Ever dreamed of soaring through the skies in business class? If so, you’re definitely not the only one! After all, all of the exclusive perks and the gourmet dining make it the epitome of luxury, and let’s be honest – everyone would enjoy such an indulging experience. But for many, this remains just a dream because they think flying business class is only for affluent travelers and CEOs. However, that’s not really the truth. Luckily, it is possible to reward yourself with an opulent business class experience even if you are on a tight budget – but to do that, it’s essential to learn the secrets to uncovering such deals. Read on to learn more about it!
Buy tickets early on
Do you know the saying: “The early bird catches the worm”? This couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to buying business-class tickets. Timing truly is everything, so if you want to get a great deal, make sure not to leave this for the last minute. In fact, the ideal time to begin your search is four months before the departure date: booking past this time, you risk finding prices that are too high because airlines know there’s nothing you can do but pay for the flight on offer.
Of course, there are exceptions to this, such as when you must fly on peak dates, like when going home to meet your family for the holidays. In such instances, one option is to get the fares available when flights open for booking, which generally happens 330-360 days before the departure date. Or you can find an airline that provides business class tickets with an auction upgrade. This essentially means that a minimum and maximum price is set for the seat and the highest bid is the one to win.
Book your flight in shoulder season
In general, destinations have shoulder seasons, which are between the high and low travel seasons. More specifically, spring and autumn are the cheapest months to travel compared to peak months, so we recommend doing your research and seeing what’s available.
Some destination examples to consider include Morocco and Egypt (the best months to visit them are January and February), Japan, Thailand, and Australia (it’s best to visit them in May or June), as well as the UK, Hawaii, Western Europe, and Ireland (March and April are the best months for traveling to these places). One thing is certain: no airline likes empty seats, so do your homework to find sales at specific times of the year and benefit from a discount on your business class flight. The best times of the year for such promotions are after Christmas (December 26th- the end of January) and from late August to September.
Take advantage of credit card rewards and points
One of the best hacks when it comes to flying business class cheap is to leverage credit card points. This works because credit card points enable you to accumulate miles through frequent spending, and therefore, it’s possible to convert them into business class airfare that’s either free or discounted.
Just think about it: you’ll spend the money anyway, so why not earn miles at the same time? To get started, make sure to apply for the right credit card and loyalty program. It’s really important to choose a credit card that meets your unique needs, so don’t just listen to recommendations before considering your own situation. Another important thing to remember is to learn award program rules, as this will save you a lot of hassle. Some programs can make it really challenging to book your dream vacation, and only a few of them enable you to book round-trip tickets and enable different stopovers, so really take the time to do your research and familiarize yourself with the award booking rules.
Check fare errors or last-minute deals
Fare errors and last-minute deals can truly be a goldmine if you’re looking for discounted business-class seats. So, keep an eye on booking platforms, business class airline websites, and Google Flights, as this can help you stay informed about unexpected price drops or error fares.
But remember: if you find a deal that meets both your itinerary and budget, don’t hesitate to take advantage of it. Other people just like you monitor these sites, so it’s unlikely that these deals will last long. Be flexible and decisive, so you can grab those cheap business class tickets before someone else does.
Consider alternative destinations and an extra stop
Flexibility goes a long way when it comes to saving money for business class flights. So, when you begin doing your research, ask yourself if you can travel to other places that can give you a similar experience to what you’ve planned. For instance, a weekend break in Brussels can be just as enjoyable as a weekend in London; however, it isn’t as popular so there’s a great chance that you will find cheaper tickets.
If you’re dreaming of a beach holiday, consider less obvious destinations, such as Vietnam. Avoiding popular hubs is always a good idea if you want to secure cheap business-class tickets, and this is especially true if you’re traveling during the school holidays. You can further reduce your fare by adding a stop; for instance, flying from Frankfurt to New York may be cheaper to fly business class on British Airways compared to Lufthansa.
Opt for unsociable flight times
Many passengers opt for overnight flights when flying long distances. Daytime flights are often considered less attractive, which is why they are priced lower. If you want to enjoy a business class experience with great food and entertainment at your fingertips, it’s a good idea to take advantage of these flights.
Some of the cheapest fares you will find are early morning flights – more specifically, around 6 am. So, if you can make an effort to rise early and arrive at the check-in, you stand a bigger chance of securing a reduced ticket. The best possible deals unfold during unsociable hours, so if you don’t mind heading to the airport in the dead of night, you’re definitely covered.
The bottom line
If you want to fly business class, the good news is that you can do so without breaking the bank. The secret is to plan in advance, do your homework and be flexible as much as you can.