Report by John Lavabre
NEPOTISM could be the secret to being upgraded when flying,
according to research carried out by Company Barclaycard.
The charge-card issuer quizzed travellers and agents about
their experiences of being upgraded and discovered that knowing someone who
works for the airline is the best way to go about moving to a better seat.
It also helps to be male, smartly dressed, aged between 50
and 64 and a frequent business flyer.
Women are more likely to ask for an upgrade, although men
jump the queue by being offered one in advance.
A word of warning to anyone who asks for a better seat; it
helps not to be pushy. A business travel specialist contacted by Company
Barclaycard said: “One woman traveller was told that she had been up-graded
because she was the only one who hadn’t asked check in staff on that flight.”