There’s a reason a business class ticket is one of the hottest items in air travel. Business cabins feature perks ranging from generous legroom and lie-flat beds to world-class cuisine, on-demand drinks and coffee, and an array of luxury gifts like slippers, sleeping gowns, and toiletries. But is it possible to get business class tickets on the cheap?

The short answer is yes. Before we discuss how to get cheap business class tickets, there’s another question you may be considering: Why fly business?

Why Business Class?

The difference between business class and economy is more than a few inches of legroom. Airlines are constantly competing to offer more unique and luxurious amenities. Many carriers, including Lufthansa and American Airlines, offer exclusive lounges not accessible to economy travelers. Emirates business class flyers can even receive door-to-door chauffeur service to the airport.

And then there are the intangibles: If you’re flying for pleasure, the business class treatment will deliver you to your destination relaxed and recharged. If you’re traveling for work, a business class ticket means you can be more productive in the lounge and in the air. As Forbes cleverly puts it: “Getting three or four solid hours done between flights is very possible in a work-friendly exclusive lounge. Less so in a communal Burger King.”

That’s because the business class experience starts before you take off. Luxury cabins will give you airport lounge access, including spaces not available with an economy booking. Once you’ve boarded, you’ll find that business class seats provide significantly more space and privacy than their economy counterparts. World-class cuisine will keep you fueled for work or adventure. 

Consider the alternative: A variety of common travel trials and tribulations, from delays to poor experiences, can cost passengers flying for business as many as seven hours in lost productivity. Those same factors can easily start your vacation off on the wrong foot. 

So is business class worth it? Yes. Is it possible to get cheap business class tickets? Also yes.

The extra comforts of the business cabin are naturally going to run you a bit more than a normal economy ticket. On the other hand, business class is considerably less expensive than flying first class, which is out of reach for most travelers. In short: Business class offers an accessible premium experience. 

There are plenty of nuances at play if you want to get the best deal on business class flights. Whether it’s when to buy or where to fly from, the small details in your itinerary can make a big difference when it comes to the price tag.

Here are Business Class Experts’ top ten tips for how to get cheap business class flights:

10 Tips to Get Cheap Business Class Tickets

1. Timing is key

Figuring out how to get a cheap business class flight starts with timing. It might feel natural to book a flight as early as possible or try to nab a last-minute deal. But earlier isn’t always cheaper, and waiting too long is a risky gamble. 

So what’s the answer? There’s actually a specific sweet spot for booking—from four months out to three weeks before takeoff. Of course, prices will fluctuate as seats fill up, so check back often within that window to get the sweetest deal. And don’t wait until the last minute: prices on business class seats start climbing quickly in the last three weeks before departure.

2. Know your options and be open to alternative airlines

Newer competitors in the business class market and international airlines are often willing to work harder to impress you. Foreign carriers like Qatar, Qantas, Air France, and AirAsia might not be the first names that come to mind when you go to book your next business class flight. But these brands frequently provide business class seats at a better rate than their US-based counterparts.

It’s important to understand each airline’s business model. Take Cathay Pacific: Their business class cabin is comfortable, spacious, and private like their competitors Emirates, Lufthansa, and British Airways. Cathay’s business cabin comes at a steeper first class-price point. But that doesn’t mean Cathay is out of reach: because they operate as a business class-oriented airline there are plenty of upgrades available, whereas other carriers are far stingier when it comes to bumping you up.

The lesson: If you want to get cheap business class tickets, know how each airline works and be open to less well-known alternatives.

3. Skip the Big Hubs

Major metro areas are often served by more than one airport, and knowing which one to pick can save you money when booking a business class flight. 

Many of the most popular destinations give you the benefit of choice when it comes to airports. Flying into a smaller airport or a neighboring city will net you savings: The next time you head to London, try Gatwick instead of Heathrow. Visiting New York City? Consider Newark Airport in New Jersey over JFK—not only will you save money, Newark actually offers a faster commute to the heart of Midtown Manhattan than JFK!

4. Sharpen your sales senses

Like any business, airlines strategically time their discounts. Keep an eye out around the holidays for seasonal deals and flash sales. Knowing what time of the year to book a business class flight is one of the keys to getting cheap airfare.

5. Sign up for fare alerts

While a strong sales sense is essential to getting cheap business class flights, you don’t have to leave your savings up to intuition and informed guesswork. 

Fare alerts are a free tool that can yield big savings on business class flights. Just sign up for alerts with your favorite airline, and you’ll receive an email or text message when rates come down. Some popular travel search engines like Kayak and Expedia also analyze fare histories, so you can dabble with some airfare fortune telling and try to predict the next deal.

If you pay attention and act quickly, you might be able to catch a flash sale or sudden discount!

6. Be flexible with departure dates

Flexibility when booking business class flights will be rewarded with better deals. Start your search with a window that extends a couple of days before and after your target departure date in order to find the best deal possible on your business class experience.

As a general rule, Mondays are the most expensive day to fly. If you want luxury travel at a discount, consider the middle of the week. The cheapest day for domestic flights within the United States is Tuesday, while the cheapest day for international flights is Wednesday. Weekends are a good option too.

7. Fill up empty seats

The day of the week isn’t the only factor that can yield you a big discount on business class flights. Time of year is important, and in addition to mid-week and weekends, holidays are also good targets for savings. If you are willing to travel on the holiday itself rather than before and after, you’ll see emptier flights—and lower occupancy means lower airfares, as airlines try to sell off what seats they can with surprisingly low upgrade rates.

8. Use an airline credit card

There are plenty of mid-tier credit cards that offer miles and other OK kickbacks for frequent flyers. But the rewards are just that: OK. 

If you want perks that are a cut above to get the best deal on business class, look no further than elite airline cards like the American Airlines Mastercard, Delta American Express, or British Airways Visa. Many airline cards come with generous welcome bonuses, including enough miles to get you a one-way business class ticket!

9. Bid for an upgrade

In order to fill up seats, many airlines will auction off upgrades to business class for economy and premium economy passengers. After booking an economy seat, the airline may get in touch with you about this option. If they do, bidding for an upgrade can be a great way to get a cheap business class fare. Depending on the route, you may see starting bids as low as $200—a fraction of the cost of a regular business class ticket.

10. Let the experts take care of you

These tips are tried and true, but finding the lowest business class fares on your own can still mean taking risks and scanning booking sites for hours. And who’s got the time for that?

You might not—but we do! Instead of scrolling through page after page of airfares, let the experts at Business Class Experts take care of you. We’ll make the process easy. Our team will keep an eye on flights for you so that we can bring you the cheapest fares. And our hands-on service doesn’t end when we secure the best deal for you. Our expert staff will see you through from the booking process all the way to your flight home—wherever that is for you.

If you want to protect your valuable time and skip the guesswork, contact one of our experienced agents today!

Don’t ruin your business class experience: avoid mileage brokers!

Many travelers find themselves ensnared in one of the traps laid by mileage brokers, who offer tantalizingly low rates on business airfares, especially for long-haul flights. When it comes to finding cheap business class flights, follow that trusty rule of thumb: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Mileage brokers often use unspent miles purchased from businesses, which violates the terms of service of your airline’s loyalty program and, depending on the jurisdiction, could be illegal. That comes with a lot of costly risks, including having your ticket voided, losing your member perks, and the miles you’ve worked hard to accumulate.

Business Class Experts is not mileage broker. We are a full-service travel agency that provides a seamless experience from booking all the way to your return home. We do not sell miles, although we can assist you in using your personal miles if needed.

Flying business class is a luxury experience and well worth the upgrade over economy. But getting a great deal that allows you to get cheap business class tickets requires patience, diligence, and a keen eye for the industry. Start with our ten tips, and remember, the easiest way to enjoy cheap business class is to let the experts take care of you: contact an experienced Business Class Experts agent today!

FAQ:

Do business class tickets get cheaper closer to my flight’s departure date?

Don’t wait too long to book your business class flight. There is a window of time for booking flights that is key in understanding how to get cheap business class tickets. Booking from four months out to three weeks before departure. In the last three weeks before your flight, prices on business class tickets will rise quickly, so don’t wait too long!

What is the cheapest day to fly business class?

If you want to save on business class flights, consider the middle of the week. The cheapest day for domestic flights within the United States is Tuesday, while the cheapest day for international flights is Wednesday. Weekends are a good option too. Mondays tend to be the most expensive.

Is it cheaper to buy a business class ticket or to do a last-minute business class upgrade?

Starting bids for business class tickets can be as low as $200, but waiting to bid on an upgrade is also a gamble. You may not get the seat you want, and you may not get the precise discount you were hoping for. It all depends on how much a risk you are willing to take on.

How much should I bid to upgrade to business class?

This varies by the airline and the route. You could see starting bids as low as $200, a steep discount on the sticker price for a business class flight.

How can I fly business class for free?

The most common method to get a free business class flight is using frequent flyer miles or credit card points. Some carriers will allow you to book business class flights using miles from a partner airline, others will not. In some cases, the option of booking an award flight may not be available—as always, flexibility with your choice of dates, routes, and airlines will get you the best result.

There’s a reason a business class ticket is one of the hottest items in air travel. Business cabins feature perks ranging from generous legroom and lie-flat beds to world-class cuisine, on-demand drinks and coffee, and an array of luxury gifts like slippers, sleeping gowns, and toiletries. But is it possible to get business class tickets on the cheap? 

The short answer is yes. Before we discuss how to get cheap business class tickets, there’s another question you may be considering: Why fly business?

Why Business Class?

The difference between business class and economy is more than a few inches of legroom. Airlines are constantly competing to offer more unique and luxurious amenities. Many carriers, including Lufthansa and American Airlines, offer exclusive lounges not accessible to economy travelers. Emirates business class flyers can even receive door-to-door chauffeur service to the airport.

And then there are the intangibles: If you’re flying for pleasure, the business class treatment will deliver you to your destination relaxed and recharged. If you’re traveling for work, a business class ticket means you can be more productive in the lounge and in the air. As Forbes cleverly puts it: “Getting three or four solid hours done between flights is very possible in a work-friendly exclusive lounge. Less so in a communal Burger King.”

That’s because the business class experience starts before you take off. Luxury cabins will give you airport lounge access, including spaces not available with an economy booking. Once you’ve boarded, you’ll find that business class seats provide significantly more space and privacy than their economy counterparts. World-class cuisine will keep you fueled for work or adventure. 

Consider the alternative: A variety of common travel trials and tribulations, from delays to poor experiences, can cost passengers flying for business as many as seven hours in lost productivity. Those same factors can easily start your vacation off on the wrong foot. 

So is business class worth it? Yes. Is it possible to get cheap business class tickets? Also yes.

The extra comforts of the business cabin are naturally going to run you a bit more than a normal economy ticket. On the other hand, business class is considerably less expensive than flying first class, which is out of reach for most travelers. In short: Business class offers an accessible premium experience. 

There are plenty of nuances at play if you want to get the best deal on business class flights. Whether it’s when to buy or where to fly from, the small details in your itinerary can make a big difference when it comes to the price tag.

Here are Business Class Experts’ top ten tips for how to get cheap business class flights:

10 Tips to Get Cheap Business Class Tickets

1. Timing is key

Figuring out how to get a cheap business class flight starts with timing. It might feel natural to book a flight as early as possible or try to nab a last-minute deal. But earlier isn’t always cheaper, and waiting too long is a risky gamble. 

So what’s the answer? There’s actually a specific sweet spot for booking—from four months out to three weeks before takeoff. Of course, prices will fluctuate as seats fill up, so check back often within that window to get the sweetest deal. And don’t wait until the last minute: prices on business class seats start climbing quickly in the last three weeks before departure.

2. Know your options and be open to alternative airlines

Newer competitors in the business class market and international airlines are often willing to work harder to impress you. Foreign carriers like Qatar, Qantas, Air France, and AirAsia might not be the first names that come to mind when you go to book your next business class flight. But these brands frequently provide business class seats at a better rate than their US-based counterparts.

It’s important to understand each airline’s business model. Take Cathay Pacific: Their business class cabin is comfortable, spacious, and private like their competitors Emirates, Lufthansa, and British Airways. Cathay’s business cabin comes at a steeper first class-price point. But that doesn’t mean Cathay is out of reach: because they operate as a business class-oriented airline there are plenty of upgrades available, whereas other carriers are far stingier when it comes to bumping you up.

The lesson: If you want to get cheap business class tickets, know how each airline works and be open to less well-known alternatives.

3. Skip the Big Hubs

Major metro areas are often served by more than one airport, and knowing which one to pick can save you money when booking a business class flight. 

Many of the most popular destinations give you the benefit of choice when it comes to airports. Flying into a smaller airport or a neighboring city will net you savings: The next time you head to London, try Gatwick instead of Heathrow. Visiting New York City? Consider Newark Airport in New Jersey over JFK—not only will you save money, Newark actually offers a faster commute to the heart of Midtown Manhattan than JFK!

4. Sharpen your sales senses

Like any business, airlines strategically time their discounts. Keep an eye out around the holidays for seasonal deals and flash sales. Knowing what time of the year to book a business class flight is one of the keys to getting cheap airfare.

5. Sign up for fare alerts

While a strong sales sense is essential to getting cheap business class flights, you don’t have to leave your savings up to intuition and informed guesswork. 

Fare alerts are a free tool that can yield big savings on business class flights. Just sign up for alerts with your favorite airline, and you’ll receive an email or text message when rates come down. Some popular travel search engines like Kayak and Expedia also analyze fare histories, so you can dabble with some airfare fortune telling and try to predict the next deal.

If you pay attention and act quickly, you might be able to catch a flash sale or sudden discount!

6. Be flexible with departure dates

Flexibility when booking business class flights will be rewarded with better deals. Start your search with a window that extends a couple of days before and after your target departure date in order to find the best deal possible on your business class experience.

As a general rule, Mondays are the most expensive day to fly. If you want luxury travel at a discount, consider the middle of the week. The cheapest day for domestic flights within the United States is Tuesday, while the cheapest day for international flights is Wednesday. Weekends are a good option too.

7. Fill up empty seats

The day of the week isn’t the only factor that can yield you a big discount on business class flights. Time of year is important, and in addition to mid-week and weekends, holidays are also good targets for savings. If you are willing to travel on the holiday itself rather than before and after, you’ll see emptier flights—and lower occupancy means lower airfares, as airlines try to sell off what seats they can with surprisingly low upgrade rates.

8. Use an airline credit card

There are plenty of mid-tier credit cards that offer miles and other OK kickbacks for frequent flyers. But the rewards are just that: OK. 

If you want perks that are a cut above to get the best deal on business class, look no further than elite airline cards like the American Airlines Mastercard, Delta American Express, or British Airways Visa. Many airline cards come with generous welcome bonuses, including enough miles to get you a one-way business class ticket!

9. Bid for an upgrade

In order to fill up seats, many airlines will auction off upgrades to business class for economy and premium economy passengers. After booking an economy seat, the airline may get in touch with you about this option. If they do, bidding for an upgrade can be a great way to get a cheap business class fare. Depending on the route, you may see starting bids as low as $200—a fraction of the cost of a regular business class ticket.

10. Let the experts take care of you

These tips are tried and true, but finding the lowest business class fares on your own can still mean taking risks and scanning booking sites for hours. And who’s got the time for that?

You might not—but we do! Instead of scrolling through page after page of airfares, let the experts at Business Class Experts take care of you. We’ll make the process easy. Our team will keep an eye on flights for you so that we can bring you the cheapest fares. And our hands-on service doesn’t end when we secure the best deal for you. Our expert staff will see you through from the booking process all the way to your flight home—wherever that is for you.

If you want to protect your valuable time and skip the guesswork, contact one of our experienced agents today!

Don’t ruin your business class experience: avoid mileage brokers!

Many travelers find themselves ensnared in one of the traps laid by mileage brokers, who offer tantalizingly low rates on business airfares, especially for long-haul flights. When it comes to finding cheap business class flights, follow that trusty rule of thumb: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Mileage brokers often use unspent miles purchased from businesses, which violates the terms of service of your airline’s loyalty program and, depending on the jurisdiction, could be illegal. That comes with a lot of costly risks, including having your ticket voided, losing your member perks, and the miles you’ve worked hard to accumulate.

Business Class Experts is not mileage broker. We are a full-service travel agency that provides a seamless experience from booking all the way to your return home. We do not sell miles, although we can assist you in using your personal miles if needed.

Flying business class is a luxury experience and well worth the upgrade over economy. But getting a great deal that allows you to get cheap business class tickets requires patience, diligence, and a keen eye for the industry. Start with our ten tips, and remember, the easiest way to enjoy cheap business class is to let the experts take care of you: contact an experienced Business Class Experts agent today!

FAQ:

Do business class tickets get cheaper closer to my flight’s departure date?

Don’t wait too long to book your business class flight. There is a window of time for booking flights that is key in understanding how to get cheap business class tickets. Booking from four months out to three weeks before departure. In the last three weeks before your flight, prices on business class tickets will rise quickly, so don’t wait too long!

What is the cheapest day to fly business class?

If you want to save on business class flights, consider the middle of the week. The cheapest day for domestic flights within the United States is Tuesday, while the cheapest day for international flights is Wednesday. Weekends are a good option too. Mondays tend to be the most expensive.

Is it cheaper to buy a business class ticket or to do a last-minute business class upgrade?

Starting bids for business class tickets can be as low as $200, but waiting to bid on an upgrade is also a gamble. You may not get the seat you want, and you may not get the precise discount you were hoping for. It all depends on how much a risk you are willing to take on.

How much should I bid to upgrade to business class?

This varies by the airline and the route. You could see starting bids as low as $200, a steep discount on the sticker price for a business class flight.

How can I fly business class for free?

The most common method to get a free business class flight is using frequent flyer miles or credit card points. Some carriers will allow you to book business class flights using miles from a partner airline, others will not. In some cases, the option of booking an award flight may not be available—as always, flexibility with your choice of dates, routes, and airlines will get you the best result.