Some people think first class is the only way to fly. They equate sitting in coach with sitting on a cargo plane, watching as a goat gnaws on the handle of someone's luggage. For those who travel for business, first class might not be something for which your company is willing to splurge. When this happens, you're on your own to get an upgrade.

There is no foolproof way to get an upgrade to first class aside from dishing out dollars, using miles, or pulling off a perfect Paris Hilton impersonation, but there are a few tricks of the trade that might just leave you, quite literally, sitting pretty.

Look Important
It might be easy to board a plane in sweat pants or the decades old flannel pajamas that went with you to every college class you attended, but if you want to get upgraded you need to look important. This doesn't mean you need to wear the tuxedo you were married in, but wearing a business suit or slacks and a blouse might be the only thing needed to distinguish you as someone who is "first class" worthy.

Offer to be Bumped
More than occasionally, airlines overbook their flights. They count on some people not showing up for departure. When this happens, they often rely on easygoing passengers to give up their seats in lieu of taking a later flight. If you have a business meeting or a presentation you have to get to, this might not be an option, but if you have some time to kill, offer to be bumped. You just might find yourself bumped up to first class.

Be Polite
There may be few professions that test human patience like an airline employee. From attendees who refuse to let you board a plane even ten seconds early to the ones who showcase a permanent smile and cheery demeanor at five in the morning, airline employees may seem like people who can make or break your tolerance, but they can also make or break your chances of getting an upgrade. If you are rude or threatening you will have a better chance of finding yourself in security than you will in first class. For those who are polite and pleasant, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Ask without Asking
People who come right out and request an upgrade might come across as pushy or over-deserving, leaving the attendant not wanting to reward their presumptuous behavior. Instead of just asking for an upgrade, request something else along the lines. Ask if they have any seats with extra legroom or any seats toward the front of the plane. These requests place the idea of an upgrade in the head of the attendant, leading them on and hoping they follow.

If none of the above ideas work, and you find yourself unable to procure a first class upgrade, there is always the "honeymoon card." Unfortunately that's a hard hand to play, particularly when you're traveling alone.