First class airfare tends to come with plenty
of perks. You get a nice, roomy seat, personalized service from the
airline staff and complimentary food and drinks. However, all those
perks tend to come at a steep price. The following are some great tips
for finding discount first class airfare.
Best Days To Buy Discount First Class Airfare.
One of the major factors in airfare rates is what time of the week you buy. A common myth is that prices are always lowest just after midnight on Tuesdays. While this specific information isn’t factual, it does hold some truth in that mid-week prices tend to be lowest. Search for first class airfare on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for lower prices. One exception is that some airlines have Monday sales, so check travel websites or sign up for alerts to make sure you find out about these sales when they happen.Use Travel Websites.
When you search many travel websites, the default airline prices given are for coach or economy class seats. Fortunately, there are sites available where you can easily find and compare first class ticket prices for various airlines. Look for ways to adjust your search on popular sites like Expedia, where you can select “first class” as one of your search requirements when looking for fares. Other sites like FareBuzz (www.farebuzz.com) offer specific searches just for first class tickets as well. Some of these sites also have promo codes that you can use to get discounts on your first class ticket.Get Upgraded For Free.
Some lucky passengers receive a free upgrade from coach to first class when they travel. How do they do it? There’s no proven formula, but these are tips that can increase your chances for a free upgrade:- Pay full price for economy. Airlines are more likely to offer an upgrade to someone who paid the full price for their seat.
- Dress nicely. You don’t necessarily need to wear a suit, but business casual attire and a clean, well-kept appearance can go a long ways when airlines choose someone for an upgrade.
- Be polite and friendly. This is more likely to win points with the airline staff.
- Be accommodating. If they need to bump someone to the next flight or request that someone switch seats, volunteer. They may offer you an upgrade as a way of saying thanks.
- Check in early. This tells the staff that you definitely plan to be on the flight, so there’s a chance they could upgrade you if a seat opens up.
- Travel alone. It’s rare that two or more seats are available, so going alone will increase your chances of an upgrade.
Become A Frequent Flyer.
One of the smartest ways to get cheap first class flights is to join the airline’s membership club or frequent flyer program. Remaining loyal to the airline and racking up miles on your membership card can result in significant discounts on first class flights. You are also more likely to be upgraded for free on future flights if you’re a member.Subscribe To Travel Magazines.
Look for cheap subscriptions to high-end travel magazines and catalogs. These publications sometimes have first class airfare offers available exclusively to their subscribers. While you may overlook advertisements in other magazines, take the time to scope out the ads in these magazines as they may contain special offers or promo codes.Look For “Y-Up” Fares.
A little-known secret is “Y-Up” fares, which are basically a coach-priced ticket that gets you seating in business or first class. “Y-Up” fares tend to be available at the last minute rather than well before your flight date. Some airlines have different terms for these tickets, such as “K-Up,” “Q-Up” or Z-Up.” Whatever the case, you’ll probably have to call the airline directly to ask about them.Consider Business Class.
In some cases, finding a good discount on first class tickets may seem next to impossible. However, you can often get many of the perks of first class without spending as much if you opt for business class instead. Plus, it may be easier to find discounts on business class than on first class. It varies from one airline to the next, but business class usually has slightly roomier seats, better technological amenities and more personalized service than coach seats, but the cost is less than first class. Check out this option if you’re not having much luck getting cheap first class airfare.First class travel can make for a much more enjoyable flight experience, so it’s worth it to take a little extra time to look for deals. Use these tips and you may just find yourself sitting in first class without having to go over your budget.