I’ve written extensively about how airlines sell upgrades far less expensively than they used to. American, United and Delta will all take small amounts of money from infrequent flyers instead of offering a free upgrade to a customer that spends $20,000 or $30,000 with them each year.
Domestic upgrades can be as low as $40, and long haul business class upgrades even start at just $300. So if you buy a coach ticket, check how much they’re selling a business class upgrade for on your itinerary. And then check back. The price may fall dramatically as your travel date approaches – as low as $299 for Seattle to London or $350 for Los Angeles to Sydney.
American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER Business Class
United was early with the practice of making upgrade offers on domestic flights for ‘tens of dollars’. American has become very aggressive as well. But Delta is furthest along, with only about 13% of first class seats now going to upgrades (20 years ago it was 90%). That means status with an airline is worth a lot less than it used to be. T
American Airlines Domestic First Class
But it’s not just buy ups where airlines have gone down market. Looking for a one-way trip from Washington DC to Austin, the first 9 options all had first class just $100 more than coach. This was for both segments of a connecting itinerary through Charlotte or Dallas – Fort Worth.
If you wanted to assign premium seats without status (most of what’s available, especially avoiding middle seats) that’s running:
- $19 – $41 for DC – Charlotte
- Plus $17 – $39 for Charlotte – Austin
And if you were checking a bag without status, that’s at least $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second. You could spend as much as $150 on seats and two checked bags and you’d still be sitting in coach (though at that price, Main Cabin Extra extra legroom seats, where the cocktails are included).
Paying $100 for first class seems like a better deal for a bigger seat. Is it any wonder that American Airlines first class meals can cost as little as $1? Though I’m not a fan of the short rib, either:
American Airlines Short Rib
The point is that you should (1) always do the math rather than assuming that paying for first class isn’t worth it, or a frivolous luxury, and (2) set your expectations appropriately for what you’re buying.
I start watching seats about two weeks out. Right now I have an AA flight scheduled to XPL for late September and not one business/first seat has been taken. The route is on a 737 max, so there isn’t much value in an upgrade as far as the flight goes. We use it mostly to get the extra bags. and lounge during the layover. Most of the time we get the upgrade without buying it.
Good info, thanks Gary. System definitely rewards those who are willing to continuously check for price changes and do the math. Good deals to be found!
Another Delta look out for, is that you now can request an upgrade to first class if you are checked in, in the app. You have to find the upgrade request, click the check box and hit “OK” before you can check in, or you will not get on the list.
Take a couple of extra minutes to make sure you are on the upgrade list before checking in.
Yep. On Delta, if you have two bags, often it is cheaper just to pay up for First Class.
+1 to Other Just Saying -bag fees are often the decisive factor in whether paying for FC is worth it.
As a coach passenger, those upgrades are targeted to people like me. Good job by the airlines. I took advantage of such an offer one time in 2014.