Travelers are flying both within the U.K. and around the world more than ever before thanks to new, exciting destinations and more airline choices. And everyone wants to travel in style – meaning demand for business class tickets is booming.
But major airlines still charge high rates for business class seats. A quick trip to your favorite city could cost you thousands of pounds, just for the privilege of a more comfortable seat and the luxury perks of business class travel. Most people, therefore, assume that business class flights are an indulgence they could never afford. There are, however, ways for travelers to fly in business class without breaking the bank. Well-informed travelers can get flight upgrades without the exorbitant prices, or even for free. Here’s how.
Bid on Discounted Tickets
Discounted tickets are widely available online – they just aren’t readily advertised. Few travelers know that you can save hundreds by bidding on discounted tickets via online auction sites. You get to set the price, picking what you want to pay for a business class seat.
Sky Auction is one of the top websites for U.K. travelers looking to bid on discounted tickets. You can bid on millions of domestic and international flights with business class options. In order to score a truly great deal, you should place bids that are at least 60 percent less than the original price. In some cases, travelers can get bids accepted for less than 10 percent of the original price, getting business class tickets for less than the cost of flying economy.
Book One-Way Flights
Most travelers automatically assume roundtrip flights are the cheapest choice. After all, airlines often give a discount of up to 50 percent on the second ticket of a roundtrip flight. You can, however, save even more by getting deep discounts on both your inbound and outbound flights by purchasing one-way tickets.
One-way tickets let you shop around for the best deal available. Airlines desperate to attract passengers on flights with vacant seats offer deep discounts to avoid taking off without maximizing their revenue. One-way flights aren’t very popular, and you can be certain deals will appear as the departure date draws nearer.
Book Tickets at the Right Time
One of the most overlooked ways to save money on business class flights is to fly during times when demand is minimal. Prices spike on weekends, according to AirHint.com, while Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the least expensive days for booking a flight.
If you’re looking for business class deals, avoid flying around holidays when demand is at its peak. According to Cheap Flights, the cheapest months to fly for U.K. travelers are September and October. Although you can’t always control when you have to fly, you can save a significant amount of money by planning your trips for times when airlines are offering the deepest discounts and business class seats are widely available.
Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs
Airlines have offered loyalty programs for decades because these promotions drive many travelers to purchase repeatedly from the same company. Being a loyal customer pays off, too, if you’re looking for discounts on business class seats.
When airlines have vacant seats in business class, the first people who get a chance at those seats are loyalty program members and frequent fliers. Airlines typically upgrade their loyal customers to business class at no cost. If you’re a regular traveler, you could also be upgraded to first class seats without paying a single pound. As an active member of a loyalty program, you’ll also get frequent flyer miles that you can credit toward a business class flight. Regardless of how you fly, you can save big on business class tickets by enrolling in a loyalty program and using your loyalty to lower the cost of flying in luxury.
Search Online for a Cheap Upgrade
Although business class was once unaffordable for most travelers, the reality is business class tickets are within reach for almost anyone – anyone who knows to shop around. Online research is the key to getting a cheap upgrade to business class. You can use a broad range of travel websites to compare prices, find lesser-known or little advertised deals, and choose the right discount before spending your hard-earned money. You can also use the Internet to search for other ways to save money when flying business class. By doing your due diligence before purchasing your next plane ticket, you’ll be flying in style while saving significantly.
Like anything, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the latest research. We recommend comparing at least 3 or 4 options before making a final decision. Doing a search online is typically the quickest, most thorough way to discover all the pros and cons you need to keep in mind.
