Let's face it. Flying is miserable these days. Coach class seats are tight to start with and no one wants to get stuck in the dreaded middle seat. So, why not just upgrade to a premium class like first, business or premium economy? Well that can be expensive. For example, I priced a R/T flight between JFK and Madrid in October. The coach class fare is a bargain $483 departing on October 30 and returning November 6. But upgrading to business class is a whopping $2676. Premium economy is more than double the price at about $968. But there are ways to get a better seat without spending so much money.