Look for "Y-Up" fares. A Y-Up fare is a discounted first class airline ticket. If a plane's first class cabin is not sold out close to a flight, the airlines will change the code of the remaining first class tickets to Y-UP and offer them at deeply discounted prices. The price is often the same as a full fare coach ticket. Y-UP fares are normally one-way; they are almost always available on flights that have a first class cabin. Make sure you tell your travel agent to search for Y-UP fares, or if you are booking on your own, there are many discount airfare companies that sell Y-UP fares.
Check the Internet for discounts and promotions. Aside from the Y-up fares, sometimes airlines have special promotions for discounted first class fares for frequent flyers that they will publish in their frequent-flyer newsletters. Online airfare companies always have specials and discounts, no matter what class your are flying.
Cash in your miles. If you have been steadily racking up frequently flyer miles with one airline over the years, you can cash the miles in and either get a full upgrade, or you may then be eligible for a discounted first class ticket. On average, you'll need at least 15,000 miles to pay for a discounted upgrade to first class.
Pay for a discounted upgrade at the airport. Several airlines will now allow you to pay for an upgrade when you check in. Simply ask the ticket agent how much it would cost you to upgrade to first class for your flight. If there are Y-UP fares available, they will offer you the discounted ticket to fly first class.
