Economy class is comfortable on most domestic and regional daytime flights, although I’m always excited when my elite status results in a complimentary upgrade. But upgrading to a premium economy seat or a lie-flat business-class seat is certainly appealing on long-haul flights.
I often book premium economy or business class when redeeming points or miles for long-haul flights. But upgrading tickets you’ve already booked is sometimes possible.
For example, American Airlines is willing to sell me a paid upgrade to business class for $1,818 on an overnight flight from Munich to Charlotte this fall. I’d earn Loyalty Points on the cost of the paid upgrade, but if upgrade availability opens I can use a systemwide upgrade that I’ve earned with my elite status or redeem 25,000 AAdvantage miles and pay a $350 surcharge to upgrade my discount economy fare to business class.
It’s also sometimes possible to upgrade award flights. For example, TPG’s Nick Ewen redeemed Emirates Skywards miles for business-class flex award tickets from Athens, Greece, to New York City. But at the check-in counter in Athens, he was able to redeem 39,000 more Skywards miles per person to upgrade himself and his family to first class when he saw that space was available.
Unfortunately, not every flight is eligible for an upgrade. For example, you may have fewer or no options to upgrade if you booked a certain fare code with restrictions or booked through a partner program instead of with the airline operating the flight.
If you want to learn more about upgrading your flight, check out the following stories:
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