How To Book First Class Flights?
To participate in first class, there are specific steps that need to be followed in order to make the first class flights.
If you are looking to fly in style, comfort and luxury, then you should try booking a first class flight The first class involves accommodation in spacious lie-flat seats, exotic meals, drinks and service First class is always limited on flights and it is relatively more costly than economy and business classes If you would love to try flying in the first class, here are some tips to help you book those seats.
Plan Way in Advance
Since there are a limited number of first-class seats available on any given flight, it is crucial to book as early as possible On the other hand, economy seats are always available regardless of the date of departure; first-class tickets are sold months beforehand If you want to upgrade with miles, the seats are even booked months earlier, especially on popular routes and seasons It is advisable to check the flight availability starts at least 9-12 months before your intended travel
I have learned that when traveling, it is better to be flexible in terms of the routes and the dates.
The more choices you can make on origin destination airports travel dates and connecting cities, the better. For instance, are you willing to fly from another nearby airport or fine with a connecting flight? Such variations can give you more first-class booking chances Even flying a day earlier or later can help in terms of seat availability Remember, the goal is to expand your options of flight itineraries you are willing to take to get a first-class booking.
As a frequent flyer, you should have an airline credit card.
First class bookings for airline credit cards Airline affiliated credit cards may offer a range of first-class upgrades and booking privileges Depending on the carrier, you may be able to book seats that are outside the general public's reach. In addition, depending on the credit card, you may receive space-available upgrades faster elite status mileage earn more and other privileges that may suit first-class flyers Compare the different credit cards to find those that best suit your preferred airline.
Finding and understanding Award Ticket Sweet Spots
One strategy is aiming for partner award chart value These are flights that are relatively cheap in terms of miles compared to the distance of the flight This lets you get a premium class while not bringing down your overall mileage bank Too bad award space is a bit on the struggle side when looking for it Find airlines that release more partner award space in the premium cabins AAdvantage is decent for this if flying with partners on the OneWorld alliance.
Bid for Upgrades
Some airlines have modified bidding or paying for an upgrade with cash, or even miles rather than points This can help one secure a first-class seat without requiring a huge amount of miles Check if the airline has this policy The closer it is to the flight, the desperate the airline is to fill up their first-class empty seats with paying customers If you are purchasing an award ticket and they do not have the award available, you may want to look into
It is recommended that the fliers plan to travel during less busy times.
Want to snag a premium seat at regular price? It is best to travel during less busy days or times Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays, early mornings late nights and during the weekdays It is also best not to travel to or from your airline's hubs since routes through these locations are usually busier Despite the fact that these days are high travel days, the prices are not usually high and it is best to avoid them if possible
Book Connecting Flights
If you cannot find first-class awards on your route, consider mixing cabin classes Book long-haul international legs in first class, then connect onto economy fares It will enable you to spend more time on premium seats Booked this way, you will spend time lying flat and enjoying lobster on transoceanic flights, then endure a little less space for the shorter connecting domestic flights Some airlines, such as Qatar Airways, allow you to book a one-way first class while the other leg is in
Use a Travel Agent
Seasoned travel agents are better equipped to understand the various airline inventory management systems, optimizing the different award charts, the waiting lists, and the various tiers of upgrades The fees for the agents may differ, but they can search for the rare and hard-to-find premium award tickets or a direct upgrade that may be unseen by an ordinary traveler Agents also can use the unused status or upgrades that they have and transfer them to your booking in order to improve the
Hopefully these tips help you get that first-class booking First class can certainly improve your entire flying experience with gentle amenities and professional services But always bear in mind that first-class bookings are quite challenging and expensive to obtain, especially the front row seats Do you have other suggestions on how to score first-class bookings? Share it with us in the comments section below and happy flying.