I often travel internationally for work. My company has a generous travel policy that allows us to fly business class. Flying premium class on long-haul flights is an experience in itself. This post explores the benefits of flying business and provides tips on finding cheap business class airline tickets.
Here is what you can expect when you fly in business class:
Adjustable seat that converts into a bed
Premium food and wine service
Larger personal TV screens
Rich entertainment library
Better customer service
Amenity kits with toiletries
More privacy
Power outlets in every seat
First time I flew business internationally I could not believe the difference in how I felt after the flight. Ability to stretch your body, relax, and sleep eliminated the usual lethargy you feel after a long flight. I was fully rested and ready to go!
There are many airlines in the world and business class cabins differ. Depending on where you are traveling, your choice maybe limited to a sub-set of companies. If you are not optimizing around collecting sky miles, you might want to check out this report from Skytrax, the United Kingdom-based consumer aviation agency that ranks various airline offerings. Below is a Top 10 ranking from Skytrax for 2019. As you can see, Middle-Eastern and Asia-Pacific carriers who traditionally provide exceptional customer service top the list.
Top 10 airlines for business
1. Qatar Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
4. Emirates
3. ANA All Nippon Airways
5. Etihad Airways
6. Qantas Airways
7. Cathay Pacific Airways
8. Lufthansa
9. Turkish Airlines
10. EVA Air
Here are a few tips to get a business class ticket for less:
Book early
You should always try to book your flight as far ahead as possible. British Airways tends to release flights a year in advance. With the exception of sales, this is usually the cheapest time to book.
Upgrade late
You can get a cheap upgrade at the last minute if a more premium cabin is not full. Check an airline’s website or an app a week before you fly, or ask about an upgrade at check in. Upgrades at the airport will usually cost a fraction of the price. A quick note, in order to upgrade to Business on most international flights you need to hold a Premium Economy ticket.
Fly when business travelers do not
Business class tickets tend to be cheaper during school vacation and public holidays. For example, this year we scored a great business class deal on American Airlines flying from Paris to Austin on July 4th.
Be flexible
The dates you choose to fly can have a serious impact on the price of the tickets. For example adding a weekend your trip can cut the price of a business class ticket in half. Flying mid-week (typically Tuesday and Wednesday) is another smart way to find cheap business class flights.
Book or upgrade with miles
You can fly First and Business Class using your frequent flyer miles or points collected via credit cards. Sometimes you can find a “super saver” business class ticket that costs only a bit in miles than an “anytime” economy ticket. If you do not have enough miles to pay for the business class ticket, you can upgrade using miles or points. I often fly British Airways and use this option. It is worth noting that the inventory of mileage seats tends to be limited and you might need to go on a wait list to get a chance to be upgraded.
Bid for upgrades
Some airlines allow economy passengers bid to upgrade to a business class ticket in an online auction to fill unsold tickets in business class. Not all airlines offer an auction system, so look for airlines that do this.
Sign up for a premium credit card
Some premium credit cards offer two-for-one specials on airline tickets in Business or First Class. Cards such as American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and some of the co-branded cards like the Delta SkyMiles American Express card or the United MileagePlus Card offer big bonuses if you sign up and spend a certain amount within a short period. If you travel a little more frequently than the average vacationer does, the annual fee associated with cards like the American Express Platinum pays for itself quickly in benefits and rewards.
Monitor airline sales
Every now and then airlines will sell premium cabin seats at very reasonable prices. Sign up for your favorite airline newsletter and monitor frequent flyer sites like flyertalk.com (UK & US), boardingarea.com (mainly US) and HeadforPoints.com (UK) for sale tickets. Check comparison websites like skyscanner. By following these sites, you can ensure that you do not miss out.
Book indirect routes
Explore indirect routes. It is often cheaper to fly from European hubs to Asia. Equally, when flying to Asia from London, it tends to be cheaper to fly with Qatar in Business Class via Doha’s Hamad International Airport, than flying on British Airways direct. If you want to fly from the US to London, consider first arriving in an Irish airport hub and then taking a low cost carrier to London.
Become a frequent flyer
This is an obvious one, but still important to note. If you fly a lot, make sure you sign up for the Frequent Flyer loyalty program on all airlines you use. Enrollment is usually easy and free. You accumulate points and build your status each time you fly. Most airlines offer free business class upgrades to premium passengers. As a rule, the higher your status is, the more free upgrades you get.
When you travel, comfort is a crucial factor to the quality of the overall experience. Comfort of a business or first class cabin on long-haul flights can turn an average vacation into a special one. With a little bit of extra effort you can upgrade to business without breaking the bank. What is your favorite hack for upgrading to business or first?