Do you know of any reliable and trustworthy companies selling DISCOUNTED domestic first class txkts? Or, any other ideas?
I am particularly interested in DFW-NYC.
I normally use my frequent flyer mileage for upgrades, but unfortunatly I've used them and don't have enough for this trip. (I will post this on the airline forum also)
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Have you tried purchasing buddy passes then FC upgrades? You have to know someone who works for the airlines with decent senority to buy the buddy pass from but it will save you some money.

Most upgrades are based on availability.
Unless you are Platinum you will have to wait until the day of travel to see if any first class seats are available... and on that route, it is usually long gone by the day of travel.
So, you can buy an positive space upgrade on eBay... but why would you bother? Upgrading to positive space first is going be expensive, it is NOT guaranteed unless the class of service is available (X) and you don't get much bang for the buck.
I'd book an exit row and save the money for LAX to NYC or DFW to Europe... or go see a show and have dinner!

GoTravel, 'buddy passes' are also spece available. On AA the cost is the same regardless of the class of service you end up in...
And your odds of getting that middle seat on a buddy pass are MUCH better than scoring first.
All employees and their families (D1, D2 and D2P) get to grab those seats before you (D3).

Tx, that is why I recommended buy from someone with senority. While they still get on behind FF non-revs, they get on ahead of other standbys with less senority.

Also, on busier non-rev flights, I've gotten on because I purchased the upgrades.

One summer weekend flight to Orlando all of coach was full and they had one last seat in FC. While there were people with more senority waitlisted ahead of me, none bothered to buy the upgrades and because I had them I got on the plane.

There are also first class ticket auctions on skyauction.com. There is currently an auction for flights departing from Houston but I don't think that particular auction allows travel to NYC.

Most legacy airlines these days offer YUP fares or something similar. They are cheaper than full economy fares and book automatically into first class. Unfortunately these fares are not offered all the time and not on all the domestic routes.

DFW-NYC? I would guess AA is your best bet. Go to www.aa.com and do a fare search with the dates you want and picking Economy without restrictions. Once you get the results you could check the fare by clicking the "fare rules". If the first 3 letters are YUP, then you will be booked into F.

Good luck!

Go - On AA seniority is not a consideration. A buddy pass is a buddy pass, they are all classified as D3.
Even as an employee traveling, it is first come, first served. We are able to bump our classification up to 'D1' 4 times a year. D2 is unlimited.
Anyhoo... as I said, seniority is NOT a factor on AA.

BTW, you'll have a hard time finding a TA that offers discounted F fares for domestic travel. There is just not much money for consolidators in domestic travel.

You may find a "award" re-seller, but that's risky business. If the airline finds out, your ticket will be voided and the only recourse you will have is to go back to the re-seller and collect your refund. It's a chance you take when buying an award ticket, so think about it before you do.

What is it about FC that makes you want to sit up front? (Not trying to be provocative here - just asking.)

DFW-NYC is not a horrendously long flight, although I'll grant you that middle seat in coach on an AA 757 on that route makes it seem longer that it is.

If it's the food, honestly, a quick stop by the Burger King or whatever at DFW will be way more satisfying than the pizza-like substance you'll likely get on AA in FC.

If it's the free drinks, well.. er...

If it's the leg/butt room, then the solution may be to buy 2 seats in el cheapo coach, raise the armrest, and sprawl out sideways over the middle seat. Sometimes when Ms 'Loo and I have to ride in Why (Y being the lingo for coach) on long-but-cheap coach flights (say if we can't upgrade to FC because it's full of Executive Platinums who get first dibs, or mileage upgraders etc.) we'll buy 3 seats for the two of us, aisle, window, and Harvey the Rabbit between us. Tell the gate agents when you check in what you've done, and they won't see it as an empty seat for stand-bys.

The cost of doing this is way less than paying for FC or even YUPgrading as AAFF mentions, and makes a DFW-JFK flight way more pleasant.

As for true deep-discounted FC, if there was a ready resource for that, do you honestly think we'd tell you?

One thing I never understood and it's more prevalent here on Fodor's is why do others always have to question the OPs desire to fly in F or stay at the FourSeasons, etc?

The OP did not ask for anybody's opinion whether F is worth it or not, just asked for help to finding a cheaper F fare.

Is there a need to question hers/his desire to fly in F? For whatever reason she/he already decided and again did not ask for opinions on options.

Can we stop with judging other peoples ways of traveling?

Tx, senority with others flying on buddy passes. At least with USAir and Delta.

Example, whichever employee has the most senority, that person has senority over the other buddy passes. Not senority over employees, standby, or FF non-rev but just over other buddy passes.

AAFF, be cool. I was not questioning or being critical of the OPs preference for FC, in fact as we both know we both prefer it over Y any flight, any time. I was merely responding to that part of the question that related to cost, as well as the "any other ideas" part.

Katiekate, if my response seemed condescending or offensive in any way, I sincerely apologise.

Gardyloo, my own reaction to your post was, "anyone who asks why someone would prefer First Class obviously has never flown in First." Your comments trying to justify First not really being THAT much better seem way off to me. Having flown first a number of times, I find it hard to make any comparison between it and cattle class.

Hi katiekate,

I always try to snag the best price for first/business as well. The only thing I have found lately was a mistake on first airfare, so I snagged it. You can check for errors, and maybe get lucky or just do what someone esle suggested and buy first with restrictions, you will save a lot of money.

We fly first/business when the flight is beyond Fla. We are both tall, I am 5'10 and my husband is 6'5. I do not mind paying for the comfort, I like reclining seats with footrests and oh yeah the drinks and hot towels - LOL. Don't flame me but I also LOVE the Delta Crown lounge and the Admiral's Club and first class check in.

I was very upset that Delta no longer has flight 447 from jfk to LAS. It was a direct flight, and the first class was reasonably priced. I don't know why as the flight was always booked solid. We are flying JB to LAS and had to buy 3 seats. At the time of booking there were no direct flights from JFK to LAS...wierd.

Go ~ As someone who enjoys AA employee benefits and has for many years, I can say without a doubt that seniority plays no factor in AA passes, buddy or otherwise.
I have heard that the others do... but thank goodness AA does not.

Fact is I love flying 1st class...don't cha just love those warm nuts in the tiny little bowls?
AAfrequentflyer thanks for defending me, that was kind. And, Gordyloo no offence taken. I know it does seem like a huge expense for such a short flight.
Actually, I don't mind telling you why I want 1st class tickets this time. This is a special occasion for my family to celebrate our daughter's 16th and son's 21st b-day. We haven't taken a "REAL" Summer vacation is over 5 years AND son is a BIGGGG kid, so hubby and I thought it would be fun to splurge and go first class all the way. (still working on the ultimate NYC hotel)
I never thought of buying an extra seat. Clever!! Questions though... How do you purchase the extra and in who's name? Do you have to buy directly with airline? Also, if the plane is full, isn't it hard to convince other passengers it's "your" seat?
Last question: which AA plane has the best seat configuration if we decide to by the extra seat?
You guys are great and I have truly appreciated your input and suggestions.

Check out seatguru.com for the best information about seat configuration.
Keep in mind that not all planes are used on the DFW to NY routes (LGA, JFK and EWR)
Good Luck!

I really got myself into a jam earlier and I'm not sure I can get out, but a couple of things...

First, I'd book any empty seat coach options over the phone, even if it costs a few bucks extra ($5 on AA I believe.) We usually just use my first initial and middle name instead of the first name, e.g., J. Beresford Tipton, and we do expect the occasional question from security or gate people, but it's not that uncommon. Tell the gate agent and the flight attendent(s) that you've paid for any empty seats so they don't stick a standby in it.

To try for some redemption, if you choose AA, I would mention that whatever class you use, you ought to think about flying to La Guardia from DFW rather than JFK, because AA uses 757s almost exclusively on the JFK flights and both coach and first class on those planes are not the most comfortable. By going to LGA you can try to select one of the 737s that AA use on that route. Since AA has added back more seats into coach the experience won't be much if any better than on a 757, but if you do go in FC the 737s are way more comfortable IMO. The MD-80s to LGA would be my last choice.

My original question was actually innocently intended. The cramped condtions in coach lead many people to want to ride up front, and logically so, so if that's the motivator (and it is with us) then if FC is unavailable because of cost or because it's full (almost all ex-DFW flights run full in FC I believe, because there are so many AA elite frequent flyers both there and in NYC) then the 3-for-2 coach option is an affordable and largely acceptable work-around.

Your reasons for wanting to fly in FC are as valid as any, and I was out of line for letting it sound like I was questioning your motives. As a FC junkie (and married to another) I would be the last one to raise any eyebrows or pass judgement on my fellow addicts.

Happy birthday to your daughter, your son, and to you too, whenever it is. Enjoy NYC, and don't order the pizza in first class.

On Jet Blue it is called Extra Seat Smith (subsitute Smith for your last name) They link the 3 sets together so you would have seat 12a, 12b extra seat, 12c belongs to your husband (for example). This way when you check in it is confirmed that your extra seat is not 3 rows behind you.

It is not the best, but it is much better than having someone squishing you. This way the armrests go up and you have room to stretch you legs. If I had a choice over a 3rd seat on JB direct flight or flying first with a conection...the direct flight wins.