What a difference a day can make… plan it right and we’re talking savings of $674 to $3,398 if you book on one day versus the next.
August.
The dictionary defines it as “respected and impressive.” Oh yes, and it’s also the eighth month. But what a respectable and impressive month it is, now that we’ve officially established it as the new Tactical Business Class Fare to Europe month.
Seasonal Opportunity Traveler
Just last month FCF wrote how much we love the Seasonal Opportunity Traveler, someone who is open to shifting the time of year they travel in order to open up more opportunities to get lower fares.
Now FCF’s research team has found lots of new low seasonal opportunity Business Class fares valid for travel in August.
Of course we’re talking about August, 2020. Wait a minute, you say, “who thinks about buying tickets now for travel that far ahead, and who knows that August is better than, I dunno, June?!”
Well you do. That is, of course, if you’re a Seasonal Opportunity Traveler who wants to save up to 64% on Business Class travel to Europe.
Hot August Flight Examples for Business Class
San Francisco: San Francisco-Madrid goes for $1,900 round-trip in August. Compared to the June fare ranging from $2,908 to $5,249, that’s a savings of $1,008 to $3,359 (35% to 64%). If you fly San Francisco-Milan in August, you’ll pay just $2,010. Compare this to the June fare of $3,987 to $5,408, and you’re getting a savings of $1,977 to $3,398 (50% to 63%). Not bad for a few weeks’ difference.
That’s almost a two-for-one on the San Francisco to Milan. Another way to look at it is, “hey honey, we can both travel in Business Class to Milan if we travel in August for $4,000, instead of June which would cost $8,000.”
Los Angeles: Los Angeles-Dublin goes for $1,979 round-trip in August. Compare that to the June fare ranging from $2,779 to $3,079, a savings of between $800 and $1,100 (29% to 36%). If you fly Los Angeles-Copenhagen in August, you’ll pay $2,016 round-trip. Compare this to the June fare of $2,799 to $3,332, and you’re getting a savings of $783 to $1,316 (28% to 40%).
Chicago: Chicago-Paris goes for $2,068 round-trip non-stop on Air France or United in August. Compared to the June fare ranging from $3,154 to $3,868, that’s a savings of $1,086 to $1,800 (34% to 47%).
Dallas: Dallas-Barcelona goes for $1,981 in August. Compared to the June fare ranging from $2,717 to $2,968, that’s a savings of $736 to $987 (27% to 33%).
Miami: Miami-Dublin goes for $1,882 in August. Compared to the June fare ranging from $2,782 to $3,082, that’s a savings of $900 to $1,200 (32% to 39%).
New York: New York-Milan route goes for $1,995 round-trip non-stop on American in August. Compared to the June fare ranging from $2,669 to $3,419, that’s a savings of $674 to $1,424 (25% to 42%). If you fly New York to Barcelona in August, you’ll pay $1,989 round-trip. Compare this to the June fare of $2,942 to $4,166, and you’re getting a savings of $953 to $2,177 (32% to 52%).
What airlines are playing along and offer the new August Business Class fare? Most, including majors such as Air Canada, Air France, American, British Airways, Delta, KLM, Lufthansa, SWISS, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
More special Business Class fares to in August…
Fares from Many U.S. Cities to Spain Starting at $1,908
Fares from Chicago, Dallas & Washington, DC Starting at $1,817
Fares from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Europe Starting at $1,831
Denver, Portland and Salt Lake City to Europe Starting at $2,003 in Business Class
Low-Cost Upgrade from Premium Economy to Business Class
Los Angeles example: Fly non-stop Business Class Los Angeles to London for just $2,249 in August. Fly Premium Economy during the same window (say, Aug. 11 to Aug. 25) is $1,349. That’s $450 more each way, or $41 per flight hour to upgrade.
New York example: Fly non-stop Business Class to Milan for just $1,995 in August. Fly Premium Economy during the same window (say, Aug. 11 to Aug. 25) and you’ll pay $1,095. That’s $450 more each way, or $50 per flight hour to upgrade.
Lower Your Fare Even Further
- 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 American Express International Airline Program (IAP) on already-low Business Class fares on Air France, Delta, and Virgin to Europe.
See a Great Fare? Freeze IT Right There
If you spot one of these trendy seasonal fares but aren’t sure if the dates are right, many airlines offer a hold option for locking in your fare so you have time to decide to buy. It means you lock in, or “freeze,” the fare before it disappears.
What About July Business Class Fares?
July fares are similar to June fares in the first two weeks, that is, on the high end. Then, around the third week or so in July, many routes start seeing a drop in fares, reaching the lowest point for travel in August. So, you might call July the change-over month, as it is mid-July when fares start trending downward.
Using Miles or Points?
Miles are great to have, but there’s no need to use them for free awards or upgrades when fares are this low. If you have miles, save them for when ticket prices are high.
What About First Class Fares?
Your best bet is with British Airways as its First Class fares are in freefall.