LUSCIOUS TRAVEL: Behind the scenes in the travel and hospitality industry, and how to get an upgrade

People are always asking me how I manage to get upgraded on flights and in hotels, and given freebies along the way, so I’ve put a post together that might help…

Marlene Dietrich

Even before I had the Luscious blog (and people treat me rather marvellously because they’re keen for me to share their product or service with you all), I developed an ability to travel lusciously, even when I barely had a cent to my name. I feel that most of it is common sense, but considering I get asked about it so often, perhaps it’s not.

So here are some suggestions which you might find useful too – if I’ve missed something, feel free to leave a comment below so everyone can benefit.

Flying high:

Securing an upgrade on flights is much harder these days, as you really need to be a celebrity or member of the travel industry (or their family). But here are some tips that have worked for me:

Become a member of the airline’s frequent flyer program: This is an absolute must – you need to be officially on the airline’s radar to even get a look-in for an upgrade. And if you’ve got some sort of title (Dr, CEO…) this is the time to use it so check your account details via the website’s FF section before you travel. If there are no VIPs on board to upgrade, it’s members of the FF program who will be next in line. Besides, you’ll start earning points and will be able to apply for a points upgrade in the future. Note: If you have a credit card, you should also consider moving it across to the related FF points-earning card, just do your research first to decide if it’s worth it (eg. if you have to pay $100 to apply for this card but don’t travel very often, is it really worth it?)
Be flexible, and ideally, travel alone: Singletons, especially women, are sometimes regarded as more easily approachable if there’s a need to move seats around. Be gracious and say yes to letting a couple or family sit together and you might get a glass of champagne as a thank you. Or better yet, moved up to the pointier end of the plane. But clearly, if you are wanting to travel with others, this scenario isn’t very practical!
Share the celebration: If it’s your birthday, honeymoon or other significant event, there’s no harm in mentioning it to airline staff. You won’t necessarily get an upgrade, but you might score a bottle of champagne and a little bit of fuss.

Present well: If there’s a seat going in Business or First class, they’re more likely to give it someone who looks the part, rather than the beach bum who’s travelling home from Bali after several months, no? For one thing, the airlines doesn’t want to upset the people who have spent thousands more than you for their pointy-end seat, so dress to fit in – an elegant scarf, fresh white T-shirt, elegant cardigan and plainnavy trousers would be great. And if you’ve got smart looking handbag and luggage, now is the time to use it.
Travel during quiet times: Christmas Day, anyone? Put some research into your destination to ensure you’re not flying into a big annual national event, or a business leaders convention (you’ll have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting an upgrade then), and hopefully you can find dates when the flight is quieter, and more the staff more open to upgrades. Also, if you’re travelling on a known business route, avoid Mondays and Fridays when many business travellers are on their way to meetings or travelling home. Mid-week is better.
Buy the next best thing: Usually fly Economy? Save your pennies and stretch them to buying a Premium Economy ticket. You won’t be plucked from Economy and moved up to Business, but you do have a chance if you’re in Premium Economy. The same point applies for First Class – you’ll need to be flying in Business class to be considered for a First upgrade.

Here are some of my tips for hotel stays:

Travel at the very beginning of the season: You’ll still get the experience of the location and everything will be fresh and cheery, plus the weather should be generally great too.

For example, some years ago I wanted to stay at the famed Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy, and saved all my pennies to book the cheapest, tinest, closet-sized, single-bed room. But I was lucky enough to be upgraded to a grand suite with the most amazing views from the balcony in the very best part of the hotel, and I’m sure it was because it was the first week of being open and there were few guests staying there are the time.

If nothing else, I cherish this experience and have told many people about it, which works out well for the hotel – word of mouth referrals are the best form of marketing!

Travel during the worst possible weather season: Yes, this is a big risk so only try it if you’re game (perhaps best avoided for locations which suffer from hurricanes), but whenever I’ve done it, I’ve been rewarded by super-attentive staff, beautiful snowy vistas, and peace and quiet.

Many tourist attractions will be closed during winter but I’ve always found heaps of museums, galleries, restaurants etc that are open and keen for business.

Always be friendly and polite, even when things are not going so well: Being seen as an amenable guest, especially if things are chaotic, will be remembered, either on this visit, or saved into the computer system for future visits.

Be friendly and talk to the staff: Not only are they likely to be interesting people, you’re sure to gain some special insight into the hotel, the local area, and non-touristy tips such as where the locals love to eat. And hey, you might also get an extra little something when it comes to your hotel stay too.

Suggested reading:

Here’s a look at some books which will give you some insight into how to get upgraded to first class, secure a hotel suite when you had only booked into the cheapest room, be seated at the best table in a restaurant, and be offered that complimentary glass of champagne, and many other lovely discounts and free items along the way.

And, perhaps even more importantly, how to avoid being treated shabbily!

Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality by Jacob Tomsky

Heads in Beds A Reckless Memoir of Hotels Hustles and So-Called Hospitality by Jacob Tomsky

The official blurb:

In the tradition of Kitchen Confidential and Waiter Rant, a rollicking, eye-opening, fantastically indiscreet memoir of a life spent (and misspent) in the hotel industry.

Jacob Tomsky never intended to go into the hotel business. As a new college graduate, armed only with a philosophy degree and a singular lack of career direction, he became a valet parker for a large luxury hotel in New Orleans.

Yet, rising fast through the ranks, he ended up working in “hospitality” for more than a decade, doing everything from supervising the housekeeping department to manning the front desk at an upscale Manhattan hotel.

He’s checked you in, checked you out, separated your white panties from the white bed sheets, parked your car, tasted your room-service meals, cleaned your toilet, denied you a late checkout, given you a wake-up call, eaten M&Ms out of your minibar, laughed at your jokes, and taken your money.

In Heads in Beds he pulls back the curtain to expose the crazy and compelling reality of a multi-billion-dollar industry we think we know.