Ask Dave

You may have noticed that this part of the travel landscape is evolving. Both airlines and cruise lines are beginning to employ a bidding process for upgrades close to departure, and we expect to see this more and more. This makes an upgrade by chance less likely, so if you book a lower seat or stateroom than you wish to have…be more prepared to keep it. If you care about where you sit or sleep and would like to bid – pay attention to the emails you receive from the travel companies and your travel agency and see if this process is one for you.

Of course, on the cruise side, free upgrades may still be offered when there is availability in higher stateroom categories. It is just less likely now with this process in place, and now that the trend seems to be firmly in place that the higher categories are booking first.

On the air side, take a look at availability on the flight. The less space available, the higher the bids will likely be, as the current trend is that there is more demand for business, first and premium economy than we have seen before.