9 Cheapest Ways To Fly First and Business Class During Summer 2024
Most travelers on a budget book plane tickets in coach without thinking twice about the opulent luxury of first-class airfare or even the more modest comforts of business class in between — and it’s not hard to understand why.
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According to premium travel booking site Business Class Experts, you can expect to pay five to 10 times more for a seat in business class than in coach, and Fortune reports that an international first-class ticket can cost over $10,000.
But savvy travelers can spend much less for the amenities that come with a front-of-plane upgrade — multicourse meals, plenty of legroom, posh lounge seats, personal space, no baggage fees and an airport and lounge experience that is the envy of the common traveler.
Before you settle for economy on this summer’s trip, try the following strategies for scoring an upgraded seat in business or even first class for less.
Choose the Right Discount Fare Site
The first step in landing a bargain is to leave familiar sites like Expedia behind and scour upgrade-specific online travel services. The aforementioned Business Class Experts advertises business and first-class fares from 30% to 70% off — but it’s not the only game in town.
“This is a must if you want to snag the cheapest first and biz class fares,” said Always On The Shore founder Wayne Kask, who has appeared in The Amateur Traveler, Where In The World Is Nina and National Geographic Traveler. “Services like Scott’s Cheap Flights and Thrifty Traveler Premium are total gamers. They have eagle-eyed people constantly scanning for error fares, flash sales and legit price drops on premium cabins. As soon as an amazing deal pops up, you get pinged so you can jump on it before it’s gone. Signing up for their premium plans is worth every penny.”
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Expand Your Definition of ‘Summer’
If you’re planning to travel this summer, you have plenty of company.
“Summer is a sacred travel season,” Kask said. “Think about it — that’s when every family with kids is trying to get away.”
The dynamic doesn’t bode well for bargain hunters.
“The laws of supply and demand are not in your favor,” Kask said. “Instead, look at those ‘shoulder season’ weeks right after Memorial Day or right before Labor Day. Or go rogue and plan a mid-summer getaway. Prices will be way lower.”
Use Credit Card Points and Airline Miles Strategically
The clever use of rewards programs is the most direct and predictable way for travelers to save on upgraded flights. Travel vlogger Arturo Dashan, who publishes as Dashing Elsewhere on YouTube, uses a tactic known as churning.
“What this means is that I consciously use certain tactics to maximize my credit card points,” he said. “I open three to four credit cards a year that offer the best point sign-up bonuses. For example, I may open up a Chase Sapphire Reserve card to earn an 80,000-point bonus and then use that card for booking hotels and paying for restaurants to maximize redemption. I use it in conjunction with a Chase Freedom Unlimited card, which gives 1.5% back in points on any purchase. When I am ready to book a flight, I transfer all of my points to the Sapphire Reserve card, which gives me 1.5x their value when booking flights using their portal.”
A first-class flight that would cost 150,000 points, equivalent to $1,500, would now cost only $1,000.
“However, in reality, this $1,500 flight will actually cost me $0 thanks to the points,” Dashan said. “Over the course of the year, it isn’t too difficult to churn enough points to book a free or nearly free business-class ticket to a city of your choice.”
Book Well in Advance — a Year Out, If Possible
Just like those shopping for economy-class airfare, premium travelers can benefit from putting many months between their booking date and their trip.
“For the best rates in premium cabins, start monitoring fares well in advance,” said Peter Gill, an international adventure travel advisor with Your Bali Wedding. “Airlines often offer lower prices on business and first-class tickets about nine to 12 months before the travel date. Early bookings not only secure the best rates but also offer a wider choice of seats.”
Or, Book at the Last Minute
If you’ve missed that window or bought refundable tickets, go to the other extreme and shop for upgrades just before the buzzer.
“Many travelers have reported success with purchasing last-minute upgrades at a fraction of the cost,” Gill said. “This can be especially viable during off-peak times or on less popular routes where premium seats are unsold.”
Fly In and Out of Outpost Airports
Following Fiona founder Fiona Spinks is a travel blogger and “solo adventurer” who has driven 22,000 miles across 49 states in America, completed the NC500 in Scotland and likes to fly in style at a discount during her frequent flights.
“I know the joys of premium air travel, but I also know the sticker shock that can come with those coveted first and business-class tickets,” she said.
She starts by focusing on small, remote airports that are farther away and offer far fewer flights, services and amenities than the big-city giants that serve tens of millions of travelers per year.
“The major hubs like London Heathrow or New York JFK tend to have the most expensive fares across all cabins,” she said. “However, smaller regional airports can offer significant savings, even for premium seats. I’ve had luck finding business class deals by flying into airports like Glasgow instead of Edinburgh or Hartford instead of Boston. If you have some flexibility, it’s worth looking at lesser-known airports within reasonable driving distance of your final destination.”
Fly With Foreign Carriers
Reason Magazine says that 1930s-era air cabotage laws that forbid overseas carriers from operating domestic routes between American airports exist to keep “U.S. airlines insulated from the healthy competition that has generated a better air travel experience in other parts of the world.”
But if you’re flying internationally, you might be able to buy luxury for less if you shun familiar domestic airlines in favor of foreign carriers.
“Some European airlines provide excellent business-class experiences at far lower ticket prices than major U.S. carriers,” said Travel Folk founder Jenoa Matthes, a travel expert who organizes high-end gastronomy-themed trips. “Even premium economy on some flights might prove a more comfortable alternative to the regular economy without the full business class cost.”
Be Willing To Endure a Layover
Spinks said that, like economy class, nonstop premium flights are usually the most expensive.
“But I’ve found that by being flexible and breaking up the journey, you can slash costs significantly,” she said. “For example, booking a business class flight from London to Dubai, then a separate Dubai-to-Auckland flight can be cheaper than nonstop London-Auckland routings in a premium cabin. It’s a great way to extend your travels, too.”
Set Alerts, Be Flexible and Be Ready
Lastly, Spinks said to set airfare alerts and be ready to move quickly when an error fare or exceptional deal pops up for premium cabins.
“I’ve scored $500 roundtrip business class tickets this way,” she said. “The situations are rare but can deliver incredible value if you’re prepared to book promptly.”
Finally, ask about opportunities during check-in or at the gate.
“If the premium cabins aren’t fully booked closer to departure, airlines will often offer discounted upgrade rates to economy passengers,” Spinks said. “It requires flexibility but can net you that coveted business or first seat for a fraction of the original fare.”
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