If you’re not a business traveler with elite status, getting upgraded can seem like a long shot. Want a better seat on the plane? These days, extra legroom or an aisle seat will cost you extra. Want a nicer hotel room? You can pay a bit more at check-in for a room on a higher floor.
So how exactly do you ask for a complimentary upgrade without coming across as a demanding customer or a complete cheapskate?
I asked travel experts with the power to grant or deny an upgrade -- including a front-desk manager, a car-rental agent, and airline experts -- for tips on how to score that coveted upgrade and other perks even if you’re an infrequent traveler.
Check out my "How to Score an Upgrade" story on CNN.com or pick up a copy of the October issue of Money magazine.
UPDATE: "How to Score an Upgrade" has been picked up by Yahoo! for the homepage carousel. Thanks to everyone who noticed and let me know about it!
Photo by Amy Chen: An ocean-view room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Oahu.
