Here’s how you can afford to fly in Business Class

I would always fly business class if I had an infinite amount of money in my checking account. But it is not so. So I take the low cost ways to fly in a premium seat when I get the chance. I’ve been lucky enough to fly business class several times, but only when the price was right.

Want a more comfortable flight experience? Maybe you can afford to fly on a premium ticket. I will share two affordable ways to fly business class.

You can get an economy upgrade on your next flight

Buying a business class ticket isn’t the only way to fly in a premium seat. Another option is to upgrade an existing ticket. If an upgrade is available and the price is right, you can get an affordable seat upgrade for your next flight.

Spending thousands of dollars on a long-haul international plane ticket is not my idea of ​​a good time. But spending a few hundred dollars to upgrade my existing ticket is ideal. The easiest way I’ve been able to do this is by taking advantage of the in-app upgrade offers. Before your next flight, check to see if your airline has affordable upgrade opportunities.

Here’s how it works: If an upgrade is available, the airline will indicate the options and fare required. The price shown is the amount you have to pay to upgrade your ticket, on top of what you already paid for your initial ticket. If you see an upgrade opportunity you like, follow the instructions to accept it and submit your payment details.

Want to earn cash back rewards when you book flights and hotels? Click here for our list of the best cash back credit cards to see how easy it is to get rewarded.

Airline deals can unlock cheaper premium tickets

My favorite way to fly business class is to book flight deals. The standard cash price of a premium ticket can be expensive. However, some airlines discount the cost of premium tickets. If you can get a business class ticket on sale, you can fly cheap.

I subscribe to a flight deals service to find deals on business class airline tickets. This allows me to stay informed without having to manually search for discounted flights.

Here’s how it works: Receive an email alert when business class offers are available for my preferred departure airport. If I like the offer, I can book a ticket directly with the airline.

Several companies offer this service. An example is Thrifty Traveler Premium. I have been a member for two years. I pay about $100 a year for their flight deals service and have saved thousands of dollars on airfare, so it’s been a worthwhile investment.

If you’re a frequent flyer and want to fly in style without breaking the bank, a Flight Deal membership can help you unlock more affordable premium flights. Consider whether this type of membership aligns with your budget and goals before signing up.

Save money on travel by earning rewards

Whether you’re flying economy or business, take advantage of the opportunity to earn travel rewards. One way is to join airline loyalty programs. When you fly with your favorite airlines, you can accumulate miles and then redeem them for award flights. This strategy can help you save on travel.

You can also maximize your savings when you swipe your credit card for travel purchases and earn points, miles or cash back. Make sure you pay for your airfare and other travel expenses with a credit card that earns rewards. Otherwise, you’re missing out. Explore our list of the best travel credit cards with great rewards.