First-class seats for less

These deeply discounted first class airline tickets are available only for travel within/between the United States and Canada. According to FareCompare.com, a travel web site that tracks over 100,000 of confirmed discounted first class airfares, the existence of Y-Up airfares is not widely known largely because they are intentionally published to look like a coach ticket for accounting purposes. In other words, the ticket fare code is economy, but the seats are allocated in the first class cabin.

"This sneaky little trick allows corporate travelers to legitimately and inexpensively get around their 'No First Class Travel' policy," the company states on its web site. Y-Ups were originally issued to cater to an airline's best customers who purchase the most expensive coach tickets. Airlines make more revenue from these fares where first class seats would normally go unused or be filled by less lucrative frequent flier upgrades.

Here are some details:

- Y-Up airfares are almost always available, even on full flights, peak days and times (Mondays, Fridays, Sundays, Holidays) or last-minute trips.

- Most are sold as one-way fares, but to get the cheapest price you sometimes need to book a round-trip. To purchase a ticket, contact the airline directly. And remember to ask for a Y-Up fare as many ticket agents will not offer it unless asked specifically.

- No advance purchase is necessary, although the cheapest fares sometimes have a 7-day advance purchase.

- The fares can be fully refundable and are always exchangeable.

- You can receive a confirmed seat in the first class cabin ahead of frequent flyer upgrades.