ROBIN SHURTLEFF LEANS

back in her large, comfy leather chair, enjoying headphones with satellite-fed music, a free cocktail and an empty seat next to her on her way to Chicago on business. Crowded planes, cramped seating and rations of warm soda are far from her thoughts. "I love this way to travel," says the movie-theater executive. The price of such road-warrior luxury? Forty dollars.

Ziploc bags and liquid bans be damned. As everyone knows by now, tough times and severe cutbacks not to mention stringent security policies continue to give business travel all the thrill of a trip to the dentist. But there may be another side to the draconian days of business travel: The industry is opening doors to a surprising number of perks that were not available before. No, we're not talking shelling out a thousand dollars or more for a first-class ticket. Shurtleff, for instance, doesn't have elite status on American Airlines she's just a regular traveler on AirTran Airways, a discount carrier with a business-class cabin in the front of its planes. Upgrades are for sale on every flight for $40 to $80. For that you get a first-class-size leather seat, ample leg room, free cocktails and cookies. And it's not just the discount airlines looking for ways to upsell: United has seen huge success with its new Economy Plus program, offering non-elite fliers the option to upgrade to the roomiest seats in coach for an extra $25 to $100. At US Airways, day-of-flight upgrades to first class were recently going for $50.

To be sure, you could argue that some of these perks should be standard and once were. But that was when airlines could afford them. Now, after desperate attempts to make up for lost revenue by charging for snacks and even checking bags, airlines have found a better way to bring in extra revenue: sell creature comforts a la carte. For less than what you might shell out for long-term parking, you can now buy yourself 5 inches of extra leg room or entry into a cushy airport lounge where you can chill out, have a drink and even take a shower between flights. Pretzel nuggets in coach? That's for the hoi polloi. Savvy travelers know how to get a gourmet meal on the plane for less than $20. And forget about waiting in line for a rental car pay a little bit extra, and your car will be warmed up and waiting for you.

It's hard to keep track of all the upgrades, discounts and freebies in no small part because airlines and hotels don't always widely advertise them. But with your comfort in mind, we came up with eight ways to buy yourself a little VIP treatment on your next business trip. It's easier than you think.

1. Buy a little more leg room

You might wonder what took them so long, but airlines have discovered something magical about coach passengers: They'll pay more for a few extra inches of space. Not surprisingly, airlines are making the most of it. United Airlines pioneered this with its Economy Plus coach seats. For $25 to $100 more per flight (upgrade when you check in), you get about 5 inches of extra space. That may not sound like a lot, but it can mean the difference between having room to open your laptop and barely having space to read a newspaper. If you're a regular on United, or willing to become one, opt for the Economy Plus unlimited "access pass" for $299 a year. Northwest Airlines, too, now charges an extra $15 for premium coach seats, like bulkheads and exit rows, while US Airways offers first-class upgrades for as little as $50. Even the discount airlines are getting into the game: AirTran and Spirit sell upgrades to business class starting at $40.

2. Eat a first-class meal out of a box

Everyone hated airline food anyway, but travelers still saw the disappearance of it as a violation of an inalienable right. That's not going to change, but the mystery-meat sacrifice has opened up a whole new business for hotels, many of which now package carry-on meals and sell them through their room-service menu. The food is usually of far better quality than what airlines serve, and even at high-end hotels the prices are still lower than many airport restaurants'. The Peninsula Beverly Hills will send you on your way with a club-sandwich box for $11.50, a Cobb salad for $13.50 or a cold poached-salmon dinner for $16 what you'd pay for a congealed chef salad at the gate.

3. Hang out in a swank airline club

Eric Davitt of Toronto has a fail-safe tactic when it comes to long layovers: He kills time almost exclusively in airline club lounges. "People are willing to live like dumpster divers at airports just to avoid paying a fee," he says.

And while Davitt pays $300 per year, per airline, for access to those closed doors, you don't have to. Looking for new ways to bring in fast and easy revenue, many airlines have started selling day passes to their lounges: American, Delta and Continental will give you access for $25 to $50 a day. Work for a few hours, shower or even work out fresh off a round of renovations to draw more members, many now have treadmills, elliptical trainers and other equipment. They can also be handy for rebooking: Agents who staff clubs are generally whizzes at the keyboard.

4. If your luggage absolutely, positively has to be there...ship it

Airlines mishandle one bag for every 120 passengers, so odds are fairly good that one person on your flight will be facing a nightmare. Will it be you? If you have to take something crucial with you and can't carry it on board, consider FedEx or United Parcel Service, which track packages along the way (airlines scan bag tags at the start of a trip but rarely down the line). A cottage industry of private firms has emerged to handle this, too: Luggage Free charges $40 per pickup, plus $1.50 to $2.75 per pound (think $75 for your golf clubs). But be wary of services that check bags at hotels and convention centers. They take your bag earlier but introduce another transfer and more room for error in the process.

5. Park like a celebrity

And now, some relief for the perpetually late: Many airports are introducing valet parking. Dallas/Fort Worth; Seattle; Columbus, Ohio; and Pittsburgh are among the growing number of airports now adding this service and it doesn't cost much more than standard parking. Los Angeles International Airport offers valet parking for $38 a day, only $8 more than its standard daily parking fee. You can call the valet service upon your return and have your car waiting curbside. In Pittsburgh you can even use the time you're away to take care of some maintenance: Get your car washed ($15), have your wiper blades changed ($30), or opt for a full interior and exterior detailing ($170).

6. Upgrade your wheels...

Upgrading your rental car goes a long way, and we don't just mean from economy to full-size. Renting fancier cars think Volvo, Jaguar and Mercedes gets you snappy service, and it's not as expensive as you may think. Hertz sometimes puts its Prestige Collection on sale. A Volvo in Las Vegas was recently priced at $75 a day, including navigation system, while a Ford Focus compact car for the same dates cost $62 a day. Better yet, spring for a Jaguar at $99 a day. Another plus: "Prestige" cars are usually parked in spots closest to the bus. And while you're at it, pay the $10 extra for a car with a GPS navigation system; most agencies offer them.

7. ...on second thought, hire a private car

Ron Goodenow, a market research consultant from Boston, takes it one step further he opts for a car service. His rationalization: On his frequent trips to Phoenix, cabs to and from the airport once he's on the ground there usually run about $25 each way; renting a car easily costs $80 a day including tax (not to mention a superslow bus ride to the rental depot). The $60 or $70 a round-trip private car service costs, he figures, actually provides a pretty good value.

8. Want a hotel upgrade? Just ask.

Most people don't think about it, but hotels will often upgrade your room if you simply ask, especially if you use the same hotel frequently. Finicky travelers also swear by quizzing desk clerks about rooms; if it's too close to the elevator for your taste or too far, for that matter press for an upgrade. Airlines may have automated the upgrade game, but when it comes to hotels, a sweet smile (and maybe a $20 tip) at the front desk can still get results.