If you do a lot of traveling, you may be wondering how to get cheap business class tickets when you need them. Business class tickets are appealing since you get first class treatment throughout your flight. When you fly business class, you have a lot better chance of stepping off the plane feeling refreshed, relaxed, and free from the fatigue that economy passengers may often feel. You want to ride business on an economy budget, and we get that. If you’re wondering how to get cheap business class tickets, read on.
Be flexible
The dates you choose to fly can have a serious impact on the price of the tickets. Being flexible with your travel dates and times can make a big difference. Avoid traveling during the airline industry’s busiest days: the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day, and Spring Break. Friday and Monday flights are also in high demand as travelers take advantage of three-day weekends. Flying mid-week is a smart way to find cheap business class flights to your chosen destination.
If your dates are set in stone, be flexible with your destination. Perhaps you find a great discount on business class fares to an airport near but not exactly in your destination city. It may be worth it to rent a car or take a cheap bus ride the rest of the way.
Wait for the sale
No matter your route and destination, there are times when airlines will have special sales for their business class seats. If you subscribe to airline newsletters, you will easily be able to find out about business class sales.
Consider deals like the early bird special or the companion flies free sale These are typical deals offered to subscribers and frequent flyers before anyone else. Social media can also help you find short-sale deals, so make sure you follow the airlines you want to fly with on social media
Bid for upgrades
Often times, you can bid to upgrade your economy ticket to a business class ticket in an online auction. Airlines will offer these auctions to fill empty business class seats on a flight. This allows economy passengers to bid for a low-cost upgrade to business class. Not all airlines offer an auction system to economy passengers, so you should consider flying with one that does.
There may also be the option of paying a fixed rate upgrade when you check in. The formula for winning is sort of ambiguous so that airlines can keep the results secret until their reveal. This way of upgrading is certainly not foolproof, but when you do win, it’s the easier way to get cheap business class tickets.
Be a Frequent Flyer
Lastly, if you fly a lot, you should sign up for the Frequent Flyer loyalty program. This program gives free business class upgrades. You can get this upgrade through points you earn every time you fly. The more you fly, the more points you have, and the more often you can upgrade for free.
Frequent travelers want and deserve to fly comfortably. To get cheap business class tickets, you should be flexible with your dates and destinations, keep an eye out for sales, bid for upgrades, and sign up for the Frequent Flyer loyalty program. You’ll be glad you did.
