Business class travel has been the desire of many because while on board you are offered the best comfort, delicious meals and upon arrival, you are fresh. However, the main drawback is the rather high cost of the Business class seats. But what if I let you in on a secret; there are tricks to getting these comfortable seats at an affordable price? In this guide I shall reveal various tricks and tricks of how you can be rewarded with business class tickets at a very cheap rate.
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Start with Research and Flexibility
This is because airlines have a policy of providing cheap business class tickets once they have been booked on a particular day and for a specific route, thus availing a change in the day or route of the flight is an ideal way of getting cheap business class tickets. The prices for travel can vary depending on supply and demand, and for example, traveling during the low travel season can be much cheaper. Whenever there is a change in fares, use the applications to notify you when the fares of your favourite routes have dropped.
» There are useful services for tracking the fares » Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo.
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Utilize Airline Miles and Points
These programs can be yours for getting spectacular business class seats for substantially less than the prices that other customers pay. If you have collected a number of miles or points from your business or personal journeys or credit card usage, then, it is high time you utilize all of them. Most of the airline companies provide their business class tickets at a reducible fare if you pay with your miles or points, even if you book in advance. If you do not have a travel rewards credit card, try to get one as the sign-up bonuses are often enough to pay for a business class flight.
» Blogs such as » The Points Guy are wonderful for tips on how to use your miles to the best effect.
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Look for Error Fares
It’s important to understand that, at times, the airline or the booking website might have made a mistake which results in what is being referred to as an ‘error fare’ – massively cheaper premium seats. An error fare once identified, should be booked in the shortest possible time because they do not last long. Just make sure to ensure that the airline that you are going to fly with honours error fares before going overboard.
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Bid for Upgrades
Some of the airlines have made it possible for customers to bid for an upgrade from the economic class to the business class. This system is referred to as ‘Upgrade Auctions’; it enables you to bid the amount that you would be willing to pay for an upgrade. So, if your bid is accepted then you will be flying Business Class at a very low price or free of charge. An important and obvious thing to recollect is that your possibilities of obtaining a winning bid seem to be higher if the flight is not sold out.
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Leverage Last-Minute Deals
Last, minute travel booking is not always bad as most people would think for instance, if the airline has not sold all the business class tickets, they are likely to sell them at a cheaper price even at the last moment. You should often visit the airline’s website or the app they have released before the day of the flight. It is also important to know that some airlines allow passengers to upgrade to Business Class at the airport so one should not hesitate to inquire at the time of checking in or while boarding.
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Consider Alternative Routes and Airlines
At times, it is possible to book for a business class ticket at a cheaper price if one travels through other routes or through a low-end airline company. Even booking a flight to a nearby city and then taking a connecting flight can sometimes be less expensive than the direct business class ticket. Other airlines, which are not very popular, also provide fairly good offers for business class, focusing on international flights.
» Kayak Explore is a useful app to compare the different route and other places.
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Take Advantage of Sales and Promotions
One needs to follow the airline’s offers as they may contain offers for business class tickets at a lower price. A great way of ensuring that you are informed of the availability of seats for particular routes on different seasons is through subscribing to newsletters of the various airlines and travel deal sites. Further, most of the airline companies advertise low fares for their business class when launched during the holiday season or when introducing new routes.
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Consider Booking Through a Travel Agent
Travel agents may sometimes have the business class ticket deals or they may get the business class tickets cheaper in bulk. Booking directly with an airline will usually be easy but you may be able to get a cheaper fare through a travel agent. It can be particularly helpful for long-distance journeys, and in this case, the cost difference can be notable. If you go through Flight Centre and other agencies, they can still get you good deals on premium seats.
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Be Ready to Act Fast
How to Get Business Class Tickets for Cheap! If there is a good opportunity to buy business class tickets at a cheaper price, it will not be there for long. The secret is to be ready to make the booking every time you find a good deal for you. Make sure to have your travel dates, destination and payment options at hand so that you can complete the booking process swiftly.
Final Thoughts
Traveling in a business class doesn’t always call for a lavish lifestyle and is not a luxury that can only be afforded once in a lifetime. While flying business class is not cheap, it is possible to get some of the benefits without spending a lot of money by doing a little research and being willing to be slightly flexible. Today start thinking about your next vacation and one day you may enjoy champagne while flying at 30 000 feet and still be sensible. Safe travels!
» For more tips on budget travel, check out my post on » Budget Travel Tips for Adventurers.
Frequently asked questions:
Choose flexible dates for the journey, look up for the cheapest days, be attentive to the flight sales, and think about the application of frequent flyer points. Other methods include bidding for upgrades and staring at the screen with the hope of picking an error fare.
Check for a last-minute booking, find special offers on the airlines, redeem your frequent flyer miles or points. You can also get a discount by bidding for upgrades.
Indeed, air companies advertise business class seats through discount sales, festive seasons or on new routes’ inception. Another way is to subscribe to newsletters so that you receive fresh information from time to time.
Usually, Tuesday and Wednesday are said to be cheaper since more people are likely to travel on Fridays and Mondays, during the weekends and the beginning of the new week respectively. However, flexibility and keeping an eye on the prices is one of the most important factors when it comes to promotions.
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