I’m a flight attendant – here’s how to get a free upgrade and what NOT to say

A flight attendant shared the top ways to increase your chances of a free upgrade—and what NOT to say.

Miguel Muñoz claims there is more than one way to give yourself a nudge while flying without having to pay for the more expensive ticket.

1

He says to avoid “dramatically” or “lying” to cabin crew, and that staff see a request for water due to illness as a ploy to get an upgrade.

Instead, passengers should be “nice and honest” with flight attendants, as you’re more likely to get upgraded seats.

Speaking of Daily expresssays Miguel, if there’s an upgrade, he’ll always give it to the passengers he likes the most.

He said: “Sometimes people come to me and ask for an orange juice or a snack because they say they are dizzy or have low blood sugar.

“We automatically think they’re lying just to get something for free. And probably some people lie.

“But I always think if you lie, karma will surely come back. But if they don’t lie and I don’t give them anything, it’s even worse.

“I have to, just in case. On the plane, the crew is responsible for helping the passengers, so we really have to trust them.”

Miguel also believed that saying you’re uncomfortable is a good trick to get free stuff, since the cabin crew can’t question if they’re uncomfortable.

But he explained that how you ask matters, adding: “Most airlines don’t give anything for free, not even water. So if passengers say they are very thirsty, they need to take medication or they just ask for a glass of water, I officially have to say no.

“First of all, I always tell them that we sell bottled water. I would normally give it for free, but it all depends on how you really ask.

“For example, after I say we charge for water, if they all get upset and say things like, ‘but the law says you have to give me free water,’ or ‘it’s a human right,’ I will tell them.” automatically give none.

“Well if you say you don’t feel well or you ask very nicely then I’ll definitely give it to you.”

Regarding upgrades, Miguel said “it’s about being nice and honest,” explaining what passengers should and shouldn’t say in order to get better seats on board.

The flight attendant explained: “When passengers come to me and say they need more space for some reason, I move them to the overwings.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY

“But you must be careful what you say! Because if you say, for example, that you have a bad knee, I have to be careful with these people, since the passengers who are seated at the emergency exits are the ones who have to help the crew in the event of an emergency.

“If you can’t operate the emergency exit because you have a bad knee, I can’t get you in the overwings. So it won’t work.

“My advice is to be honest, don’t try to be dramatic. If it’s true that you have a bad leg, fair enough, but don’t lie about it because you probably don’t know, but it won’t benefit you.

“Recently a passenger said he had hip pain and wanted more legroom.

“Unfortunately, that’s why I couldn’t take him to the emergency exit, but to the last row, which was completely empty.

“Just be honest. If you’re not in pain, just say, ‘Hey, if you have an exit row seat available, could you let me know?’ and I will.

“Basically to make it easier for the crew. And, of course, when we have passengers who are very tall and need more space, or people who kindly ask for it because they just want to be more comfortable.

“If the places are free, I’ll definitely move them.”