Use your frequent flyer miles to upgrade to first class seats. Frequent flyers often find that free seats are not available on their desired flight. Airlines reserve these free seats in sections other than first class. Therefore, while a free seat may not be open, the flight will likely have a first class seat available. While upgrading to a first class seat using frequent flyer miles does not result in a free flight, the seat costs significantly less than a purchased first class ticket.
Visit travel sites specializing in discounted airfare. Sites like Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz search for the best rates from all the major airline companies, providing consumers a convenient way to choose the lowest possible first class rate for their flight. In addition, these websites often feature exclusive rates for first class tickets that result in deeper discounts. These special prices offer significant savings over tickets purchased directly from the airline.
Purchase a Y-Up seat. Y fares are a class of seats that you purchase for the price of a coach seat at the time of booking. A number of airlines, like American Airlines and Northwest Airlines, allow this type of fare to upgrade to first class for free as long as seats are available. Be sure to request a Y fare, because airlines and travel agents will not usually offer the fare unless you ask for it. Also, some airlines call this seat class a Q fare.
Ask for a first class upgrade when you check in with the airline on the day of departure. Purchase a coach seat ahead of time and simply request an upgrade when you arrive at the airport. Though these upgrades are seldom free, first class upgrades will be significantly lower than if you had originally purchased a full fare ticket in that section. Upgrades are only available if the first class has not reached full capacity.
