How to get the best seat on the plane

Aside from that, a potential upgrade will require a little charm. Many people underestimate how much power that overworked gate agent actually has, says Counter. An agent has the power to choose whom to upgrade, and in some cases, whom to bump. So make airline workers your allies: When you reach the gate, ask the agent if any seats have opened up in the front of the plane.

For a fee that ranges between $50 and several hundred dollars — much cheaper than the difference in price when you book — you’ll be able to move on up.

ODDBALL SEAT ISSUES

Sometimes you book on a travel site like Expedia or Orbitz, but you check in the day before your flight and you don’t have a seat. Why does this happen?

According to an Orbitz spokeswoman, most airlines only allow about 75 to 80 percent of their seats to be booked before flight time. If you’re booking too close to your flight, you might be out of luck.

The remaining seats are issued at the airport on the day of departure. Airlines will then move people around to accommodate families who aren’t seated together or people with disabilities and special needs.

Another reason you might not end up with the seat you booked? Sometimes an airline will change an aircraft at the last minute due to weather or an operational issue. If the aircraft changes, seat assignments may need to be adjusted.

Some airlines also keep more seats or rows for premium travelers. You won’t always know which seats these are when you book. This is especially common on seats on a codeshare flight — where one airline sells tickets but the flight is operated by another. (Example: you booked a US Airways ticket but the flight is actually operated by United.)

How can you prevent it? There isn’t a lot you can do to avoid being moved around by an elite frequent flier. But to ensure you have the seat you booked on a travel site, visit the airline’s Web site after you book. If the site doesn’t reflect your seat request, call the airline and see if you can make a reservation over the phone.

THE FUTURE

It wouldn’t be the airline industry without extra fees. Counter of TripAdvisor says passengers should be prepared for a new charge on the horizon: a seat selection fee. Allegiant and Spirit already do this. United and JetBlue charge for roomier seats.

The one time a seat fee didn’t work? In the summer of 2001, when American removed some seating from the cabin and announced it would charge extra for “more room throughout coach.” It didn’t fly. The airline reinstalled extra rows of seats in 2005.