Upgrading to first class is the dream for many economy class travelers. Sitting in a spacious seat, being served gourmet meals, and having access to luxurious amenities like lie-flat beds and private suites is an enticing proposition. However, first class tickets often come with eye-watering price tags. Is it possible to experience first class service without paying full price?
Use miles to upgrade with points
One of the best ways to fly first class for free is by using your airline miles or points from credit card rewards programs to upgrade. Here’s how it works:
- Accrue miles through an airline frequent flyer program or credit card points program
- Book an economy class ticket on your desired flights
- Use your miles/points to bid for an upgrade to first class close to the travel date when seats are available
Upgrades tend to cost between 25,000-100,000 miles depending on the airline, route and seat availability. The closer it gets to the travel date, the lower upgrade bids tend to be as airlines would rather some money from upgrades than fly with empty first class seats.
Strategies to boost your miles
Here are some tips on how to rack up airline miles quickly:
- Apply for premium travel credit cards with large sign-up bonuses e.g., 50,000 miles
- Spend on bonus category purchases like dining, groceries, etc to earn extra miles
- Shop through airline/hotel online portals to get additional miles on top of credit card points
- Take advantage of promotions like buying miles with a bonus
- Book flights with the airline to earn miles when you fly
With some strategic planning, you can accumulate tens of thousands of miles within a year to redeem for an aspirational first class upgrade.
Use a travel companion ticket
Some premium airline credit cards offer an annual companion ticket benefit that allows you to bring someone along in first class at a very low cost. For example:
- United Club Infinite Card – One companion ticket in United Polaris business class for $250 plus taxes/fees
- Delta Reserve Card – One companion ticket in Delta One first class for $550 plus taxes/fees
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature – One companion fare from $121 ($99 plus taxes/fees) per year
While not completely free, having a travel buddy in first class for just a few hundred dollars is an incredible deal. The annual fee on these cards ranges from $450-550 but can be well worth it for the companion perk.
Maximize the companion ticket benefit
Here are some tips to maximize the value of a first class companion ticket offer:
- Book high-value international routes in first class like Asia, South Africa, Europe etc.
- Identify peak travel dates like holidays, events, summer vacations to get the most savings
- Read terms – some will allow a companion on award ticket upgrades
- Consider having your companion get the credit card as well to double up
Try credit card mileage transfers
Certain flexible point programs like American Express Membership Rewards let you transfer miles to participating airline partners. You can also pool points from credit cards across different issuers into one program for a large lump sum.
For example, you could:
- Transfer 60,000 American Express points to Virgin Atlantic
- Combine points from Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Ink, Chase Freedom
- Move 100,000+ combined points to an airline like United Airlines
- Use the points from a pooled balance to upgrade flights
This allows you opportunities to upgrade that go beyond what you may earn from a single airline card. Having accounts with multiple point currencies gives you flexibility.
Key things to know about transfers
- Transfers are usually 1:1 ratio to airline programs
- Transfer times can take up to a week in some cases
- Minimum transfer amounts apply, typically 1,000 points
- Not all airline partners have first class products (i.e. Southwest)
- Transferred miles expire based on airline program policies
Use Amex Platinum card annual airline fee credit
The Platinum Card from American Express offers up to a $200 airline fee credit each calendar year. This benefit can be used to cover incidental fees on one selected airline such as:
- Checked baggage fees
- In-flight food and beverages
- Airline lounge day passes
- Pet fees
- Seat upgrades
So if you were to incur $200 worth of these charges, such as fees for 4 domestic first class upgrades, you could effectively get upgraded flights for free using the airline credit perk.
Steps to use the airline fee credit
- Enroll your Amex Platinum card to one participating airline
- Make eligible purchases on the airline with your Platinum card
- Get statement credits reimbursing those fees up to $200 per calendar year
Just make sure to use the full amount each year as credits do not rollover.
Book with rewards points directly
Some airline and hotel co-branded credit cards allow you to use your earned points as direct statement credits toward travel purchases. For example:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve – 50% point bonus when redeemed in Chase travel portal
- Capital One Venture Rewards – 2X miles per $1 spent on hotels
- Citi AAdvantage Executive – 2x miles on American Airlines purchases
This means 100,000 points could be redeemed for $1,000 in travel or effectively cover the cost of first class upgrades, flight costs, hotel stays, etc.
Tips for redemption
- Compare value of redemptions vs. transfers
- Use points portal for maximum flexibility
- Take advantage of transfer bonuses
- Don’t save points indefinitely, airline programs change
Review your program details to understand how to maximize the value of your points and miles.
Fly with a first class companion pass
If you have a friend or family member who frequently flies first or business class for work, see if they have a spare companion pass or certificates they do not plan to use. Airlines will sometimes provide these as elite status perks to frequent flyers.
For example, Delta 360 members get four Global Upgrade Certificate to gift to others and American Airlines Exec Platinum get eight oneworld first class companion certificates. If you are lucky enough to know someone with these benefits, you may be able to tag along on a first class adventure for free.
Ways to get a first class companion pass
- Network with frequent flyer contacts
- Join airline insider forums to connect with elite travelers
- Talk to flight attendants – they may have buddy passes
- Consider reaching out to brand ambassadors on social media
- Follow airline accounts and turn on notifications for certificate promotions
With some targeted relationship building and creative thinking, a first class companion certificate invite could come your way.
Volunteer to get bumped from overbooked economy
If your economy flight is oversold, volunteering to take a later flight in exchange for an airline voucher is a clever trick. Airlines will sometimes make very generous offers to encourage passengers to give up seats on overbooked planes.
You can then try to use the sizeable voucher, often $500-$1000 or more, towards upgrading future flights to first class at a heavy discount or for free.
Maximize your chances of getting an offer
- Volunteer once gate agent starts soliciting for bumps
- Be flexible on your arrival time
- Travel alone to increase odds of being selected
- Ask what class of service the offer is for
- Check seat maps for upcoming flights – less empty seats mean more chances
The gate agent may also proactively make first class upgrade offers to entice volunteers on overbooked planes so keep your ear open!
Use frequent flyer status perks
Depending on your elite tier status with an airline, you may get free first class upgrade certificates and other priority benefits:
Airline Program | Low Tier Status | Mid Tier Status | Top Tier Status |
---|---|---|---|
American AAdvantage | Group 1-4 boarding | Group 1 boarding | 8 EVIP Companion Certificates |
Delta SkyMiles | Group 1 boarding | Group 1 boarding | 4 Global Upgrade Certificates |
United MileagePlus | – | Group 1 boarding | 6 Regional Premier Upgrades |
Being at the very top elite tiers will give you the maximum first class benefits. But even mid-tier status can get you prioritized upgrades.
Ways to fast track elite status
- Get approved for a status challenge
- Apply for premium airline credit cards with automatic status
- Credit cards like Platinum give you automatic Gold/Silver
- Spend strategically – know qualification details
- Book bundles from partners that offer airline status
Review program benefits guides and set a game plan for reaching that next elite tier to unlock the first class perks.
Conclusion
Achieving a free first class experience is still possible through strategic points redemptions, creative status moves and keeping an eye out for opportunities. Combining miles, elite perks, credit card benefits and overbooking volunteering is key.
While harder than in past decades, premium cabins are still within reach for savvy travelers. Do your homework, play the long game and your chance to ride in style without paying thousands will come.