You can get a first-class ticket by upgrading a coach ticket using miles accrued in a frequent-flier program. Carriers will provide you with the number of accrued miles needed to upgrade your ticket to first class. Some airlines offer the opportunity to purchase additional miles for your frequent flier account when you purchase a ticket. This could be the cheapest way to a first-class ticket. Upgrading your ticket using miles in advance will usually cost you fewer miles than trying to upgrade at the last minute.
You can often purchase a first-class ticket through an online service for less than what it costs directly from an airline. Discount services allow you to compare prices between airlines for the same route. If an airline is the only carrier to a destination, you will seldom find cheap fares or bargains. Find out which carrier has the most competition on a route to gain some bargaining power.
When booking a first-class ticket online, be as flexible as possible. If you're flying to a major city with more than one airport, check if an alternative destination will bring down the price of the ticket. For example, if you're flying to New York City, you have the options of JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, New Jersey. Change the dates of your travel when searching for fares to see if this changes the price of your ticket. If you fly midweek you will typically find cheaper tickets than if you fly on a weekend.
With some carriers, you can get an affordable upgrade at the last minute. Some carriers will allow you to purchase a cheap upgrade to first class when the first-class cabin is undersold. The cost of this ticket upgrade can be as low as $50. You can also take advantage of a cheap upgrade to first class by using a self-service kiosk to print your ticket at the airport. The option to upgrade will be offered when you choose your seat assignment at the kiosk check-in.
