How to fly First Class for less?
I’m fortunate to fly up front frequently for my job, but there are many ways to do this for significantly less than the headline price. Let me give you an example. Now we’ve all heard of airmiles by now, but to generate the many thousands needed to redeem for First Class requires flying constantly in premium cabins to begin with, or via sign up to a credit card with substantial spend. Well there’s another option, buying miles.
Airlines frequently sell airmiles in quarterly sales, and if purchased smartly can allow you to buy the required miles to fly up front for a whole lot cheaper than just booking a cash ticket. We’ll take a look at an example for Emirates First Class below:
1. Get airmiles
We're going to use Air Canada's frequent flyer programme as an example. This is called Aeroplan. Sometimes you can get a 100% bonus on purchasing miles, and this is what we're doing here.
Let's buy 120k for $1,500 USD
Buy miles
2. Search
There are a handful of tools to do this, some automated (seats.aero, awardhacker). You can also use Emirates own website or direct with Aeroplan.
I've found Dubai to Brussels in First Class for 116k Aeroplan miles + $470 in taxes.
Search now
3. Book
Once you've found availability just click through to purchase. You'll be issued a PNR whereby you can select your seat direct on Emirates' website.
Total cost is $1,960 vs retail of $7,500. And yes this is available to everyone!
Watch the video
I want another example!
So let's say you instead would like to fly Business Class? Let's take a look at one of my favourite frequent flyer programmes, the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. We'll search for a flight in their new Upper Class from London to Miami.
1. Get airmiles
As with Aeroplan, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club often does miles sales (roughly once a quarter).
We'll buy 50,000 for $700 dollars
Buy miles
2. Search
You can search directly on Virgin's website, using their handy Reward Seat Checker. Another option is seatspy where you can set up alerts.
Virgin Atlantic guarantee at least 2 Upper Class seats on each flight and these become available 331 days before departure, so planning in advance can help here.
I've found availability for 47.5k miles + $770 in taxes
Search now
3. Book
One you're ready get it booked! Availability changes by the second. You can do this online or over the phone direct with Virgin Atlantic. There are also a number of ways you can earn a 2-4-1 ticket which does exactly as it says on the tin. I will cover this in a future post
Total cost is $1,470 vs a cash cost of $7,900
Watch the video