airlines typically offer a few deep-discount first-class seats on U.S. flights, while making sure to save some upgrades for pax in the top tier of a frequent-flier program. The bargain fares are most appealing on routes heavily used by business travelers, since competition to upgrade from economy class to business class is fiercest on those flights. The number of bargain first-class seats varies by plane type since there are different number of seats in first class cabin in boeing 737 airbus a320 embraer e170 e190 aircraft, seat configuration and competition with other airlines.
a particular type of coach fare called "Q-up." Other airlines use codes such as "Y-up" and "Z up." They represent little-known but surprisingly big bargains on thousands of first-class seats a day throughout the U.S. And often they can be much cheaper than last-minute coach seats. It takes some work to find the Q-up, Y-up and Z fares. Online travel Web sites such as FareCompare, Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz let users search by specific fare type. While known as Q-up or Y-up fares, the codes airlines use to identify them sometimes contain additional airline-specific characters, as in one recent Delta fare labeled QUPBV.
Airlines won't disclose exactly how many Q-up, Y-up or Z fares are available. The lure of upgrading from a cramped middle seat near the back of the plane to first class is one of the few perks frequent flyer still have
Why would airlines such as continental and united airlines encourage passengers to slip into first class -- and on the cheap? Most people sitting in first-class seats on domestic flights aren't paying first-class prices. Instead, many passengers are cashing in frequent-flier miles or buying upgrades, meaning those seats generate little extra revenue for the airlines. Q-up fares help carriers increase the number of paying passengers in first class.
It takes some work to find the Q-up, Y-up and Z fares. Online travel Web sites such as FareCompare, Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz let users search by specific fare type. While known as Q-up or Y-up fares, the codes airlines use to identify them sometimes contain additional airline-specific characters, as in one recent Delta fare labeled QUPBV.
At www.FareCompare.com, bargain hunters can click "Trip Search," then enter the desired route and "business/first class." (FareCompare also has a very useful airline-by-airline primer on how to find the fares). If a discounted first-class seat is available, QUP or "YUP" will pop up in the fare-class box shown by FareCompare. Otherwise, regular first-class codes such as "F class," "A class and "P class" will appear on the screen.
Using www.expedia.com, select "Additional Options" and then check the box to search for seats in business class or first class. Expedia's Q-up fares can be seen by clicking on "Rules and Restrictions."
Between New York JFK and Miami, American Airlines recently offered a one-way Y-up tickets of $319 -- 66 percent lower than the $999 price of a regular first-class seat. Such Y-up and Q-up fares are usually the cheapest sure way to get into first class. That is because in recent years many airlines have changed their policies to restrict fliers who buy the least-expensive coach seats from jumping into first class by using miles or buying $50 or $75 upgrades.
But, even when buyers of cheap seat aren't explicitly barred from making the jump, first class often fills up before they get a chance to buy an upgrade or use miles. Elite frequent fliers and buyers of higher coach fares are first in line to get upgrade .
Usually there is always inventory for first class Y-Up even on relatively full
flights on peak days and times (Mondays, Fridays, Sundays, Holidays) or at the
last minute when you have to run to the airport for an emergency.
2. Most Y-Ups are one-way fares, so if you are making a last minute exchange on your way from/to a location and have to change flights you purchased on a
restricted ticket ($100 change fee to the current market one-way price) and the travel agent is quoting you $500 in coach or telling you there are “no” seats, ask explicitly for Y-Up and check first class inventory for seats.
3. If there is an inexpensive one (normally a promotion or matching a small
competitor that has first class cabin that you’ll uncover on FareCompare) you can
book it and enjoy a nice ride upfront at the coach price.
4. Corporate Travelers have the most to gain from these fares. Many road warriors are required by their corporate travel policies to use Coach “Y” fares (refundable)
or cheaper for travel which can be as high as $1200-1400 round trip.
