Get on Web Before Flight for Free Upgrade

Orange County travelers flying to San Francisco on Reno Air can score a free first-class upgrade via the Internet.

Simply access the discount carrier’s Web site (https://www.renoair.com), click on “highlights of the month,” print out the upgrade certificate and present it at the counter when you fly. The upgrades are granted on a space-available basis and are good only through Nov. 15 on either leg of Reno Air’s new Orange County-San Francisco route.

Reno Air isn’t the only carrier offering incentives to attract customers to its Web site. Several major carriers are dangling mileage carrots to get customers to use their new online reservations systems, a practice that could eventually save the airlines millions in commissions if travelers learn to bypass travel agents.

For example, American Airlines (https://www.americanair.com) is handing out 500 frequent flier miles to customers who book flights through its online service through the end of the year. Ditto for United Airlines (https://www.ual.com) and Northwest Airlines (https://www.nwa.com).