Words are inadequate

Some airlines will sell unused first class inventory at the gate for anywhere between $25 and $200 (depending on the airline and the length of the segment to be flown), but they also give free upgrades to elites so unused inventory can be rare. I don't know about Airtran's policies.

Honestly, it's nice but I can live in coach too. I'm making a mileage run in a couple of weeks to get myself some transatlantic upgrades, so I guess you could say I'm willing to pay for business class at least, but domestic, as long as I manage a window I'm good. I am, however, long past the point where I know any tricks that don't involve "because you flew last year enough to get status, you have fewer problems in the air this year"...