I used to think flight upgrades were reserved for road warriors, business travelers and passengers with loyalty status levels I could only dream of. The first time I upgraded with miles — on a long-haul flight where I actually slept (!) — I realized how accessible premium cabins can be when you know what to look for.
And here’s the good news: You don’t need top-tier status to sit up front. In fact, some of the easiest upgrade opportunities come from the points and miles many of us already have sitting in our accounts.
Whether you’re flying Delta Air Lines, United Airlines or another major carrier, you can often use miles to move from economy to a premium cabin at booking or even after you’ve already reserved your seat. The trick is knowing where to look, how airlines price these upgrades and when it actually makes sense to spend your miles.
Every airline handles upgrades a little differently, but most follow the same pattern: If there’s upgrade inventory open, you can use miles to move up — and sometimes far fewer miles than you’d expect.
On some routes, upgrading with miles can even cost less than booking a full award ticket — especially if you booked an eligible fare. And even if you’re not loyal to one airline, you can still score a low-cost upgrade when the timing and demand line up just right.
If you’re hoping to turn your next trip into something a little more spacious (and a lot more comfortable), here’s where to start:
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