Who hasn’t cast a wistful glance at the jet set as they wandered through the first class cabin on their way to the cheap seats? Getting extra legroom and free service would be a good score. But if you’re trying to save money by get cheaper plane ticketsit doesn’t make sense to turn around and shell out a few hundred dollars extra per person for a seat upgrade – especially if you’re trying to stick to one tighter vacation budget This year.

Our family travels frequently, especially my husband for business. We’ve gotten our share of free seat upgrades on flights and are here to offer you some tips on how to get an advantage on your next flight without hurting your bank account.

Get a Seat Upgrade on Your Next Flight Using These 10 Strategies

A little extra legroom and early boarding options make business class and first class a luxury most travelers can appreciate. Here are some strategies my family uses to get upgrades without paying full price.

1. Try to book slower travel days

It’s a pretty simple calculation. You can’t get an upgrade to a better seat if there simply aren’t any extra seats available on your flight. Generally, more available seats mean more upgrade opportunities.

Booking your ticket Slower travel days, usually in the middle of the week, help avoid full flights. You can also look for flights that depart very early or very late (hello, red-eye) to see if you can get a seat all to yourself with more room to spread out.

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The exception to this rule is if you find yourself on an overbooked flight and have flexible travel plans. Airlines typically provide compensation — including free upgrades, miles and other perks — to travelers who want to take a later flight.

2. Get your name on the upgrade list ASAP

If you’ve ever watched gate agents call dozens of people to the podium before a flight, you probably realized that these agents have all the power in the seat upgrade process.

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Flight attendants take their cues from the floor when changing seats, so it is best to inform the gate agent before boarding that you wish to board.

There will usually be a list of travelers who want a seat upgrade and your place on that list will determine whether you get one. This brings us to the next tip.

3. Check in early and often

You know those messages you receive to check in for your flight the day before it leaves? Don’t ignore them.

Register early online or in the app and check the seating chart to see how much headroom you can expect or to join the upgrade list. If your flight is delayed, check seat assignments again, as a lot can change if travelers miss their connecting flights.

For example, one positive aspect of a recent flight from JFK that was delayed twice was that by the time we boarded, the field of empty first class seats had opened up for allow many free upgrades.

4. Take advantage of a loyalty program

If you’re loyal to a specific airline and travel often, one way to get free seat upgrades is to join its loyalty program. These loyalty programs can offer benefits such as free upgrades to first class or business class, early boarding, access to exclusive flights. airport lounges and waived baggage fees.

“I usually get Platinum status, which means 85 percent of the time I upgrade from basic to comfort plus,” says my frequent-flyer spouse, who flies exclusively with Delta. “That means faster boarding, more legroom, extra snacks, and free alcohol. That’s pretty nice when you’re traveling a lot. And perhaps most importantly, you’re up front of the plane, which allows you to exit the plane more quickly.”

5. Get perks with an airline or travel credit card

If you don’t travel often enough to receive the benefits of elite frequent flyer status, consider requesting a trip or airline credit card to enjoy many of the same benefits.

Have the airline credit card can be a one-way ticket to top-tier status and that coveted first-class seat. Some premium travel credit cards offer similar perks, like priority seating and waived baggage fees, and many let you transfer your rewards to a partner airline.

Some airline and travel credit cards have a annual contributionso you’ll want to make sure you earn enough rewards to make the extra money worth it. For example, American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®* lets you earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 miles after you make your first purchase and pay the $99 annual fee within the first 90 days of card ownership. That’s enough miles to cover several seat upgrades.

6. Kindly ask the gate agent for a better seat

“You’ll never know unless you ask” is a cliché, but don’t underestimate the power of courtesy. If you really want to change seats to one that’s a little more comfortable, ask the gate agent nicely. Make eye contact, be respectful, and use their name if you can.

If you have a specific reason such as health condition or other problem that makes changing your seat assignment a priority, say so. For example, being seated in an exit row when you are not physically capable of performing the required tasks is a fairly common reason for changing seats.

Pro tip: Airline policies regarding upgrades vary, so you may not be able to upgrade to first class. If you’re stuck in a less than desirable seat – think the middle seat or right next to the bathroom – it doesn’t hurt to ask to be moved to your section.

7. Win (better) places with children

Crammed into the last available middle seat when you have a baby on board? The crew has a vested interest in making sure you and your little one are comfortable, so talk with a gate agent to find a better seating arrangement.

On a flight from Salt Lake City, my preteen daughter and I couldn’t sit next to each other on a full flight. After checking in with a gate agent before boarding, we were placed at the top of the upgrade list and ended up sitting next to each other and enjoying the extra legroom in the section Delta Comfort Plus.

8. It’s easier to get an upgrade if you’re traveling alone

One of these may be the loneliest number, but you’re more likely to get a free seat upgrade when traveling alone.

This is similar to the phenomenon that occurs when restaurants welcome small groups first. It is much easier (and more likely) for the gate agent to be able to move around in a group of one person rather than a group of three or four.

9. Inform the flight attendant if there is a problem

Once you board the plane, your chance to get a seat upgrade has probably passed you by, with one exception. If your seat belt is broken, your seat does not recline, or your backrest protector is broken, call the flight attendant before takeoff.

If there’s an extra seat somewhere, the crew can move things around to fit you in a more comfortable, fully functional seat. Otherwise, you might be entitled to some sort of compensation like free drinks or food vouchers.

10. Look for Good Deals and Bid on Upgrades

While a free upgrade is the goal, there are also relatively inexpensive ways to get a better seat on your next flight. Some airlines like Lufthansa, Aer Lingus and Air Canada will auction premium seats on certain routes.

The cost of your upgrade will depend on the length of the flight. Shorter flights may only cost $100 to $200 to upgrade your seat, while longer flights like those between Los Angeles and New York can cost between $500 and $600 per person.

Is the price of premium or priority seats worth it? This is a question only you can answer.

*All information on the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard was collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.