Searching for these fares is not always the most obvious option on a ticket site. Often you have to use the "Advanced Search" options to select what fare class you would like to fly.

• When using Travelocity, you have to click the "More search options" link, followed by the "First/Business Class and Refundable Fare Options" link in order to bring up premium ticket options.

• In Expedia, this option can be accessed by clicking the "Airline, first or business class, nonstop only" link from the home page search engine, then selecting from the "Class" drop-down box.

• On Orbitz, the "Expand search options" link will open a drop-down box to select your fare level.

• One of my favorite sites, FareCompare, lists their premium ticket prices under a tab called "Y-up/Q-up," referring to the airline code designations for these seats. Alternatively, when looking at the city you want to fly to, there is a drop-down box labeled "Cabin" where you can select what class you would like to fly. They also offer the option of having search results emailed to you for deals on coach tickets, higher class tickets, or both. See their guide to Y-Up deals.

Unlike searching for restricted fare coach tickets, you shouldn't expect to find basement prices of $200 or less, but on shorter flights you can often find upgraded seats around $400. Overseas flights will still cost you $2000 or more, but this is not that big a price difference considering summer fares to Europe will cost you upwards of $1000 even in coach.

One way that FareCompare displays whether you are getting a good deal is by comparing the first class price on their site to the cost of a "walk-up" coach ticket that you would get at the airport. Since first class fares often don't have the 21-day restrictions of coach tickets, they show that you can often fly for less in first class by using ticket consolidation websites than you would in coach by purchasing your ticket at the airline counter.

As mentioned earlier, there are rarely "fire sale" prices available on upgraded ticket airfares. The main reason for this is that the cost per passenger for a first class ticket is much higher than in coach, due to special features such as enhanced dining options, free beverages, and the availability of power outlets. However, these amenities can make a trip truly special or contribute to improving productivity on your next business trip.

With the highly competitive pricing tactics of airlines that have developed recently, the prices of upgraded seats can seem even more expensive by comparison. However, if first class is your preferred method of travel, it is even more important to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. With lowest fare search options and comparison tools to make sure that your deal is the best deal, online ticket consolidators provide an essential resource in this quest.