Get your head out of the clouds and make your dreams of flying first class a reality. For many travelers, upgrading seats is an expensive splurge that’s hard to justify.
Luckily, there are tons of strategic ways to save big on this luxurious perk.
Here’s how to fly first class without the sky-high price tag:
Upgrade Rather Than Booking Outright
One of the best ways to pay less for a first-class ticket is to book a seat in the main cabin and upgrade later. Purchasing an economy seat rather than a first-class seat will save you significant money.
After booking your seat, you’ll have the option to upgrade for an additional fee. Upgrading after the fact usually works out to be cheaper than if you had gone first-class from the get-go.
Consider a Stopover
Incorporating a stopover into your travel plans is one clever way to save on first class. Some countries, like Turkey and Portugal, encourage travelers to stay for an extended layover with incentives like free or discounted hotel rooms.
Play around with different multi-city itineraries and see if you can get a cheaper-than-usual upgraded ticket for one or all of your flights by taking a more indirect route. Another bonus is you’ll turn one vacation into two by exploring a new place en route to your final destination.
Use Airline Loyalty Rewards
Remaining loyal to one airline can pay off in the long run. The more you fly, the more points or miles you’ll accumulate. Eventually, you may earn enough to qualify for a discounted or free first-class upgrade.
Sign Up for an Airline Credit Card
If you’re good at managing your finances and responsible with a credit card, consider signing up for one through your favorite airline. Companies like Delta have card options with competitive bonus offers to help you book first-class for less.
These credit cards frequently offer perks like extra miles and free upgrades if you spend a certain amount of money within several months of opening your account. Browse and compare available promotions to see which airline card will give you the best bang for your buck.
Buy Miles to Upgrade
There’s nothing more frustrating than realizing you’re only a few hundred miles short of a free first-clas upgrade. Thankfully, many airlines allow you to purchase miles to cover the difference. Depending on how many miles you need, this can be much easier on your wallet than paying for first-class outright.
Fly When There Are Fewer Corporate Travelers
Since corporate professionals tend to fly during the week, first-class tickets can be expensive and quickly sell out. You are likelier to score a last-minute upgrade on flights with fewer businesspeople. Flying on the weekends might give you a better deal on first-class tickets if more seats are available.
Ask at the Gate
You might get lucky by asking the gate agent and score a free seat upgrade. This strategy works best on partially booked flights, as there will be more flexibility in moving passengers to different seats. Though the airline employee may not be able to bump you to first class, it never hurts to ask politely.
Book Early
Book far in advance to score the best deal possible on first-class tickets. Airplane seats typically become more expensive the closer to the departure date, so purchasing months ahead will give you the lowest price. This tactic also gives you ample time to compare flights and seats so you can feel confident in your booking.
Stay Flexible
Sometimes, shifting your travel dates by one or two days can save you hundreds on first class. If you have the luxury of changing your itinerary, check prices throughout various days around your trip. You might find first-class seats for significantly less by flying on a different day than you originally planned.
Compare Deals
Don’t jump the gun and buy a first-class ticket without comparing all your options first. You could be missing significant savings by only looking at seats on one flight or through one airline. Expand your search to include various dates, airports, and airlines to see how you can fly first class for a minimum.
Opt for Large Airports
You’ll usually have better luck finding deals on first class by flying in and out of large airports. Smaller regional airports are typically more expensive and have less flexibility in offering discounts and upgrades. Major travel hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta and Los Angeles International can accommodate more first-class flyers, increasing your chances of getting a reasonably priced seat in first class.
Stick with a Cheaper Airline
When in doubt, splurge on a first-class seat through a cheaper airline. If you aren’t concerned with luggage restrictions or extra frills, you can usually get a surprisingly good deal through airlines like Alaska Airlines or JetBlue. Don’t expect tons of luxuries like on a Delta flight, but rest assured, you’ll be much more comfortable with your added legroom.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
