To many, air travel almost always means flying economy. You may be yearning for the luxury and personalized care that comes with flying first class. But all you get is cramped seating, hampered legroom and nearly zero comfort! Yet that seems to be the only choice if you hope to fly without breaking your wallet. Well, not quite! In fact, there are several ways you can fly first class at a lower fare, and you don’t even need travel financing! Strategic planning and preparation is all you need to experience the best luxuries the sky has to offer.
5 Pocket-Friendly Ways to Fly First-Class
You don’t necessarily have to pay three to four times the fare to purchase first class seating. Neither do you need travel financing. Here’s how you can score high-end tickets without making a dent in your bank account.
1. Capitalize on Travel Reward Points
Get a travel rewards credit card. Many credit card companies offer rewards in the form of travel points which can be redeemed for first class seats with their partner airlines. The best way to earn these points is to get a credit card that comes with a sign-up bonus. These bonus points, when combined with the points you earn from other spending, can easily add up to get you a first-class flight ticket.
2. Set up Fare Alerts
The best deals on international flights and first class tickets are often available for very short periods of time. You don’t want to miss these fleeting offers, unless you’re considering travel financing. So set up fare alerts on websites offering these deals to make the most of them.
3. Be a Frequent & Loyal Flier
Airlines often reward frequent travelers with special perks. If you’re a frequent traveler, airline loyalty programs allow you to add up miles. You can eventually use these miles to get a free upgrade to first class. However, make sure you keep track of the expiration date for these points and redeem them before it’s too late!
4. Prepare to Check-in Early
Passengers who check in early are often offered a low-cost upgrade to first class. So make the most of this prospect and be ready to check in as soon as the window opens up!
5. Maximize on Flexibility
Be ready to give up your seat on an oversold flight. In general, most airlines offer a voucher in exchange for your seat on an overbooked flight. If your plans are flexible, you can use this voucher to get an upgrade to first class on a later flight.
No doubt first class seats are expensive. But if you think that travel financing is the only way you can afford to fly first class, you’re wrong. Try out some of these easy ways to travel first class without burning a hole in your pocket!