Well, there are a number of ways to get upgraded and find affordable business class flights, such as using our search engine to filter the cheapest routes, flying with no-frills carriers, bid for the seats, dress well, or even just travelling solo. We list and detail all the ways you can secure business class seats for your next flight, so you can enjoy lounge access, premier meals, lots of extra legroom, and of course, champagne.
Here’s 6 tips on finding affordable business class flights or improve your chances of getting bumped up to business class.
Compare business class flights
1. Search on Skyscanner for business & first class airfares
First things first, search on Skyscanner New Zealand as we’re able to scour the internet for the cheapest airlines and flight routes, in any class. If you’re looking for cheap flights in business class from New Zealand, just pick a location, toggle for the right cabin class, and Skyscanner will sort out your options for you.
2. Cheap business class flights
Sometimes the key to finding cheap business class flights is looking for them with the right airline. For example, Jetstar Business and Scoot are both low-cost airlines that feature a no-frills business class option akin to what full-service carriers would call premium economy. It could just be your solution to an affordable business class fare! Your time spent in-flight will see a massive leap in comfort, as Jetstar Business and ScootBiz offer seats that recline 20 cm, leg-rests and adjustable lumbar support. Entertainment is taken care of via complimentary iPads – something economy class passengers have to pay for. Amenities kits, pillows and blankets are also provided.
3. Bid for an upgrade in online auctions
Alternatively, instead of looking at low-cost carriers for cheap business class seats, try bidding for an upgrade. This works like an auction system, where economy passengers blind bid on business class seats, and the winning bid will get you moved to the front of the plane. Most airlines also still provide you with the option to pay a fixed price for an upgrade at check-in.
But here’s how the bidding process for various airlines:
Air New Zealand – OneUp
OneUp is an online upgrade system for Airpoints members, giving them a chance to move up to business class on international flights. Like most bidding schemes, you decide the amount you’re willing to offer in exchange for an upgrade and submit the request through ‘My Bookings’ at least 7 days before your flight.
If you’re an Elite, Gold or Silver member, Air New Zealand will uplift your bid by 50%, 30% and 10% respectively. You’ll be assessed on your offer value – relative to other offers for the same cabin class, as well as via your member status, the number of seats available in the higher class, and the number of people in the booking. You’ll then be notified if your bid is successful via email and you can make payment with Airport Dollars or cash.
A side note: if you’re feeling particularly generous, Airpoints members are able to gift their OneUp upgrade to someone over the gifting register.
Qantas – Bid Now Upgrades
An invitation-only scheme, available for economy ticket holders on selected domestic and international flights, if found eligible, travellers may receive an email from Qantas up to 7 days prior their flight. You can then cast a minimum bid using a mixture of cash and frequent flyer points (non-Qantas Frequent Flyers can pay entirely in cash). The outcome is made known between 12 and 24 hours before departure.
Other airlines that operate similar online bidding systems to upgrade to business class from economy are Malaysia Airlines (MHUpgrade), Etihad Airways (PlusGrade) and Cathay Pacific (Enhance). All of the above offer these kind of upgrades for select customers on eligible flights, with passengers putting forward the amount of cash monies they’re willing to pay to be ‘bumped up’ to the next class.
The winning formula when it comes to these bids still remains shrouded in mystery, as airlines keep their results for successful upgrade bids under wraps. So when all is said and done, the bidding system is a bit of a lottery, but there are little things you can do to bolster your odds. To give yourself a rough guide, search the price of a business class ticket on the day you’re bidding for – there isn’t a point in bidding an amount only a smidgen below purchasing price, but bidding half the difference or less than would be a bit more reasonable in value if you’re willing to go for it.
Insider tip: you can also attempt a dummy booking for a business class ticket, so that when it takes you to the seat selection you can see how many are seats available and adjust your bid value accordingly.
4. Frequent Flyer loyalty programs
Don’t fancy paying for your upgrade, even if it is a cheap business class ticket? Than get one for free! Airline loyalty programs have improved by leaps and bounds and it’s never been easier to rack up points. With Air New Zealand’s Airpoints system, you can earn frequent flyer miles not just by flying with Air New Zealand, but also when you fly with their partners such as Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and Air China who are also part of the Star Alliance program. Membership tiers are determined by the number of points you have, and Silver, Gold and Elite Airpoints members are eligible for Recognition Upgrades on selected flights.
Virgin’s Velocity program is another system that is especially generous, one that allows “family-pooling” of your frequent flyer points, which means you can fast track your points, and your status credit balance.
Both Virgin and Qantas programs also allow you to gain points via purchases outside of flights, but prepare to spend a lot for a free business upgrade to London.
If you’re with a particular frequent flyer program, you may also filter by airline when you’ve done a search on Skyscanner so that the results reveal cheapest options by airline, and with our new Travel Wallet feature on our app, we can search out and present you with the flights that’ll earn you the most point.
Airline branded credit cards are another way to add to your points tally with purchases that can eventually be traded in for flights. This is pretty handy for those that want to make the most of their on-the-ground purchases, just make sure you shop around for the right credit card, with bonuses that suit your particular travel needs.
5. Plan early and monitor fares
Have your dates but want to see if you can bag a good deal for business or first class fares? Subscribe to airline newsletters to be aware of flash sales, and set up Skyscanner Price Alerts for your chosen routes, so you can be alerted as soon as the price goes up or down.
6. Be polite, dress nicely & travel solo
It’s a bit of an old cliché, but clichés are clichés for a reason. It doesn’t hurt to look the part (especially if you’re competing for an upgrade with a dude that’s sporting cookie crumbs over his stained sweater).
Airlines everywhere overbook flights based on the assumption that not all travellers will show up. That means that a couple of lucky economy class passengers will inevitably get shuffled up to business. If you’re travelling alone or have points in your frequent flyer account racked up, you’ve more chance of this happy coincidence happening to you.
Lastly, being polite and friendly is the Hail Mary of the whole upgrade business. Smile and ask nicely if there is any chance of an upgrade on your flight, at worst you’ll give a hard-working staff member a boost, at best, a seat in business class, and in the middle, hell, maybe an extra pillow!
