I think the buddy pass method works best. Some years ago, I traveled to Italy using a relative's buddy pass. While I wasn't trying, because the flight was not full, i was given a seat in international 1st class. It was awesome. I didn't want to get off the plane. It only worked one way though. Coming back, first class was full, so I only got a seat in coach. It was a wonderful experience though. 👍🏿
Airport employees hate giving them out. As most people lose friendships over them. Plus not sure if you noticed, but you paid more for the business class seats then the main cabin seat.
I work for a major US airline. First 2 tips are 100 correct, and I would say Tuesday's are the best days to travel, Friday, Sunday and Monday are the absolute worst. Number 3, is somewhat true, but you won't get business class, on a long haul flight you will most likely get a premium seat, business class costs the airline too much. However, you will get first class on a domestic flight. Number 4, completely false, the gate agents are looking to see who looks better and will just give you an upgrade, come on now. They are extremely busy, and if you bother them over upgrades or silly things, they can and will put your name in a database where you are known as a pain in the butt. Number 5, with buddy passes, those tickets are not actually worth it. Yes you have an opportunity to get business class, but your paying for it, and with the taxes, it would be cheaper to to buy a confirmed seat. A domestic flight is not worth buddy pass ticket. And airline employees don't give out buddy passes as it usually costs a friendship. Number 6, you won't get the one or 2 seats in first class cause you showed up early, those are going to the premium members immediately, so if you aren't one, don't imagine you will somehow get it cause you got to the airport 12 hours early. And then the airlines will give it to a non-rev, an employee, who gets to travel for free. Number 7, being polite will not get you an upgrade, while we encourage you to be nice, it will only mean your trip will be more pleasant as the employee is not rolling their eyes at you. Oh and don't bring chocolates or Starbucks gift card expecting an upgrade. It's illegal and if the employee gets caught, because there are cameras everywhere and the airlines watch them, you are fired. You can bring them to thank them which is a nice gesture, but the flight attendant is not going to give you an upgrade cause they got a $10 gift card.
Anyone with status and or cards will be upgraded first on a full flight, no one gets upgraded from economy to business if the carrier has premium economy. The way it works is economy to premium, premium to business and business to first. Being nice is what humans are suppose to do anyway. Dressing up doesn't work, all it means is you spend endless hours in economy sitting in uncomfortable clothes and shoes. Buying an upgrade at check in does work and you will save money in most cases.
