Air travel certainly hasn't gotten any easier in the past few years. With every flight packed to the rafters, how can you ever get an upgrade or catch an earlier flight when a business meeting ends sooner than expected?

Think you're just out of luck? Maybe not.

The website www.expertflyer.com should be able to help. Expert Flyer turns you into your own gate agent by helping you find the flights that have the best chances for upgrades. It allows you to search for fares that allow you to more flexibility without a lot more cost. And it also shows you the airline's daily seating inventory, helping you catch that earlier flight. You can even sign up for customized alerts notifying you when award seats become available.

Currently aimed at business travelers, the monthly cost starts at $4.99.

So before you pack a bag, check out www.expertflyer.com

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