They also clued us in as to what it’s really like to be a flight attendant, what to wear on a flight, how to avoid germs on a plane, how to deal with fear of flying, and which food and drinks you should order—and which to avoid. Perhaps most importantly, they spoke about how to fly with a degree of civility that’s sorely lacking in society these days.

Flight Attendants’ Best Tips for Better Flights

Simply put, manners matter. “People who actually speak to me when I ask them what they’d like to drink is beginning to become a thing of the past,” says Heather Poole, who has worked for a major U.S. carrier for 20 years and who wrote a bestseller called Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet. “So when a passenger says please and thank you to me, I want to give them more water and extra snacks. If I see a passenger helping another passenger with luggage, I instantly think, ‘What a catch!’ and want to set them up with single friends because nice people are hard to find. Honestly, it’s the little things that make a difference.”

Jennifer “Jaki” Johnson has been a flight attendant for six years. Her preboarding advice to set the tone for a better flight? Check in early, watch to make sure your gate doesn’t change, eat a healthy snack or meal at the gate, use the restroom at the airport rather than waiting until you’re on the plane, and smile at your flight attendants when boarding.

How Passengers Can Boost Their Chances of an Upgrade

Many airlines prohibit arbitrarily upgrading passengers who are already on the plane. “This is a firm rule,” says Coral Lee, who has been a flight attendant and cabin manager for more than a decade and runs a blog for flight attendants called These Gold Wings, “although you can always try. Ask politely if there are any available seats in business class or premium. You’ve got better chances if you’re dressed nicely, if the flight isn’t full, if you’re traveling solo, and if you board last.”

“Upgrades are a big deal, and people who fly a lot earn frequent flyer miles,” explains Poole. “Those people know exactly where their name is on the upgrade list. If someone cuts in front of them, they’ll flip out. On one of my flights, we were delayed 20 minutes because one frequent flyer was upgraded to business class before another frequent flyer whose name should have been called first. Delays are a big deal in the airline world, so it’s crazy when we take a delay for something like an upgrade. But it happens because nobody cuts the line. You can dress nicely to increase your odds of getting upgraded if there’s nobody on the list. But that list is usually long.”

Keep in mind that this should be a conversation with a gate agent, not a flight attendant. “Once you step onto the aircraft, it’s our responsibility to get you where you’re going safely and comfortably,” says Nichole Dunst, a flight attendant and travel blogger who created Conscious City Guides, “but we’re not responsible for awarding upgrades. The gate agents have their own system for working upgrades, and gone are the days of getting an upgrade just because you’re cute and you brought us Starbucks. If you haven’t been awarded an upgrade before scanning onboard, I’m sorry to say it, but you probably didn’t make the cut.”

Of course, the most straightforward way to get an upgrade on your flight is to buy one. “Traveling is expensive, so you pay for service and quality,” Johnson points out. “You get what you pay for, so pay for what you want.”

Tipping Flight Attendants: Yes or No?

Flight attendants don’t expect cash tips, in part because they earn above-average wages and because their role of assuring safety is considered more important than their role of providing service.

In fact, most American and European airlines don’t even allow flight attendants to accept tips—except for Frontier, which has recently changed its tipping policy to allow flight attendants to keep gratuities; Frontier passengers are now prompted to add 15, 20, or 25 percent to their credit card charge after ordering a drink or snack. “But far from helping,” Lee says, “this has created a big controversy between the flight attendants who are happy with this new policy and the ones who think that this is a strategy to keep wages low and be treated like servants and not like someone who might save you in an emergency.”

“However,” Dunst advises, “we do love getting tipped in snacks, and that happens pretty frequently. If you’re headed to duty-free before your flight, picking up a bag of candy for your flight crew is a great way to make friends with us.” Another way to thank a flight attendant for a job well done? Write a letter to the airline that mentions the flight attendant’s name and outstanding service.

How Do Flight Attendants Deal with Jet Lag?

Flight attendants know better than almost anyone how to deal with jet lag: They drink plenty of water before and during the flight. They nap before and after long, time-zone-crossing flights. They avoid alcohol; many rely on melatonin instead if they need help falling asleep. And they try to adapt to their new time zone as quickly as possible. “Don’t even think about what time it is back home,” advises Dunst.

The Craziest Things Flight Attendants See on the Job

Flight attendants see some truly wacky—and disturbing—behaviors. “The list is never-ending,” says Poole. “Just when I think I’ve seen it all, something else bizarre will happen.

“People who don’t work for an airline seem to be most amused by naked passenger stories,” she goes on. “For me, the weirdest stories involve passengers stealing a coworker’s uniform blazer or chicken strips off a flight attendant’s salad. My coworker found his blazer standing in line at security, and the chicken strips were found clutched in the fist of a passenger sitting in the exit row.”

“My tolerance for crazy has certainly elevated over the years,” Dunst agrees, “and I have to remind myself that we see people in their most stressed-out state.” Dunst once had a passenger get so enraged with the flight crew for refusing to serve her alcohol during the airplane’s initial ascent—when the seat belt sign was still on—that she spent the next five hours harassing the flight attendants, taking pictures of and tweeting about them. “I don’t think this particular woman was in her right mind,” Dunst recalls, “and that can be a little scary when you’re at 30,000 feet.”

As for Lee, she cites medical emergencies—people fainting or having seizures—as well as people clipping their toenails in their seats or getting furious when they get caught smoking in the lavatory instead of being sorry. Also: an adult woman urinating on the floor after being told she couldn’t use the restroom.

How to Keep from Getting Sick on a Plane

Getting sick on airplanes can be par for the course when you’re a frequent flyer. This is partly because of all that circulated air, and also because being on a flight means being in close proximity to dozens of people—and their germs—for an extended period.

But getting sick on your next flight doesn’t have to be a foregone conclusion. To protect yourself from getting sick on a plane, follow flight attendants’ advice: Bring sanitizing wipes and use them to wipe down your seat, tray table (Poole sees parents change babies’ diapers on them), entertainment screen, and remote control. Also: Drink water. Take immune-boosting vitamins. Don’t touch your face, and don’t request drinks while the crew is picking up trash—their hands are now germy. Shower as soon as you get where you’re going, or at least change your clothes.

“Something I wish was more mainstream in the U.S.,” Dunst says, “are mouth masks like you typically see in Asian cultures. If you’re sick, it’s just a basic courtesy to prevent everyone around you from getting sick as well.”

As for airplane lavatories, they’re practically petri dishes and, like the tray tables, they don’t always get thoroughly cleaned. So don’t touch much in there—use a paper towel to open and shut the lid, to flush, and to use the door handle. Never sit directly on the toilet seat, never go in there barefoot or with just socks on, and always wash your hands well with soap.

What Passengers Should Bring Onboard

The flight attendants we interviewed recommend a light blanket, a neck pillow, an eye mask (if you’re hoping to sleep), earplugs, socks—and a good book, since it’s not uncommon for the in-flight screens or Wi-Fi to be out of order.

What Flight Attendants Want Passengers to Know

It irks flight attendants when passengers assume that they don’t have college degrees and that their previous careers were as bartenders. “My background is in radio and I hold a master’s degree from an Ivy League institution,” Johnson says. “Other flight attendants have been lawyers, medical students, real estate agents, and so much more. We want passengers to know that we are more than our uniform.”

Flight attendants also want passengers to know that the flight crew doesn’t get paid on the ground. “So that flight attendant greeting you at the boarding door? Not being paid,” says Poole. “Delays? Not being paid. We aren’t paid until the boarding door is closed and the brakes are released.”

This means that delays and cancellations can affect flight attendants dearly—not only are they not paid when flights are canceled or when they’re waiting for a delay to lift, but, as Poole puts it, “When flight schedules get screwed up, we have to make arrangements for children or family and we miss things we were excited to do. I’ve had passengers yell at me, ‘I haven’t seen my baby in three days!’ A lot of flight crew have babies too.”

Travelers should keep in mind that flight attendants aren’t getting paid during the boarding process, which is a flight’s most hectic time. During boarding, Poole says, “We have a lot to do with very little help, so we might seem a little snippy or rude but really, we’re stressing out to get things done so that a delay can’t get pinned on us. The problem is that boarding sets the tone, so then when we have time to relax and smile and be nice, the perfect flight attendant, passengers don’t notice because they’re mad that we took their bag to check it or that we didn’t answer their question or we didn’t allow them to use the bathroom or that they weren’t catered to. Nobody wonders why. They just think we’re rude and then they go and tweet about it.”

Dunst raises another point that airplane passengers don’t always seem to realize: “There’s a reason we ask you to keep your seat belts fastened whenever you’re in your seats. Turbulence can come out of nowhere, and you can never be too safe. That being said, the same goes for us. If the captain has asked us to take our jump seats for our safety, then no, we cannot get up to pour you a ginger ale. Unfortunately, getting injured on the job is almost inevitable. All it takes is one air pocket to jolt us around. We of course want to take care of you as best we can, but safety truly does come first—not your third gin and tonic.”

Flight Attendant Tips and Tricks for Fearful Flyers

Aviophobia is the most common phobia in the U.S., affecting 6.5 percent of the population, while many more Americans—almost one in three—have an anxiety or fear of flying that isn’t quite severe enough to be formally diagnosed as a phobia.

Given these statistics, flight attendants are accustomed to attending to nervous flyers. Their biggest recommendation? Loop them in. “Tell the flight crew that you’re a nervous flyer so that they can keep you informed of what to expect regarding turbulence, or be there for you if it does get bumpy and you’re scared,” Poole says. “I always tell fearful flyers when it’s going to be bumpy and for how long, so that they have a sense of control. I also ask them if they’re OK or let them know that it’s going to be fine when we hit a little turbulence.”

To help cope with fear of flying, flight attendants recommend doing mindfulness and breathing exercises, downloading an app like MyRadar to track weather and turbulence, playing games on your device to keep yourself distracted, and to take any appropriate medications. “If you need to take something to calm your nerves, we’re not going to judge you,” says Dunst. “But please don’t mix pills with alcohol. I promise it will just create more problems.”

The Best Food and Drink to Have in Flight

Flight attendants are unanimous about the best drink to order on an airplane: water. That’s because dehydration is a real risk onboard.

They advise against carbonated drinks “because your intestinal gas will expand and you’ll feel bloated, heavy, or become distended,” says Lee. They also warn against too much alcohol because it reduces your body’s ability to absorb oxygen, which can cause lightheadedness at high altitudes. Alcohol will also dehydrate you and make you feel more tired than you should.

“In my book, I wrote that Diet Coke was the worst drink for flight attendants to pour because it takes so long for the fizz to go down,” Poole says. “Nobody wishes you’d stop ordering it, but when passengers do order it, I’ll probably hand them a can because it’s faster and also because Diet Coke drinkers are addicted to Diet Coke and it’s impossible to keep up with them. One time I had a somewhat famous politician onboard who drank six Diet Cokes on a two-hour flight. Six. Diet. Cokes. Not only does it take forever to pour, you’re constantly pouring.”

And food? “As long as it’s not going to stink up the whole cabin, bring whatever you want,” says Dunst, who adds that flight attendants prefer that passengers bring their own food because the flight crew sometimes runs out of food or may not have your first-choice meal available by the time they get to your row: “It’s good to always have something nutritious and calorie-dense, like mixed nuts or protein bars, on hand in case of hangry emergencies.”

“The worst food to bring on a plane is food that gives off strong smells,” Lee agrees. “Remember that you’ll be sitting for many hours in a small, closed space with a lot of people. If you don’t want your neighbors to hate you, don’t bring strong cheeses or any kind of fish, eggs, or strongly spiced foods.”

Tips for Bringing Children on a Plane

“I used to travel during my son’s nap time so that he’d be more likely to fall asleep,” Poole recalls, “and I’d spend the morning letting him run around so he wouldn’t be as restless.”

Indeed, flight attendants are a font of knowledge about how to take your kids on a plane. Those we interviewed supplied us with a helpful set of tips: Pack plenty of food, snacks, wipes, and diapers. Always have a change of clothes. (“My cousin once had her four-year-old daughter get sick in flight and throw up all over herself, and didn’t have an extra outfit to change her into,” Dunst relates.)

Don’t forget your children’s official documents either, including passports, birth certificates, and visas. Stash stuff to keep your kids occupied: toys, workbooks, stickers, tablets. Bring a compact stroller that fits in the overhead compartment.

Dress your kids in layers, since temperatures can change drastically on a plane. Feed and change them before boarding, if possible. Fly direct when you can, since delays, diversions, and cancellations happen. “Reward them with little prizes during the flight for every hour they’re well behaved,” suggests Poole.

If you’re breastfeeding, know that you’re allowed to bring breast milk onboard, so pack extra bottles. And remember that families with young children get priority boarding, so you won’t need to stand in the same line as everyone else. When checking in, make sure that you’ll be seated next to your children; if not, a gate agent should be able to fix that.

Educate your children about how to act on a plane: “They should listen to what the flight attendants say and treat other passengers with respect,” says Lee. “From the youngest ages, they should be taught to behave politely and respectfully.”

Finally—and this should be needless to say—it’s your responsibility as a parent to stay alert and responsible for your child. “I’ve seen parents fall asleep and ignore kids, or book seats in first and leave kids in coach,” Poole says. “One time I was traveling as a passenger and found an infant crawling between my ankles. The mother was sleeping behind me.”

What to Wear During a Flight

“Airplanes are cold, so come prepared to be freezing,” Poole says. “Exit rows are the coldest rows. Invest in a cashmere sweater so you’ll look nice and be warm. If you don’t need to wear it, roll it up and use it as lumbar support. Wear shoes. Real shoes. So if you have to evacuate, you can run faster from the burning plane.”

In general, flight attendants recommend comfortable, well-put-together outfits that you can layer: “Nothing constricting, especially for a long-haul flight,” says Lee. “And to get through airport security faster, don’t wear too many metal accessories.”

How to Treat Flight Attendants

When you’re traveling a long way, basic etiquette can go a long way, too.

“Saying please and thank you while making eye contact at the same time is almost unheard of today,” says Poole. “Does it surprise you to learn that most passengers don’t even acknowledge my greeting when they’re boarding? After a while, I get tired of talking to myself. I always remember the nice passengers.”

“Truly, a little bit of kindness goes a long way,” Dunst agrees. “A simple smile and ‘How is your day going?’ can make all the difference.”

The post Flight Attendants Reveal Their Secrets for a Better Flight appeared first on SmarterTravel.

So, it’s clear you can’t count on the TSA to reimburse you for such losses; the agency denied more than half of the claims. Are luggage locks the answer?

The Benefits of Luggage Locks

Locking your suitcase doesn’t just make it more difficult for opportunistic baggage handlers or security officers to root through your stuff at the airport. A lock can also help hold your bag’s zippers together so they don’t work their way open while in transit, leaking socks and underwear all over the baggage carousel.

You might also want to lock your bag if you’re staying in a hostel with strangers or while traveling on a crowded bus or train. Some travelers even lock their suitcases during the day at hotels to deter theft by housekeepers.

The Limitations of Luggage Locks

Putting a lock on your suitcase isn’t a guarantee that your stuff will be safe. Do a quick search on YouTube, and you’ll find a trove of videos explaining how to open a combination lock without the code or how to break into a locked suitcase with nothing but a ballpoint pen. Nor is it difficult to slice through a soft-sided bag. Locks discourage casual thieves, who will move on to easier targets, but they’re flimsy protection against those who are truly determined to get into your bag.

That’s why you should always keep any valuables in your carry-on, not your checked luggage. As noted above, the TSA is unlikely to pay you back if something is stolen from your checked bag, and airlines typically don’t accept liability for the loss of expensive items such as jewelry, electronic equipment, or fragile souvenirs.

TSA-Approved Locks

If you do decide to secure your suitcase, choose one of the many TSA-approved locks available, such as these combination locks from Master Lock or TravelMore. You can also buy keyed luggage locks such as these from Lewis N. Clark, though it’s worth considering how likely you might be to lose track of a tiny key while traveling. You can even purchase suitcases with built-in TSA-approved locks.

The TSA has master keys that allow agents to open all TSA-approved locks if they determine that your bag needs extra screening. If you use a non-TSA lock, they’ll simply cut it off your bag. Note that not all security officers outside the U.S. have the same master keys, so even a TSA-approved lock could be cut off if you’re traveling internationally.

Alternatives to Luggage Locks

Some travelers prefer to wrap their suitcases in plastic, which makes bags harder to break into, protects their exteriors from dings, and keeps them from bursting open if a zipper fails. This bagging service is offered at select airports by companies such as Seal & Go and Secure Wrap. Though security agents will cut off the plastic if they need to inspect your luggage more closely, some wrapping services offer a complimentary rewrap post-security. One disadvantage to this method: By generating so much plastic, it’s the least environmentally friendly way to protect your bag.

Looking for Luggage With a Lock?

“Sold separately” isn’t statement when it comes to the carry-on from Away. While including a TSA-approved lock in its design, this bag also comes with 360° spinning wheels, and a super hard exterior shell—this bag is built to be your last.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Luggage Locks: Should I Lock My Suitcase When I Fly? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

But these days, when everything flight-related has a price tag, you’ll pay $99 for an “upgrade” to the front section of coach, just for the right to get off the plane more quickly (although in some cases, it does also buy you an inch or two of extra legroom). Many factors have created the present “zero upgrade” environment—like the airlines’ love of fees and surcharges, computerized seat assignments (which make it much easier to know where everyone is well before flight time), very full flights, and increased competition for upgrades due to the degraded state of flying coach.

But you don’t necessarily have to give up just because your chances of getting an upgrade have gone down. Check out the tactics below to learn how to get upgraded to first class for free. But first, let’s realize that, for many domestic flights…

First Class Isn’t What It Used to Be

Don’t get me wrong—when I am filing past the first few rows of seats on my way to the back of the plane, those big leather seats with folks already drinking wine in them have a strong allure. But those seats come with a cost, whether in cash or in miles, and on shorter domestic flights you don’t get all that much more than the folks in coach—wider seats, a little more legroom, free drinks, and the chance to board a little earlier.

That said, some airlines have upped the ante in their first-class cabins on longer domestic routes. American Airlines offers lie-flat seats in first class on some transcontinental routes, while Hawaiian Airlines has lie-flat options on its first-class service to Hawaii. On these types of domestic flights, an upgrade is definitely worth trying for.

The same goes for longer international flights. Much more critically than better food and drinks, first- and business-class seats in most international aircraft convert into beds that are pretty darn comfortable. On a flight back from Tokyo in first class a few years ago, I was actually disappointed when we began our final descent; when is the last time that happened in coach?

Why It’s So Hard to Get a Free Upgrade

David Rowell, who writes The Travel Insider, notes that “it is enormously harder to get upgrades these days than it used to be. Well, correction, it is harder to get undeserved upgrades these days. The procedure for getting upgrades that one is entitled to has become almost 100 percent automatic and hands-off, and with all flights being full in both cabins, there isn’t much ‘wiggle room’ for people to exploit.”

And it is not just a combination of luck and automation that will shut you out of upgrades—at some airlines, it may be a matter of policy. “Most airlines state, in no uncertain terms, that their policies prohibit arbitrary upgrading, both at check-in and onboard,” says Randy Petersen of InsideFlyer. “It’s a firm rule, with no room for negotiation or interpretation.” Petersen agrees about the root cause: “This becomes understandable when you consider that upgrading is now often done electronically, rather than by queuing up at the check-in counter.”

These electronically issued upgrades are doled out by a number of metrics, whether to the highest-ranking elite flyer, or the person who purchased an upgrade-eligible coach fare, or the person who cashed in her miles.

We commonly think of just two to five main classes on airplanes, including first, business, and economy, plus the recent emergence of premium and basic economy. But the fact is that economy class can have numerous sub-classes, as outlined in this Points Guy article—and each of these class levels carries eligibility (or lack thereof) for various amenities, including upgrades. The very lowest levels of economy class will rarely be prompted to upgrade, or even eligible to upgrade.

That said, since stories and rumors of free upgrades persist, here are some tactics to get you into that privileged group that seems to snag upgrades—or at least says they do.

How to Get Upgraded to First Class: 14 Tactics to Try

These tricks and ground rules are worth keeping in mind as you try to land that elusive free upgrade.

Be a seriously loyal customer.

If you fly a lot on the same airline, your upgrade options soar. High-mile/point travelers are the first eligible and first chosen for most upgrades, so even though airline experts have been bemoaning the devaluing of airline miles for years, if you are a high-mileage and high-dollar flyer, you will see significantly increased upgrade offers, often at no cost. 

Elite status is the best way to get a seat upgrade, but that means flying (and spending) more. So, if you fly a lot, this is the best option for upgrades. 

Elite Statuses for Major US Airlines

Here’s a breakdown of the elite statuses offered by major US airlines with free upgrades:

American Airlines

• AAdvantage Platinum: Group 1 boarding, lounge access, and complimentary upgrades.
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro: Enhanced lounge access, free upgrades, and priority baggage handling.  
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum: Highest tier with even more perks, including international upgrades and Admirals Club membership.

Delta Air Lines

• Gold Medallion: Group 1 boarding, lounge access, and complimentary upgrades.
• Platinum Medallion: Enhanced lounge access, free upgrades, and priority baggage handling.
• Diamond Medallion: Highest tier with even more perks, including international upgrades and Delta Sky Club membership.  

United Airlines

• Premier Gold: Group 1 boarding, lounge access, and complimentary upgrades.
• Premier Platinum: Enhanced lounge access, free upgrades, and priority baggage handling.
• Premier 1K: Highest tier with even more perks, including international upgrades and United Club membership.  

Southwest Airlines

• A-List Preferred: Group 1 boarding, lounge access, and complimentary upgrades.

Alaska Airlines

• MVP Gold: Group 1 boarding, lounge access, and complimentary upgrades.
• MVP Gold 75K: Enhanced lounge access, free upgrades, and priority baggage handling.

International flights are a bit trickier regarding upgrades, but some international airlines do offer them, especially if they are part of an alliance with a domestic airline. 

For instance, British Airways is part of OneWorld (same as American), but many perks may be unavailable on the BA flight if you book through American. While there may not be a British Airways flight upgrade trick that will magically get you an upgrade, there are things you can do, similar to the major US airlines we mentioned. Avios, their points program, may get you an upgrade, as will their executive club. 

Other international airlines that have rewards programs that can snag you an upgrade are: 
Emirates Skywards– Known for its luxurious cabins and excellent service, Skywards offers upgrade options.
Etihad Guest: Offers upgrade options, including using Etihad Guest Miles.
ANA Mileage Club: Offers upgrade options, including using Mileage Club miles.

Get an airline credit card.

Using an airline credit card allows you to rack up miles, including sign-up bonuses, to apply toward upgrades.
Credit cards with upgrades include:

United MileagePlus Explorer Card– Offers bonus miles earning rate on United purchases and can be used to earn MileagePlus miles for upgrades.

British Airways Visa Signature Credit Card– Offers a bonus miles earning rate on British Airways purchases and can be used to earn Avios points for upgrades.

American Airlines AAdvantage Aviator Red Card- Offers a bonus miles earning rate on American Airlines purchases and can be used to earn AAdvantage miles for upgrades.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card– Offers a bonus miles earning rate on Delta purchases and can be used to earn SkyMiles for upgrades.

Emirates Skywards Credit Card– Offers bonus miles earning rate on Emirates purchases and can be used to earn Skywards miles for upgrades.

Dress neatly.

Dressing well is not the ticket to ride some hope it is, but even so, you are not getting an escort to the front of the plane if you are wearing cargo shorts, a tank top, and flip-flops. Most people don’t even want to sit next to you in this case, let alone upgrade you.

Check in online at the earliest possible time.

Online check-in is available beginning 24 hours before your flight, and the early bird has the best chance of nabbing an upgrade—though you’ll usually have to pay for it. As the minutes pass and more travelers check in, some of those folks will be looking and paying for upgrades, and once those seats are gone, they’re gone.

Be on time, and have good timing.

Showing up late to request an upgrade when an agent is just trying to get everyone in the air isn’t going to work. Do agents the courtesy of making your request with plenty of time to spare before the flight, and when no one else is competing for their attention.

Ask politely and directly.

Randy Petersen recommends something as simple as “If you are upgrading passengers on this flight, I would like to be considered.” Inserting the word “please” won’t hurt you either.

Be reasonable.

Being overly demanding or demeaning just inspires agents to pick someone else to upgrade if the opportunity arises. And don’t waste everyone’s time and goodwill if you know you are a poor candidate. If you are traveling with your whole family, have a pet lobster in a cage as your carry-on, or purchased an extremely low-fare ticket, you probably don’t want to spend your energy demanding upgrades.

If the flight is relatively empty, your chances are slim.

Even though seats in business class may also be empty, the airlines don’t usually upgrade people for no reason. If the flight is full, your chances are better. Airlines carefully plan how much they oversell flights, and their inventory departments are not upset if people need to be upgraded to accommodate everybody on the flight. Therefore, airlines are sometimes forced to upgrade people on a full flight. In this scenario, if you have a good story, you may be lucky—solo travelers who are willing to be reseated to accommodate families have the best odds. Remember, of course, that business or first class may already be full from pre-booked elite-level upgrades.  

Granted, the rule always has exceptions, and this is no different. It may also be that if you are on a flight with few people, you can easily get an upgrade. One lucky passenger was alone on a transatlantic flight and could sit anywhere but first class. 

Volunteer to give up your seat if the flight is oversold.

Whenever airlines overbook flights and need folks to give up a seat, you have the most leverage for getting concessions and upgrades from the airline. Most of us have been in airports listening to increasingly urgent announcements looking for volunteers to give up their seats; in that situation, you can go up to the gate, set your conditions and then let the airline decide if it can meet those conditions.

You might say, “I can volunteer to give up my seat for X hundred dollars in flight credit or an upgrade on my replacement flight, as long as I still get there by Y o’clock.” This may not work on the first round of volunteer requests, but when the gate agents come up on departure time and still need empty seats, they can often deliver quite a bit.

If you have been inconvenienced by the airline, don’t hesitate to ask for an upgrade.

Again, airlines don’t generally upgrade people for no reason, but if they have caused you a problem, that may be reason enough.

If your itinerary is botched or implodes for some reason, particularly if it affects only you and no one else (such that the airline is not trying to accommodate lots of folks in the same situation), your case for an upgrade on a subsequent flight becomes more compelling. The airline is not obligated to upgrade you, but if this happens, pleasantly but firmly let the gate agents know that if an upgraded seat is available on your rebooked flight, you would greatly appreciate getting that seat.

If you have been extremely inconvenienced—maybe you were sent back to your hotel a couple of times, or you slept on the airport floor all night—let the gate folks know, as they may have some sympathy for you.

Ask your travel agent.

My travel agent has a relationship with certain airlines that lets her book her customers into preferred seats that are not released to everyone (usually toward the front of the plane, in exit rows, and the like). She can also see upgrade availability fairly quickly, and many agents can add comments to your reservation that increase your chances of being chosen for an upgrade. Ask about these the next time you talk to your travel agent.

Watch for business-class sales.

Most leisure travelers ignore advertised business-class fare sales entirely. I have occasionally seen transatlantic business-class sale fares for around $1,100 at a time when it costs that much to fly coach. This will take some persistence and sleuthing, but you can sometimes fly in the front of the plane for less than the folks crammed into the back of the plane.

Look for two-for-one sales.

If you are traveling with family or a companion, a two-for-one sale on first- or business-class fares could cut the cost of upgrading in two. At current coach prices, these could result in a wash concerning price, if certainly not concerning pleasure.

Buy an extra seat.

One interesting tactic to find yourself some breathing room offered by Petersen might appeal to folks traveling on very cheap sale fares: buy two coach tickets. Say you find one of these $100 round-trip fares to Florida or the like; the airlines that offer these usually make up the difference in fees for checked bags, movies, food, and other extras. However, if you don’t need headphones or to check a second bag, you can skip all those charges and get yourself a heap of legroom for $50—less than the cost of most premium seats.

If you use this tactic, it will be vital for you to check in your second seat, as well as present the boarding pass at the gate—otherwise, your seat could be given to a standby passenger.

In all honesty, your chance of falling into one of these free upgrades is slimmer all the time—even Rowell has stopped trying entirely. That doesn’t mean you have to; if you have had a recent experience with surprise or unpaid upgrades, let us know in the comments below.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post First Class for Free: How to Get an Airline Upgrade appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Purposely missing a flight is more complicated than it may seem at first glance—here’s what happens if you don’t get on your connecting flight. 

Why Would You Skip a Connecting Flight?

Skiplagging, also known as “hidden city ticketing,” is a travel strategy where:

• You book a flight with a layover in your actual destination.
• The ticket includes a connection to a further city, but you don’t intend to take that last leg.
• When you reach your desired city during the layover, you exit the airport instead of continuing to the final destination on your ticket.

Popularized by the airfare site Skiplagged, this hack can save you a lot of money compared to booking a ticket directly to your destination. But is it legal to do?

What Happens if You Don’t Get on Your Connecting Flight?

Hidden city ticketing isn’t illegal, but most major U.S. airlines explicitly prohibit it in their contract of carriage statements. 

If the airline realizes that you are not planning on completing your entire itinerary, it can prevent you from boarding or even ban you from the airline for future flights. For example, a teenage passenger tried this trick using a ticket he bought on Skiplagged, was detained by American Airlines, and was denied boarding.

In general, if you miss or cancel any portion of a plane ticket, the airline can cancel all flights remaining on that ticket’s itinerary. When you miss that first flight, whether or not you cancel or no-show, the entire ticket becomes void.

This rule also applies to connecting flights. If you’re ticketed from City A to City C through a connection in City B, but skip the connecting flight from City B to City C, you can’t use your connecting flight ticket later, even with a change fee. And if it’s a round-trip ticket, the return trips are also toast.

This is why it’s essential to notify the airline if you accidentally miss any portion of your flight—as long as you let the airline know (and rebook the missed leg), you should still be able to fly the rest of your planned itinerary. 

Why is Skipping a Flight Cheaper?

Why would a longer flight be cheaper than a shorter, direct one? For some destinations, there is not a lot of competition for a direct flight between two cities, making tickets expensive. However, there might be more competition on a different route with a layover in the city you want to fly to—so a longer flight going somewhere else (but connecting through your destination) could be cheaper.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Connecting Flight

There are a lot of risks associated with buying a hidden city ticket. 

1. You can’t check a bag, as your bag will be tagged to the final destination on your itinerary.
2. Even if you fly carry-on only, there is the risk that there won’t be space on the plane for your bag, and it will get checked through to the destination you’re not planning on flying to.
3. You can’t buy a round-trip ticket, as the return fare will automatically be canceled as soon as you don’t make your connecting flight.
4. The airline can deny you boarding and refuse to refund you if they figure out what you’re doing.
5. There could be a schedule change that reroutes your flight through a different connecting airport. 
6. The airline could ban you from flying with it in the future.

When Is It Okay to Skip a Flight?

There are only two cases where you could potentially get away with skipping an onward flight. However, keep in mind that you could still get in trouble with the airline, and the airline could pursue legal action against you or ban you from future flights. 

1. If you skip a flight that’s the final leg on a multi-flight ticket, there’s no other ticket left for the airline to cancel.
2. If your round-trip itinerary is on two separately booked, one-way tickets, the return trip should still be valid if you skip the first trip.

The post Why You Should Never Skip an Onward Flight appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Water Bottle Refill

Ever since I discovered that water fountains are one of the germiest places in airports, I’ve been inclined to avoid them. In the past, the alternative to a water-fountain refill is usually an absurdly expensive bottle of Fiji. But an increasingly large number of airports is now offering hydration stations where you can fill up reusable water bottles via automatic hands-free sensors. San Francisco International, Chicago O’Hare, London Heathrow, and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson are among the many major airports that offer this perk.

A Tour

Why sit at the gate when you could see something new instead? Several airports offer complimentary tours for travelers passing through. There are free tours of Singapore that operate out of Changi Airport, and travelers stopping in Seoul’s Incheon International Airport can hop aboard one of a variety of tours to temples, markets, or even a cave. Additionally, Turkish Airlines offers free Istanbul tours for flyers stopping in Istanbul Ataturk Airport, but you must be traveling on that airline to be eligible.

A Book

You don’t necessarily have to shell out full price at the airport bookstore in order to find something good to read during your layover or on your flight. Several airports have installed libraries where you can borrow a book or drop off one you’ve just finished. Helsinki Airport offers a book swap point in its Kainuu Lounge, while Tallinn Airport has a library that “operates purely on trust,” with passengers expected to return borrowed books on their return flight or “some other time.” Amsterdam Schiphol also has a library, complete with books, iPads, and cozy seating areas.

Religious Services

Whether seeking ceremony or just a quiet space to sit, flyers will find free facilities for doing just that at numerous airports. Various religious and spiritual services, from interfaith chapels at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson to a quiet meditation room at Albuquerque International Sunport, are available in terminals around the world. These services are almost always free, but donations are usually welcome.

A Pet Potty Break

More and more airports are offering animal-relief facilities for those traveling with four-footed friends; this is often a fenced-in patch of outdoor space reserved especially for pets. Some are nicer than others. At Miami International Airport, look for the handful of dog parks surrounded by white picket fences and featuring both grass and dirt surfaces as well as waste-disposal stations. (Note that you’ll have to go through security after visiting Miami’s outdoor pet-relief areas; indoor restroom spaces are available post-security.) Other airports just have a patch of grass surrounded by chain-link fencing; still, that’s better than nothing. For a more complete list of airport pet-relief areas, see this helpful roundup on Dog Jaunt.

Luggage Tags

Luggage tags might not be the most exciting freebee on this list, but, as many experienced travelers know, they’re available for free at almost all airport ticket counters. And they’re very useful—especially if you’ve forgotten to affix your own luggage tags. You should fill out and attach an airport bag tag to each checked piece of luggage—and carry-ons, too—so that airline staff can identify your bags in case they get lost. Either you’ll find the free luggage tags sitting on the check-in counter, or you’ll need to ask for them. If you prefer, you can even buy your own sturdier luggage tags beforehand.

A Little Help When You Need It

Disabled travelers will find special assistance at airports around the world. But they’re not the only ones who need a little help sometimes. Many airports have programs that offer assistance to virtually anyone who needs it, such as young travelers, flyers who don’t speak the local language, or even lost or confused passengers—for free. For example, at New York’s JFK and Newark Airports, a nonprofit program called Traveler’s Aid exists to provide support to kids traveling alone, people who have lost their tickets, or those who have gotten separated from travel companions. Similar setups are available at many airports, from Travelers Aid Chicago at O’Hare Airport to Customer Care Counters, which can provide information in up to 170 languages, at Vancouver International Airport.

Fragile Stickers

Safeguard breakables with a free “fragile” sticker affixed to your bag. Some travelers buy these in advance, but they’re offered at most airline check-in counters free of cost. Just ask your airline customer-service agent to slap a few on your suitcases. Although we can’t promise that the baggage handler tossing luggage onto the plane is going to read and also heed that sticker, it’s worth a try.

Wi-Fi

Keep yourself entertained during long layovers without burning through your phone’s data, thanks to an increasing number of airports offering free Wi-Fi—including Atlanta, Denver, Toronto Pearson, London Heathrow, Sydney, Charlotte, Boston, Los Angeles, and many more.

Some Exercise

It all started in Northern California. The Yoga Room at San Francisco International Airport was, according to many reports, the world’s first airport yoga room. Since that amenity opened, it’s become much more common to see travelers folding into downward dog or working up a sweat via jogging trails in airports. There are free yoga rooms at the Miami, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Burlington, and more. Meanwhile, Baltimore/Washington has a two-kilometer Cardio Trail that flyers can access free of charge.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Sarah Schlichter contributed to this story.

The post 10 Free Things You Can Get at Airports appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Flight connections allow one-stop service from almost anywhere to almost anywhere else, but that process also puts you at risk of missing your connection. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Know Your Airport’s Minimum Time for Connecting Flights

Each airline sets standard minimum connecting times at each hub it serves. It can be difficult to find this information on an airline’s website, but with any connecting flights you book as a single itinerary, through either an airline’s website or a travel agency, the airline’s system automatically adjusts for minimum times at your connecting point. If you miss your ongoing flight, the airline is obligated to put you on the next available flight with no additional charges.

Some of those minimum connecting times are incredibly short for a big airport, as low as 30 minutes in some cases, and usually less than 60 minutes for domestic connections. International times are usually more than an hour, and can exceed two hours at airports with separate international and domestic terminals. Some airlines add even more time for connections involving jumbo jets.

Pad Your Schedule for Airport Connections

Keep in mind that just because your airline will sell you an itinerary with a tight connection, that doesn’t mean you should buy it. Getting off a plane and walking to a distant departure gate can easily condense a 30-minute connection into almost nothing. Even if you make it in time, the experience can be stressful and leave you with no time for things like visiting the restroom or buying a meal before your next flight.

That’s why many travelers deliberately pad their schedules by booking a longer layover than the minimum at a connecting hub. Consider allowing at least 60 to 90 minutes for a U.S. domestic connection, and at least two hours for an international connection. Airlines usually allow you four hours or more maximum connecting time.

Travelers with special needs—such as those with physical disabilities or families with small children—might need even more time when getting around a large airport. You may also want to allow for a longer connection if you’re traveling at a busy time of year (such as Thanksgiving or Labor Day weekend).

Finally, consider how likely your first flight is to be delayed. Could your itinerary be affected by snow in the winter or afternoon thunderstorms in the summer? Is your first flight on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s list of chronically delayed flights? If so, build in a little extra wiggle room.

Fly on a Single Ticket

Typically, any connecting itinerary you arrange on a single ticket conforms with whatever connecting times apply. That’s true even on tickets that involve two airlines, as long as those airlines have interline agreements. The booking systems automatically incorporate requisite times. And single tickets usually provide for checking baggage through from origin to destination, including interline transfers.

Stick to One Airline or Alliance on a Flight Connection

Where possible, book connecting flights on a single airline or on airlines that are partners in an alliance. Typically, at big hub airports, airlines try to make sure that their gates and partner gates are close together. If not, they provide inside-security people-movers or shuttles to any gates they use.

Even with a valid interline ticket, however, connecting at some big hub airports involves leaving security at one terminal and re-entering at another. And, at a few airports, a single airline may use two different terminals. Airlines should build time necessary to connect through separate terminals into the itinerary.

Avoid Two-Ticket Trips When Connecting Flights

If at all possible, avoid an itinerary consisting of two separate tickets on separate airlines. Minimum connecting times apply only to itineraries on through tickets. If you’re on two separate tickets, your first flight is delayed, and you miss a connection, the second airline treats you as a no-show; it can cancel your reservation and make you buy a new ticket for its next flight. Sometimes, you can argue your way onto a later flight without penalty, but that’s not a guarantee.

If you check baggage on a two-ticket itinerary, you almost always have to check it just to the connecting point on the first airline, exit security, claim it, haul it to the second airline’s counter, re-check it, and go through security again. Obviously, you need to allow a lot of extra time for that process.

Allow lots of extra time for your flight connection whenever you’re on a two-ticket trip. I always allow at least three hours. Four is even better.

Avoid the Last Flight Connection of the Day

One of the world’s oldest travel tips remains as valid as when it was first pronounced, probably more than 60 years ago: Avoid booking the last flight of the day out of your connecting airport. The reason is obvious. Yes, the airline has to put you on its next flight, but if your original connecting flight is the last of the day, the next flight will obviously require an overnight stay at the connecting hub and arrival a day late.

A corollary, based on the same principle, is to book a connection as early in the day as is practical. The more “next available” flights, the better your chance of arriving on the day you planned.

Pick the Right Hub for Your Flight Connection

Often you have a choice of hubs, and you can avoid some white-knuckle hours by avoiding the hubs that are most prone to delays. According to current data, the worst big U.S. hubs for delays are the three New York-area airports, Chicago O’Hare, San Francisco, and Boston Logan. The sunbelt hubs generally do better.

Unless you’re on a single airline, avoid U.S. hub airports with separate terminals that lack inside-security or “airside” people movers. The worst airports for this are Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, and New York JFK.

In Europe, London Heathrow crops up on almost everyone’s “avoid if at all possible” hub airport lists, along with Paris de Gaulle and Frankfurt. Travelers generally prefer Amsterdam (Sky Team) and Munich (Star Alliance), along with such secondary hubs as Brussels, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Madrid, Rome, and Zurich.

Have a Baggage Plan for Your Connecting Flight

There is no one-size-fits-all “right” way to deal with baggage on connecting flights. Checked baggage can miss a tight connection or even go astray for a few days, but dragging a carry-on bag from one end of a huge terminal to another, even a carry-on bag with wheels, can slow you down and tire you. Decide for yourself which approach fits you better.

Sit Near the Front of the Plane

If you know you have a tight airport connection, try to get a seat toward the front of the cabin on your first flight. Even if you have to pay, being near the exit door can shave 5 to 10 minutes off your deplaning time—especially on larger planes.

Use Apps to Make Your Flight Connection

Download one or more apps that can help you with the airport connection process by tracking delays and posting up-to-date information on departure gates. WeatherBug (iOS | Android) will help you check the weather at your connecting hub, and FlightStats (iOS | Android) will keep you abreast of delays and flight status. If you’re worried you might have to spend the night at a connecting airport, HotelTonight (iOS | Android) could help you locate a bed. You’ll probably also want your airline’s app, too.

Direct Flights Are Still the Best Option

A nonstop or direct flight is still the best way to avoid connection problems. Figure that a connecting itinerary adds a minimum of two hours to your total trip time, and more likely three, so driving up to 200 miles to/from a different airport to catch a nonstop is often a good idea. As has been noted many times, the best way to deal with O’Hare is at 30,000 feet above it.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2015. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Tight Airport Connections: What You Need to Know About Making a Connecting Flight appeared first on SmarterTravel.

As with most issues involving air travel, what happens if you miss a connecting flight depends on your specific situation.

Missed Connecting Flight Due to Airline

If the missed connection is the airline’s fault (a delayed initial flight due to mechanical problems, for example), the airline should rebook you on the next available flight. If the next outbound flight is the following morning, the airline should either book you on another airline or provide accommodations and meals. But these arrangements are voluntary on the airline’s part; they’re not mandated by any law or regulation.

The DOT, however, recently announced its intention to propose rules requiring airlines to provide compensation to passengers impacted by delays or cancellations within the airline’s control. These rules are expected to be outlined later this year and aim to alleviate the financial burden on the stranded passengers who must find alternative accommodations, meals, and transportation.

Missed Connecting Flight Due to Weather

If inclement weather leads to a missed connecting flight, the airline will help you rebook but likely won’t offer any compensation for meals or accommodations. (That said, it never hurts to ask.) Travel insurance can be very useful in this type of situation, as it will often pay for expenses that an airline won’t cover.

Missing Your Flight Because of Something Within Your Control

If something within your control causes you to miss your connecting flight, you’re essentially on your own. This could include mishaps like missing your first flight because you were sitting in traffic, booking too tight of a connection, or getting too distracted at the airport bookstore to hear your boarding announcement. The airline will almost certainly help you rebook, but it’s under no obligation to do so, and you may have to pay a change fee plus any applicable fare difference.

Keep in mind that airlines generally won’t assume responsibility for missed connections on two separate tickets. For example, if you book one leg of your trip on JetBlue and the second ticket on United, United will not take responsibility if JetBlue’s flight doesn’t get you to the connecting airport on time.

While bad weather and mechanical problems are obviously beyond your control, you can take steps to give yourself a better chance of making your connection. Be sure you have plenty of time between flights, particularly if you’re flying into a large or notoriously busy airport or if you’ll need to go through customs and immigration. If it’s cheaper to book two separate flights on different airlines, it’s particularly important to leave extra time for the connection.

For help figuring out how long your connection should be, see what you need to know about making a connecting flight.

The way I see it, spending a little more time waiting at the gate beats being stranded at the airport or running desperately from one terminal to another trying to make your flight.

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Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2015. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post What Happens If I Miss My Connecting Flight Through No Fault of My Own? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The Best Frequent Flier Programs for 2023

WalletHub compared ten major domestic carriers using 21 key metrics—such as number of international destinations, earning limits, and booking blackout dates—factoring in the travel needs and budgets of light, average, and frequent fliers. Use WalletHub’s Frequent Flier Miles calculator to get a personalized recommendation on what frequent flier program best suits your travel style.

United Airlines: MileagePlus

United Airlines’ MileagePlus overtook Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan to become the best frequent flier program for 2023. Mileage Plus offers the most award destinations of any reward program and MileagePlus Premier members have access to even more perks, such as seat upgrades and complimentary baggage check. Sign up here.

Alaska Airlines: Mileage Plan

Award travel with Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan starts at 5,000 miles, and members earn up to 30% more miles on their travel than with competitor programs. Earn miles by flying Alaska Airlines (one mile earned for every mile flown), booking with one of their travel partners, or shopping with an Alaska Airlines credit card. Sign up here.

Delta Air Lines: SkyMiles

SkyMiles are earned with every Delta flight at the Main Cabin level or higher, by booking with a SkyMiles partner, or by making purchases with a SkyMiles American Express card. Sign up here.

Hawaiian Airlines: HawaiianMiles

HawaiianMiles can be earned by flying Hawaiian, shopping with a Hawaiian Airlines credit card, or booking with one of Hawaiian’s airline, hotel, car rental, or shopping/dining partners. Miles can also be purchased, with a limit of 30,000 miles. Sign up here.

American Airlines: AAdvantage

AAdvantage recently introduced a rewards level below Gold, with membership starting at just 15,000 miles and including perks like guaranteed group five boarding, preferred seat coupons, and priority privileges. Earn miles by flying American, booking with airline partners, or signing up for an AAdvantage credit card. Sign up here.

The post The Best Frequent Flier Programs for 2023 appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Lounges were first launched in 1939 by the then-giant airlines as facilities for VIPs and recognized frequent flyers. The no-fee airport lounge membership system was by invitation only. Following a legal challenge in 1966, though, the lines switched to annual paid memberships.

Entrance to most airport lounges usually comes free for those carrying a first- or business-class ticket (and often, for economy-class flyers carrying an active military ID). But for the rest of us stuck in the back of the plane, there are ways to gain access to these comfy inner sanctums without shelling out thousands of dollars for an upgrade. When you’re the one sinking into a cushy armchair instead of clamoring for a seat at the gate, you’ll be glad to have airport lounge access as a respite from the usual airport irritations.

How to Get Into Airport Lounges

Following are seven ways that savvy travelers can get into airport lounges, even if their tickets read “coach.”

Buy a One-Day Airport Lounge Pass

Several airlines sell day passes to their airport lounges, allowing you to relax in comfort without a long-term commitment. Alaska Airlines sells day passes for the airline’s lounges for $60, while American charges $50 and United charges $59 per day. (As of recently, Delta no longer sells single-day airport lounge passes to the general public.) Keep in mind, however, that most of these airline passes are limited to U.S. domestic airport lounges.

If you’re traveling internationally, check out Lounge Pass, which sells day passes to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide, including several at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Admission to these airport lounges typically ranges between $30 to $60 (with a few outliers to the north and south), and most of them restrict the amount of time you can spend there. Some only offer access to passengers flying within that country, so check before you buy.

Best for: Casual travelers.

Invest in an Airport Lounge Membership

It used to be that all business travelers worth their salt carried a lounge membership card with their preferred airline, often purchased on their company’s dime. Those perks are mostly gone now, with road warriors finding more flexible ways to gain access to airport lounges (see the “Elite Status” and “Credit Card” sections below).

If you fly one airline exclusively, however, an airline membership is still something to consider. Airline club memberships also give you access into alliance lounges, including the Star Alliance and Oneworld airlines, which will help a lot if you’re traveling internationally. Of the airlines based in North America, Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, and United currently operate lounge programs, with one or more locations at each major airport they serve. WestJet arranges lounge access at its major terminals. Allegiant, Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest do not operate their own lounge programs, though JetBlue partners with programs in Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica. JetBlue also partners with American Airlines to allow Admiral Club members who are flying JetBlue to access AA lounges.

If you go the membership route, expect to pay $350 to $650, plus an “initiation fee” between $50 and $100, for an annual membership. Before shelling out, check to make sure that the destinations you visit the most actually have airport lounges; as a rule, you’ll only find these types of clubs in the world’s busier airports.

Best for: Frequent travelers who rely on one airline or alliance.

Try a Third-Party Vendor for Airport Lounge Access

If you have a hard time sticking to just one airline, an airport lounge membership purchased through a third party might make more sense. A company called Priority Pass offers access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide for an annual fee. Participating lounges include a mix of airline, airport, and independent locations, mostly in international departure areas.

What’s nice about Priority Pass is that you can choose from several membership levels. For $469 per year, you get free, unlimited access to all of the airport lounges in the network. If you don’t travel that often, you can pay $329 for 10 free airport lounge visits, with additional visits beyond that costing $35 each. Or you can buy a $99 membership, then pay $35 every time you access an in-network airport lounge. In addition to entry to traditional lounges, members receive a one-time per-visit credit of $28 – $30 toward food and beverage bills at participating airport restaurants and bars. Top airline credit cards, AmEx Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards, and several other premium cards include Priority Pass membership.

Another nice thing about the Priority Pass is that it includes many of the airlines’ own lounges, such as Air France’s airport lounges at JFK, O’Hare, and San Francisco. The pass doesn’t guarantee that you’ll gain access to all of the airlines’ lounges, however, so you’ll have to check in advance to make sure. For that purpose, Priority Pass offers a smartphone app (iOS | Android) that makes it easier to find your airport lounge and learn whether you can access it, whenever you’re on the go.

Best for: Frequent air travelers who take different airlines.

Pay for a Public Airport Lounge

Who needs to worry about those airline-owned clubs? In some airports, public lounges—which let you pay a fee for comfortable chairs, snacks, Wi-Fi access, small meals, and non-alcoholic beverages—are giving the legacy airport lounges a run for their money. Their business model depends on two revenue sources: pay-to-play visits by individual travelers and per-visit charges paid by individual airlines with insufficient traffic to justify their own lounges for premium-ticket flyers. Day rates can start at around $20; some rates are hourly.

At Cleveland’s airport, for example, you can enter The Club CLE after security in the main terminal and pay a $50 flat rate for the day. Similarly, guests can relax in the Aspire Lounge in Terminal 2 of San Diego International Airport for up to 8 hours for $45.

At Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, you can buy a day pass to The Club, which proffers shower facilities, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary snacks and beverages for $50. The Club also has lounges at 20 other U.S. airports (including in Boston, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Seattle) as well as at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

In addition, a few smaller chains and one-off lounges operate at a range of other North American airports. For the most part, these programs operate on either a day-fee or airline-referral basis rather than on annual memberships.

International travelers can consider Plaza Premium, which offers buffet meals and drinks; some lounges even offer massage and spa services for an extra fee. Current locations include various airports in Canada, China, Australia, Malaysia, India, and more. Rates vary by location.

Best for: Travelers who want more flexibility than airline lounges provide.

Attain Elite Status

Loyalty does have its privileges. Most airlines offer airport lounge access to their customers who make elite status, with benefits that extend throughout the network.

Make Aeroplan Elite status on Air Canada or Premier Gold on United, for example, and you’ll get access to most of the Star Alliance airport lounges around the world (there are limitations, however, as some lounges restrict Gold access to passengers flying internationally). The SkyTeam Airline Alliance, made up of Delta, Air France, KLM, and other airlines, offers airport lounge access for certain elite members, as does the Oneworld alliance, which is spearheaded by American Airlines.

Best for: Frequent travelers who fly exclusively, or almost exclusively, on one airline or alliance.

Use Your Credit Card to Access Airport Lounges

Getting a credit card that offers airport lounge privileges is perhaps one of the easiest ways to ensure that you’ll never be stuck on the concourse again, although some of these cards carry hefty annual fees.

Take the American Express Platinum Card. For a $695 annual fee, the card gives you VIP access to hundreds of airport lounges around the world, through Priority Pass, Airspace, and Escape Lounges, as well as access to American Express Global Lounges. The card also provides free entry into Delta Sky Clubs, waives foreign transaction charges, and gives you $200 in credits toward airline fees, such as those imposed for checked bags.

Airline credit cards can come with airport lounge perks, too. The United Explorer Card, for example, gives you two one-time-use passes to get into United Clubs, plus other travel extras; there’s no fee for the first year, and then you’ll pay $95 per year thereafter. Select credit cards from Air Canada and Delta also include free or discounted day passes.

Caveat: Before you apply for any credit card, read the fine print to make sure that your spending and traveling habits make getting a card worthwhile.

Best for: Big spenders who don’t mind paying annual fees for perks, as well as occasional flyers who are willing to pay a smaller annual fee for a limited number of airport lounge day passes.

Be a Guest at (or Buy Your Way into) Airport Lounges

And finally, there’s always the kindness of strangers. Some people on travel forums such as FlyerTalk say that they gained lounge access by simply standing outside the door and asking people going inside if they would be willing to bring them in as a guest. You can also check for airport lounge guest passes for sale on eBay.

Best for: People who don’t mind asking strangers for favors.

How to Use Airport Lounges: Rules and Resources

Regardless of how you get in, most lounges follow a few base rules. Most are located airside of security, although a few big airports also have landside arrivals lounges. Typically, you need to show a boarding pass for a flight on the day you enter.

The main problem you might encounter is at a large airport with separate terminals: If you can’t find an airside lounge in the terminal you’re using, you may have to go outside security to a different terminal, go through security there to gain access to the lounge, then repeat the process to get back to the terminal you’re using.

Presumably, you don’t need to be convinced that airport lounge features are desirable, but you might have to be convinced to pay up to $450 a year to take advantage of those features. Annual deals look pretty good if you travel often: Check out programs on the airlines you fly the most and on premium credit cards. And if you aren’t sure, try a day pass somewhere to see if you find it worthwhile.

Several websites focus on airport lounges, including locators, prices, and even advance booking of day-use entry. Check LoungeBuddy or LoungeReview, where you’ll find everything you ever wanted to know about lounge access.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Chris Gray Faust, Ed Perkins, and Margaret Leahy contributed to this story.

The post 7 Ways to Score Airport Lounge Access appeared first on SmarterTravel.

If you have flexible travel plans, an oversold flight could be good news for you—the airline will start by asking for volunteers and offering cash or vouchers to anyone willing to give up their seat. If there are no takers initially, the rewards can get quite high.

However, if no one volunteers to take another flight, the airline can involuntarily bump flyers—even though they have a valid ticket. To avoid this happening to you, consider flying with one of the airlines least likely to bump passengers.

To determine the airlines least and most likely to bump people off a flight, luggage storage site Bounce analyzed data from the US Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report for April through June 2022. Bounce calculated the rate of passengers denied boarding (including both voluntary and involuntary bumping) per 10,000 flyers.

The Airline That Bumped the Most Passengers

In April through June 2022, Endeavor Air bumped the most passengers. Endeavor Air is a regional airline and subsidiary of Delta Airlines that’s also known as Delta Connection. Endeavor Air denied boarding to 12.86 people per 10,000 passengers.

The Airline That Bumped the Most Passengers

Comparatively, Hawaiian Airlines bumped hardly any flyers over the same time period, denying boarding to just 0.56 passengers per 10,000.

What Happens if You’re Involuntarily Bumped From a Flight?

If you are involuntarily bumped from your flight, the airline will owe you big. Know your rights and what you are entitled to, so you can make sure you are compensated accordingly. 

According to the US Department of Transportation (DOT), “Passengers who are denied boarding involuntarily due to oversales are entitled to compensation that is based on the price of their ticket, the length of time that they are delayed in getting to their destination because of being denied boarding, and whether their flight is a domestic flight or an international flight leaving from the United States.”

The DOT has helpful charts on their website that can show you what you are owed based on the length of time your trip was delayed.

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