First class international cheap travel tactics

Use your frequent flyer miles smartly when getting those first class cheap air flights ticket
 

Most smart travellers would agree that one of the best strategies you could use to get those premium seats (for first class international cheap travel or those first class cheap air flights ticket) without selling the house kitchen is to cash in on those frequent flyer miles. Typically, for an outright business class airfare/cheap business class airfares st or first class award ticket, you probably need between 40,000 to 200,000 miles.

For domestic US flights, these could include restrictions such as seat limitations and blackout dates at the lower mileage level.

As such, it’s just not simply exchanging those frequent miles blindly for those premium seats for first class international cheap travel or those first class cheap air flights ticket as it will not be the most efficient way of using them. 

One of the most efficient ways is to buy a coach class ticket and then use only a smaller amount of the frequent flyer miles to upgrade to say first class cheap air flights ticket or a cheap business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket.  

For example, it may be more beneficial to buy an advance-purchase, non-refundable cheap coach ticket and then upgrade to the premium class for a first class international cheap travel airfare or first class cheap air flights ticket using say just 30,000 miles instead of exchanging 120,000 miles free for it.

By having a paid first class cheap air flights ticket or a cheap business class airfare/cheap business class airfares st ticket (even at low price), you also get the bonus of earnings flyer miles on it, thus increasing your miles for those really precious times when you really need the premium seats (for example during the holiday seasons or when travelling last minute when you are not likely to get such cheap first class cheap air flights ticket or business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket)

Note that frequent flyer miles policy differs from airlines to airlines so always check the rules first.

You could easily call the airline’s frequent flyer desk to check the exact rules and policies and strategise your option from there.

Frequent flyer miles are used by many to get those first class international cheap travel airfare or first class cheap air flights ticket so competition may be stiff and there could be restrictions imposed on the miles usage.

Note that some airlines do skimp on their seat capacities for frequent flyer miles usage (meaning you may not get a seat to upgrade to a first class cheap air flights ticket or business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket because the quota is full) and also the restrictions on the options for seat upgrades (for example, frequent flyer miles are typically not allowed for the cheapest non-refundable airfares which restrict you from exchanging it for those first class international cheap travel airfare).

Still, in the latter case, the next rung may that be not far off, for example another US$100 more expensive ticket, and you might as well pay a little bit higher for these first class cheap air flights ticket or business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket rather than rushing into paying full fare coach thinking that it is the only way you can get the upgrade.

Always check with the airlines ticketing counter or your Internet or travel agent to check the exact rules. 

Remember that not all is lost if you can’t get the option on your frequent flyer airline to get those first class international cheap travel airfare.

Always check its affiliated airlines, especially for international flights. You be surprised there may be seats for upgrades there for those first class cheap air flights ticket or business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket so keep your option open.

The list of affiliated airlines are normally displayed at the airline’s website.

Purchase Those Miles

Do you count airlines miles as an investment to get those first class international cheap travel airfare?

Well, if you fly often, and you never know when you may need them desperately, like for a last minute trip that may cost you a bundle for a full fare first class fare, it makes sense to treat your frequent flyer miles as a long term investment to get those business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket or a first class cheap air flights ticket.

In other words, do look out for opportunities to purchase flying miles on a regular basis. To some travellers, its smart investment for a future first class international cheap travel ticket.

In fact, you could buy them not only on your account but also on your spouse or children or other people you could trust.

Note that an award ticket like a business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket or a first class cheap air flights ticket could be given to anyone you please.

Tip - Points is a great site that could really help you to either buy or exchange those airline miles (although it’s more for US customers only). They have free sign-up bonus so make sure you join immediately. We highly recommend it for their reliability and ease of use and extensive relationship with the US airlines.

And since those frequent flyer miles never expire, you could use them anytime to get those first class international cheap travel ticket or those cheap business class airfares ticket you like whether it’s for a business trip or for that special deserved family outing holiday.

Certain airlines like American Airlines offer you the option to co-pay on your awards on certain routes, which is another strategy that you should use to get upgrade cheaper to a first class cheap air flights ticket or business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket.

For example, if you have 30,000 miles available and the first class international cheap travel ticket you want costs 50,000 miles, then American will allow you to pay US$275 per additional 10,000 miles or in this case, you need to pay US$550 to get that first class cheap air flights ticket award seat.

Note that if you compare this to the total cost of purchasing a normal first class ticket, your total outlay could still be at least 50% cheaper.

Airlines also sometimes staged such promotions where you could either co-pay or purchase flyer miles for a relative cheap sum to get a business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket or a first class cheap air flights ticket so do watch out for these promotions.

If you are an elite frequent flyer status, capitalise on this status.

Elite flyers (which are normally given to those who fly at least 25,000 miles on a carrier within a calendar year) are treated highly by airlines and enjoy certain privileges like getting bonus frequent flyer miles and lots of upgrade opportunities (for example free domestic upgrade to a business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket or a first class cheap air flights ticket even when flying on a cheap ticket).

Airlines such as Continental and Northwest allow their elite status frequent flyers to actually upgrade without extra charge on domestic routes and sometimes on international flights to get a first class international cheap travel ticket.

Meanwhile, other airlines such as United Airlines award certificates to their elite flyers that entitle them to benefits such as free miles, free upgrades on international flights for a first class international cheap travel ticket, etc. 

No elite status?

Don’t worry, some airlines still allow coach passengers paying a fully refundable economy-class fare to upgrade without charge or the need to use a certificate or a frequent flyer miles to a business class airfare/cheap business class airfares ticket or a first class cheap air flights ticket, provided space is available.

Still, the rules differ for each airlines so check with the ticketing agent.

Internationally, airlines have formed alliance partnerships with each other to foam global airline networks and sell seats through each other via “code share” programmes.

Note that airline miles are generally to be accrued on the alliance partners flights, although the rules vary on each participating airline and their alliances.

The three major alliances are Star Alliance, One World and SkyTeam (you could go to their sites and get to know their members and qualifying miles rules).

Editor’s notes: Frequent flyer miles strategy is just the tip of the iceberg in searching for cheap tickets to your local or overseas destinations. To also get ahead on those other industry “secret” discounts that the average travellers or 90% of them do not really know, and sometimes may be just too sensitive to be publicised, invest also in a copy of this fantastic book by Mellissa Obrien called “Travel Industry Secrets” It’s an absolute guide that will leapfrog you into the “real hidden” world of travel perks and discounts – and leaves you planning for a FREE second and third vacations (from the savings you make on the first one). Forget about the small cost - the returns and savings are 100-folds more, even if you only travel a few times a year. It’s a gem of a book and I absolutely recommend that you get it and read it page by page.

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Selected other fare saving articles/tips of interest:

1.How to upgrade to those business class discount flight cheap business class flight?
2.Simple ways to get those first class dirt cheap airline tickets upgrade
3.The quickest way to first class cheap airfares flights travel
4.How to really get those first class cheap business class airfare on miles?

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Copyright 2006 - The smart way to get those cheap first class international cheap travel article.