Travel in luxury: tips for finding affordable Business Class tickets

Flying Business Class doesn’t have to cost a fortune. While discounts and offers are less frequent than those for Economy, they do exist if you know where to search. With the right strategies and resources, you can easily discover how to secure cheap Business Class tickets.

What does Business Class entail?

Business Class represents a substantial upgrade from Economy and Premium Economy Classes, ideal for travelers seeking enhanced comfort without the exorbitant prices of First Class.

Although it varies by airline, Business Class typically comes with numerous benefits. Enjoy access to airport lounges, unlimited champagne, ample legroom, the ability to lie flat, and gourmet dining – it's clear why it's so appealing.

While it may not be quite the same as First Class, you’ll definitely arrive feeling more refreshed and less frazzled compared to flying in Economy.

This means that whether you're traveling internationally or domestically, it's certainly worthwhile to seek out those Business Class deals.

Here are the top five strategies and Dinogo tools to assist you in flying luxuriously without exorbitant costs.

1. Leverage your reward points and miles to secure affordable Business Class tickets

If you're committed to saving money on flights, your first destination should be airline rewards programs, especially branded airline credit cards. The points and miles you accumulate on your credit card can be used for past flights, hotel bookings, and car rentals to secure Business Class seats.

Using your rewards is a wise choice since Business Class tickets can be three to four times pricier than Economy tickets, yet don't require triple or quadruple the miles. This makes upgrading the most efficient way to optimize your rewards program.

Before making a reservation, ensure you understand all partnerships and alliances associated with your selected rewards programs. Points and miles are frequently transferable between different cards and partner airlines, allowing you to combine rewards from various sources for a significant discount on your upgrade.

Take United Airlines’ MileagePlus miles as an example. As part of the Star Alliance, you can use its miles with over 35 other airlines worldwide, including Lufthansa, Air Canada, and EVA Air. You can either book Business Class tickets directly or upgrade your Economy or Premium Economy seats to Business Class using your miles.

However, it’s generally more advantageous to book your tickets outright rather than attempting to upgrade, for several reasons. Many airlines don’t permit upgrades with miles from Economy tickets, and most prohibit upgrades if those tickets were purchased with miles. Even when airlines allow upgrades, they often impose a significant surcharge, making it an inefficient use of your miles (and money).

2. Participate in a Business Class upgrade auction

There are various methods to secure a Business Class upgrade, but one of the most engaging is through airline auctions. Airlines like Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific often allow you to bid for an upgrade if you've purchased an eligible ticket. It's quite straightforward: in the days or weeks before your flight, you'll receive an email from the airline inviting you to submit an offer for a seat upgrade. Some airlines limit you to bidding for one step up from your current ticket class, while others, like Etihad, allow bids for any class from Business to First.

Auctions typically have a minimum bid requirement. To increase your chances, consider bidding at least 25% above that minimum. If that exceeds your budget, it's still worthwhile to offer what you’re comfortable paying. Many auctions have surprisingly few participants, leading to lower thresholds. Usually, you'll be bidding cash for your upgrade, though a select few airlines, such as Qantas and Singapore Airlines, also allow bidding with miles.

3. Utilize Dinogo tools to enjoy Business Class at a lower cost

There’s no secret trick to uncovering discounted Business Class tickets, but Dinogo offers tools to simplify your search. If you’d rather not spend your free time hunting for Business Class bargains (and who wouldn’t?), just set a Price Alert, and we’ll handle the legwork for you.

Simply enter your departure and arrival locations, select fixed or flexible travel dates, and remember to adjust the dropdown menu to ‘Business’. You’ll receive email notifications when prices drop, along with access to our forecasting tool that predicts whether the price will decrease or increase over the next 30 days.

4. Search wisely and don’t hesitate to Explore

Another approach is to search by budget instead of destination. If the world is truly your playground, then Explore is perfect for you. Set your criteria and budget, then browse our world map to see which city sparks your interest. Once you’ve found an exciting location, you can filter for Business Class tickets on the search results page.

5. Discard outdated tips and embrace flexibility

The era of dressing in your finest for check-in and claiming it’s your honeymoon for a complimentary upgrade is long gone. Nowadays, the best you might receive at the counter is an offer for a discounted class upgrade, which is often pricier than the strategies outlined in this article. Airline staff no longer have the discretion to grant cheap upgrades, so asking is futile.

Instead, prepare thoroughly and well in advance, and be open to flexibility. Try to avoid flying on Fridays and Mondays, as these days are popular among business travelers. You’re likely to find available Business Class seats on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. When you search next, include a few days before and after your intended travel dates to broaden your chances of finding affordable Business Class fares.

How to secure affordable Business Class tickets: Frequently asked questions

Still uncertain about how to snag cheap Business Class tickets? We understand—navigating all the options can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to address some of your most frequently asked questions.

How can I get a free upgrade to Business Class?

Getting a complimentary upgrade to Business Class isn’t typically easy, but your chances improve significantly if you frequently fly with a particular airline and enroll in their frequent flyer program to earn miles. Additionally, if your credit card company collaborates with certain airlines, you may earn bonus points on specific purchases, enhancing your chances for a free upgrade. Always verify if your credit card company has such partnerships.

Do Business Class fares decrease as the departure date approaches?

Yes, that’s correct. Airlines prefer to avoid flying with empty seats, so the closer you get to your departure date, the better your chances of finding a good deal on a Business Class ticket.

Is First Class less expensive than Business Class?

Actually, it's the opposite. While both fall under the luxury category, First Class elevates the experience even further. It offers superior seating, a more private atmosphere, and enhanced meal options, making upgrades with miles quite challenging.

What can you expect in Business Class?

Business Class is worlds apart from Economy! The seats resemble personal pods that can lie flat (or nearly so), providing ample space to relax. Typically arranged in pairs, they feature privacy partitions and superior amenities, including larger screens, high-quality noise-canceling headphones, a dining table, plush blankets, slippers, and even nightwear. However, be cautious—Business Class cabins can vary significantly. While newer models boast modern comforts, older aircraft may not offer the same level of luxury.

How was this guide put together?

If you frequently travel for work, you'll be thrilled to discover how Dinogo for Business can enhance your travel experience. And if you're content flying economy at a lower cost, our tips for securing cheap flights have all the insights you need.

Here are some of our top picks for affordable Business Class flight routes

• Business Class flights to Europe
• Business Class flights to San Francisco
• Business Class flights to Miami
• Business Class flights to Los Angeles
• Business Class flights to New York