Attempting to score a first class ticket for less than the eye-watering fares that are charged for booking by most full-service carriers that operate the cabin is somewhat challenging, but surprisingly simpler to do than you might think. Passengers in search of this kind of upgrade will likely find the best luck when they book a different kind of ticket and then find another way to upgrade. Airlines tend to sell leftover premium seats through multiple means, the first of which tends to be buying an upgrade in cash. This is often not the most affordable way to get an upgrade to the cabin, but sometimes frequent fliers or elite-status members will be offered special last-minute offers at the airport.