Many people think that first class travel is reserved for the rich and famous, but if you know how, you can fly first class for the same price as a last-minute coach ticket. The chances of booking a cheap first class ticket increase if you know the tricks to locating these special-rate seats.
It is not unusual for companies to have a strict "no first class travel" policy that is designed to keep the costs of corporate travel down. In response, airlines offer a first class seat that is booked as a coach ticket. The ticket is hugely discounted from the price of a first class seat, yet it comes complete with first class perks. Originally, these special tickets, called "Y-Ups" or "Q-Ups," were sold to frequent flyers and valued customers as a way of getting around a company's "no first class travel" policy. The seats most likely would have remained empty, so by offering them at a discount to valued customers, the airline created a win-win situation.
Y-Ups are allocated on every flight within the U.S., even for fully booked or peak-hour trips. Most Y-Ups are one way only so you have to check for availability of return flights. If you use a travel agent, ask the agent to search for "Y-Up" or "discounted First Class" airfare, or you can perform the search yourself.
Cheap first class airfare is available at off-peak times or dates. Discounts are offered for stopover flights or flights that require you to change planes. For this minor inconvenience, you can experience the comfort and pampering of first class travel at discounted prices. Statistically, the best time to buy airline tickets is on Tuesdays at 3pm Eastern Standard Time. Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly, followed by Tuesday and Saturday. The cheapest time of day to fly is the first flight out in the morning.
If you booked a coach or business ticket, you can ask on the day you plan to travel if the airline has any upgraded seats available. Any unbooked first class seats still empty at the time of departure are up for grabs for as little as an additional $50. This is very much a first-in, first-served situation, but it is always worth asking for discounted first class airfare.
If you travel a lot, you likely have accumulated a large amount of frequent flyer miles. These points, which you earn each time you travel, can be used to upgrade to first class seats at no additional cost to the traveler.
