Come on the Go!

I'm big on upgrades.

Part of it is because I really appreciate the legroom. I may only be 5'2", but I have super-big personal space. Part of it is because it's easier to sleep. And the other part is because I really enjoy getting off a plane first. There's something about that final line-up and file getting off the plane that makes me claustrophobic! Will a suitcase hit me (it has before.) Will some guy try to feel me up under the guise of "Oops, sorry. Tight quarters" (again, it's happened before). Or will I drop my suitcase on some poor, unsuspecting soul? Being the klutz that I am, I feel that the first-class upgrade doesn't just keep me happy. It protects my fellow passengers.

If you aren't a member of a frequent flyer program (like American Airline's AAdvantage program), do it! Otherwise, you will never, ever get the upgrades you want - female road warriors like me snap 'em up as fast as we can. If you are a member, try to maximize those points. As Platinum on AA, I get confirmed for upgrades 72 hours before flight time rather than 24. If they are holding upgrades at the gate, I have a better chance of enjoying seating nirvana. It's cool.

If you hate the upgrade game and prefer just purchasing a business or first-class ticket, First Class Flyer is a cool site. I've purchased business class from him from YVP - Munich (or was it Sydney.) Either way, it was a great price!

SeatGuru.com has saved my travel-sore ass more than a few times.

Simply choose your airline and the kind of plane you're flying. Up pops a cool chart showing the really bad seats (like the shitter seats in the very back of the plane near the bathroom) - and the super-premium seats (emergency exit aisle seat, baby!).

The chart also flags seats that may not recline all the way back. Plus - my personal fav - seats that have power outlets. Although "I ran out of laptop juice" works as a great rationalization to do nothing but read Cosmo and eat first class cashews (assuming my upgrade came through.)

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for my latest upgrade - YVR to LHR. I've got a great seat anyway, but a better seat would rock even more....