Upgrading to a higher class, travel wise or accommodation wise is something that is based on availability.
You might get it if it is available, but only if nobody else gets it first. It helps if you:
- Speak a little of the local’s language. Leaning to say hello and thank you is easy enough, it’s only two words; but try for more than this. Hotel staff appreciate somebody trying to understand their culture, it shows you are interested in something more than tourist attractions and gimmicks. Above all be polite, and respect the locals as experts whose opinions you value.
- Gifts from you own culture can be good. Don’t go for expensive, go for something that is unique to your culture but that is a little bit unusual for their culture. Never treat it like a bribe, and don’t expect anything in return. It a couple of gifts get you one favour, then it is worth it.
- If it is a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, child’s birthday or any other occasions this might be an advantage. These celebrations are almost universal, and people like to help. But you can’t fake these things without getting caught; you’re birthdate is on your passport and travel details. Also, honeymoon trips sometime encourage establishments to charge you for more.
- Tipping is fine in most places, and can get you better service if you are a regular. But under some circumstances this might be regarded as a bribe, which helps nobody and might be quite illegal. Try Googling for tipping advice in advance.
- Join loyalty clubs. Frequent flyer point or something similar work to your advantage, as long as you were going to use the service anyway and aren’t just doing it to accumulate points. It may not get you an upgrade, but there’s a bonus in there at some point.
- Check in early for flights, you usually get a far better choice for seating. Depending on the numbers you might get an upgrade, maybe at a small cost. Having elite status, loyalty club membership … etc. helps here.
- If the airline flight is overbooked you can volunteer to be bumped to the next available flight. By sympathetic to their position and they will probably reward you with something useful.
- Be a cooperative traveller and look the part. Somebody who looks like a travelling business executive is far more likely to get an upgrade than somebody in jeans and a singlet.
- Write good reviews when you experience a good situation. It can’t hurt to give this sort of encouragement, and it’s not too time consuming. Don’t write a bad review, or ever threaten too, unless there is some serious issues that other people need to be warned about.