Some tips on how to fly first class cheaply, including different fares, using frequent flyer miles for tickets and upgrades, elite status perks and benefits.
Flying first class - or business class - is a great way to fly, assuming you can afford it. First class doesn't usually come cheap - a round trip ticket between New York and Los Angeles routinely costs over $3000. Many people who are traveling in first class are on generous company expense accounts; although if this is not your situation, there are some strategies that will increase your chances of getting that coveted first class seat and the extra room.
Firstly, always simply compare the cost of both the coach, or economy fare; and the first class fare when making a reservation on-line or over the phone. In some competitive markets, the first class fare is sometimes not much more than the coach fare. Ask your reservations or travel agent about full coach fares that allow a "˜free upgrade' to first class; with these fares you are paying an economy fare but actually getting a first class seat. These fares can be found in competitive or key business routes, such as Chicago to New York. At the time of researching this article, the regular first class fare between these two cities was about $1400; the full coach fare - actually giving you a first class seat - was about $1200. Same seat, different price. The coach fare may have restrictions on changing dates or times; hence the difference in price. As with any strategy in trying to get the best airfare, try to be flexible with your times and/or dates - a flight at 9am may be sold out at a particular fare, while the 10am departure may be available.
Your chances of flying first class for "˜free' are more if you achieve a higher or "˜premium' or "˜elite' status with your airline's frequent flyer program. These programs have different rules and requirements, but generally speaking, if you fly a certain amount of miles or individual flights in a specified time (often in a year) you reach the next level or tier on the program. One of the benefits is space-available upgrades to first or business class; (depending on the type of aircraft) these upgrades may be completely free, or you may have to pay a small supplement. Some frequent flyer's elite programs offer upgrade "˜coupons' or "˜vouchers' that are earned based on the number of miles you fly. These can be cashed in for an upgrade to first class if there is a seat available. Check with your airline, as every airline's frequent flyer premium program is slightly different.
Regardless of your status with the airline's frequent flyer program, anyone can use their frequent flyer miles to obtain a "˜free' first class ticket, or to upgrade to first. A free first class ticket in the United States costs around 45,000 miles with most major airlines; a free first class ticket to Europe is 125,000 miles. If you don't quite have enough frequent flyer miles you can purchase the extra miles - the cost involved sometimes makes it a better deal than simply paying for the ticket outright. There is generally a limited number of free and upgrade seats available, and there may also be a charge to "˜cash in' your miles at short notice. Again, try to be flexible with dates and times and try to book ahead - it can be notoriously difficult to get a seat upgraded with miles to Europe during the summer. The airlines know they can sell the business or first class seats, and are reluctant to give them away for miles.
The amount of miles needed to upgrade to first class can depend on not only the rules of your airline, but your destination and the cost of the coach ticket that you originally paid. In general, the lower your fare, the more miles you need to upgrade. A full fare ticket within the United States can usually be upgraded to first class for as little as 10,000 miles. Ask your airline about "˜paid upgrades' as well - to do this, you would use frequent flyer miles to get a coach ticket and then pay the difference between the coach and first class fares on that route, to be upgraded to first class. Depending on the difference between the prices, this can be a surprisingly good deal.
Failing all else - just ask nicely when you check in if there is any chance of a free upgrade to first class. Airport personnel have the power to do this at their discretion, especially if the flight is oversold in coach, or if you are a premium frequent flyer with the airline. Sometimes, if a flight is oversold in coach and you are "˜bumped' to the next available flight; you may be given a seat in first class if coach is full. Some frequent flyers claim it pays to get to know the airport gate agents - especially at a smaller airport, or one that you use regularly.
Finally, try getting to know someone who works for an airline. Everybody knows that airline employees and their family and friends get to travel first class for virtually nothing!
