Our answer
Some airlines let you bid for an upgrade after you’ve bought an economy or premium economy ticket. You get an email inviting you to make an offer, you enter an amount, and if the airline accepts, you’re moved up shortly before the flight.
Who does it: many international airlines run upgrade bidding, including several European, Middle Eastern and Asian carriers. The big US airlines (Delta, United and American) generally don’t run auctions. Instead they sometimes show a fixed upgrade price in the app or at check-in.
Things to know:
- It’s never guaranteed. You only find out a day or two before the flight, often less.
- Your card is only charged if your bid is accepted.
- Low bids rarely win on busy routes or dates.
- You usually don’t earn the same miles as a full business class ticket, and fare rules stay the same as your original ticket.
- If you’re traveling with someone, you both need to be upgraded, or neither.
Upgrade bids can be a nice bonus, but if you really need a flat bed on a specific flight, it’s safer to book business class from the start, and with a discounted fare it may cost less than you expect.
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Answered by the Global Business Flights team, booking business and first class since 2017. Last reviewed November 2026.
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