How Savvy Travelers Fly Business Class on an Economy Fare

What's the use of air miles if you don't take advantage of them? Frequent flyers with lots of miles saved up can use them to fly business class for the price of economy, or even for free! American Airlines, Alastair Airlines, and Delta Air Lines all have solid rewards programs to test out.

You can also earn air miles or points through certain credit cards, so even non-frequent flyers can earn upgrades over time. This is probably the top tip for securing cheaper business class seats, especially if you know you'll be able to earn miles quickly and cash them back in.

Promotions exist to be taken advantage of, so why not look out for them? You might find a code online for a discount or benefit from a promotion directly offered by the airline. Business Class promotions aren't as common as economy ones, so you'll really have to search them out, but if you find one, you'll make an amazing saving.

Black Friday deals, early-bird discounts, and flash sales all offer great promotions that you must snag before they vanish. Sometimes, you might not get a full ticket, but access to the business-class lounge and other perks, so it's always worth doing. Other times, you can kick back in business class all thanks to a simple promotional code.

We've all got our favorite big airports, but they're actually less likely to offer more affordable business class tickets because they already have so many people paying full-price. If you want to find emptier planes with more potential upgrades, consider different airports.

More minor or rural airports, especially those located a bit out of large cities, aren't used as much, so they're more likely to reduce the price of tickets to sell them. This could mean an extra-special business class seat is up for grabs for economy-grade prices, especially if it's flying out of season or to a less popular destination.

There's a reason why off-peak tickets are usually cheaper: the airlines need to entice people to fly at those times. Mid-week flights, typically Tuesday to Thursday, super early mornings, and anything outside of peak summer and winter travel seasons are generally cheaper, including those sweet business-class seats.

Always book in advance, at least six to ten months before the flight, if possible, and you'll have more options to explore. Business Class can be comparable to economy class on flights that are unlikely to have higher bookings, so you can recline in quiet luxury for the simple price of flying without those pesky, overwhelming crowds.

If you want to secure business class tickets far ahead of time, then you may want to skip this tip, but it's perfect for those who don't mind taking the risk. Book your economy seat as usual, then keep track of the flight details leading up to your trip. You might get lucky and see a last-minute deal that works in your favor.

Sometimes, airlines dramatically reduce their business class prices a few days before takeoff to sell the seats, so you can snag an upgrade just before you fly. Many experts recommend signing up to receive notifications from the airline to avoid missing any special deals that will improve your flying experience.

Some people think that travel agents are a waste of time, but they can be very helpful if you want to secure some luxury without paying over the odds. They know how to find exclusive deals that may result in an upgrade, and where airlines store their unpublished fares, which often include business class tickets.

If you've been struggling to get a discount on your own, we strongly recommend having a professional do it for you. They may even be able to purchase those business class seats in bulk for a discount, which you will then benefit from. It's a hack that sounds like some extra work, but results in a huge savings difference.

Once you try a hybrid airline, you'll never go back, especially if you want to fly business class without paying exorbitant prices. These airlines combine full-service planes with low-cost carriers that offer ultra-cheap seats and little else. And where does all that extra attention go? To the full-service planes, which provide luxury at budget prices.

They include many of the main business-class perks, including meals, extra legroom, roomier seats, and entertainment systems, but don't cost anywhere near as much. Many traditional airlines are starting to take a hybrid approach now, too, so there are plenty of airlines to explore and try out.

Our last tip is simple: just ask! It won't always pay off, but sometimes, checking with the agent at the gate can lead to an unoccupied business class seat being identified and your booking upgraded to it for a cheaper price. It's something to try if everything else has failed and you really want to see inside the business-class lounge.

According to flying experts, passengers who travel with minimal luggage, are polite, and check in early enough are more likely to be upgraded. So, put on your best smile, get organized, and that business class seat could be yours for a fraction of its original price! You'll doubt this tactic until it actually works.