A quick look at the four airlines that offer the best deals.
[aside headline="How PE Elite Fares Typically Behave" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]Almost identical to economy: To get the lowest fare, you must travel midweek, often Monday through Thursday, or low season (varies by airline, usually the summer months). The airlines offering PE Elite often have fare promotions throughout the year. Forget Christmas and the rest of high season because economy fares are highest then, as are PE Elite fares.[/aside]
Premium Economy is a caste system: There're Premium Economy Elite (PE Elite) and Premium Economy Lite (PE Lite) plain vanilla, meaning airlines that have created a separate cabin and an upgraded seat versus airlines that have just put in a bit more legroom. (See March’s detailed Premium Economy seat comparison chart.) In April, FCF started a comprehensive survey by region of Premium Economy Elite to Europe. This month we look at the South Pacific, a perennial high-fare route.
Deep Dive on PE Elite Airlines to the South Pacific
Four airlines offer the PE Elite product. Here’s a quick rundown on how they stack up using both miles and cash.
Air Canada: Vancouver-Sydney Business Class starts at US$6,079 round-trip and PE Elite promotional fares can be as low as US$1,887 (the regular fare is US$2,734), a savings of $4,192 (69%) over Business Class. It takes only 25,000 more miles to fly Business, so go for the free Business Class award ticket if available.
Air New Zealand: San Francisco-Auckland Business Class starts at $4,899 round-trip and PE Elite can be as low as $2,199, a savings of $2,700 (55%) over Business Class. Air New Zealand’s mileage program rates depend on ticket cost; usually it doesn't offer a good return on miles.
Qantas: Dallas-Sydney goes for 168,000 miles for PE Elite compared to 224,000 in Business Class. PE fares run $2,097 to $3,544 compared to $7,822 in Business Class. Your choice: save up to $5,725 (73%) over Business Class or save up to 56,000 (25% fewer) miles.
Virgin Australia: Los Angeles-Sydney Business Class starts at $6,023 round-trip and PE Elite at $2,629, a savings of $3,394 (56%). Virgin Australia’s mileage program is not offered from the U.S.
Premium Economy Elite Deep Dive for Travel to the South Pacific
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[aside headline="When to consider Premium Economy Elite, in general?" alignment="aligncenter" width="big" headline_size="default"]
- When sleep is secondary to working or not important. (Why pay for 180-degree recline in Business Class on a day flight?)
- When Business Class fares are high.
- When upgrade or free mileage-award inventory is not available in Business Class.
- On a family vacation. (Do the kids really need to fly up front?)
- When you do not have enough miles for a free Business Class mileage award—unless you’re willing to buy the miles needed.
For Business Travel
- When company travel policy or client’s budget forbids Business Class.
- When you want to give your employees a perk.[/aside]