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How to Cowboy Up into First Class

There's secret type of airfare that, while slighly pricier, will get you upgraded before anyone with frequent flier miles? Do tell, oh wise ones of the Wall Street Journal! According to their fare gurus, "Q-up" tickets are actually heavily discounted first-class fares, sometimes up to one third the regular cost. They cost more than restricted coach fares, obviously, but because these special tickets represent more revenue for the airline than someone trying to upgrade with mere frequent flier miles, they set a few first-class seats aside for just such a purpose. Thus, it becomes the cheapest way to get into first class, guaranteed.

The fares are very popular with road warrior business travelers, who fear getting stuck in coach despite the many miles under their belts. Because the fares are still technically coach fares, it allows the tickets to be purchased by big companies who only allow their employees to travel economy class.

We guess that just making coach a more pleasant experience isn't in the cards. Oh well. We'll just have to wait until we hit the jackpot with a deep-vein thrombosis lawsiut; then we'll be able to fly first class whenever we want.

[Image via Photo Flyer/Flickr]

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