An Upgrade Trick That’s Even Better Than The One Gary Just Shared

One of the frequent questions I get from friends, family, and heck, people in general is this: “how does someone get a free upgrade to first class?”

While there are always those stories of people getting upgraded because it’s their honeymoon, a military association, or even those who get lucky just by asking, those are all exceptions, not the rule (can anyone guess what movie that line comes from?).

Most first class seats are purchased, upgraded because of elite status with an airline, or given to on or off-duty cabin crew based on availability.

I just read Gary Leff’s post about another strategy that allegedly scored someone 5 complimentary flat-bed upgrades from London to Taipei. I laughed a little, but it’s so obscure that it probably isn’t a completely far-fetched tactic.

Then I came across this article.

Apparently there’s a whole new level of loyalty I haven’t explored.

33-year old Andy McGinlay proudly wears his loyalty to Emirates everywhere he goes… and gets generously compensated for it.

Named “Emirates’ biggest fan”, he’s allegedly received countless complimentary upgrades on the to first and business class because of his tattoo of the Emirates logo on his arm. He is considered a celebrity with the cabin crew because of a permanent stamp on his body.

So forget everything Gary said about buying a plot of land to acquire “Lord” status… an ink investment that probably cost less than some of the annual fees we pay on our credit cards can apparently get you more first-class travel than any sign-up bonus out there.

Now who’s next? Can someone get their MileagePlus number tattooed somewhere and let me know how that plays out?