The Airplane Ticket That Increases Your Chances Of A First-Class Upgrade

If you've ever wondered how much you need to earn to exclusively fly first class, you might be interested in learning that some people in first class didn't actually pay full price. Instead, they used something known as the easy-up fare strategy. Essentially, you buy a more affordable coach, premium-economy, or business class ticket, and use loyalty points for an upgrade. This trick works best on domestic flights and short international routes, where many first-class seats tend to fly empty. This strategy can be one of the simplest ways to save money while flying.

One catch is that airlines divide fares into different classes, and only certain kinds of tickets can be upgraded with miles, so it's smart to check any upgrade rules before purchasing. Also, timing can be key because most airlines open upgrade seats in stages. If you pick a fare that can be upgraded, simply use your miles to move into first class as soon as those seats become available. The easy-up fare strategy works best for frequent flyers with elite status or a large points balance, since they are more likely to get early access to upgrades. Still, you don't always need those to grab an upgrade if seats are still available.

In 2025, airlines sell last-minute upgrades like any add-on, so prices can vary depending on the route, and just how many seats remain. You'll usually see the offer show up in the airline's app or on its website about 24 hours before your flight. In fact, according to The Wall Street Journal, Delta Airlines and United Airlines now send upgrade offers directly to economy passengers if seats are available, and your chances improve if you book certain fare classes. However, while you browse the app or website, watch out for sneaky ways that an airline might trick you into spend money.

When shopping for United flights, look for fare class codes like RN, PZ or PN, which airlines often tag as upgrade-eligible. RN fares let you request a confirmed upgrade to Premium Plus (United's premium-economy) using PlusPoints or miles, as long as seats are available. PZ fares give you priority for a paid upgrade to domestic First Class or Polaris business class during check-in, again using PlusPoints or miles. PN fares let top-tier elites — Premier Platinum, 1K, and Global Services members — upgrade instantly when booking, moving straight into First Class or Polaris if there's space.

Upgrade offers often come down to timing. Airlines usually send them right after you book, during online check-in, or just before boarding. Weekends can work in your favor, too since fewer business travelers means more empty premium seats. Typically, you can ask for an upgrade anytime between first purchasing until boarding. Being persistent can also help, since gate agents sometimes have the authority to move you up. Staying flexible with your travel dates, and packing light, can also boosts your chances. The Points Guy suggests opening up United's "Expert Mode" to beat the crowds for an upgrade. Once you've enabled it on a website like United.com, you'll see every fare bucket, including upgrade‐eligible codes, alongside real-time seat availability.

Besides that, airline co-branded credit cards can also reward big spenders with upgrade credits. You can use these credits to move from economy to Economy Plus. You can also try using a paid upgrade bid through platforms like Plusgrade, which many airline carriers now support. After you book, you'll get an email or app prompt asking how much you're willing to pay to upgrade. If your offer meets the airline's minimum, and seats are open, you'll see your new seat at check-in.