How To Fly Cheaper in Business Class
| First class and business class are normally the preserve of corporate travellers and wealthy individuals. These high revenue flyers are the most profitable passengers for many airlines, particularly on the lucrative transatlantic and transpacific business routes. Here are a few basic tips to help you fly business class for less. |
1. Airfare Sales - Try to take advantage of the regular sale fares which come up for business class travel. Keep on the email lists of the major airlines to stay informed. Recently transatlantic airfare deals have become very competitive as airlines struggle to fill their premium cabins - business class can be found as low as £900 - £1,250 ($1,200 - $1,750) return on major airlines like Air France, Continental, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Biz class deals from Europe to Australia are offered occasionally for as low as €1,500.
2. Consolidate - Get a quotation from a business class specialist consolidator who may have access to "unpublished" upper class airfares which can undercut the normal market fare by 20% to 50%. There are a number of such specialists in North America and UK. If flying to Asia call an "ethnic" travel agent who may also be cheaper, particularly to Hong Kong / China. Using consolidators is optimal about 1 to 2 months before travel.
3.
Join Frequent Flyer Programs - You should concentrate on 1 or 2 alliance loyalty
programs and try to work your way up to elite status where mileage earning is
increased. Also apply for associated credit cards and put your spending on them
- don't forget to pay them off every month! - this will help maximise mileage
earnings which can then be spent on biz class flights or upgrades.
There are some airline programs which have very generous business class redemption levels - so it doesn't take too long to save for a business class flight.
4. Book a Y-UP deal - These fares (also known as K-UP or Q-UP, depending on airline) are for US domestic flights only, not international. This is an economy fare that allows travel in first class if there is space available. It should be cheaper than the standard first class fare and can be found searching for discounted first class airfares. Some airlines award full first class "status miles" on these fares which can be an easy way to get elite status. Depending on the route and time of year they can either be quite expensive or a reasonably good deal.
5. Fly OpenSkies Transatlantic - OpenSkies, British Airways' Euro subsidiary flies from New York to Paris on a Boeing 757 configured to just 64 seats. Their premium economy 'Biz Seat' has a roomy 52" of legroom - prices start at $1,000 return - it is the best premium economy product on the market. The 'Biz Bed' business class seats have 73" pitch and can be booked from €2,000 / $3,000 return.
6. Consider "Off-beat" Carriers - There are a large number of airlines flying transatlantic between New York and London such as Kuwait Airways and Icelandair (via Reykjavik) and they can sometimes undercut fares of the major carriers. Kuwait Airways' business class tickets for example are available from around £980 or $1,400 return using Boeing 777 aircraft.
If flying trans-Pacific from the West Coast to Asia then price up your business class flight on one of the Asian carriers - like Asiana, Philippine Airlines, or EVA. If travelling to Asia from Europe get quotes from the likes of Royal Brunei, Egyptair and Etihad.
Obviously airline standards vary (seats, service, ground facilities) and you should do your homework before you book.
7. Invest in Your Knowledge & Stay Ahead of the Crowd - If you would like to learn a lot more about maximising your chances of travelling in first and business class including little known advanced airfare arbitrage techniques, making the most of your airmiles, how to find the world's lowest international airfares in any class and much, much more, then you should invest in the 'Ultimate Airfares & Upgrades Guide'. This guide is for the aspiring elite traveller who wants to join the global jet-set. In these tough economic times it makes perfect sense to try and reduce your travel costs...
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