How to Find Cheap Business Class Flights Without Credit Card Points (2024)

FAQs

When to get cheap business class tickets? ›

You're more likely to find vacant business class seats on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The next time you search, add a few days' window before and after your flight dates and you'll cast a much bigger net over potential cheap business class fares.

Source: Qantas Points Calculators, accessed 13 July 2022. If you're flying domestically, business class reward flights range from 18,400 to 41,500 Qantas Points: Sydney to Melbourne: 18,400 Qantas Points.

For more points or miles: If you're paying for your flight in cash, flying first or business class will often help you earn more points and miles and can also help you maintain or earn elite status.

Debit cards are linked directly to your bank account, so you can use them to pay for flights just like you would with a credit card. Another option is to use a prepaid card. Prepaid cards can be purchased with cash, and they can be used to pay for flights just as you would with a credit card.

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.

Buying a last-minute business class ticket could break your budget. But that doesn't mean you can't find last-minute business class deals that fit your budget. Airfare search tools, in-app upgrade offers, and premium airfare deal services could help you land a last-minute business class ticket for a low price.

The bottom line on how to fly business class for cheap

There are many ways to access business class, and it doesn't need to be expensive. You can use miles and points, score a sale fare, keep tabs on your favorite carrier's airfare, bid to upgrade or simply purchase the upgrade within 24 hours of departure.

As a general rule, the longer the flight, the more perks business class offers -- and the more you'll be able to take advantage of them. On a two- or three-hour flight, business class may just mean a slightly bigger seat and a decent meal. It's still nice, but maybe not something you want to pay extra for.

Under the right circ*mstances, upgrading a paid flight to a higher class with miles can make a lot of sense. Sometimes, upgrading can offer better value than booking a premium cabin award outright. But remember, mileage redemptions won't always present the best deal.

Convenience: Using a credit card is one of the easiest ways to pay for a flight. You can use a debit or prepaid card as well, though credit cards are the more secure option, since they offer more comprehensive fraud protections.

Why should you buy airline tickets with credit card? ›

Enhanced purchase protection

If a carrier damages or loses your luggage, you are reimbursed for the amount you incur to repair or replace your baggage. Another valuable benefit is trip delay reimbursem*nt, including expenses during a delayed or cancelled flight.

Although using a credit card to pay for travel is more convenient and safer than using other methods, you still have various options available to you that you can use to book your travel. PayPal, cash, gift cards and debit cards all make it possible to pay for travel without a credit card.

Book far in advance or last-minute: in general, booking 4-6 months in advance typically gives you the lowest business class rates. However, if you need to book a last-minute flight, Economy seats will likely be selling at a premium, while business class seats may not be much more expensive comparably.

During low season, you may more easily score a cheap business fare. But there are other factors that affect the best time to buy business class flights, including day of the week. Weekends are the most expensive days to fly, while Tuesdays are easiest to get a cheap deal.

Most airlines will let you know at a set interval before the flight, which is usually outlined in the terms when you input your offer. For most airlines, this is around 48-72 hours before the flight. If your bid doesn't get accepted, it's always worth asking about upgrades at check-in.