better seat or hotel room. But how flexible are these offers? TPG reader Keagan wants to know if she can negotiate for a better upgrade price ...
[pullquote source="TPG READER KEAGAN"]I'm flying from Boston to Orlando on Delta this month, and Delta is offering to let me up buy up to first class for $154. While I'll probably end up doing this, I'm wondering if there are any tricks I can use to negotiate a lower rate?[/pullquote]
It used to be that the $20-bill trick (slipped discretely to the check-in agent) was the best way to score a hotel upgrade in places like Las Vegas or New York, but this generally isn't true anymore. Travel companies are wising up and using advanced revenue management techniques to maximize the dollars they get out of their premium rooms and seats. If you have an upcoming economy trip booked with one of the legacy US carriers, you may see an option to pay to upgrade when you check your reservation details online.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind with these offers:
- They can disappear at any time.
- They can change at any time.
- They're generally based on a complicated algorithm that takes into account demand, capacity and numerous other factors to determine the optimal price that would tip the scales for a traveler to purchase the upgrade rather than settle for economy.
While Boston (BOS) to Orlando (MCO) is a relatively short flight, $154 for a one-way upgrade is a pretty reasonable price. If Keagan wants this seat, I would recommend upgrading ASAP, because the price might change if other passengers book first class tickets or decide to upgrade themselves. If she waits until too close to departure, that first class seat might be given away as a complimentary upgrade to a Delta Medallion member.
So is there anything Keagan can do to score a cheaper upgrade? She should certainly start by reading our guide to getting upgraded on Delta, but unfortunately, strong negotiating skills won't do much good here — or with any airline. If she were to call a customer service agent or speak to one at the airport, they wouldn't be able to offer her a different price than the one generated by Delta's revenue management team. Even if she offered to pay $153, none of the employees to whom she'd speak to would have the power to accept that offer. This works just like a paid ticket, where you wouldn't be able to call up and negotiate the price. If she's hoping to ride up front and wants to pay a lower price for the privilege, her only choice is to wait and see if the cost drops — though that's risky, as it could disappear entirely.
Note that a handful of airlines do offer the option of bidding to upgrade as a flight approaches, and even American Express added this feature earlier this year. However, even these aren't "negotiated" prices. You typically indicate the highest you're willing to pay and are given a "yes" or "no" answer based on how well your offer stacks up to other travelers on the same flight.
Finally, though there are occasional reports of sweet-talking an agent into an upgrade at check-in or the gate, these are rare and generally don't allow you to set the price.
Bottom Line
There are many things you can negotiate when it comes to travel, including bump vouchers, delay compensation and more. However, upgrade rates are typically not one of them. These prices are carefully selected by an airine's financial department to balance supply and demand but also to maximize revenue, and front-line employees generally don't have the power to override them.
Thanks for the question, Keagan, and if you’re a TPG reader who’d like us to answer a question of your own, tweet us at @thepointsguy, message us on Facebook or email us at info@thepointsguy.com.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.