Not long ago, flight upgrades weren’t uncommon, but now, they’re much harder to come by. If you’ve traveled enough, you may remember when it was only a matter of time before a check-in or gate agent handed you a boarding pass with a low-row number.

That used to be the golden ticket for travelers. These days, however, it’s all about business and profit, and getting a seat at the front of the coach often comes with a hefty price tag. Just because your chances of a free upgrade have diminished doesn’t mean you have to give up.

If you’re a frequent traveler, you should stay informed about all the discount codes and promotions airlines offer. Not sure how to find an affordable upgrade? We’ll share some valuable tips on how to score an upgrade when flying to Mexico.

Follow these tips to boost your chances of an upgrade!

Always request an upgrade if you deserve it

If you’ve had a bad experience traveling with the same airline in the past, you can always try requesting an upgrade.

Passengers seated near the front of the plane can save time when disembarking. So, if the airline previously caused you any inconvenience, don’t hesitate to ask. There’s a good chance they’ll grant the upgrade, especially if they’re trying to make up for past issues.

Have a gold status

If you are a frequent traveler with a specific airline, always get a gold status, through which you can get certificates from the company. Through these certificates, you can request favors and also get upgrades on your flight.

Business Class Experts say that it is possible to get such requests approved easily.

Keep an eye on the passenger list

If a plane has fewer passengers and needs to balance out the weight on the plane, the airline will always find a way to balance things out. This means that some passengers could easily be shifted to the front cabins. So you should always be hopeful.

Buy a full-fare ticket

There are many benefits to buying a full-fare ticket. Some of them include discounts, rerouting for less penalty, changing flight times, and even an upgrade within the flight.

Volunteer to give up your seat

If a flight has been oversold and there are some passengers who urgently need to make a trip, always volunteer to give up your seat. In this way, you will be able to carve a good reputation in the minds of the flight agents.

Befriend your travel agent

This is perhaps the easiest way to get an upgrade on a flight.

Some agents have good relationships with other airlines, too. So if a flight agent is your friend, you can always ask for a favor. Especially on international flights, agents have more control over the seating order.

Request an upgrade at the right time

Flight agents have to deal with millions of people every year. They will not always be in a good mood to cater to your needs.

So don’t mind if the older man is a bit rude. There’s no harm in saying “please,” especially when you need to get urgent work done. If you have scheduled a meeting with an agent, choose a time when he/she has fewer people around to deal with.

Always wear a smile on your face

A smile has the power to change things around. Always be polite when requesting an upgrade. Don’t try to act smart by saying something that pisses off the other person.

If you don’t get an upgrade with the registration of a simple “request” and want one, you will have to pay extra dollars to get it. Passengers are always looking for ways and means to make it to the front row so that they can evacuate the plane quickly.