Flying business class for the first time? Before you head to the airport, check your baggage allowance and whether your ticket gets you into a lounge. Once you’re onboard, there are a few things worth knowing, too. That pre-departure glass of champagne isn’t a given, and the rules around the call button can depend on which airline you’re flying. If you’re offered pajamas, go ahead and change. Just leave your bare feet out of the lavatory.

On the hotel side, Marriott Bonvoy is testing a new upgrade list in its app, giving some members a look at their spot in line and how many upgraded rooms might be available. It’s only at a small number of hotels for now, but Marriott says it’ll expand to more than 250 hotels in the U.S. and Canada by November. We like the transparency, but the app won’t tell you what room you’re actually in line for.

Plus, Margaritaville at Sea is selling an all-you-can-cruise pass for two adults starting at around $2,500, good for unlimited sailings through Dec. 31, 2027. It could be a great deal if you plan to cruise often, but there are some restrictions, and taxes, fees, and gratuities still apply.

Rove is a free travel rewards program that lets you earn transferable Rove Miles on hotels, flights, dining, and shopping using the credit cards you already have.

The real standout is hotels. Book a Loyalty Eligible rate through Rove and you can earn Rove Miles alongside your hotel points and elite night credits. Departure Digest listeners get a 1,000-mile welcome bonus instantly upon joining.

Check AeroLOPA before you pick a seat for your next flight. Some “window seats” don’t actually come with a window.

Have a travel or points question? Submit it here and it may be featured in a future episode.

If you’re flying business class for the first time, you already know you’ll get a bigger seat and better food. What you might not know are the unwritten rules that come with it.

You’re listening to Departure Digest. Today, we’re talking about how to fly up front like you’ve done it before, a hotel upgrade list that ranks you like an airline would, and an all-you-can-cruise pass.

Congrats and welcome to the good life. Whether you paid cash, used points, or got upgraded, here’s what I’d want to know before boarding my first business or first class flight.

Start with the pre-departure drink, the champagne or juice some airlines pour during boarding. It’s a nice touch, not a guarantee, and on domestic U.S. flights it’s especially hit or miss. Crews have to collect the cups before the plane leaves the gate, so if boarding runs late, it’s often the first thing to go.

Don’t be the person flagging down a flight attendant for champagne while 40 people are still hunting for bin space.

Many airlines also post their menus online, and some let you preorder your meal, so you can stalk the menu like it’s a dinner reservation.

Then there’s the call button. On a lot of U.S. and European airlines, crews would rather you catch them walking by. Pressing it for every refill is like ringing your neighbor’s doorbell at midnight.

On many Asian airlines, the button is how you’re supposed to ask, and the crew may even make your bed. On a domestic carrier, I’d plan on making your own.

If you’re handed pajamas, wear them. Nothing says “I belong here” like the airline’s free loungewear.

Slippers are great. Bare feet are not, especially in the lavatory.

Oh, and if you’re flying with your partner in a suite with a door, don’t get any funny ideas up there. That door is shorter than you think.

When the cabin goes dark, keep your window shade down and use your reading light. On domestic flights, where first class is just a bigger recliner, look back before you lean back. That’s how laptops get crushed.

It’s mostly regular plane manners, with more legroom and fewer excuses.

Speaking of upgrades, Marriott seems to be borrowing a page from the airlines.

If you have airline status, you’ve probably seen the upgrade list. Now some Marriott Bonvoy members are spotting something similar. It’s still in beta. Close to arrival, the Marriott app estimates how many upgraded rooms are available, shows your spot in line, and says it’ll notify you a day ahead if you get one.

A screenshot floating around shows zero upgrades available, with the member listed at No. 2. Second in line for zero rooms. That about sums up Marriott upgrades lately.

Nightly Upgrade Awards, which are certificates Marriott’s frequent guests can earn, get first dibs and aren’t reflected in those numbers.

I like the transparency. If nothing’s available, you can skip the awkward front desk negotiation. But the list doesn’t tell you what you’re in line for, so it could be a room just two floors up or a proper suite with a living room.

I’m also a little skeptical. Airlines got better at selling upgrades as their lists became more visible, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Marriott eventually tries the same.

So while it’s nice to know where you stand, I wouldn’t bank on an upgrade.

You know I’ve still never been on a cruise. I’m not sure a Margaritaville ship would be my first, but I do love a good deal.

Margaritaville at Sea just announced an annual cruise membership that lets two adults take unlimited cruises through the end of 2027. It starts at about $2,500, or about $2,000 for returning pass holders for a limited time.

It works on all of its ships, sailing out of Palm Beach, Tampa, and starting in January, Miami. Trips run up to seven nights, in cabins up to a balcony. It’s valid as soon as you buy it, so buying now gets you close to 15 months.

You could make your money back in two or three cruises, especially on the week-long sailings or with a balcony. Short trips are cheap enough that you’d need more.

Now, about that fine print. You still pay taxes, fees, and gratuities every time. You can only book 30 days to 24 hours out, one cruise at a time, and there are holiday blackout dates.

The rule I’d tape to the fridge is the no-show policy. Cancel less than seven days out, or skip the cruise, and you could lose the whole membership.

This is great if you want to split the membership with a friend you always travel with. The primary member has to be on every reservation, but you can change the second guest from cruise to cruise.

If cruising isn’t your thing, that’s totally fine. It’s not really mine either, but if you’re curious and can be flexible on dates, it’s worth a look.

Alrighty, that’s it for today. Whether you’re flying up front, waiting on a hotel upgrade, or eyeing a cruise pass, know what you’re getting into before you book. Safe travels, and I’ll see you Friday.