'I'm a flight attendant, this is what works (and what doesn't) to get upgraded on a flight.'

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There is a specific kind of FOMO that hits the moment you walk through the aircraft doors. You glance to the left at those sprawling, lie-flat beds in first class.

The ones with the thick doonas and the champagne already bubbling, and then you look at your boarding pass.

Seat 54K, Peasantville. We've all been there, trekking past the curtain of luxury while clutching a neck pillow, wondering: What is the secret?

Watch: Mamamia Out Loud unpacks the Trump administration's saying "dressing up" will fix flying. Post continues below.

Did they all pay a squillion dollars for these seats? Or did they get the holy grail of travel, an upgrade because they are wearing a suit? Did they gift a box of chocolates to the crew? Or do I just need to mention it's my birthday and hope for a miracle?

To separate the high-flying myths from the reality of the runway, we got some intel directly from the source: *Karis, an experienced long-haul cabin crew member from Virgin Atlantic.

Having spent years at 35,000 feet, she's seen every trick in the book, from the subtle "I'm an influencer" hint to the full-blown "broken leg" charade.

Here is what she said will actually get you behind the curtain, and what is just a waste of your time.

The myths: What won't get you that golden ticket.

1. Dressing to the nines.

Once upon a time, wearing a blazer and loafers might have bumped you to the front of the line. In 2026? Not so much.

"The rumour we hear all the time is that if you dress really smart, you'll get upgraded," Karis said.

"It's a fun idea, but honestly, it's pretty outdated. Upgrades these days are all down to things like availability and booking details, not whether you're wearing a blazer."

While Karis noted that "looking nice never hurts," the computer system doesn't care about your thread count. "It's definitely not your golden ticket to a free seat in a higher cabin."

2. Bringing 'bribes' for the crew.

You might have seen the TikToks suggesting you bring gift cards or a box of Krispy Kremes for the crew to secure a seat in business class. While it makes you a VIP in the hearts of the crew, it won't change your seat number.

"Bringing treats for the crew is always such a kind surprise, and it genuinely brightens our day, but it won't lead to free upgrades," she explained.

However, kindness does have its perks.

"When someone shows a little extra kindness, we naturally want to pass that warmth back in small, thoughtful ways.

"It might mean offering an extra snack, a top-up of a drink, a meal from another cabin if there's one spare, or even serving tea or coffee in a china mug instead of the usual paper cup in economy."

"We love making someone's trip feel special, and if we can help make it a memorable experience, we always try to."

3. Playing the 'honeymoon' card.

It's the oldest trick in the book: "It's my honeymoon!" or "I'm 30 today!" Unfortunately, the airline has likely heard it 14 times already that morning.

"Another common misconception is that airlines will upgrade passengers for birthdays or anniversaries, but that rarely happens," said Karis.

"Upgrades are generally based on availability and loyalty status. That said, on very rare occasions, the crew can make exceptions for genuinely special circumstances, but don't bank on it."

4. Faking an injury.

This one is a favourite on Reddit, but Karis warns it can actually backfire.

"If a passenger is clearly in pain, ground staff sometimes let us know so we can try to move them somewhere more comfortable. But this isn't an upgrade for luxury, it's purely about safety and wellbeing," she said.

"And it's important to remember that you must still meet the 'fit to fly' requirements. If you can't safely assist yourself in an emergency evacuation, you won't be allowed to travel".

What actually works: The real 'hacks'.

1. The power of the points.

It's not glamorous, but it is the truth: loyalty pays.

"We really do look after our top-tier members," Karis admitted. "If there are spare seats and the situation allows, we'll always try to get our gold-card passengers into their preferred spot."

If you aren't signed up for the frequent flyer programme, you're essentially invisible to the upgrade algorithm.

2. The 'ask and you shall receive' (at a price).

If you want the big seat, you might have to open your wallet, but perhaps not as wide as you think. According to Karis, the cheapest way to move up is often to wait.

"Upgrading on board is often one of the cheapest options," she revealed.

Instead of checking the price online weeks in advance, wait until you've actually boarded the plane.

"If you'd like to upgrade once you're on board, you can simply ask any member of the crew. We'll check the availability and the cost, and if you're happy with the price, we can take payment and move you as soon as possible."

The verdict?

Be kind, join the loyalty club, and if you really want that bed, just ask for the "on-board" rate. It might just be the best money you've ever spent.

Feature Image: IG @professionaltraveler

*Name has been changed to protect privacy.

InsureandGo partnered with a Virgin Atlantic Crew Member to help travellers understand how flight upgrades really work and shared their findings with Mamamia. You can find out more about InsuranceGo policies here.