Flying High

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.

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.