Recently while waiting in line at the Chicago O’hare Admirals Club I overheard a conversation I hear all too often. A gentleman flying to London was asking for an upgrade to business class. Business class seats were available, but the customer service agent (AAngel) refused to grant him a complimentary upgrade. She insisted he pay the $350 + 25,000 miles required to get upgraded to business class.
I have tried this once before and received the same treatment. Unfortunately, the internet is full of dated advice on how to score a free upgrade, but now these tactics rarely work. However, there are still a few tricks to learn on how to get upgraded to business class on your next trip.
How To Get Upgraded To Business Class
It is actually extremely easy to sit up front and get a lie-flat bed on an international flight. You just have to pay for it!
Let me explain. Today, airlines are all about “getting what you paid for.” This is the motivation behind further divisions of classes in the main cabin. Before, regardless of the price paid, everyone received the same basic amenities in coach. Now, there are Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Main Cabin Extra, Premium Economy, Business, and First classes on a single plane. This allows the airlines to further improve margins in the economy cabin. The separation also helped bring down the cost of international business fares.
In years past, people rarely paid for premium cabins on domestic flights, but now prices are only slightly more expensive than a standard economy fare. Now passengers are paying extra for a bigger chair and a few free drinks. The same is true for some international routes. The airlines do not want these seats flying empty. They are now offering more sales than ever to get these seats filled by paying customers.
Timing Is Everything
In my opinion paying a premium upfront is how to get upgraded to business class. Because of this it is important to find the cheapest business class fares possible. Qatar Airways recently held an annual Travel Festival. The sale included business class fares from Los Angeles to Singapore (via Doha) for just $1,700! The cheapest fare today is nearly $3,000. There have also been historically cheap fares between North American and Europe. Just this past October the OneWorld Alliance was offering fares from the US to Europe for just $1,500 in business class. That same ticket today is around $3,000 as well.
So, if you want to travel internationally in business class, your best best is to wait for a good sale. Then, when you see a sale announced, book immediately since fares go fast! You may end up having to adhere to the rules of the fare (such as a minimum stay requirement or traveling on weekdays), but at least you know you will be flying in comfort. And avoiding that awkward interaction with a gate agent.
Book In Reserve Order or Get Creative
As I mentioned above, business class fares from the US to Europe are currently around $3,000. The reverse fare, from Europe to the US is just over 50% less at around $1,700. Let’s assume you have to get to Europe to start your journey. Round trip flights to Europe in economy are just $503 right now. So, for just ~$2,200 you are getting two trips to Europe and half of the journey is in business class!
In addition, you earn significantly more airline miles when paying for premium cabins with partner airlines. This could help save even more when using miles for a business class seat to get to Europe to start your journey, hint hint.
There are cities or regions with cheap international business class fares. I will not get too deep into those with this post. At least now you some of the basics to start searching on your own. Tools like Google Maps or ITA Matrix are excellent resources when searching for inexpensive flights.
Final Thoughts
I realize this might not be the best guide on how to get upgraded to business class, but I honestly believe it is the best way. Sure the upfront cost is more, but you also earn miles redeemable miles, more elite miles, more elite spend, etc. along the way. Also I think spending $350 + 25,000 is a ton of money to essentially waste. I conservative value all of my airline points at $0.15/each. In my mind the copay + points is like paying an additional $725. In reverse you are spending just under 50,000 miles which is the about cost of a sAAver award anyway.
Previously, I would have never imagined paying thousands of dollars upfront to travel in a business class cabin, but as airlines shift focus to maximizing profits there are some interesting opportunities to do so that make sense. Sure the $500 economy fare to Europe are extremely attractive, but it may be even more attractive to spend $1,500 and sit in a lie-flat seat and earn a TON of miles along the way.
Overall, the days of dressing nice and being polite to get upgraded to business class are sadly over. There may still be opportunities if the main cabin is oversold of if you are bumped from your original flight, but I would not count on that as a way to get upgraded to business class. Chances are if you want to sit in the front of the plane the best way is to pay for it when booking.
Featured image courtesy of AA.com
