If you’re a frequent business traveler, you probably spend thousands of dollars a year on business class tickets, as these tickets are significantly more expensive than economy class. Here are a few tricks of the trade that you can use when purchasing your next ticket to get up to 70% off the original price.
Buy in Advance
If you plan your trip far in advance, you can save up to 25% off the regular fare for a business class flight. Many airlines offer discounts on premium fares 60-90 days before the flight -- so if you plan ahead, you could save a lot of money. These tickets sometimes come with restrictions, like having to stay overnight for a layover, but those stipulations usually aren’t a deal-breaker.
Buy a Last-Minute Upgrade
On the other hand, you can also score some good deals by waiting until the last minute to upgrade your ticket. Purchase an economy class ticket, then wait to see if there are any unsold business class seats a few days before the flight. If there are, the airline will typically send out an email with an offer for that seat (usually about 30% off the regular price). Be careful with this strategy, though, because if there aren’t any unsold seats you’re out of luck.
Bid For Upgrades Online
There are quite a few airlines that allow ticket holders to bid for upgrades on their websites, usually a day or two before the flight. With this option, you name your own price for the upgrade, enter your credit card information, and wait to see if they accept your bid. If they do, great! And if not, you can try to bid again at a higher price.
Book Through A Travel Agency
Some people think travel agencies are a thing of the past, but they can actually still be highly useful when it comes to getting a good deal on a business class flight. Travel agencies are able to buy discounted tickets in bulk, so they can pass those savings along to you (usually 30%-70% off). These tickets may not be refundable, so have your dates set in stone before you book through an agency. ?
