This blog post was updated on July 7, 2023.

It may seem that airlines are cutting back on amenities and services. But, there are still some perks to flying. There are even a few that frequent travelers don’t know about. We did some digging around to discover a few of the better–if lesser known–services that many airlines provide to their passengers.

No matter what the perk, the most important thing is that you ask politely rather than demanding them as your God-given right. Many of these services are at the discretion of airline personnel, and as mom always said, you get more flies with honey than with vinegar.

So, before your next trip, take a look at some of these secret airline travel perks that we found.

Flying on a Special Day

Up in the air to celebrate your birthday, anniversary, or another significant date? Well, if you actually are planning to be in the air on your big day–or traveling with someone else on theirs–inquire with your airline about what sort of special occasion services it has for its passengers. Practically all of them offer something special for celebrating customers. A few of the nicest perks are the customized cake and champagne services from Emirates and Cathay Pacific. Charges vary and it’s definitely wise to look into what’s provided well ahead of your flight.

Oh, and obviously no guarantees, but… there’s at least a slightly better chance than usual that you could get upgraded if you request it on a special occasion such as your birthday or anniversary. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to ask. Good luck!

Having a Laidback Layover

About to embark on a long haul with a significant layover? Plenty of airlines allow you to turn a layover into an actual leg of your vacation. And a few even throw in freebies and great deals for your stay. Obviously, airlines will differ wildly on this sort of offer, and offers come and go without notice. Before your next flight, check out the airline’s layover policies. As with the other items on this list, it certainly couldn’t hurt to ask.

Making Your Connecting Flight

A recently launched service from Star Alliance aims to cut down on missed connections and passenger distress when you’re trying to catch a connection in a pinch. The new Star Alliance Connection Service works to alert staff as soon as a connection is at risk. Staffers then meet delayed customers on arrival and take the necessary steps to ensure that customers and their bags are expedited and reach their onward flight ASAP. If a connection cannot be reached, customers are assisted with re-booking.

The Star Alliance service was rolled out in September 2017 at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, and now includes 11 airports around the world, including ones in Frankfurt, Munich, London, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, DC. Other international airports offer similar services, including ones in Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Dubai, and Kuala Lumpur. The services are generally free of charge, although some airlines may charge for priority boarding and fast-track security screening.

You may also like: 6 Airline Perks to Know Before Boarding Your Flight

Getting Compensated for Delayed Luggage

Some of the most savvy travelers don’t know that they may be eligible for compensation in the event of delayed luggage. Some airlines offer luggage on-time guarantees. This means that if your checked luggage does not arrive at the baggage claim carousel within a period of 20 minutes after the flight lands, you may be eligible to file for compensation of 2,500 miles credited to the loyalty program. While that doesn’t seem like a lot of miles, this can really add up over time.

Some major airlines have even offered a dollar credit toward the next flight. Additionally, you may be eligible to receive compensation for essential items such as clothing and toiletries if your luggage is delayed for a longer time. Check your specific airline’s policies on delayed luggage to learn more about what compensation may be afforded to you.

Enjoying the Airport Lounge for a Red-Eye Flight

Traveling on a red-eye is not always a pleasant experience. While you can’t speed up your flight time, you can make the journey a bit easier by spending time before or after a flight in the airline lounge. Not all airlines have on-site lounges. And, sometimes these lounges are only available to first-class customers or those with priority status.

However, some airlines will offer lounge access to you on red-eye flights as a courtesy. This is especially helpful if you gain access to the lounge upon arrival after your red-eye flight. You may be able to use the lounge to shower and refresh, fuel up with coffee and food before a long day, and catch up on work. It’s definitely worth your while to see if you’re eligible for lounge access.

Scoring a Second Meal

While airline food is not typically known as a culinary masterpiece, there’s no doubt that a bite to eat can make your flight more enjoyable. However, these meals are typically on the small side, leaving some passengers still hungry after the food service.

Some airlines will provide a second meal at no cost to passengers who still want a little more sustenance. The odds of scoring a second meal are higher if you’re on the last flight of the day when airlines may want to minimize leftovers. The polite thing to do is to wait until all of the other passengers have been served before asking if there are any meals left. You may also be offered a snack or meal for a fee.

Snagging Some Free Swag

Long-haul flights are typically stocked with a number of passenger amenity kits. You may find items such as lip balm, lotions, facial moisturizers, and more in these kits. Although the distribution of the kits is often limited to the first-class or business-class passengers, you can certainly request these kits from any seat on the plane with varying success.

Other good swag items that you may get from a long flight include eye masks or slippers. Keep in mind that anything that will make your flight more comfortable is worth an ask. It may end up being an item that you can use elsewhere on your travels.

Have you experienced secret airline travel perks recently? Let us know in the comments below!