I got upgraded from Delta's basic economy to Comfort Plus. The seat was nothing special, but the reserved overhead bin space was a perk I'd pay for.

• On a recent Delta flight, I got a free upgrade from basic economy to a Comfort Plus seat.
• I didn't feel a significant difference in the comfort of my airplane seat or the amount of legroom.

When I checked in for my flight from Milwaukee to New York City in early November, the seat assignment on my Delta app just said "See agent."

I'd booked a basic economy ticket, Delta's least-expensive tier that doesn't include the ability to select a seat. Round trip, my ticket had cost $197.80. A search for similar flights on Delta's website showed that the same route in Comfort Plus could cost between $300 and $450.

I went up to the counter to receive my seat assignment. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I'd been upgraded to Delta Comfort Plus because all of the basic-economy spots were full. I'd never flown anything other than economy, so I was excited to experience all of the perks.

Comfort Plus boarded right after first class, which let me settle into my seat earlier and avoid the usual long, slow-moving line. The section was also located towards the front of the plane, allowing for a swift exit upon landing.

Reserved overhead bin space took the stress out of boarding

By far, the best part of my Comfort Plus status was the dedicated overhead bin space labeled "Reserved for Comfort+ customers." After one-too-many lost-luggage incidents, I never check a bag if I can help it, so boarding is often a stressful waiting game to see if there will be enough room for my suitcase. Between the early boarding and the reserved space, my carry-on was all but guaranteed to fit.

The other perks didn't significantly impact my travel experience

My seat featured 3 more inches of legroom than basic economy, but I didn't notice a major difference since I'm not very tall to begin with.

The headrest and back cushion were slightly more plush in Comfort Plus, and there was an additional seat back pocket, but it didn't feel any more luxurious than an average airplane seat.

And because it was a short hour-and-a-half trip, I didn't receive the Comfort Plus amenity kit given out on long-haul flights.

However, the ability to board early with dedicated overhead bin space for my carry-on was a perk I'd pay extra for in the future.