Earlier this spring, TikTok travel influencer Xtravels proved what we’ve known all along – treat your flight attendants well and they’ll go out of their way to make sure your trip is enjoyable.

Back in March, Xtravels, who amassed upwards of 34,000 followers with his viral vlogs depicting his visits to Japan and Thailand, took to TikTok to share the results of a recent experiment testing if offering your flight attendants Starbucks gift cards will actually yield a special flying experience.

“So I tried that travel hack where you give your flight attendants some Starbucks gift cards and see what happens,” he commenced his video, which has since garnered more than 485,000 likes.

@x_travels Gave my flight attendants $130 to starbucks and i think it was worth it. #travel #travelhack #flying #airlines #airport #appreciation ♬ original sound - Xtravels

On a recent trip from New York to Abu Dhabi, Xtravels came prepared on his flight with several Starbucks gift cards, handing them out in the hopes that he just may land him a free upgrade.

“There was still a business class seat available on this flight and it was $12,000,” he said. “I don’t wanna pay that. So I went and I got 8 $15 Starbucks gift cards.”

Totaling roughly $130, a mere fraction of the seat’s five-figure price – Xtravels boarded the plane, gift cards in hand.

@mr_selling915 #stitch with @x_travels just be nice it goes a long way. ##flightattendant #cabincrew #aviation #crewlife #flightattendantlife #cabincrewlife #stewardess #crew #airhostess #travel #flight #aviationlovers #pilot #boeing #airbus #avgeek #pramugari #airport #flightcrew #cabincrewlifestyle #airplane #flightattendants #fly #aircraft #stewardesslife #a #airline #pilotlife #pantyhose #flygirl ♬ original sound - flyingrealtor

While he ultimately didn’t end up nabbing the business class seat, shortly after distributing the gift cards, a flight attendant pulled him aside to offer another upgrade.

“Do you wanna take the exit row? It’s not a lay-flat seat but you get some extra legroom,” he recalled of their interaction. I was like ‘yeah.’”

So take it from Xtravels – always treat your flight attendants with a little extra kindness. Even if they just reply with a just a “thank you,” they’re probably way more tired than you and very much appreciate it.