Does business class get cheaper closer to the date?

Often times, as it gets closer to the departure date, if there are several unsold business class seats on a flight, the airline might offer an upgrade for purchase at a reduced rate. You may get an email in advance or you might see the option when you check in online

Introduction: For travelers seeking the luxurious comforts of business class without breaking the bank, there's a common belief that waiting until the last minute to book might offer substantial savings. The idea is that airlines, eager to fill up remaining seats, would slash prices as the departure date approaches. But does this strategy hold true in reality? Let's explore whether business class fares indeed get cheaper closer to the date.

Understanding Airline Pricing Dynamics: Airlines employ sophisticated revenue management systems that dynamically adjust ticket prices based on various factors, including demand, time until departure, competitor pricing, and historical booking data. While last-minute discounts are occasionally offered in economy class to fill empty seats, the same cannot be said for business class.

Factors Influencing Business Class Pricing:

  1. Demand: Business class seats cater primarily to corporate travelers and high-paying individuals who prioritize comfort and convenience. As such, demand for these premium seats tends to remain relatively stable, especially on popular routes and during peak travel seasons.

  2. Supply Constraints: Unlike economy class, where airlines can oversell seats due to higher no-show rates, business class cabins often operate at near-full capacity. Airlines allocate a limited number of seats for business class, making it less likely for significant price drops as the departure date approaches.

  3. Value Proposition: Business class fares are priced to reflect the added amenities and services, including larger seats, gourmet meals, priority boarding, and access to exclusive lounges. Airlines maintain these premium prices to preserve the perceived value of the business class experience.

  4. Corporate Contracts and Loyalty Programs: Many businesses have negotiated contracts with airlines for discounted business class fares based on volume commitments. Additionally, frequent flyers redeeming miles or points for upgrades further reduce the availability of discounted seats.

The Reality of Last-Minute Business Class Bookings: Contrary to popular belief, waiting until the last minute to book a business class ticket is unlikely to result in significant savings. Instead, procrastinating could lead to limited availability and exorbitant prices, especially during peak travel periods or on routes with high demand.

Strategies for Securing Affordable Business Class Fares:

  1. Plan Ahead: Booking business class tickets well in advance often yields the best value, as airlines typically offer lower fares for early bookings.

  2. Flexibility: Remaining flexible with travel dates and destinations can increase the likelihood of finding discounted business class fares.

  3. Special Offers and Promotions: Keep an eye out for special promotions, sales, and discounted fares offered by airlines, travel agencies, or through loyalty programs. For inquiries about current promotions, you can contact us at 1-83-3791-2928.

  4. Consider Alternate Routes: Exploring alternate routes or connecting flights may uncover more affordable business class options.

  5. Expert Advice: Consulting with travel agents or utilizing online tools and forums dedicated to premium travel can provide valuable insights and tips for securing affordable business class fares.

Conclusion: While the allure of scoring a last-minute deal on business class tickets may seem enticing, the reality often falls short of expectations. Business class fares are typically priced strategically to reflect the premium experience and maintain profitability for airlines. By understanding the dynamics of airline pricing and implementing proactive strategies, travelers can increase their chances of securing affordable business class fares without relying on the uncertain promise of last-minute discounts. For further assistance in booking your next business class flight, feel free to reach out to us at 1-888-802-0829.

Often times, as it gets closer to the departure date, if there are several unsold business class seats on a flight, the airline might offer an upgrade for purchase at a reduced rate. You may get an email in advance or you might see the option when you check in online.

How to find cheap business class flights: The words “cheap” and “business class” rarely go together, but if you’ve got dreams of lie-flat beds and champagne in the sky, there is hope. It is possible to find affordable business class airfare; you just need a little bit of luck on your side (or a lot of points and miles) and the ability to act fast when you find a spectacular deal.

  1. Hope for a business class Mistake Fare. Mistake Fares are the holy grail of cheap flights, and they happen when an airline accidentally prices a flight much lower than intended—as much as 90% off usual prices. When that happens with a business class fare, it could become as cheap or even cheaper than a typical economy fare.

There’s no secret to finding Mistake Fares; you just have to get lucky, or you need to be running dozens of flight searches every day, like our team of Flight Experts does. Mistake Fares in business class are pretty rare. In 2020, we found about a dozen, mostly domestic and to the Caribbean and Latin America, along with two to Europe and one to West Africa.

Some of the business class mistake fares we’ve previously sent members include:

LAX/SFO to Asia in Business Class for $600 roundtrip (normally $3,000+) Orlando to Mexico City in Business Class for $313 roundtrip (normally $1,000) JFK to Buenos Aires in Business Class for $728 roundtrip (normally $2,000+) Boston to Iceland in Business Class for $716 roundtrip (normally $1,800) The key in snagging a mistake fare: act fast. Most Mistake Fares don’t last more than a day, and some disappear within hours.

Here are three things you need to know about Mistake Fares.

  1. Join Going to get alerted to great business class prices. We send business class deals, including business class Mistake Fares, to our Elite members. Some recent deals in business class include $983 roundtrip to Peru, $198 roundtrip to Napa Valley, and $1,043 roundtrip to the UK.

  2. Use points and miles to buy a business class ticket. As far as cash output, the “cheapest” way to snag a business class seat is often by purchasing it with credit card points or airline miles. The amount of points you’ll need to spend varies (just as with a cash price, point redemptions can fluctuate often) and there may not be award availability on every flight, but you may be able to score a business class seat for as low as 25,000 points.

There are a ton of resources available (such as ) to help you get started earning points, and many cards offer signup bonuses worth 60,000 or more points when you spend a certain amount in the few few months.

  1. Book an economy ticket and upgrade with points or cash. If you don’t have enough points to purchase a business class seat at booking, you can purchase a main economy seat and, if there is award availability on the flight, use your points to upgrade.

A few caveats: first, make sure there is award availability before you book the ticket you plan to upgrade, and second, make sure you book a fare class that is eligible for upgrades. Some, like basic economy, are not eligible for any upgrades, even those paid with points or cash.

  1. Book an economy ticket and bid on an upgrade. Some airlines, including Norwegian Air, Iberia, and Icelandair allow passengers in certain fare classes to bid on an upgrade to a higher class. Typically, if you are eligible the airline will send you an email, but you can also check your airline’s policies and use your confirmation code to see if you’re eligible and place your bid.

On the bidding page, the airline will typically offer a suggested price that’s more likely to be accepted (and usually there is a minimum bid) and include details on when you’ll find out if your bid was accepted.

In order to place your bid, you’ll need to input your credit card info. If your bid is accepted you will be charged immediately. The bid is a new, additional amount (in addition to the amount you’ve previously paid) that you’re willing to pay for the upgrade, and typically you bid separately on the outbound and return flights.

  1. Look for business class fare sales. Airlines do occasionally put their business class seats on sale, however, while the price might be a significant discount off the regular price, it’s highly unlikely that the prices they offer would ever qualify as “cheap.”

For example, if a business class seat from Los Angeles to Paris typically goes for around $3,000, the sale price might be around $2,000. While it's not what most people would call cheap, that’s a big savings over the usual cost.

How to find cheap business class flights

The words “cheap” and “business class” rarely go together, but if you’ve got dreams of lie-flat beds and champagne in the sky, there is hope. It is possible to find affordable business class airfare; you just need a little bit of luck on your side (or a lot of points and miles) and the ability to act fast when you find a spectacular deal.

1. Hope for a business class Mistake Fare.

Mistake Fares are the holy grail of cheap flights, and they happen when an airline accidentally prices a flight much lower than intended—as much as 90% off usual prices. When that happens with a business class fare, it could become as cheap or even cheaper than a typical economy fare. 

There’s no secret to finding Mistake Fares; you just have to get lucky, or you need to be running dozens of flight searches every day, like our team of Flight Experts does. Mistake Fares in business class are pretty rare. In 2020, we found about a dozen, mostly domestic and to the Caribbean and Latin America, along with two to Europe and one to West Africa.

Some of the business class mistake fares we’ve previously sent members include: 

  • LAX/SFO to Asia in Business Class for $600 roundtrip (normally $3,000+)
  • Orlando to Mexico City in Business Class for $313 roundtrip (normally $1,000)
  • JFK to Buenos Aires in Business Class for $728 roundtrip (normally $2,000+)
  • Boston to Iceland in Business Class for $716 roundtrip (normally $1,800)

The key in snagging a mistake fare: act fast. Most Mistake Fares don’t last more than a day, and some disappear within hours. 

2. Join Going to get alerted to great business class prices.

We send business class deals, including business class Mistake Fares, to our Elite members. Some recent deals in business class include $983 roundtrip to Peru, $198 roundtrip to Napa Valley, and $1,043 roundtrip to the UK.

3. Use points and miles to buy a business class ticket.

As far as cash output, the “cheapest” way to snag a business class seat is often by purchasing it with credit card points or airline miles. The amount of points you’ll need to spend varies (just as with a cash price, point redemptions can fluctuate often) and there may not be award availability on every flight, but you may be able to score a business class seat for as low as 25,000 points. 

There are a ton of resources available (such as  ) to help you get started earning points, and many cards offer signup bonuses worth 60,000 or more points when you spend a certain amount in the few few months. 

4. Book an economy ticket and upgrade with points or cash.

If you don’t have enough points to purchase a business class seat at booking, you can purchase a main economy seat and, if there is award availability on the flight, use your points to upgrade. 

A few caveats: first, make sure there is award availability before you book the ticket you plan to upgrade, and second, make sure you book a fare class that is eligible for upgrades. Some, like basic economy, are not eligible for any upgrades, even those paid with points or cash. 

Often times, as it gets closer to the departure date, if there are several unsold business class seats on a flight, the airline might offer an upgrade for purchase at a reduced rate. You may get an email in advance or you might see the option when you check in online. 

If neither happens, you can always ask at the check-in counter or at the gate. Sometimes you can snag a business class seat at a very low upgrade price at the last minute. 

5. Book an economy ticket and bid on an upgrade. 

Some airlines, including Norwegian Air, Iberia, and Icelandair allow passengers in certain fare classes to bid on an upgrade to a higher class. Typically, if you are eligible the airline will send you an email, but you can also check your airline’s policies and use your confirmation code to see if you’re eligible and place your bid. 

On the bidding page, the airline will typically offer a suggested price that’s more likely to be accepted (and usually there is a minimum bid) and include details on when you’ll find out if your bid was accepted. 

In order to place your bid, you’ll need to input your credit card info. If your bid is accepted you will be charged immediately. The bid is a new, additional amount (in addition to the amount you’ve previously paid) that you’re willing to pay for the upgrade, and typically you bid separately on the outbound and return flights. 

6. Look for business class fare sales.

Airlines do occasionally put their business class seats on sale, however, while the price might be a significant discount off the regular price, it’s highly unlikely that the prices they offer would ever qualify as “cheap.” 

For example, if a business class seat from Los Angeles to Paris typically goes for around $3,000, the sale price might be around $2,000. While it's not what most people would call cheap, that’s a big savings over the usual cost.

How to upgrade to business class

With Cash or Points in Advance

Airlines vary in how they offer upsells to business class before departure. Some airlines want to keep business class availability open for travelers buying tickets outright instead of upgrading, and may reserve upgrade sales with cash or points until day of departure. Delta is one airline that consistently offers cash or mileage upgrades in advance—passengers need only retrieve their reservation to see what’s available for their upcoming flights, bearing in mind upgrade prices tend to fluctuate the same way fares do. 

Many carriers also limit the number of seats available for sale with points, so travelers wanting to upgrade using points should book early to ensure best availability. It’s also important to note that most airlines do not allow “double upgrades” with most forms of payment. For example, on a carrier with both premium economy and business class, if a passenger upgrades to premium economy, it may not be possible to then later upgrade the upgraded ticket to business class, so it’s helpful to review the terms and conditions for any upgrade prior to purchase. 

Some frequent flier programs have begun charging copays for mileage upgrades to business class, which can range up to several hundred dollars for long haul flights. These copays are often waived for top-tier frequent fliers. 

With Cash or Points during Check-In

Another option for upgrades is during the check-in process. Many airlines will continue to sell premium cabin seats at a discount right up until departure time. During check-in, many airlines will offer paid upgrades with tiered pricing based on frequent flier status (upgrades are often cheaper for higher-tier members). 

Some airlines, like Air France, even offer mixed currency purchases for upgrades during the check-in process. Passengers can pay entirely with points, entirely with cash, or use a sliding scale to pick a combination of the two. 

Bidding

Many carriers also offer bids for business class upgrades within a few weeks of departure. From about a week up to several weeks before the flight, airlines will e-mail confirmed passengers with links to submit a bid (passengers in the know can often visit the airlines website to submit bids without being prompted by e-mail). 

Bids will be collected (with a minimum bid—no “The Price Is Right-style” $1 bid shenanigans here!) and winning bidders are notified by e-mail. Airlines that have both premium economy and economy cabins may have differing minimum bids for passengers based on which cabin they’re upgrading from. 

It’s important to check how much advance upgrades are going for when determining a bid, although it’s notable that many carriers who offer upgrade-by-bid programs tend not to sell upgrades as aggressively using other methods.

With Frequent Flier Benefits

Unlike on domestic flights, it’s uncommon for frequent fliers to be automatically upgraded to long haul business class cabins solely because of their status. Many programs offer a point or certificate system for top-tier travelers to choose to waitlist for upgrades on a select number of flights each calendar year. The number of points or certificates awarded is often based on the amount of travel after reaching an upper tier in the program.

Business class vs other tickets

On many airlines, business class is the top of the tier for their intercontinental long haul product suite. Carriers without first class have a bit more latitude to add luxury touches to their business class cabins, as they don’t have a first class cabin from which to distinguish their business class.

First Class

  • Top level of luxury and comfort—on carriers that have it
  • Lie-flat seat and fine cuisine
  • Highly personalized service

Business Class

  • Often the top class of service on many airlines
  • Lie-flat seat and significant personal space
  • Usually an onboard bar or refreshment area

Premium Economy

  • Larger reclining seat and upgraded amenities
  • Meals can be the same as economy or slightly upgraded
  • Often more baggage allowance and sometimes priority handling

Economy 

  • Most economical class of service
  • Basic seating and amenities

What do business class tickets usually include? 

Business class tickets, with a few exceptions, are priced all-inclusively, although there are some exceptions. Discounted fares on British Airways Club World don’t include free advance seat assignments; Emirates also has an “unbundled” business class fare that doesn’t include advance seat assignments or lounge access. 

Most airlines include a substantial checked baggage allowance, airport lounge access, and onboard food and entertainment. Seating is typically lie-flat on most long haul flights. Many airlines also operate arrivals lounges in some airports, offering travelers breakfast, and perhaps a shower suite upon arrival. 

Business class travelers can typically choose from multiple entrees for their main meal, which is typically delivery on china on a linen-lined tray. Many airlines, such as Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, offer pre-order services, allowing passengers to choose their entrée in advance of the flight. Alcoholic beverages are complimentary in business class, and business class passengers typically enjoy a wider selection and/or higher quality brands than are available in economy class.

Many airlines hand out amenity kits in business class on long haul flights. On Air France the kits include products from the French cosmetics brand Clarins, while ANA hands out kits custom-designed for the airline by the British luggage brand Globe-Trotter, stocked with items from the Japanese cosmetics brand Shiro.

Business class travelers also typically benefit from a dedicated check-in space, priority baggage handling and delivery, priority security lines (and sometimes fast-track immigration lines on arrival). 

Some airlines, including Emirates and Turkish, offer free chauffeur-driven airport transfers before and after the flight to business class travelers on paid fares (not upgrades or mileage redemptions). 

First class vs. Business class

First class is a class higher than business class. On many long haul international flights, airlines may offer both first class and business class on the same aircraft. Generally speaking, business class is meant to offer a noteworthy increase in personal space and onboard amenities over economy class, but not necessarily luxurious. First class is meant to be an increase in personal space and onboard amenities over business class, private and exclusive enough to comfortably be called a luxury experience. Read more about the differences between first class and business class.

Airlines that offer business class

Here's an incomplete list of the many major airlines that offer business class.

  • Aer Lingus
  • Aeroflot
  • Aerolineas Argentinas
  • Aeromexico
  • Air Astana
  • Air Belgium
  • Air Canada
  • Air China
  • Air Europa
  • Air France
  • Air India
  • Air Mauritius
  • Air Namibia
  • Air New Zealand
  • Air Serbia
  • Air Tahiti Nui
  • Air Transat
  • AirAsia X
  • AirCalin
  • American Airlines
  • All Nippon Airways (ANA)
  • Asiana
  • Austrian
  • Avianca
  • Azores Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Brussels Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • China Airlines
  • China Eastern
  • China Southern
  • Czech Airlines
  • Delta
  • Edelweiss
  • EgyptAir
  • El Al
  • Emirates
  • Ethiopian
  • Etihad
  • Eurowings
  • EVA Air
  • Fiji Airways
  • Finnair
  • Garuda Indonesia
  • Iberia
  • Icelandair
  • Japan Airlines (JAL)
  • Jetstar
  • Kenya Airways
  • KLM
  • Korean Air
  • La Compagnie
  • LATAM
  • LOT Polish
  • Lufthansa
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Middle East Airlines
  • Oman Air
  • Philippine Airlines
  • Qantas
  • Qatar Airways
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • S7 Airlines
  • SAS
  • Saudia
  • Scoot
  • Singapore Airlines
  • South African Airways
  • SriLankan
  • SWISS
  • TAP Portugal
  • THAI
  • Turkish Airlines
  • United
  • Vietnam Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • WestJet