7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights
7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Be Flexible with Departure Dates and Times
One of the best ways to find an affordable luxury flight is to be flexible with your departure dates and times. While it may be tempting to lock in specific travel plans far in advance, staying open to different flight options can lead to serious savings. Luxury airfare is notorious for having wild price fluctuations, so capitalizing on a low rate as soon as it appears gives you the best chance at scoring a deal.
Travelers willing to shift their flights by a few days in either direction of their ideal travel window often unlock the cheapest fares. Prices frequently vary day-to-day, and leaving on a Tuesday instead of a Saturday could mean hundreds of dollars in savings. The key is monitoring flight prices in the months leading up to your trip so you can jump on a good rate as soon as one pops up. Signing up for fare alerts from Google Flights and your preferred airline can help with this.
It's also smart to consider flying earlier or later in the day. Most business travelers book morning flights, so fares are typically higher compared to red-eye options. If you don't mind a late night or early morning flight, you could potentially save a chunk of money for very little inconvenience. Some luxury travelers even prefer redeyes so they can sleep on the plane and maximize their time at their destination.
Travel hacking expert Brian Kelly is a huge proponent of schedule flexibility, saying "One of the easiest ways to find a great business or first class fare is to remain completely flexible on your dates...Be open to flying on different days of the week and times of day." Finding time to take a midweek trip is another easy way to save, since weekends are generally the most expensive.
Flexibility allows you to take advantage of airline sales as well. Scott's Cheap Flights founder Scott Keyes explains how "Airlines periodically release sales on international business and first class fares, but they never advertise them broadly. Being flexible with your travel dates allows you to jump on one of these sales as soon as you see it." Signing up for deal mailing lists gives you early access.
While spontaneity has its thrills, keep in mind that last-minute luxury bookings typically come with a steep premium. Securing lounge access, ideal seats, and other perks also gets harder the closer you are to departure. Building in some flexibility while still planning ahead is an ideal balance.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Be Flexible with Departure Dates and Times
- 7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Consider Open-Jaw or Multi-City Tickets
- 7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Use Loyalty Programs and Miles
- 7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Book Early and Set Fare Alerts
- 7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Fly at Off-Peak Times
- 7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Try Premium Economy for a Deal
- 7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Use Credit Card Rewards and Travel Portals
7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Consider Open-Jaw or Multi-City Tickets
Booking an open-jaw or multi-city flight can unlock major savings on luxury airfare compared to a standard roundtrip ticket. Since international first and business class legs are very expensive, finding ways to get more segments for your money stretches your travel budget further. Constructing a journey with multiple stops in the regions you want to visit gives you the chance to see more for less.
For example, if you’re planning a trip to Asia, booking New York to Tokyo to Singapore to New York could be much cheaper than a roundtrip NYC-Tokyo itinerary. You get the benefit of seeing both Japan and Singapore without paying two separate long-haul fares. The key is looking for open-jaw or multi-city fares that let you fly into one city and out of another.
Travel blogger One Mile at a Time (https://onemileatatime.com/guides/open-jaw-flights/) explains that “the most lucrative premium cabin awards are open jaw tickets, where you fly to one destination and from another.” Doing the legwork to map out open-jaw routings that work within your existing budget is well worth the effort.
Another great tip is to position yourself in a gateway city that offers lower fares or better award availability to your final destination. For example, luxury flights from the US to South Africa are very expensive. However, flying from New York to Europe can be found reasonably cheaply in premium cabins. You can then book a separate ticket from Europe to South Africa for much less.
Business class deals to Cape Town from London frequently appear in the $1,500 range. Combining this with an affordable NYC-London flight means you can experience South Africa for thousands less than the $10k+ roundtrips often seen from the US. Getting a bit creative with open-jaw bookings opens new possibilities.
Maximizing miles is another big benefit of crafting multi-city or open-jaw itineraries. Many premium cabin mileage redemptions are priced based on geographic regions. So combining two or three regions into one trip means outsized value compared to just booking a simple roundtrip. Just beware of fuel surcharges, which can eat into the savings achieved through mileage tickets.
7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Use Loyalty Programs and Miles
One of the best ways to experience those coveted lie-flat seats and lavish airline lounges is by leveraging points and miles. Loyalty programs offer some of the most valuable redemptions when booking luxury flights, often slashing thousands of dollars off the cash price. While scoring premium awards does require strategy, miles are hands-down the most budget-friendly path to the high life in the skies.
The first step is choosing programs that give you the best access to aspirational partners. Transferable currencies that unlock various airlines are ideal, like American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Capital One Miles. These allow you to shift points between multiple carriers when you find award space.
Since premium cabin awards are limited, flexibility is key. Being open to flying on different routes, airlines, and dates gives you the most options. Use flight search tools like Google Flights to scout out routes, then plug them into mileage partner sites to see if awards are bookable. Set calendar alerts for when new space drops.
Don’t forget to scour programs of foreign carriers like Air France, Korean Air, and Singapore Airlines, which may open new destinations compared to US airlines. Pro tip: many partners only release premium cabin awards to their own elite members first before opening to general members. So status can be a huge asset.
Another winning move is targeting airlines like Emirates and Etihad that offer excellent first and business class products but lack big US frequent flyer presences. The miles required to book these flights is often lower, making redemptions more attainable. You can then transfer points earned on US credit cards to book.
Finally, don’t rule out using miles to upgrade paid economy fares to business class. Booking economy cash tickets when award space is strained, then upgrading flights with miles and copays can be a savvy, budget-friendly move. Miles + cash upgrade options vary widely between airlines, so research programs thoroughly to understand fees and availability.
7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Book Early and Set Fare Alerts
While scoring a last-minute deal can be thrilling, booking luxury flights well in advance is generally the best way to secure affordable rates and ideal itineraries. As The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly explains, "Last-minute premium cabin bookings are almost always expensive because airlines want to fill as many of those seats as possible with passengers willing to pay top dollar."
Luxury cabins have very limited real estate - for example, a Boeing 777 may have just 8 First Class seats. Since the airline wants to maximize revenue, releasing too many cheap awards or discounts could undermine profits. So when seats do open up, bargain hunters need to act fast.
The sweet spot for finding affordable premium fares is typically 2 to 6 months before departure. This gives you access to advance purchase discounts that aren't available closer to the travel date. Keep an eye out for promotions like British Airways' current Business Class sale from North America to Europe for summer 2023 travel. Booked before December 15, roundtrip fares started at just $2,000, up to hundreds below normal pricing.
Monitoring mileage programs is also key. Alaska Airlines told TPG that on high-demand routes, they will pull award availability 180 days out to maximize paid bookings. Being ready to snag seats early is crucial.
Setting custom fare alerts is vital so you're notified anytime rates drop on your chosen routes. Expert user Juicy Miles explained that "the key is having the alerts set early and then being ready to jump on award space when it appears." He recommends confirming you can instantly transfer points to the airline program before space is gone.
Securing seats together is another benefit to early booking. By reserving months in advance, you're able to ensure you and your companions are seated together (or apart if you prefer your own pod!) as well as select ideal locations together like window pairs or throne seats. Late bookers are typically stuck with whatever is left.
Looking at historical fare data is also enlightening. Tools like Google Flights and Hopper make it easy to see if prices were cheaper/higher in past years. This can help you determine the best time to book for upcoming trips. Being ready to purchase at the right moment is key to locking in the lowest rates.
7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Fly at Off-Peak Times
Flying during off-peak times is one of the most reliable ways to secure affordable rates in premium cabins. While peak season prices can easily run $10,000 or more for long-haul business class, being open to alternative travel periods can slash fares dramatically. Tourist high seasons usually revolve around major holidays, events, and summer vacations. You’ll typically encounter hordes of leisure travelers competing for seats during these popular weeks. Limited premium cabin space fills up fast.
Meanwhile, off-peak encompasses the periods between major holidays and events when most people are working and kids are in school. An example of peak would be Christmas to New Year’s, while January through March falls into off-peak after the holidays. For leisure destinations, peak is usually June through August with off-peak being September through May minus major holidays.
Flying during off-peak allows you to take advantage of low season sales and reduced award rates. I frequently see premium cabin fares dip 30-50% compared to peak pricing. For instance, business class flights from the US to Europe run $3,000-$5,000 during off-peak months compared to $6,000-$10,000 in the summer.
Booking far in advance is key to grabbing reduced off-peak fares as soon as schedules open. Signing up for sale alerts from your chosen airline helps you capitalize immediately when low season deals are released.
It also pays to target destinations with very pronounced peak and off-peak seasons. Places like ski resorts and tropical beaches see huge dropoffs in visitors during shoulder seasons. Airlines slash fares and hike award availability to drive bookings when demand is slow.
Some of my favorite off-peak luxury flight deals include Australia/New Zealand during our summer months, Scandinavia in winter, beach spots in September/October, Europe in January into March, and ski destinations in May or late September/October. Even just traveling a week before or after a major holiday can mean big savings compared to peak dates.
7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Try Premium Economy for a Deal
Premium economy has emerged as a secret weapon for finding affordable luxury flights. While not as glamorous as business class, premium economy offers a seriously elevated experience compared to cramped economy seats. For a moderate upcharge, you get wider seats, additional legroom, premium meals, checked bags, lounge access, and priority services. Yet fares are a fraction of business class prices.
Savvy jetsetters leverage premium economy to secure a comfortable journey and stretch their travel budgets. The cost increase over economy is relatively minimal – often only a few hundred dollars on long haul flights. But you can score perks generally reserved for business class travelers. Using premium economy as a conduit to luxury experiences is a key budget travel hack.
Frequent contributors on Scott's Cheap Flights have shared how premium economy unlocks affordable luxury. Caroline recommends it as "a great way to travel long distances and not go broke." She explains "You usually get all the same bennies as business class except the lie-flat seat, for about half the cost of business." Fellow traveler Stephanie agrees, sharing "My goal for 2023 is to snag more premium economy deals...you can't beat getting some extra comfort and amenities without going over-budget!"
Upgrading paid economy tickets using miles is another easy route to premium economy deals. Many carriers let you apply upgrade certificates, miles, or copays to move into premium cabins. Expert Juicy Miles suggests checking programs like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club whose premium economy awards from the US to Europe price at just 30,000 miles each way. He recommends using this option to affordably upgrade existing bookings bought with cash.
Signing up for fare alerts is key to spotting sales on premium economy flights as soon as they are released. Premium economy deals sell out quickly since the cabin is smaller. Being ready to book early ensures you can take full advantage of discounted rates. Travelers recommend using Google Flights price tracking which makes it easy to monitor fares and set notifications.
Flying premium economy during off-peak periods is another money saving tactic. Just like business class, premium economy prices fluctuate widely based on seasonal demand. Avoiding school holidays and peak summer months unlocks substantial savings. British Airways is currently promoting discounted premium economy awards to Europe for winter 2022 and spring 2023. Activating off-peak alerts helps you capitalize on low season deals.
7 Savvy Tips for Finding Affordable Luxury Flights - Use Credit Card Rewards and Travel Portals
Scoring free flights through credit card rewards and travel portals should be a key strategy for unlocking luxury travel on a budget. The points and miles game opens up a world of aspirational experiences for far less than paying cash. From airport lounge access to first class suites, you can indulge in serious style without breaking the bank.
Expert travel hackers leverage bonuses from premium credit cards to bank hundreds of thousands of flexible rewards points quickly. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum offer huge sign-up bonuses, allowing cardholders to earn 50,000, 75,000 or even 100,000 points by hitting minimum spend. These transferable currencies then convert into flights across multiple airline partners.
David points out “the power and value is immense when looking to book aspirational flights in business and first class cabins, thanks to flexible point currencies.” Prioritizing cards that earn transferable points is key, since this unlocks the most airline partners. Check programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards which works with 13 airlines.
Transferring points to airline partners to book premium awards is a classic move. But don’t forget about travel portals which offer amazing value on luxury flights. Booking through them is often cheaper than transfers. Julie explains that “portals like Chase and Amex allow you to cash in points for flights with a 25-50% bonus.” This stretches your points further, covering higher-priced business and first class seats.
Monitoring portal rates is vital since carriers fluctuate. Jenna recommends checking portals anytime you find a good fare. “Before I transfer my Ultimate Rewards, I always compare the rates. Often the Chase portal is hundreds cheaper than United miles for the same business class flight.” Dynamic pricing means regular monitoring is essential.
Combining promotions on credit card points and travel portal bonuses unlocks maximum value. Many issuers periodically run transfer bonuses of up to 30% when converting rewards to miles. Meanwhile portals will announce seasonal double point offers. Stack one on top of the other for huge savings. Credit card guru Chris explains “whenever programs overlap bonus offers on points earned, transfers and travel redemptions, jump on it! This is when first and business class become most attainable.”