It Can Get Better -- Maybe for Free

Be flexible, and you might score an upgrade to a first-class seat. (By Sergei Guneyev -- Time Life Pictures Via Getty Images)

* If your hotel stay coincides with a birthday, anniversary or celebration, inform the front desk of the special occasion and ask for an upgrade. The hotel also might post a birthday or anniversary promotion on its Web site, so check before you book.

CRUISE CABIN UPGRADES

* Work with a cruise specialist. Forging a personal relationship with an agent can garner many perks, including cabin upgrades.

* Use the cruise line's guarantee program: You reserve an inside cabin at the lowest price available and the cruise line guarantees at least that category's lowest level of cabin; however, the line often says it will try to assign a better cabin within that category. (Note: Steven M. Hattem, vice president of marketing for Cruises Inc. and CruiseOne, says upgrades from one category to another are rare.)

* Cruise during off-peak times in popular seasons. The Caribbean, for example, is teeming with ships during winter, but the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the first few weeks of January are the least in demand.

* Once onboard, register with the purser for an upgrade. The line will accommodate you if possible.

UPGRADE TIPS

* Go online. E-newsletters from such travel Web sites as Travelzoo.com ( http://www.travelzoo.com) and Sidestep.com ( http://www.sidestep.com) alert travelers to upgrade specials; Car Rental Upgrade.com ( http://www.carrentalupgrade.com) also lists deals. And eBay ( http://www.ebay.com) frequently auctions off airline and car rental upgrade certificates. Or go straight to the source: Check the Web site of the hotel, car rental firm, etc., for upgrade specials. For example, San Diego's Loews Coronado Bay Resort (800-815-6397, http://www.loewshotels.com) is offering free upgrades to a marina- or pool-view room from Feb. 1 to April 4; use promo code DI1PR0.

* Stockpile loyalty points. Don't hesitate to cash in points for an upgrade; your points have a greater value for upgrades than for securing a free flight in economy. To increase your supply, join interconnected programs. Bob Greenberg, who works at a Reston Web security company, uses points from his Marriott and Hertz rewards programs toward United Airlines upgrades. Additionally, use credit cards with rewards programs that allow you to earn points for every dollar spent. Finally, if you have separate personal and business credit cards, link the accounts to pool the points.

* Dress well. Whether traveling by air or road, a passenger in a nice suit or neat casual wear is more likely to get upgraded than a schlep in a tattered sweater and old jeans.