CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

A recent survey found that 65% of people plan to ‘go big’ with their travel plans this year, with many wanting to make up for lost time after the pandemic. Alongside this, 40% of travellers are willing to spend more on trips, splurging on treats for their getaway.

However, for many, the price of a first-class plane ticket is still out of reach with airlines such as Emirates charging upwards of $10,000 for a one-way ticket.

Therefore, Travel Experts at Forbes Advisor have put together their advice on how to increase your chances of being upgraded on a flight, from knowing when to check in, to how to ask for an upgrade.

Experts reveal how to increase your chances of being upgraded on a flight

1. Check in early

When heading to the airport, most people simply try to arrive with enough time to check in bags, clear security and relax before taking off. However, many people don’t realize the time you check in can influence your chances of an upgrade.

If you want to improve your chances of a free first class seat, try checking in either very early – or last minute. If you arrive several hours early for your flight, you’re most likely to beat off any competition for first class or business tickets – and avoid missing out to someone who got there before you. Chances are if the economy cabin has been overbooked, airlines will want to rectify this sooner rather than later to avoid causing delays.

2. Be flexible

Ensuring you’re a helpful and flexible customer can often lead to rewards. It’s not uncommon for some airlines to overbook flights leading to them needing to ‘bump’ passengers to another flight. If the airline is looking for volunteers to take a later flight, take the opportunity as it could lead to a free upgrade for your troubles.

If a first-class ticket isn’t offered and you have been bumped (voluntarily or not), it’s always worth asking if they can upgrade your ticket due to the inconvenience.

Another common occurrence on flights is to be asked to move to a new seat by the cabin crew. While this can be inconvenient, if you’re flexible it could be to your advantage. Say yes to being moved and you could land yourself with a first-class seat – if not, again it’s always worth asking for an upgrade for your troubles.

3. Fly solo

Due to the premium price of first-class seats, you have much better chances of getting an upgrade if you’re flying alone. It’s unlikely airlines will want to lose out on money to upgrade a large group, so are more likely to offer a free first class ticket to individuals.

Alongside this, seating in first class is often limited, meaning there is less chance of a group of seats becoming available.

4. Pick your flight time wisely

There are certain conditions where first-class seats are less likely to be fully booked up. For example, if economy class is overbooked you’re much more likely to be offered a free upgrade.

Consider occasions when this might be the case – for example, flying during peak times for families such as school holidays – most families won’t shell out to sit in first class and routes will be busy, increasing the likelihood of an overbooked economy cabin.

Alongside this, there is a higher likelihood you may be asked to move seats to accommodate a family with young children – again providing opportunity to be given or ask for an upgrade.

5. Dress smart

While dressing in your finest clothes is no guarantee for an upgrade, a smart outfit will certainly enhance your chances of being chosen.

Top paying customers will often be dressed sharper, and airlines will want to ensure anyone they bump to first-class looks the part.

Don’t feel the need to dress in anything extravagant. However, just make sure you avoid items that are too casual like flip flops and cargo shorts.

6. Ask politely

Last but not least, one of the best tactics is simply to ask airlines if there is a chance for an upgrade. As long as you are polite, there is no reason why this can’t land you a free first-class ticket.

This is especially worth trying if you’ve been inconvenienced in any way by the airline; have been delayed, lost your baggage or missed a connection. Politely mention that an upgrade would be appreciated, if possible, and stress your loyalty to the airline.

Alternatively, if your flight is for a special occasion, why not try your luck by mentioning it? Many airline staff will help to upgrade you if they can to make occasions such as honeymoons, anniversaries and birthdays more special.

Words by Isabell Fisher, co-founder of Little Hands Learning

 When it’s raining, it can be tempting to let the likes of Netflix or Disney+ do the babysitting. But playing and doing activities with your children not only supports their emotional and cognitive development but it is a really rewarding way to spend your time:

• It creates special memories that you and your children can both hold onto forever

• It makes your child feel special

• It provides shared experiences that you can talk and reminisce about

So here are a few screen-free activities for when the UK’s penchant for precipitation has the family stuck indoors.

Be bakers

Our own children love to bake and of course then eat the goodies they have made. Baking shortbread and scones is simple enough for inexperienced bakers to have a go at and they taste great!

Baking bread is also surprisingly simple, and you and your children can have lots of fun creating different animals out of the dough to then bake in the oven.

Be arty

Children love to paint but it can fill many parents with dread. Instead of using poster paint, which can get messy quickly, try using watercolour paints. Instead of painting on paper, try coffee filters, a canvas or ice cubes.

Be crafty

Craft activities do not need to be overly complicated. Often keeping it simple is far better than creating something elaborate. Try making paper boats and planes and then seeing how far they will travel.

 You can make tealight holders from old jam jars and gluing on pieces of tissue paper. These also make lovely presents for grandparents.

Salt dough is a modelling material that uses ingredients you will have in your kitchen cupboards, so it’s a wonderful alternative to air dry clay. To make salt dough, add 63g of flour, 70g of salt to a bowl and slowly combine 45ml of water into the dry ingredients. Stop adding water once the dough comes together. Use your hands to squidge and squish the dough until it is smooth. If it is too wet, add a little flour or if it is too dry add a little more water. With this dough you can create decorations, dinosaur fossils, and play food.

To add an extra sensory dimension to your salt dough you can add spices, such as cinnamon or even ground coffee. You only need to add a teaspoon of these to your mix.

Bake your salt dough creations in the oven on the lowest setting for 3-4 hours until hard to the touch. Once cool, they can be painted.

Be pirates

 This is a wonderful activity to do with any pirate fan and it uses resources you will have at home. You just need some crayons, a piece of white card and a tea bag.

First design your map. Begin by drawing a large, rounded oblong onto the middle of your card. Add arrows to create the compass and draw features like a skull, mountains, palm trees and a pirate ship on the sea. Decide where your treasure will be buried on your island and add a X. Next pour some warm water into a bowl and add your tea bag. Let the tea bag infuse into the water. Place the card onto a towel or tea towel – this will soak up any excess water. Squeeze the excess water out of the tea bag and dab the tea bag all over the card. Dipping the tea bag back into the warm water when needed. Leave the card to dry and then use it to find your treasure.

Be wizards and/or witches

Brewing a magic potion is always a really popular activity to do with children and uses ingredients already in your kitchen cupboard. Raid your spice drawer and add water and some old jam jars and watch as your children create more and more interesting concoctions.

If you would like to make your magic potions more elaborate then add bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and distilled vinegar. Your children will absolutely love the reaction that these three ingredients will create to their potions.

Be board game designers

Designing your own board game is a fun way to learn about design, teamwork and hide any maths learning they may be struggling with at school. All you need is a piece of paper, some pens, some counters (which could be little toy figures) and some dice.

Begin by creating a simple grid on your piece of paper. Then, decide on the rules of your game. Will you get another turn if you roll a specific number? How many players can play at any one time? Will there be squares that will allow you to jump forwards or take you backwards? Should any snakes, ladders, trees, or slides be included on your game board? How will you decide who has won the game?

Together, create and decorate your board game. Play and enjoy!

Be boffins

There are lots of easy science experiments that can be tried at home with household items. Science experiments are a great way to get children to start to ask questions, make predictions and understand the world around them. Try making a lava lamp with water and food colouring and oil in a jar. Add an effervescent tablet and watch what happens!

Be booksters

Reading is a quick and mess-free activity that requires no prep at all. Sharing a book has enormous educational and emotional benefits for your children. By giving your children the time and your full attention whilst reading a book, it provides them with comfort and security, as well as building their self-esteem.

If you are feeling ambitious and the book is set in a cave or under a bridge, build a den and make some popcorn.

For these ideas and many more please visit https://www.littlehandslearning.co.uk/activities.

All of these activities are easy to set up and you will probably have most of what you need at home already. If you like the sound of these activities but are limited on time, there are wonderful children’s subscriptions out there that can send you everything you need directly to your home every month.

After a day in the heat or in the sun, our skin doesn’t always feel its best.  Our skin can be dehydrated from the rising temperature, our excess sweating mean more oil on the skin and the sun itself can lessen moisture within the skin.

It’s important to take care of your skin during these times, including a good cleanse to help remove grime and sweat, whilst restoring some moisture & hydration to your skin.  This is where Wake Skincare’s new Facial Cleanser can help.

The gel formula cleanser works for all skin types and is made with vegan and cruelty-free ingredients.  Glycerine and propanediol help to retain the skin’s moisture, refresh the skin’s surface, and reduce the signs of ageing, helping to make skin feel soft and balanced while lifting sebum and impurities off the skin and helping to fight breakouts.  Aloe Vera within the formulation helps soothe the skin.

British accessories brand Hill & Ellis have launching its new range of rucksacks/totes created specifically for the eco friendly, Brompton bike. Ideal for the commute, the shops, an evening out and everything in between.

They are functional, fashionable, hard wearing and there is a range designed specifically for the Brompton cyclist. The straps adjust so the bag can be worn as a rucksack or tote and the bag features patented FIDLOCK  snap magnets for fast and secure closing and an additional FIDLOCK  snap magnet to secure the carry straps away from the wheel when in use. There’s plenty of space inside for a laptop and other essentials, and each bag attaches easily to the Brompton bike with the Borough frame which slides into the back panel and securely attaches with Velcro tabs.

The stylish and highly versatile bags attach to the Brompton bike using the Borough bag frame which slides into a back panel and is secured with Velcro straps. This also allows the bag to attach easily to a suitcase puller for further jet-setting travel.

Each bag has patented magnetic Fidlock snap bag closures for ease and security. Internal zip pockets for easy organisation, and a padded laptop sleeve which fits up to a 15inch laptop – perfect for the work commute.

The roll top rucksack cycling bag has interchangeable handles so it can be worn as a rucksack or tote/shoulder bag – making it one of the most versatile cycling bags on the market.

The new ‘designed for the Brompton’ rucksack range comes in four colours:

The ‘Brook’ vegan bag is crafted in black water-resistant canvas with a stunning racing green faux leather front pocket and detailing. The faux leather is made from, amazingly, apple skin waste left over from cider production in northern Italy making this bag fully vegan friendly and an eco-friendly alternative to plastic.

The ‘Blake’ is crafted in black water-resistant canvas with a genuine leather front pocket, black nickel hardware and black cotton webbing handles.

 The ‘Baron’ is crafted in black water-resistant canvas with a vegan black PVC front pocket, black nickel hardware and black cotton webbing handles.

The ‘Bernard’ is crafted in black water-resistant canvas with a gorgeous brown leather front pocket and detailing, black nickel hardware and black cotton webbing handles.

Each bag has been designed in the UK, beautifully crafted in Portugal and comes with a ripstop nylon waterproof cover for extra weatherproof protection.