SAN DIEGO -- The benefits of flying first class are clear --
bigger seats, more leg room and food.
The biggest drawback may seem clear, too -- the price.
So, how would you like to sit in the front but pay less than
someone way in the back?
Krista Rosenberg said she always tries to fly first class.
"Having a more comfortable seat, getting on the plane faster,
getting off the plane faster -- anything to make it more easy is
nice," said Rosenberg.
But she said flying up front is sometimes too pricey -- that is
until Rosenberg uncovered a first class secret.
"I was getting to pay the same amount as someone in coach, or maybe
a little bit more, but at the same time, I was able to fly in first
class," Rosenberg.
What's the travel trick? While booking a flight, ask the agent
about a special type of fare. It's most commonly called a YUPP. But
some airlines also use codes like QUPP and Z.
"I think most travelers do not realize that these fares are out
there," said Matthew Bennett with FirstClassFlyer.com.
The leading airlines all confirmed they offer this kind of fare,
describing it as either a coach seat with an automatic upgrade or
deeply discounted first class.
Bennett said it can amount to some big bargains.
"Full-first class can be double or more what a YUPP fare can be,"
said Bennett.
Rick Seaney, president of FareCompare, helped 10News see how the
deals work.
For a round trip flight from Dallas to St. Louis on American
Airlines, the YUPP fare is $278 -- that's nearly $1,500 cheaper
than a regular seat in first class and more than a $1,000 less than
the most expensive seat in coach.
"A lot of times the YUPPs are matching some sort of low-cost
carrier in a particular market," said Seaney.
On a round trip Delta flight from Baltimore to Atlanta the QUPP
fare was $638 -- that's $750 less than regular first class and
nearly half the price of full-fare coach. That's a surprise to
traveler Bill Griffith, who rarely flies up front.
"I had no idea you could actually find a reasonably priced
first-class ticket," said Griffith.
Experts said it's easy. Ask a booking agent on the phone
specifically for a YUPP, or if you buy online, all you have to do
is search for a first-class seat. If a YUPP is available, the fare
will automatically show up as the lowest rate. You can confirm that
by checking the fare class.
"I would never have thought of even trying to go first class," said
Griffith.
Once the flyer knew how to look, he found a YUPP in just
minutes.
"My days of flying coach may be over," said Griffith.
In addition to sitting in the front of the plane, the YUPP seats
offer even more benefits.
Experts said they're generally fully refundable seats, and you may
get extra frequent flier miles for being in first.
not sure if Singapore Airline have anot.. 