Not many routes have last-minute availability and they’re always changing; here are the secret routes we’ve seen lately that you can score…
I’m putting it out there that if you’ve already booked a First or Business Class ticket this summer, you probably paid too much for it. And if you haven’t booked yet, it might be because you didn’t want to overpay.
Yes, fares are higher in general – unusually high, and so are mileage awards, up around the $4,000 / 180,000+ miles mark for Business Class more often than not. Yuck.
There’s Gold at Both Ends of the Rainbow
What if you have already booked and I told you that you could cancel that $3,000 or $4,000 Business Class ticket and get a First Class one for around the same money?
Or if you’re a spontaneous traveler and I said you could book a top First Class seat at the lowest prices that exist?
You’d say, “Pull your head in, Bennett, that’s crazy.” But then you’d look at me again and say, “Er, tell me more.”
This is all a result of lucrative last-minute availability opportunities, which we covered in detail last month in our report titled “The Iterative Upgrade Mindset.”
The Best Deals in The Universe Are Floating in Space
People often ask me when the best time to buy an airline ticket is. On Mondays? After midnight when inventory is put back in? During a full moon?
I say the best time to buy airline tickets is when they're the cheapest ever.
And that’s often right before a flight takes off because some airlines don't sell all their First Class seats and don’t want to depart with empty ones, so they drop the price. The problem is that this doesn't occur all the time.
So let's dive into four great routes with which any “bags-packed” spontaneous traveler can exit their front door or where last-minute upgraders can score free “two-class upgrades.”
There are always deals to be had, but they’re always changing. The routes below were available at the time of publication, so you’ll have to check the airline for the most up-to-date information. And don’t forget about positioning flights and how you can often get free connecting flights if you don’t see your exact route listed.
First Class
Los Angeles - Sydney*
American Airlines**
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*No American miles? Amex, Capital One, and Citi members can transfer points to Cathay Pacific to get the ticket for 240,000 round-trip.
**Not flying from Los Angeles and/or to Sydney? Learn about getting free connecting flights or buying a positioning flight.
Perspective:
HOW CAN THIS BE A FREE TWO-CLASS UPGRADE
Often American’s One-Way First Class Price When Booking Close In
American’s One-Way Premium Economy Price When Booking Way In Advance
In other words, change your Premium Economy ticket last minute to First Class, and you’ll have what amounts to a free two-class upgrade!
Another perspective on how Anne got a free two-class upgrade after she paid cash for her first ticket.
First Class
New York - Munich*
On Lufthansa**
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*Need more miles? Amex, Capital One, and Chase members can transfer points to Air Canada to potentially get a ticket for 200,000 round-trip, although availability is often less than with Lufthansa direct.
**Not flying from New York and/or to Munich? Learn about getting free connecting flights or buying a positioning flight.
First Class Washington, DC - Munich* On Lufthansa**
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*Need more miles? Amex, Capital One, and Chase members can transfer points to Air Canada to potentially get a ticket for 200,000 round-trip, although availability is often less than with Lufthansa direct.
**Not flying from Washington, DC, and/or to Munich? Learn about getting free connecting flights or buying a positioning flight.
First Class
Miami - São Paulo*
On American**
[table_opt id="6808" style="gray-header" header_rows="1" width="default" alignment="thcenter" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter" responsive="no" /]
*No American miles? Amex, Capital One, and Citi members can transfer points to Cathay Pacific to get a ticket for 174,000 round-trip.
**Not flying from Miami and/or to São Paulo? Learn about getting free connecting flights or buying a positioning flight.
Almost Free Two-Class Upgrade
Often American’s One-Way First Class Price When Booking Close In
American’s One-Way Premium Economy Price When Booking Way in Advance
In other words, change your Premium Economy ticket last minute to First Class, and you’ll have what amounts to a free two-class upgrade.
