Does flying first class feel like an unattainable "dream within a dream?" It doesn't have to be. The following tips can help you score a first-class seat and fly in comfort.
By Times Staff Writer
Published August 24, 2003
1. Book a first-class seat with your miles. Are you accumulating frequent-flier miles via a credit card or by actually doing a lot of flying? You can guarantee a first-class seat for yourself by paying for it with your miles. It usually costs 40,000 to 50,000 miles to fly first class on a round-trip domestic flight.
2. Upgrade your way to the front of the plane. You also can try buying a coach seat, then upgrading to first class using 10,000 miles (one way) to 20,000 miles (round trip).
3. Recognize the limitations. Unless you have elite status with the airline, you may not be permitted to upgrade from a coach seat on a deeply discounted ticket. You also typically can't pursue such an upgrade on a partner airline.
4. For shorter flights, consider buying upgrade points. For $40 to $50, several airlines allow you to buy an "upgrade point" that covers a 500-mile flight segment. That means it would cost you two points for an upgrade on a 1,000-mile flight.
5. Pay for miles. If you're just shy of the amount of miles you need for an upgrade, it could be worthwhile to buy some miles. Some airlines allow you to purchase 1,000 miles for about $25.
6. Opt for planes with large first-class sections. You can compare the cabins of different airplanes by visiting airlines' Web sites. Your chances of securing a first-class seat will increase if there are more of those seats to go around, and if you can see in advance that they aren't all booked.
7. Try for flights that aren't too crowded. While you're checking out the seat maps on those Web sites, take a gander at the situation in coach. If the back of the plane isn't too crowded, you'll face less competition for upgrading.
8. Sign up to receive frequent-flier e-mails. You'll often spot information about upgrade specials in those messages.
9. Be diligent about upgrading as early as possible. Because seats set aside for upgrades are a hot commodity, try to upgrade right away when you're reserving your flight or at the earliest point permitted by your frequent-flier program. Call to upgrade at midnight if that's your first possible opportunity.
10. Know when to fly. While it may be tempting to try to fly first class in the evening so you can get the free dinner and cocktails, there's less competition if you fly in the mornings or at nonbusiness hours, such as Saturdays, holidays, mid day and late evenings.
