A smart way to compromise when First Class fares are very expensive and you’re out of upgrade strategies.
So, after all these years of telling you “It’s about the seat,” we’re going to give you another way to think about the seat: How you’re going to use it and therefore how to book it.
Sleep, movies, work, or nap? These choices should determine whether you go for First or Business, but we’re going to add a nuance: Looking at a seat this way means you can—and could—choose both when going to Europe from the U.S., First one way, Business the other.
The key is going to Europe while sleeping so you wake up in the best shape you can—so you can take full advantage of your trip—given that it’s an overnight flight. That’s what First Class is about: lots of space, lots of comfort. The hardest part, if you want to get sleep, is resisting the food and beverage service on offer, especially if you’re on a relatively short flight.
On the return, usually a late-morning or afternoon departure, you want a seat that gives you some of the same amenities, space, entertainment, comfort, food and beverage, but not to the same extent.
Why pay more for a benefit you don’t need or might not even use?
Using the Combining Classes Strategy Example to Paris
Sample Savings #1: The lowest average First Class fare on Air France from New York to Paris is $7,210 round-trip. Compare that to buying a mixed-class ticket at $5,022; flying to Paris in First Class while returning in Business. Savings: $2,188.
See Air France.com screenshot…
New York-Paris First Class on the departure and returning in Business Class.
Sample Savings #2: You get the same dividend from Los Angeles. The lowest average First Class fare on Air France is $9,430 round-trip, whereas a mixed-class ticket costs $6,545. The LA flight departs at 6pm, so you’ll want that First Class bed. The return flight departs Paris at 10:20am, so again a nap may be on the flight plan but not a night’s sleep, and it arrives in LA at 12:50pm. (Actually, you don’t want to sleep too long on the flight or you’ll be up all night at home.) The fare difference: $2,885.
Los Angeles-Paris First Class on the departure and returning in Business Class.
HOW TO SEARCH AND BOOK
Any travel agent or airline reservationist can price this for you. However, only some airline sites offer this search option, among them American, Air France, British Airways, United, and SWISS.