Get in First Class for Economy Class Prices
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
For most casual travelers, the first class cabin is off-limits. The price gap between economy and premium classes are significant enough to assure that most trips are taken in the (relatively) cramped confines of economy class. Not that that is always a bad thing. The money saved on a cheaper ticket usually outweighs the lack of comfort. But there are ways, especially in the current economic climate, to find your way into premium classes without having to resort to sneaking around that curtain when no one is looking.
Recently, most airlines have loosened the requirement for elite frequent flier status. This means that it can take only a few trips before a flier can qualify for an on-the-spot upgrade. Elite members - even if they normally fly econ - can earn a business class seat by showing up early at the gate and seeing if there is a seat available. Judging from most airlines' current complaints about travelers shunning premium classes, there should be an opening most of the time.
Sticking with a single airline and perhaps even earning frequent flier miles in other ways besides flying (such as a credit card that earns airline miles) is usually the quickest way to upgrade your frequent flier status.
Some airlines, in an effort to fill the premium class seats that have long been empty, have sales that hawk these seats at nearly-economy class prices. In reality, the only way to take advantage of such a sale is to remain plugged in to the latest fare news. You can sign up for an airline's email newsletter service. Most emails won't directly address the fares you are looking for, but occasionally, a gem will drop into your inbox and you will be able to take advantage.
Another strategy is to buy a regular, economy class fare at a deeply discounted price and then try to upgrade it. This generally works only if the ticket is upgradeable (not all discounted ticket are).
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