Be a courier
When you carry documents on behalf of businesses, you’ll be paid by way of a discount on your air ticket. You have to be over 18, smartly dressed and arrange your own visa where necessary. Best discounts from the UK are to New York and Japan in winter. Contact www.aircourier.co.uk

Have a dodgy leg
An injured knee, or perhaps just a knee-brace, will see you whisked to your gate in a wheelchair with a nice man to carry your luggage. You may even get to ride on one of those tank-like buggies that other passengers who have to walk three-quarters of a mile envy. Explain that your leg needs to be propped up and you may be offered more than one seat to spread yourself out.

What a coincidence!
If a motorist asks for directions, tell them you’re headed in the same direction – what a surprise – and suggest you jump in. If they don’t know where they’re going, they won’t known when they haven’t got there. You get an unexpected lift to wherever you want to go.