International Plane Tickets - Business Class

[Gardyloo]

Originally Posted by spencgr

ok, so I know that there are a ton of tips and opinions to get the cheapest fares for all types of flights. But do these tips also apply to Business or First classes? Are there better times to buy those tickets? Or, shall I resign myself to paying an arm and a leg (as opposed to an arm and a leg minus 10%)?

Generalizing is impossible. Yes, discounted premium cabin tickets are out there, but it's all in the details.

For example, transatlantic business class is often discounted for mid-summer travel (ironic in that economy tickets are usually at their peak at the same time.) The reason is that actual "business" travel tends to fall off during the summer months. And you can often find that fares originating in Europe for travel to North America are cheaper than those originating in North America.

For South America, you can often find discounted tickets in the spring and autumn, which of course are reversed for "deep" South America. Discounted premium travel from North America to Asia is less predictable, but deals do come up.

Generally discounted premium fares appear in various specific fare buckets, such as "I" or "Z" (depending on the airline's categories) and have typical advance-purchase, stopover, and change/cancellation penalties.

You might want to subscribe to this thread on Flyertalk - Premium Fare Deals - FlyerTalk Forums - to hear about good fares the minute they appear.

Finally, not everyone's cuppa, but you can consider an approach I use sometimes. Often you can buy frequent flyer miles from the airlines for around 2-3c per mile, sometimes even less.

Say you need to fly one way to Europe, where you'll be joining a cruise back across the Atlantic (many cruise ships do this in the fall, back in the spring.) Business class requires 50,000 American Airlines miles for one way. So this month (ends tomorrow night) there's a bonus offer through which you can buy 50K AA miles for around $1100 after taxes. Turn around and redeem them for a business class flight. Or buy 110,000 miles for around $2100 and a round trip. Pretty cheap for business class. Of course you might have to be flexible on your travel dates, but it's a proven tactic.

[ramaka]

Originally Posted by shellymdnv

Emirates airlines often has 2 for 1 specials and business and first classes are included. Right now they are featuring a sale on business class fares to India

Originally Posted by pigeonhole

Right now they are featuring a sale on business class fares to India

As does Air India ; you only need to bookbeforehand a tourist class ticket and be upgraded business class (in certain airports only ) for 500 $-which is a bargain : the hitch (because of course there is one ), it's only during low season, ie in summer when they need to fill up their planes...

Mind sharing the links or letting me know how to sign up for these emails?

[shellymdnv]

Originally Posted by ramaka

Mind sharing the links or letting me know how to sign up for these emails?

Emirate's current business class deal

To sign up for Emirate's travel deals

The points guy is also a good site to not only find out about deals but they also let you know how to maximize your points and take advantage of offers to be able to fly business or first class

[pigeonhole]

@ ramaka : connect on the Air India website!

[graceC]

Just so you know, not all premium cabins offer the same quality of service, not to mention onboard amenities. Of the two airlines mentioned above, Emirates and Air India, I would take Emirates any day, even if I have to pay more. Also, not all lie flat seats are truly lie flat seats. Their sizes also vary. So, do your research before you spend your money.

I find United Airlines' business class seats to be the most pitiful, although they do lie flat. I'm talking about their international business class, not domestic. But, I can't complain since it was a free flight through FF miles.