Former “Love Island” contestant Antigoni Buxton shared a unique hack to potentially get upgraded to first class on a flight. She revealed advice she received from a flight attendant, suggesting that bringing a box of doughnuts for the flight staff could lead to an upgrade. Buxton claims she tried this once and it worked for her.
This hack has some merit, as YouTuber Zac Allsop has previously used Starbucks gift cards to secure an upgrade from economy to first class. However, travel expert Kate Staniforth, the head of marketing for Travel Republic, cautioned against relying on this method. Staniforth mentioned that while acts of kindness may result in complimentary items, free upgrades are rare.
Staniforth recommended following the traditional approach of actively seeking an upgrade and being prepared to pay for it. She advised passengers to check for availability and explore upgrade options while still on the ground. Staniforth emphasized that upgrades are typically not given out for free, making it essential to approach the airline counter early and inquire about upgrade possibilities.
While spontaneous acts of kindness may not consistently result in first-class upgrades, some passengers have found success using such methods. Buxton’s experience of offering doughnuts to the flight staff is one example of a successful upgrade attempt. However, experts like Staniforth suggest that passengers should be prepared to pay for upgrades rather than relying on such unconventional strategies.
The concept of leveraging small gestures to secure upgrades is not uncommon, as evidenced by various instances where passengers have successfully upgraded their seating by offering gifts. However, the reliability and consistency of these methods vary, with some experts recommending more conventional approaches to securing upgrades on flights.
Ultimately, while methods like offering doughnuts to flight staff may yield positive results in some cases, passengers looking to upgrade to first class should consider more reliable and structured strategies. Being proactive, checking for availability early, and exploring upgrade options with the airline counter are recommended approaches to increasing the chances of securing an upgrade to first class. While unique hacks like offering treats to flight staff may work on occasion, experts suggest that a more intentional and prepared approach is likely to yield better results overall.
