The Ultimate Guide to Honeymoon Upgrades

You're still on a high from your wedding and are ready to get whisked off to your honeymoon. If you want to make this romantic getaway one for the books, you'll want to know which honeymoon freebies and upgrades to look out for during the trip. Fortunately for newlyweds, traveling luxuriously doesn't always have to mean shelling out a fortune or securing elite status with an airline. "Always make sure it's known it's a honeymoon even if [companies] don't ask for the occasion," says travel agent Addie Bell. "Working with an advisor who knows about your trip and can VIP you is preferred. That way you don't have to VIP yourself and you have a better chance for an upgrade," she says.

If you and your partner prefer having someone else take care of planning the trip for you, ask your agent, who has working relationships with airlines and accommodations, to scout for upgrades on your behalf. If you're crafting your own itinerary and plan to book everything yourself, don't fret—there are still many ways to increase the odds of getting an upgrade or two.

Whether it's taking advantage of rewards programs, utilizing the power of social media, or asking outright, here is the ultimate guide to honeymoon upgrades for every part of your vacation. From honeymoon flight upgrades to hotel perks and meal freebies, we'll teach you how to maximize your first-married trip to the best of your ability.

Honeymoon Flight Upgrades

Have you always wondered whether or not newlyweds really do get bumped up to first class on the way to their honeymoon destination, or if it's just something we all see in TV and movies? As it turns out, it is possible to score a special occasion upgrade—but there's no guarantee. If you want to make a special request as a newlywed, here's what you need to know.

Share Your Good News at Check-In

"It helps to speak with the representative at the flight desk before the flight to ask for empty seats next to you and inform them it's your honeymoon," says Bell. Think about it: If the gate agent has to pick someone to be bumped to first class on an overcrowded flight, a newlywed couple will stand out, especially if they're glowing and grinning from ear to ear. "They do have a lot of control and it does happen!" she says. Swap checking in online for face time with the flight desk, and be sure to (kindly!) mention that it's your honeymoon. Sometimes, the answer to how to get upgraded to first class on your honeymoon is as simple as making it known you're newlyweds at check-in.

If you're told there aren't any available seats for your honeymoon flight upgrade, don't give up just yet. You can check back later in the boarding process. If the agent realizes the flight is oversold or a business class passenger is a no-show, seats may become available.

Use Credit Card Points

The best way to score an upgrade without having to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars is to use credit card points, and this can be done well in advance of the big day. Many cards reward you with points for every dollar you spend; once you accumulate enough points, you can transfer them to the airline frequent flier account of your choice and use them to "buy" an upgrade (note: generally, you'll still need to pay for taxes). Check to see which cards have the most perks, and consider opening one up during your wedding year—charge pre-nuptial expenses to said card and you'll likely accumulate all the points you need for a higher tier seat.

Buy at Check-In

Airlines are keen on earning revenue from business and first-class upgrades. That's good news if your plan is to try to score an upgrade with cash. Many airlines will offer you the chance to purchase an upgrade at check-in, often at a price much lower than what you would pay originally. This is especially likely on empty flights, so aim for flights in off-season and weekends when there are fewer business travelers.

Bid for a Better Seat

Several airlines offer passengers the chance to bid on a seat upgrade. Some airlines operate the auction directly while others use a site called Plusgrade. Most airlines send an email if your flight is open for bidding, though not all flights are eligible. The bid is on top of the fare and there's usually a minimum bid, and your card will only charged if your bid is selected. The bidding amount is usually half to one-third of the cost of buying the upgrade outright—definitely a steal and a great way to get an upgrade for your honeymoon trip.

Hone Your Frequent Flier Status

When flights are full, gate agents need to upgrade passengers from Economy to Business in order to free up seats for other fliers. Generally speaking, they're going to choose frequent fliers of the airline, so traveling with a carrier you regularly use is a good idea. "The airlines have become stricter with the upgrade options these days and they favor members in their own programs that are frequent fliers," says Bell. If you fly regularly, for work or pleasure, try to stick to one airline in the months leading up to your wedding; you might boost your frequent flier status enough to earn a post-nuptial upgrade.

If you're booking with Delta Air Lines, for example, you may be able to upgrade your seat with miles both at the time of booking and after. Per their website, upgrade-eligible reservations will be marked as such at the time of booking; if you amass more points after the time of booking, you may be retroactively change your seat with miles right in the app. Another option, particularly for frequent fliers? Contact a SkyMiles representative and ask for their support. You can do the same with other airlines, too.

Volunteer Your Seat and Switch to Another Flight

If you can afford to delay your trip by even just a few hours, consider volunteering your seat on an oversold flight; in exchange, you can ask for an upgrade on the alternate flight. Some gate agents are so desperate for a volunteer that they're willing to sweeten the deal for you. You can walk away with an upgraded ticket for another flight and a voucher for future travel with the airline. Just be sure to get details on the alternate flight and exactly what sort of compensation the airline is offering before you commit.

Honeymoon Hotel Upgrades

It's not just honeymoon flights that sometimes get upgraded—your hotel may be able to put you in a better tier room or throw in a few special requests if they know what this important trip is. Here's what you need to know about receiving a few post-nuptial perks on your honeymoon.

Call the Hotel When Making Reservations

As much as possible, avoid booking your hotel through travel sites or the hotel website. Call the hotel and tell the concierge on the phone what the occasion is and how excited you are to celebrate your recent nuptials at their property. The concierge will make a note—and you might be gifted a few perks because of it. Flowers, chocolates, Champagne, a complimentary dinner, or a room upgrade are just some of the possibilities.

Utilize Social Media

As you're snapping photos on your honeymoon, make sure you tag the hotel on social media (and use the hotel's hashtags!). You could catch the eye of the hotel's social media manager and be given a sweet treat to make your stay more special. So hit up the 'gram, tag the hotel, and share pics of your amazing #honeymoongoals vacation.

Choose Hotels With Rewards Programs

Some wedding venues offer complimentary hotel stays as part of the wedding package. If you don't want to spend extra on your honeymoon accommodations and love your wedding reception venue anyway, ask about hotel packages that include complimentary nights when booking before your wedding.

Just Ask Earnestly

If you show up to the hotel all excited and share your good news, just ask politely if there's a chance to get a room upgrade to make your honeymoon more special. In general, hotel concierges will be happy to make your stay extra special when it's possible. An earnest request might just get you a suite with a view.

Honeymoon Meal Upgrades

Dining out is all part of the travel experience, and that's especially true on your honeymoon. These are the meals you'll remember for a lifetime—especially if you score some unique perks at a handful of your reservations. Here's what you need to know.

Make Dinner Reservations at the Hotel

The more you book activities at the hotel, the more chances that you'll get upgraded. Always book through the concierge and ask if they have anything special to make your celebration even sweeter. Chances are, if the concierge sees you're spending a lot at the hotel, you'll be given special treatment. You could even end up with a gorgeous private table set up on the beach.

Mention the Occasion When Making Reservations

As with your accommodations, it's best to call the restaurant when making dinner reservations instead of hopping online. Mention that you're celebrating your honeymoon and the restaurant may arrange a special romantic table just for you, arrange a special menu, or give you complimentary glasses of Champagne for toasting your honeymoon.

Mention Your Honeymoon Again When You Get There

Whether it's to the concierge or your server, make sure to drop the H-word. You could also directly ask, "Are there any special treats for honeymooners?" Of course, an earnest ask goes a long way. Even if it isn't protocol, a kind server or concierge may just send you a complimentary plate of dessert.

Honeymoon Activity Upgrades

Sure, lounging on a beach or by the pool might be all of the activity you want to do on your honeymoon, but if you're looking for a little more adventure, know that these experiences might be potential upgrade opportunities, too.

Book Activities in Advance

Call as much as possible and mention your honeymoon on the phone when making reservations. This holds true for both activities at the hotel and other travel activities like tours and other experiences. If you're joining a tour, mention that you're on your honeymoon, or if you're booking a couple's massage at the hotel, be sure to tell the concierge and the receptionist at the spa that you're celebrating your honeymoon. This gives people ample time to prepare a potential treat or factor you in when making tour plans.

Make a Honeymoon Registry

List some honeymoon activities as part of your wedding registry to spend less on your travels. "What I have seen lately is the registry gives guests an option to pay for activities on the honeymoon and essentially it's just cash they can use for the big trip," says Bell. You can either list down the amounts you need for each activity (flight, accommodations, etc.) for people to donate or include links for guests to book parts of your honeymoon itinerary themselves.

Flaunt Your Newlywed Status

As a general tip, you can just outright ask if companies can offer anything special for those on their honeymoon. They could have a special package, better seats, or could ask management if they can accommodate a treat just for you. If you're polite and unassuming, businesses will be happy to help you.