Flying first class where you receive personal attention, free meals and drinks, wider seats and more leg room doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

There a little known fare called a Y-UP fare or Q-UP fare that is sometimes less than a walk up coach ticket but guarantees a seat in coach.

This fare was created in the 1990's for business travelers who have to fly coach but preferred first class travel. It allowed savvy business travelers to have their cake and eat it to.

Well, thanks to www.farecompare.com, that little secret is out of the bag.

Simply enter your departure city and arrival city, click go and then click on the Y-Up fare tab for rates. Round trip air from Albany to Hawaii on a Y-UP fare was around $1700, quite a bargain compared to the walk up coach fare of $2500!

Fares depend on competition in the marketplace so are not always less than coach but this is one tactic that will sometimes land you in first class for less.

Airmiles are getting harder and harder to redeem, and airlines are charging more to get to certain destinations. Airmiles can be used to upgrade full fare coach tickets, but if you bought discount tickets pretty much forget about using airmiles for an upgrade. Check with the rules of each airlines miles program to determine exact rules and requirements.

Consolidators are a great source for discount international business and first class tickets. Tickets are often 40% off published rates and up to 65% of published rates. You'll get your best rate with a consolidator that specializes in an area or an airline.

Comments are always welcome, please share any tips you have for snagging great discounts on first class tickets

Happy Travels