How to Save Thousands on First-Class Tickets
Flying first class is often seen as a luxury reserved for the wealthy or those with deep pockets. However, with the right strategies and insider knowledge, you can experience the opulence of first-class travel without breaking the bank. From leveraging frequent flyer miles to taking advantage of mistake fares, there are numerous ways to save thousands on first-class tickets. In this guide, we’ll walk you through proven techniques to make your dream of flying in style a reality.
1. Use Frequent Flyer Miles Wisely
Why It’s Effective:
First-class tickets purchased with cash can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000—or more—for international flights. Redeeming frequent flyer miles allows you to access these premium cabins at a fraction of the cost.
How to Maximize Your Miles:
- Target Sweet Spots: Some airlines offer incredible value when redeeming miles for first-class awards. For example, Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer program lets you book Suites Class (their highest tier) for around 70,000–90,000 miles one-way between certain regions.
- Book Early: Award availability for first-class seats is limited, so plan ahead and search for flights as soon as they become available (typically 330–360 days before departure).
- Leverage Partnerships: Many airlines belong to alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. Use partner airlines’ award charts to find cheaper routes to your destination.
Example:
A round-trip first-class ticket from New York to Tokyo might cost $12,000 in cash but only require 140,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles—a savings of over $10,000!
2. Sign Up for Travel Credit Cards
Why It’s Effective:
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points or miles that can be transferred to airline loyalty programs. These cards often come with sign-up bonuses worth tens of thousands of miles, which can cover an entire first-class ticket.
Top Cards to Consider:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve: Earn Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to partners like United Airlines, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
- American Express Platinum: Offers Membership Rewards points transferable to Delta, Emirates, and others. Plus, it includes perks like complimentary access to Centurion Lounges.
- Citi Premier Card: Provides ThankYou Points that can be transferred to airlines like Turkish Airlines and Etihad Airways.
Pro Tip:
Combine sign-up bonuses with everyday spending categories (e.g., dining, groceries) to accelerate your point accumulation.
3. Take Advantage of Mistake Fares
What Are Mistake Fares?
Mistake fares occur when airlines accidentally price tickets far below their intended rate due to human error or system glitches. These errors sometimes extend to first-class cabins, offering massive discounts.
How to Find Them:
- Monitor websites like Secret Flying , The Flight Deal , and Google Flights for alerts about mistake fares.
- Act quickly if you spot a deal, as airlines usually correct pricing within hours.
Real-Life Example:
In 2019, Cathay Pacific mistakenly priced first-class round-trip tickets from Los Angeles to Hong Kong for just $675—a steal compared to the usual $15,000+ price tag.
4. Book Business Class and Upgrade Later
Why It’s Effective:
Business-class tickets are significantly cheaper than first-class ones but still provide excellent comfort. Once onboard, you can inquire about paying a small fee to upgrade to first class if space is available.
How to Upgrade:
- Check the airline’s policy on inflight upgrades.
- Be polite and friendly with the gate agents and flight attendants—they have discretion to offer upgrades based on availability.
Bonus:
Some airlines, like Emirates and Qatar Airways, occasionally sell discounted last-minute upgrades at the airport.
5. Bid on Upgrades Through Auctions
What Is It?
Several airlines, including Air Canada, Qantas, and Virgin Atlantic, allow passengers to bid on upgrades to higher classes of service. This process typically happens online after booking your ticket.
How to Win:
- Research typical upgrade costs for your route to submit a competitive bid.
- Bid strategically—low enough to save money but high enough to win.
Example:
A business-class passenger could potentially secure a first-class upgrade for $500–$1,000 instead of paying thousands more upfront.
6. Fly During Off-Peak Seasons
Why It’s Effective:
Airlines adjust award pricing based on demand. Flying during off-peak times (e.g., January, February, or September) increases your chances of finding affordable first-class awards.
Additional Benefits:
- Fewer crowds mean quieter airports and lounges.
- You may also encounter fewer restrictions on award seat availability.
Insider Tip:
Some programs, like Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, use fixed-rate award charts unaffected by seasonality, making them ideal for predictable redemptions.
7. Use Stopovers and Open Jaws
What Are They?
Stopovers allow you to break up your journey and spend time in multiple destinations without additional mileage costs. Open jaws involve arriving and departing from different cities, creating unique itineraries.
How to Leverage Them:
- Programs like ANA Mileage Club and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer permit free stopovers, enabling you to explore intermediate cities while traveling in first class.
- Combine open jaws with stopovers to maximize your trip’s value.
Example:
Book a first-class award from New York to Bangkok via Tokyo, enjoy a few days in Japan, then continue onward—all for the same mileage cost.
8. Book Last-Minute Deals
Why It’s Effective:
Airlines often slash prices on unsold first-class seats close to departure dates to fill empty inventory.
Where to Look:
- Websites like LastMinute.com and Scott’s Cheap Flights frequently share last-minute luxury deals.
- Follow airlines’ social media accounts for flash sales.
Caveat:
This strategy works best for flexible travelers who can drop everything at short notice.
9. Join Elite Status Programs
Why It’s Effective:
Elite status members receive priority access to upgrades and discounted award pricing. Additionally, many elite tiers include complimentary upgrades upon check-in.
How to Achieve Status:
- Fly frequently with a single airline or its partners.
- Use co-branded credit cards that grant automatic elite status (e.g., Delta Reserve Card grants Silver Medallion status).
Perks:
- Complimentary lounge access.
- Priority boarding and security lines.
- Enhanced customer service.
10. Consider Alternative Airlines
Why It’s Effective:
Not all airlines charge exorbitant rates for first class. Certain carriers, especially in Asia and the Middle East, offer exceptional value for premium cabins.
Examples:
- Ethiopian Airlines: Known for affordable business- and first-class awards to Africa and beyond.
- Turkish Airlines: Offers luxurious first-class suites at reasonable award levels.
- Etihad Airways: Their “Apartment” product rivals private jets yet remains accessible via points transfers.
