Why you need a change of mindset as much as a change of scene.
Airlines used to be so predictable when it came to holiday fares: If you traveled during a certain season of the year in Business Class to Europe, you were almost guaranteed a big discount. Like clockwork they reduced Business Class fares during those seasons: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, even Valentine’s Day.
But planning travel around those seasons—because fares were especially low then—is now ancient thinking. The new paradigm is not when is the best time of the year to travel, instead it’s where is the lowest place to travel to. How do we know this? Because we’ve been finding a bunch of random routes for sale, for travel most any time of year.
Now, that is not to say that seasonal fares are not going to surprise us at the last minute—that is anyone’s guess. But at this point, if you want the sure thing, instead of gambling on what might or could possibly happen, here is what you should do: Think route and not season when it comes to using miles or cash.
It’s the place not the time
An example of this can be seen with the Detroit to Munich route. It goes for $2,184 round-trip in Business Class on Delta. Compared to other high-fare routes, such as Detroit to London at $3,786, that’s a savings of $1,602 (42%). Discounted routes are now the rule, not the exception.
How you should think about holiday / seasonal travel when it comes to using miles
It’s the place not the time also holds true when it comes to using miles, not only cash.
Book free mileage awards now IF you can find low-mileage award space availability, such as up to four-seats on Iberia Business Class award availability from Miami or New York to Europe starting at 68,000 miles round-trip; Virgin Atlantic Business deals from Atlanta, Orlando, or Washington, DC; or American Business Class deals to Europe from New York and Philadelphia.
Book upgrade mileage awards now IF you can find upgrade-mileage award space availability, such as United Business Class upgrades availability to London, Frankfurt, and Paris; and for United Business Class upgrades availability to Germany and Italy.
How you should think about holiday/seasonal travel when it comes to using cash
Book a low-fare route you’re happy with now IF you can find low-fare routes for sale in Business Class, such as a recent FCF fare alert for travel from Atlanta, Detroit, and Minneapolis to Europe with fares starting at $2,184 round-trip (Detroit to Munich); or low fares to Poland starting at $1,956.
When All Else Fails
- Get 10% off on British Airways when using the BA Visa card.
- Get $200 off through AARP for Business Class fares on British Airways.
- Save hundreds through Amex on already-low tactical Business Class fares on Delta, Air France, and Virgin Atlantic to Europe.
- Take advantage of lower West Coast fares: The good news is that West Coast to Europe Business Class fares have decreased.
- Opportunity travelers are still winners: FCF’s philosophy is simply to have a broad bucket list of destinations. So, when the opportunity arises to get to one of them for peanuts, you can take advantage.