Get a First-class life (on an Economy budget)
Skip the “Don’t you know who I am?” and try these tricks instead
Life goal: VIP in a club
BAG AN UPGRADE BY: Starting small. To get behind the velvet rope, you need to play some mind games. “Ask for tiny things to get the bartender or doorman used to saying yes,” says Dr Rob Yeung, author of I Is For Influence. “Ask, ‘Can I have an extra slice of lime?’ or ‘Could you pass me a napkin?’ then build up to what you really want. They’ll think, ‘I must like this person, as I’ve said yes to them before.’” And contact the club beforehand to see if you can book a VIP table. Even if they say no, remember the name of the person who emailed you – chances are they won’t be there on the night and you can say they’ve lost your booking.
Life goal: Fly first class
BAG AN UPGRADE BY: Joining an airline loyalty scheme. Victoria Madden, PR executive at British Airways, says, “Even if you only fly economy, we’ll often reward members with access to the business-class lounge or a free upgrade. Our cabin crew now carry ipads with passenger information on, so they can see if you’ve flown BA before. If we’ve got spare seats on the day, we’ll look for loyal customers to upgrade.”
Life goal: Queue jump
BAG AN UPGRADE BY: Giving a reason. Whether it’s a packed gig or a lunch-hour Post Office dash, sometimes you’ve just got to skip the line. “Cause and effect is so rooted in our psyche, using the word ‘because’ in a sentence [as in ‘Can I squeeze in, because I’ve got to go to the loo’] can make people believe you’re making a reasonable request,” says Dr Yeung. “And label behaviour. Saying, ‘You seem like a helpful person,’ encourages them to behave in a way consistent with the label. Before they know what’s happened, you’ve jumped the queue.”
Life goal: The penthouse
BAG AN UPGRADE BY: Getting app happy. Want a Beyoncé-style suite on a B&B
budget? Download a free travel app such as Jetsetter for a discount on hot hotels. A quick scroll through the app Hoteltonight reveals you could stay in The Standard in NYC – where the rooftop bar and plunge pool are loved by Madonna, Miranda Kerr and Jay Z – for £165, down from £261. When you check in, be polite and chatty to the receptionist and ask how much it would be to upgrade. If they’re not booked up, most hotels will put you in a better room for a minimal charge or, in some cases, nada.
Life goal: Grab a discount
BAG AN UPGRADE BY: Being brave. It’s one of life’s ironies that super-rich celebs get sent stuff for free. But even if designers aren’t gifting you clothes, it is possible to negotiate yourself a discount on the high street. If haggling brings back painful memories of your dad on holiday, you need to get over your embarrassment fast. “Try to build rapport with the manager, as they’re often the one authorised to give discounts,” says Jasmine Birtles, editor of Moneymagpie.com. “At the checkout, ask, ‘What’s the best deal you can do on this?’” Birtles says you’re on to a good thing if you’re buying in bulk (yes, two pairs of shoes counts) or an item has been reduced in the sale, as the price is already flexible.