The Best Time to Use Miles for Business Class Upgrades

Good timing can save up to 47% to Asia

Asia is a destination that just begs you to use miles to up-grade because flights are so long and Business Class fares are so high. Keeping an eye on the calendar and knowing when the time is right for upgrades can significantly bring down the cost of an upgrade.

Asia Upgrade Briefing

• Above all, know when low season falls for “upgradeable fares”: End of December through the end of April, with a few exceptions. First, Hong Kong, which has the longest low season, now through May 23. Second, Hong Kong and Seoul also have a summer/fall low season that runs from Aug. 15 to Dec. 9 for the former, and Aug. 21 to Dec. 9 for the latter.
• Fare seasons don’t follow a monthly schedule. Depart for Tokyo on Dec. 6 and you will get a low season fare. Go the next day, and you’ve departed in high season, which could cost up to 30% more! As you near the end of one season, it is particularly important to check a range of departure dates, since one day can make such a difference.
• Upgradeable economy fares are usually based on the departure date.
• Upgradeable fares are also not uniform across the region. Travel LAX-Tokyo with United on Aug. 21, high season, and your upgradeable fare is $1,880 (including taxes). That same day an upgradeable fare to Shanghai on United is $989 (including taxes), a difference of $891 (90%).
• The worst time to book an upgradable fare can be summer and December, the high (and in December, peak) seasons in many countries for upgradeable economy fares.
• Many Asian countries have a four-season calendar: low, middle, high, and peak. See chart below for details.

Overview of Upgradable Fare Seasons for Travel to Asia

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