Don’t default to a round-trip flight in the same cabin. Mixing them can save you up to $2,286.
We love thoughtful travelers – those that don’t just accept the default options the airlines throw at them. Instead, they use the “Upgrade Mindset” and related strategies to improve their travel experience, or avoid paying for unnecessary extras.
That’s exactly what this special report is all about. Here’s a smart tactic that will save you serious money: fly one leg of a long round trip in one cabin and return in another.
It’s a very simple idea, but it makes a lot of sense especially for long-haul international flights: Maximize the cabin you’re in, depending on the time of day you’re in it, and save money in the process.
We have recently written about “cabin shuffling” – mixing Business Class and Premium Economy and Business Class and Economy Extra.
This month we explore mixing First Class with Business Class (or Premium Economy if you really want to save on the day flight). Now that’s a classy move to maximize the value of your ticket investment.
Classy Move #1: A Greek-Bearing Gift
Let’s look at Emirates’ Newark-Athens nonstop, flying First Class on the overnight flight and Business Class on the late-afternoon return flight. Or put another way… saving $2,286 for a seat you might not even sleep in.
A Newark-Athens nonstop round-trip ticket costs $7,502 in First Class on Emirates. But if you fly in First Class to Athens (the flight leaves at 11:55 pm), and return in Business Class (flight leaves at 4:20 PM so seat recline is not as critical), the total cost is $5,216, a savings of $2,286. Think about what you can do with $2,286. A lot of damage in the Acropolis Museum gift shop, that’s for sure.
Classy Move #2: Fashionista Cash-in-ista
Again, we’re talking Emirates, but this time for New York to Milan, First Class on the flight to Milan, and Business Class back. This booking combination will save you $1,938 for a seat you probably won’t sleep in anyway. Ever bought a bed you never planned to sleep in? Didn’t think so.
A New York-Milan round-trip ticket costs $6,215 in First Class on Emirates. But if you fly in First Class to Milan (the flight leaves at 10:20 pm – so yes, a bed please), and return in Business Class (flight leaves at 3:00 PM, so I won’t need more than a little nap at the most; I’ll get caught up on reading or my laptop instead), the total cost is $4,277, a savings of $1,938. That’s enough to buy something off the rack, even in Milan.
Classy Move #3: La La Land to London
Let’s save $1,500 to London for a lie-flat seat you will likely not sleep much in. A Los Angeles-London round-trip in First Class normally costs $6,877 on American Airlines. But if you fly in First Class comfort to London (the earliest non-stop American flight leaves at 6:10 pm), and return in Business Class (flight leaves at 9:15 am, when you’re wide awake), the total cost is $5,377, a savings of $1,500. Tally ho! This also works on AA’s other non-stops and connections via Dallas, Miami, and New York.
Classy Move #4: Prince & the (Premium) Pauper
Finally, let’s save $1,725 to London for a lie-flat seat you will likely not lie back in. A New York-London round-trip in First Class normally costs $5,285 on American Airlines. But if you fly in First Class comfort to London (the earliest flight leaves at 6:55 pm), and return in Premium Economy (flight leaves at 9:30 am, when you’re wide awake), the total cost is $3,560, a savings of $1,725.
More on how to book here.