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.
It pays to check these things. I usually start my searches on Google Flights with the Points Path extension to get an overview, then look at each airline’s proprietary website. Of course, if you have the Platinum card, international business class sometimes has discounts through the Amex portal. As far as the complimentary vs. paid upgrades, I’ve noticed American has been the most ‘generous’ with cheap paid last-minute upgrades; however, if you’ve got status, that really undercuts your hopes. I’ve paid for some; I’ve gotten some freebies; and I’ve missed out. Meh. What can you do…
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.
It’s also valuable to look when booking an award ticket. The award cost for the first ticket may be high in points, but low in dollars added to a cheaper coach ticket, frequently not much more than an extra legroom upgrade, especially when buying more than a couple of weeks in advance.
Purchase a non-stop round-trip FC ticket on Alaska with extra leg room, etc. for less than the cost of the same non-stop wanted by Southwest with the cattle call boarding and charging bag fees.
I love to hear 1k fliers on UA whine. My platinum behind is always up front on a 1st fare, why they are praying to see their name on the upgrade board.
It’s all total BS. AA would never sell an upgrade from LA to SYD for 399. You can barely get a FF ticket for under 500k.
Please quit putting out stories that are not true.
No baller flies American Airlines; no wonder that they can’t sell that sorry of an excuse for first class except for very little money!
Thank you for this post. Alaska airlines 75k gold MVP for the past 10 plus years. Your reader should be aware that Alaska airlines is doing the exact same thing. Much less value right now in having the status on Alaska airlines compared with even just one year ago.
The only time I’ve seen it was a code share on AS where first was less than coach. On AA I have seen particularly on RJs where first might be $20-$30 more than coach and even on a fairly short flight like MIA/CHS or LAX/SFO it’s pretty much a no brainer.
@George Romey — Alright, got a test case for ya: I’ve got an upcoming trip with AA, and American is offering $97 to upgrade, or 10K points. It’s a CRJ, under 2 hours. So, do I pay-up in-advance, or wait it out for the possibility of a ‘complimentary upgrade’ (8/12 seats available, 5 days out, I’m Platinum Pro); what say you, sir?
Correction: It’s an E170. Those over-wing engines make all the difference!
AA first was $100 more than a cheap economy fare, so I booked FYYY for my family and my wife enjoyed the larger seat and the 2 bags we wanted to check went free.
Cheaper than YYYY on United where I have status.
On lots of segments, RJ nonstop routes to LGA, CLT to and from Florida, I usually get offers to upgrade by segment for $97. I’ve purchased tickets to both for below $100 each way. Just last week, BNA-LGA was $49 each way basic economy. The first class fare was just over $200. IND was a little more at $72 each way. STL was $72 but the first class fare was only $184! Just like the pandemic.
@Willy — Interesting. That $97 mark is what I’ve been seeing as well. However, the tricky part is that when you got to check out it shoots up for taxes (nice bait and switch). They always find a way to ‘getcha.’
By the time you add up baggage fees (usually free for first class, up to $50 per bag for coach); free meal (not great, but the price is right) and snacks; free drinks – both non-alcoholic and alcoholic; lounge access (also providing free food and drink), the difference in price is reduced. Also, taking into consideration the bigger seats and space between them, overhead bin availability, boarding and disembarking order, fewer people for the restroom, etc., it’s worth it to me to pay for first class.
Delta’s new model of selling first class vs giving it to high value customers is exactly why I gave up the chase to keep Delta Diamond Medallion status after 25 years of maximizing flights on Delta. I also ditched my Amex Reserve and Amex Delta Platinum cards. The primary benefits of Diamond I valued were the upgrades and the ability to book free flights. The lack of upgrades coupled with sky high redemption rates for long haul business class means there’s no justification for making sacrifices to fly Delta all the time. Nice to be a free agent.
@Bobby — Interesting. I’ve been Diamond, 1K, and EP, and have had the Amex DL Reserve, Chase UnitedClub, and Citi AA Exec, so top non-invitation statuses and credit cards with lounge access; yet, Delta remains the only one of the ‘big three’ I still feel I receive outsized value from, based on status and card benefits. Specifically, with status, the Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates often confirm well-in-advance, unlike PlusPoints or Systemwide Upgrades; and the Delta Reserve First Class companion certificates make those cards keeper cards so long as you use the certificates to save at least more than the cost of the annual fee; whereas the Chase and Citi cards only benefit really is just the lounge access, nothing even close to the value of those companion certificates. All three are undercutting complimentary upgrades, but I’ve noticed it about 50/50 with Delta as a Diamond; it’s often worse odds with AA and UA, since so many Concierge Key and Global Service members are usually ahead. Anyway, good luck out there!
@George Romey — An update for you on that earlier complimentary vs. paid upgrade scenario: separate tickets, P2 got upgraded +72 hours out (had slightly more LPs); I’m still waiting on mine; we’re both Platinum Pro; price went down to $76. 7 seats remaining. Gonna ride it out. Oh, the suspense!
@George Romey — Another one. Got my complimentary upgrade (2 days after P2… but still 25 hours ahead of the scheduled departure). Ya win some, ya lose some. I guess Platinum Pro still works…