Flying first class cheaply can be achieved through several strategies including booking upgradeable economy fares and using points for upgrades, joining airline loyalty programs, and taking advantage of last-minute upgrade offers at check-in or the gate. Other effective tips include flying during off-peak times, bidding for upgrades, and watching for mistake fares or special first-class ticket discounts from airlines. Using travel rewards credit cards to accumulate points which can be redeemed for first-class tickets also helps reduce costs significantly.
Key Strategies to Fly First Class Cheap
- Avoid buying business or first-class tickets outright; instead buy economy tickets that are upgradeable and use miles or points to move up.
- Join frequent flyer programs and use co-branded airline credit cards to earn miles for upgrades.
- Look out for last-minute upgrade deals at check-in or gate; politely inquire for offers.
- Fly mid-week, during off-peak seasons or shoulder seasons when demand and prices are lower.
- Monitor airline newsletters and travel deal sites for mistake fares or discounted first-class sales.
- Use bidding systems where available, to offer a price for an upgrade.
- Consider booking hybrid tickets such as business class one-way and economy on the return for savings.
Additional Tips
- Book tickets early for the best deals.
- Add a Saturday night stay to reduce fares further.
- Avoid peak business travel days such as Monday mornings and Friday evenings.
- Use travel rewards credit cards like Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Preferred with high welcome bonuses to maximize points earning.
Using these combined tactics can significantly cut the cost of flying first class and enable a more luxurious travel experience without paying full price.