Who wouldn’t love the idea of stretching out in a cozy place to chow down on some good food and touch down refreshed at the end of a long international flight? There’s nothing like business class but it comes with a price that is not always reachable. This isn’t just for the super rich and business tycoons. You can totally get more affordable business class tickets with a few smart moves. Without breaking the bank, here’s how you can make that dream a reality.
The Secret World of “Mistake Fares” and Deals
Airlines can sometimes get their ticket pricing a little wrong. These are what we call ‘mistake fares’ and, when available, they can get you a ridiculously cheap business class seat. Think about getting a ticket that’s normally thousands of dollars for a tiny fraction of the price!
Fortunately, that’s where signing up for flight deal alerts comes in. Companies that scour the internet looking for these deals always exist and they will email you whenever one occurs. We really think that is like having a private detective for cheap flights. Also, be sure to watch for regular sales airlines run. But during those times of the year when it is less busy out there, they usually have special promotions on business class seats for you to fill up their planes.
Using Your Points and Miles Wisely
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or even simply a knowledgeable credit card user, chances are you already have some miles (airline) or points (credit card) under your belt. Very valuable! Instead of booking small discounts on economy flights with these miles, save them all up and spend on that BIG business class splurge. More often you will find better ‘value’ for your points bought in business class than economy.
But it will probably take saving a bit to get it, but it’s totally worth it for the comfort. And some airlines allow you to bid for the upgrade close to your travel date with a combination of cash and points (some for just cash if there are unsold seats). It’s a gamble, but if you’ve already got an economy booking it’s a brilliant way to access a premium product for just the go fee.
Thinking Outside the Box
Just don’t be the one to only use the most obvious search methods. In fact, in business class, a connecting flight sometimes through different cities can be cheaper than a direct flight. While it may increase your travel time slightly, if you can save big, it might be worth the extra ten minutes in the air. Also, check out small or lesser known airlines that fly your route. Prices for the big-name carriers might not be too competitive in business class, so they may have something to offer there as well.
The fact that you’re not able to get your cheap business class ticket for your international flight isn’t some magic; it’s just plain smart planning and knowing where to look. With a bit of deal-spotters eyes, pointed levers and some creative thinking about travel plans, you could be sipping champagne at 35,000 feet much sooner than you think!
