Flying first-class can be an amazing experience – spacious seats that recline into fully flat beds, delicious gourmet meals served on demand, premium drinks and wines, amenity kits stuffed with luxury products, attentive flight attendants catering to your every need. It’s no wonder that many travelers aspire to fly in the pointy end of the plane.
However, the high prices of first-class tickets often put this elite experience out of reach. A first-class fare can cost several times more than an economy ticket for the same flight. For example, a first-class ticket from New York to London can easily run $10,000 or more roundtrip, while an economy ticket might cost $500 to $1000 roundtrip on the same dates.
So how do you manage to fly first class and enjoy the premium experience without paying the astronomical price tag? While securing complimentary first-class upgrades is getting harder, there are still ways to fly in style without breaking the bank if you strategize and maximize frequent flyer miles and credit card rewards.
Leverage miles from credit cards
One of the best ways to score inexpensive first-class tickets is to leverage miles earned through credit card rewards programs. Many travel credit cards offer large sign-up bonuses of 50,000 miles or more plus have benefits like priority boarding, lounge access, and free checked bags.
If you strategically apply for the top premium travel cards that are currently offering hefty welcome bonuses, you can easily rack up hundreds of thousands of frequent flyer miles within a year. You can then redeem those miles for first-class award tickets before the miles expire.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. 60,000 Chase points are worth $900 in travel redemptions or can be transferred to airline partners and redeemed for multiple domestic first-class tickets worth over $1,000 each.
Cards like the Platinum Card from American Express offer up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points for signing up and meeting minimum spend requirements. 100,000 Amex points are worth up to $2,000 in flights. The Amex Platinum also grants cardholders access to Centurion airport lounges, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, and other airport lounge networks, allowing you to enjoy premium first-class lounge amenities even when flying economy class.
Other top cards like the Citi Premier offer 80,000 bonus ThankYou points and the Capital One Venture X has a 100,000 mile sign-up bonus. Take advantage of limited time increased offers whenever you can. Apply for 1-2 new cards each year, meet the spending minimums, and you’ll soon have enough points for first-class flights.
Use miles to upgrade with airlines
Most airlines offer upgrade awards that allow you to redeem miles to upgrade your economy ticket to first class at check-in or when boarding. Upgrade costs vary based on the airline, flight distance, and elite status but are usually less mileage than booking a first award ticket from scratch.
For example, on American Airlines you can upgrade from economy to first class for as little as 15,000 AAdvantage miles each way on domestic flights under 500 miles. Longer flights up to Hawaii and Alaska cost 30,000 miles each way. On Delta, first-class upgrades start at 25,000 SkyMiles each way for U.S. mainland flights under 750 miles and go up to 150,000 miles each way for business class upgrades on some international long-haul flights.
Upgrades are capacity controlled and may not clear depending on availability. Airlines usually prioritize their top tier elites first for complimentary upgrades before award upgrade requests. However, as a savvy traveler with a mileage balance, you can beat the odds by being flexible, booking desirable flight times, and requesting upgrades as early as possible.
Use miles to upgrade with credit cards
Certain credit cards like the Delta Reserve from American Express offer upgrade certificates as a cardholder benefit. For example, the Delta Reserve card grants cardholders the ability to upgrade from Main Cabin to Delta Comfort+ or First Class after spending $30,000 on the card in a calendar year.
The United Club Infinite Card from Chase offers two United TravelBank Cash upgrades each year that can be used to upgrade any United-operated flight. A one-way domestic upgrade costs $300-500 so this perk can be quite valuable.
Target the credit cards that offer the best upgrade perks for the airlines you fly most. Use the upgrade certificates strategically to score seats in first class when you may not have enough miles to upgrade with frequent flyer programs directly.
Book positioning flights to qualify for elite status
Gaining elite status with an airline is one of the best ways to score first-class upgrades and other premium perks. While many road warriors earn top-tier status through dozens of flights per year, you can fast track your way to elite status through strategic “positioning flights”.
For example, if you are just short of reaching the next status tier with an airline, book a cheap roundtrip positioning flight on that airline to push you over the threshold. Focus on low-mileage cheap fares like San Diego to Los Angeles, Miami to Orlando, or D.C. to Philadelphia that can help bump up your flight segments and mileage.
Depending on the airline, you can usually qualify on both distance flown and flight segments. Positioning flights add to both metrics to help you ascend to the next elite level sooner. Then enjoy the elite benefits like priority upgrades and lounge access that make first-class flying more accessible.
Book high fare economy tickets
One little known trick is that some airlines will upgrade elite members and first-class award redemptions from economy class based on the fare paid, not the booking code. If you book a more expensive economy fare class like Y or B that has a higher base fare, your odds of being upgraded increase compared to booking the cheapest basic economy or discount economy fares.
For example, American Airlines upgrades elites based on the base fare paid. A Y fare economy ticket from Miami to New York costs around $200 base fare plus $100 in taxes/fees. A basic economy J fare might cost $100 base plus $200 taxes/fees. Although the total ticket prices are similar, the Y fare has a higher chance of being upgraded with status or miles since its base fare is higher.
When redeeming miles for first class, book the most expensive economy ticket you can find. Doing so will put you first in line for upgrades ahead of basic economy passengers on the same flights who paid lower fares. Paying more for economy increases your odds of ending up in first class.
Use status matches to score elite benefits
Status matching is a clever trick that allows you to leverage elite status earned from one airline to receive matching elite perks with another airline. Airlines offer status matches to entice flyers to switch loyalty and try flying more with a new carrier.
The first step is to earn mid-tier or top-tier status with any major airline through paid flights or a status challenge. For example, earn Delta Platinum Medallion status through $25,000 spend plus meeting other minimums.
Next, see if another airline like United or American is offering a status challenge or match. Provide proof of your Delta Platinum status and you may be matched to United Platinum elite status, allowing you to enjoy United upgrade priority and lounge access without actually flying United often enough to earn Platinum.
Marketplace sites like Points.com even offer paid packages where you can buy status through partner airlines. Status matches let you maximize benefits across multiple airlines and increase your upgrade chances.
Book paid business class tickets using miles
Most airlines allow you to pay for part of a business or first class ticket using miles, with the remainder charged to your credit card. This option lets you fly upfront without needing an enormous balance of miles.
For example, an American Airlines first class award redemption might cost 100,000 AAdvantage miles roundtrip. If you are short on miles, you could redeem 50,000 miles from your account plus pay around $800 out of pocket for the same first ticket. This is a great way to experience premium classes sooner if you don’t have enough miles saved up for a “free” award.
Combining miles redemptions with cash lets you access expensive premium cabin fares at a fraction of the price. Paying a portion with cash also reduces taxes and fees versus booking an all-miles award ticket. Fly premium classes for less by mixing cash and miles.
Use status to waive award booking fees
Most airlines charge close-in award booking fees when redeeming miles for flights within 21 days of departure. Booking fees typically run $75 each way for economy awards and $150+ each way for business/first awards. These fees really add up and can negate much of the value of using miles.
However, many airlines waive last-minute award booking fees for elite members. For example, Delta waives close-in fees for its Diamond and Platinum Medallion members. American Airlines waives them for elites Platinum Pro and higher.
Having mid-tier or top-tier airline elite status ensures you won’t get hit with pesky award booking fees, saving you $150 or more on a typical roundtrip first-class redemption. Elite benefits like fee waivers make redeeming miles more rewarding.
Fly with a companion to cut costs
If traveling with a companion such as your spouse or family member, you can reduce first-class costs in half. Many airlines allow you to bring a companion along at low incremental cost when you redeem miles for an award ticket.
For instance, Delta lets Diamond Medallion members designate a companion to fly with them for just the cost of taxes and fees. So if you redeem 125,000 miles for a Delta One business class ticket to Europe, your companion flies with you for just $100 or so in taxes. That’s an incredible deal to fly two in first class for the miles cost of one ticket.
Alaska Airlines offers buy one, get one free first class tickets for companions when redeeming miles. Similar programs are offered by Avianca, Hawaiian Airlines, and other carriers. Bringing a buddy lets you share the experience and save thousands on multiple business class seats.
Use miles to book luxury hotels
In addition to flights, frequent flyer miles can be redeemed for free hotel stays with major chains like Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG. This lets you book expensive high-end hotels at savvy redeemable rates.
For instance, top-tier hotels like the Park Hyatt New York often charge $1000+ per night. But you can redeem just 30,000 World of Hyatt points per night to stay there, getting over 3 cents per point in value. Similarly, 75,000 Hilton points can book a night that would cost $700+ at high-end resorts like the Conrad Bora Bora.
Luxury hotel redemptions offer some of the best value for miles. Compare hotel cash rates versus redeemable rates to get the most from your points and score free first-class hotel stays.
Conclusion
While first and business class fares are obscenely expensive, there are many creative techniques to experience premium flight and hotel travel on a budget. Strategically utilize frequent flyer miles earned through credit cards, flights, and partners to book high-end award tickets in coveted first and business class cabins. Ask for mileage upgrades and use status perks to fly in style without paying full price. With flexibility and planning, you can live the first class dream without draining your bank account.