Have you ever walked past business class and wondered how those people received those nice seats? With all that extra legroom, a refreshing drink before the flight take’s off, and meals that like you’re in a 5-star restaurant it may seem like they’re not on a plane.
At the same time, who wants to pay thousands of dollars and break the bank for those experiences. Wouldn’t it be nice to fly in business class for the price of economy. Here are few travel hacks that can give you the opportunity to travel in business class without spending a lot.
Be flexible about when you fly
Having some flexibility in your travel dates can often lead to significant savings. Google Flights uses historical data to discover the cheapest dates and times to book a flight as well as the cheapest times to fly. Set up alerts for flexible travel dates to improve your odds of snagging cheap business class tickets.
Buy an upgrade when checking in
You can try buying your flight tickets in economy class first, ideally grabbing the best deal you can find. Then, when it’s time to check in, jump on it ASAP. That’s when airlines are most likely to offer those great business class upgrades at a fraction of the full price. Just remember, this trick isn’t foolproof; it all depends on seat availability.
Ask for an upgrade at the gate
Airlines don’t issue upgrades as frequently as they used to, but it never hurts to ask. Do everything you can to improve your odds by being nice and friendly to the agent. If there is a special occasion, such as a honeymoon or birthday celebration, it doesn’t hurt to mention it.
Be willing to wait for a later flight
If you’re on an overbooked flight and volunteer to give up your seat, you might score a business class upgrade, a travel credit, and even some cash. The perks depend on how badly the airline needs to free up space, how packed the flight is, and how many other passengers are willing to step up. I’ve witnessed some travel credit and cash go up to $1500-2000.
Keep an eye on your email for upgrades
If your flight still has business class seats available a few days before your flight, they might email passengers offering an upgrade at a substantial discount.
Sometimes, customers will have to bid for the upgraded seat. You will enter the price you’re willing to pay and will find out shortly before your flight if your offer was accepted. Other times, you can pay whatever rate the airline is asking to guarantee a business class seat.
Of course, this tip involves booking an economy class fare and hoping you get lucky; if you have a long-distance international flight where roomier seats are imperative for you, try other methods to get a cheap business class flight.
Leverage credit card points or frequent flyer miles to pay for the ticket
If you have a sign-up bonus from a travel rewards credit card or have accrued points for several months, you may qualify for a business class ticket for free. You might also be able to upgrade a cheap in economy class using your miles or points.
Using the same card for all your purchases and booking with the same airlines frequently (with a carrier that also allows you to transfer your credit card points) can help you earn the points you need for free or cheap business class fares faster.
Earn complimentary upgrades as a frequent flyer
If you earn enough miles on your preferred airline, you might qualify for free upgrades without having to cash in extra points. United Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines and others offer many of their top-tier rewards members free upgrades on many flights. Read the fine print on your agreement or speak to a representative to see what’s possible.
Get business class for economy prices
You can find business class tickets for the price of economy – or even less. You just have to understand how airline bookings work and be privy to a few of these frequent flyer travel hacks to get those flight tickets.
