Figure out how much the business or first-class seat would cost, subtract the economy price, and bid somewhere between 20-40% of the difference. Aiming too low will get you outbid, but aiming too high could be a huge ripoff. It's a game of careful calculations.
He said: “You should ask the lead flight attendant or the flight attendant at the boarding door. “You should ask prior to door closure, but don't be surprised if they don't move you until after you're in the air if they're going to grant your request.”
Even if it can be a bit like a lottery, bidding is one of the best ways to get an upgrade bonus without having status on an airline. If your flight is a long one, it's often worth even paying the higher end of the bid for a comfortable upgrade. You'll still be paying a lot less than buying that seat outright.
Neighbor Island, North America and International routesPualani Platinum and Pualani Gold members can enjoy complimentary upgrades to Extra Comfort seats on all Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights, subject to seat availability. Seat upgrades to Extra Comfort include all seat types: aisle, window and middle.
Most airlines will offer a clear opportunity to passengers to bid on the upgrade 72 to 24 hours before their flight. If an email is not sent or a pop-up is not presented, passengers can always check their reservation to see if a window within their reservation offers that prospect.
The most reliable way of getting upgraded for free is to have elite status on the airline you're flying. Most airlines reward their most frequent flyers with complimentary upgrades on domestic routes.
On almost every flight, the passengers who get upgrades are either the ones who pay for them (whether in dollars or miles) in advance or frequent fliers with elite status who receive complimentary upgrades as part of their perks. There are very few exceptions, so don't expect to score a free upgrade by just asking.