cheap way to get 1st class seats

[koshergourmetmart]

ny times posts

Now, some first-class seats not sold at the usual prices as departure approaches are being offered instead to coach passengers at check-in time, at discount prices.

As someone without elite status on any airline, I selfishly welcomed this trend on a recent flight on American Airlines from New Orleans to Dallas on a basic coach ticket. At check-in, a box popped up on my computer offering me a seat in first class for a mere $45 extra. I went for it because I had a checked bag that would have cost me $25 on my coach ticket but would be free in first class. As a result, that first-class upgrade actually cost me $20. Still, in another time, the first-class seat that I bought so cheaply would most likely have been awarded as a free upgrade to a coach passenger who had elite status.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/17/business/17road.html

[srap]

Never thought of even trying.  Ty.

[shaulyaakov]

YMMV. Any time it's been offered to me, its been way more than $45. It's usually been at least as much as my coach ticket.

[burryhood]

ny times posts

Now, some first-class seats not sold at the usual prices as departure approaches are being offered instead to coach passengers at check-in time, at discount prices.

As someone without elite status on any airline, I selfishly welcomed this trend on a recent flight on American Airlines from New Orleans to Dallas on a basic coach ticket. At check-in, a box popped up on my computer offering me a seat in first class for a mere $45 extra. I went for it because I had a checked bag that would have cost me $25 on my coach ticket but would be free in first class. As a result, that first-class upgrade actually cost me $20. Still, in another time, the first-class seat that I bought so cheaply would most likely have been awarded as a free upgrade to a coach passenger who had elite status.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/17/business/17road.html

What airline is this?

[chucksterace]

What airline is this?

Read the post again.. Its says it in the first line of the main paragraph

[MosheD]

ny times posts

Now, some first-class seats not sold at the usual prices as departure approaches are being offered instead to coach passengers at check-in time, at discount prices.

As someone without elite status on any airline, I selfishly welcomed this trend on a recent flight on American Airlines from New Orleans to Dallas on a basic coach ticket. At check-in, a box popped up on my computer offering me a seat in first class for a mere $45 extra. I went for it because I had a checked bag that would have cost me $25 on my coach ticket but would be free in first class. As a result, that first-class upgrade actually cost me $20. Still, in another time, the first-class seat that I bought so cheaply would most likely have been awarded as a free upgrade to a coach passenger who had elite status.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/17/business/17road.html

Def a short domestic flight...intl is always waaay more

[urifin]

I had the option of first class upgrade EWR-IAH w/ United for $109 which wasn't too bad.

[shaulyaakov]

I'm flying AA MCI-ORD-EWR and the upgrade price was $45 for the MCI-ORD-EWR segment but comes with 3 bags. I'm in a group so some of us did it to pay less for bags and get a seat for an hour.