Three ways to use the mixed-cabin strategy…
Most flyers simply pick the cabin they want (or can afford) and book a round-trip ticket. We say, don’t book so fast. A little “cabin flip” might be the smart play, and a smart way to save, as you’ll see in the three examples we share below. A cabin flip is simply departing in one cabin and returning in another. For example, you might fly out in Business Class and return in Premium Economy, or vice versa. Let’s get specific about the details.
Cabin Flip Example #1:
Dallas <> Frankfurt
A Dallas-Frankfurt nonstop round-trip, ticket in Business Class goes for around $3,689 on American. But if you fly in Business Class to Frankfurt and return in Premium Economy, the total cost is $2,674, a savings of $1,015.
Now you might say, “Bennett, of course it’s going to cost less – it’s Premium Economy and not Business Class on the way home.” To that I say, have a look at those flight times in the screenshot below. The flight to Frankfurt is overnight, the perfect time to fly in a lie-flat seat because you’re much more likely to get a restful sleep.
But coming home, the flight is in the daytime when you’ll likely be binging on movies or doing some work on your laptop. For that purpose, the cabins “even up.” The savings of over $1,000 is a great move if you’re on a budget, but of course it’s a personal decision. A value trade-off.
American Dallas <> Frankfurt
Business Class / Business Class $3,689
American Dallas <> Frankfurt
Business Class / Premium Economy $2,674
Cabin Flip Example #2:
Upgrade a Premium Economy Round-Trip
to Business One Way for Just $33 / Hour
In the previous example, we went down a cabin. For this route we’re going up. Why not upgrade from a standard Premium Economy round-trip flight to Europe, to a mixed-cabin strategy (get Business Class to Europe on the overnight leg, Premium Economy during the day flight) for just $33 per flight hour? What price would you pay for a comfortable sleep on your flight across the pond? It’s way more than $33 an hour if you ask me, I mean sleep therapists must get $150 per hour, right? Now, let’s see it in action.
As the screenshots below show, Philadelphia-Venice is a high-fare route, with Premium Economy round-trips typically going for $3,059, while Business Class is at $5,600 to $7,000+. However, if you were to exit the plane after a comfy Business Class experience at 9:15 a.m. in Venice, you’re much more likely to head to the nearest gondola and start enjoying yourself than you would if you just pried yourself out of an overnight Premium Economy seat. In that case, you wouldn’t be looking for a gondola, you’d be looking for a bed, and hopefully not sleepily slipping into a canal on the way.
However, after your Venetian vacation, you can head back to Philly on a mixed-cabin ticket for just $3,325, or only $266 ($33 per flight hour) more, to get that Business Class overnight flight on the outbound.
American Philadelphia <> Venice
Premium Economy R/T $3,059
American’s Philadelphia to Venice Business Class / Premium Economy $3,325
Cabin Flip Example #3: Live Royally for just $700?
Let’s make this interesting. I’ll see your Business Class round-trip ticket to London and raise it to First Class on the departure leg. What better way to start a vacation in “the old dart” than to fly there royally in First? According to fares at the time of publication, that kingly comfort upgrade will only cost you an extra $700 if you’re flying American Airlines this winter. Tally ho!
American Airlines New York to London Business Class R/T $2,893
American Airlines New York to London First Class / Business Class $3,593
How to Find and Book
the Lowest Mixed-Cabin Fares
Step #1: Find dates with lowest round-trip Business Class fares (perhaps on Google Flights).
Step #2: Find dates with lowest round-trip Premium Economy Class fares (perhaps on Google Flights).
Step #3: Book the dates and class that pair with your itinerary on American.
So to wrap up, the cabin flip is one of those lesser-known FCF booking strategies that can net you some big savings. And hey, there’s no better way to kick off your European vacation than with a sweet lie-flat seat in Business or First Class and a good night of sleep. Keep an eye on this strategy to save some money, optimize your comfort, and boost your travel experience.