A former flight attendant has revealed an essential tip for those wanting to land a free upgrade. Jane Hawkes has clocked up thousands of flights during her time working as cabin crew. She began in her 20s before moving into a role as a consumer expert, helping people on how to make journeys more pleasant.
The key question everyone poses when they learn about Jane's background is how to enjoy luxury travel without breaking the bank. One approach she recommends is trying to secure a complimentary upgrade.
Avoid the word 'upgrade'
In an article for Woman's Own, Jane explained: "Subtlety is key, so never use the word 'upgrade' because it sounds desperate. Instead, mention to check-in staff if it's a special occasion and they may move you to a higher class if there's space, or at least give you a complimentary drink."
"If you're travelling alone, you're more likely to be upgraded, and people who dress in smart-casual clothes have the edge over those in jeans."
Packing and hygiene tips
Jane also provided guidance for stress-free travel, including using packing cubes to optimise luggage capacity, placing underwear inside shoes, and buying toiletries in duty-free.
She additionally recommended passengers bring their own anti-bacterial wipes, pointing out one particular area of the aircraft as being especially "germ-ridden". Jane discloses that tray tables frequently don't receive a proper clean between flights, making them "more germ-ridden than the toilets". She recalls seeing a passenger changing a baby's nappy directly on the tray while airborne.
The seatback pockets are equally prone to harbouring germs, with Jane describing them as "tricky to clean" and pointing out they often contain leftovers such as half-eaten food, sick bags, and used tissues abandoned by earlier passengers.
Choose the earliest flight
For travellers who value hygiene, Jane suggests reserving the earliest flight of the day. This is when the aircraft is most likely to be at its most hygienic, having been thoroughly cleaned overnight, guaranteeing "everything sparkling".
Finally, Jane provides a word of warning to any flyers considering romantic encounters at altitude. While she hasn't personally discovered anyone attempting to join the "mile high club," she cautions that the toilets on aircraft are "not the cleanest".
