How I Fly Business Class for Less Than Economy: Step by Step

Have you ever walked past the Business Class cabin, seen someone sipping champagne in a fully reclined seat, and thought, “One day, that’ll be me”?

The truth is, that “one day” can be a lot sooner than you think. You don’t have to be rich, famous, or traveling for work to snag one of those spacious seats. In fact, flying Business Class can actually cost less than economy when you know the right strategy.

Flying Business isn’t just about luxury. It’s about comfort, better sleep, and arriving at your destination ready to explore. Once I discovered how travelers were booking Business Class for economy prices, I dove headfirst into the world of travel points, and it completely changed how I fly.

We’ve all seen the eye-watering prices airlines charge for Business Class tickets, but here’s the secret most people don’t realize: you can fly Business using points and miles, not cash.

It’s not about luck or fancy corporate travel perks. It’s about learning how to use travel credit cards and reward programs to your advantage. While some people might pay thousands out of pocket, most savvy travelers sit up front and do it with points.

How to Fly Business Class for Less Than Economy

So, how do you actually make this happen? If you want to fly Business Class for the price of economy, there are two things you need to get started.

1. Good Credit
   You’ll need a solid credit score to qualify for a travel rewards credit card. These cards let you earn points that can be redeemed across multiple airlines, giving you flexibility and access to better redemption rates.
2. Discipline
   This part is key. You need to use your card strategically, pay off your balance regularly, and plan ahead for your trips. When used the right way, these points can easily cover the cost of long-haul Business Class flights. In most cases, you’ll only need to pay the taxes and fees.

Once you have those two pieces in place, the rest comes down to strategy. I’ll show you exactly how I’ve booked Business Class seats for the price of a budget ticket.

Step 1: Choose Your Airline & Accumulate Points

Pick a major airline that aligns with your travel goals and learn about its partner networks. For example, TAP Air Portugal, Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Delta are great options for flights between the U.S. and Europe.

Maximize your points by using your card for all expenses during the introductory period. Offer to cover group dinners and activities, then get reimbursed to rack up more rewards.

To avoid debt, treat your credit card like a debit card and make weekly payments to clear your balance.

Another way to quickly boost your miles is by purchasing them during promotional sales, which many airlines frequently offer.

💡 Not Sure Which Card Will Give YOU the Best Rewards? Try Card Match, Powered by The Points Guys. *Note: this tool might show all available cards.

Step 2: Get a Second Rewards Card

Once you’ve maximized the card welcome bonus and benefits, consider adding another travel rewards card to expand your options. Look for one with strong point transfer capabilities to various airline programs.

Using multiple cards strategically allows you to take advantage of different reward structures, maximizing the points earned on every purchase.

Bonus Tip: Earn Points on Rent with Bilt

If you rent your home or apartment, you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to rack up travel points. Most people pay rent every month and get nothing back for it, but with Bilt, you can actually earn points on rent payments without paying extra fees.

Bilt is the first rewards program that turns rent into travel opportunities. Their free Bilt Mastercard lets you earn points on your rent, dining, travel, and everyday purchases. You just need to make at least five transactions per month to earn points on your rent payment.

What makes Bilt stand out is their list of transfer partners. You can move your points to top airline programs like American Airlines AAdvantage, United MileagePlus, Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles, and Air France/KLM Flying Blue, plus hotel partners like Hyatt.

It’s one of the best no-annual-fee cards out there for travelers who want to start building points without changing their spending habits. If you’re already paying rent each month, Bilt lets you turn that into Business Class flights instead of just another payment gone.

Step 3: Maximize Everyday Spending

Many airlines and credit card programs offer additional ways to earn miles faster.

One of the easiest ways is by using airline shopping portals and dining programs, where you can earn extra points at popular retailers and restaurants. Many major brands, such as Home Depot, Starbucks, and Overstock.com, participate in these programs.

By stacking these opportunities, you can accumulate miles quickly—getting rewarded for purchases you’d already be making anyway!

Stay Consistent & Stay the Course

If you’re thinking, this sounds like a lot of work! It’s really not. With consistency and smart spending, the points add up fast.

The effort is well worth it when you’re reclining in a lie-flat seat on a long-haul flight, enjoying all the perks of business class without paying full price.

Follow these steps, and you’ll be Flying Business for Less Than Economy in no time!

Pro Tip: Use Tools To Find Business Class Award Seats

Once you start earning and stacking points, the next step is learning how to actually find Business Class award seats. This part can feel tricky, but there’s an easy way to simplify it.

If you’re using points to book flights, one of the hardest parts is actually finding Business Class award seats. Airlines release a limited number of these seats, and they disappear fast. That’s where a tool like Seats.aero comes in handy.

Seats.aero is a free (and optional Pro) search tool that scans multiple airline loyalty programs to show you which flights have Business Class seats available for points. Instead of manually checking each airline site, you can see award space across major alliances like Star Alliance, OneWorld, and SkyTeam all in one place.

It’s perfect if you’re flexible with your travel dates or open to different destinations. You can even set alerts to get notified when award seats open up. This makes it so much easier to snag those lie-flat seats before they’re gone.

I like using Seats.aero when I’m planning long-haul trips between the U.S. and Europe, especially with airlines like TAP Air Portugal. It saves hours of searching and helps me find the best way to redeem my points for Business Class instead of paying full price.

Just remember, you’ll still need to book directly through the airline or your points program once you find a flight that works. Availability changes quickly, so when you see a seat you want, grab it before someone else does.

If you want a simpler, more guided experience, check out Point.me. It shows you how to use your points for the best value and walks you through the booking process step-by-step. It’s great if you’re newer to points travel or want a more beginner-friendly tool.

More Ways to Upgrade to Business Class

---

Upgrading at the Airport

There are a few more ways to upgrade to that business class ticket without paying the full fare. One is straight-up paying to upgrade at the airport.

I use this method from time to time. You can’t rely on it always being an option, though. If the seats are full, then you are out of luck.

If you want to upgrade this way, see the travel agent at the check-in desk right when they open.

Ask if there are any upgrades available. If there are empty seats, they usually offer an option to upgrade. The prices of the upgrades vary so much it is hard to say what they could be.

Upgrading Online Line

Sometimes, but not always, an airline will ask you to bid on an upgrade ticket. This happens if you purchase an economy ticket and the business class seats are not all full.

The airline sends out emails asking you to name your price to upgrade to business class.

There is always a minimum you must pay in this scenario. If I go that route, I usually just pick the lowest or a little bit above.

Please don’t bid more than you are willing to pay. 9 times out of 10 I always end up getting the seat.

Tips for Business Travelers’ Lounge Access

Lounge access is one of the major perks of upgrading that economy ticket to business class! And till a few years ago, I thought you needed to have a business class seat to use the business class lounge!

Luckily, there are many ways to access lounges and still hold an economy ticket!

I should also mention not all lounges are created equal. At least not in the United States. Research the lounge you are interested in visiting to see if it’s worth spending time there. For example, Los Angeles LAX airport has a much better lounge than other US airports.

Here is a list of how you can get into lounges!

1. Buy in! Lounge Buddy has a great site and app to help you find a lounge that will let you pay to stay.
2. Annual Passes with your credit card! If you are an airline credit card holder, chances are you are awarded two passes annually.
3. Get a membership to Priority Pass! This is more of a commitment, unlike Lounge Buddy, where you can get a one-time pass. Priority Pass is for the frequent flyer!

Now that you are ready to Fly Business for Less Than Economy, it’s time to choose a Destination!

READ NEXT: Miles or Hotels, Which Is Better To Use Your Points

Tips for Finding Cheap Flights

---

1. Use Search Engines and Flight Comparison Websites:

When I am looking for cheap flights, I use websites like Skyscanner, Kayak, and Google Flights, which aggregate flights from various airlines and booking websites, allowing you to compare prices at a glance.

Many of these tools offer options to view prices across an entire month, enabling you to identify the cheapest days to fly.

2. Book at the Right Time:

Generally, booking your flight several weeks or even months in advance can save you money.

The exact timing can vary, but many experts suggest booking domestic flights 1-3 months in advance and international flights 2-6 months in advance.

Keep in mind that last-minute deals can sometimes be found, but they’re typically more of a gamble.

3. Sign Up for Fare Alerts:

Many travel websites and apps offer fare alert features, where you can set your desired route and be notified when prices drop.

This way, you can book when prices are at their lowest without having to constantly check various sites.

4. Consider Alternative Airports and Flexible Dates:

If you can be flexible with your travel dates or departure/arrival airports, you may find cheaper options.

Some cities have multiple airports, and flying into a smaller or less popular one might save you money.

Similarly, flying on weekdays or adjusting your travel dates by a day or two could lead to significant savings.

5. Incognito Mode, VPN or Clear Cookies:

Some users have reported that flight prices can increase if you repeatedly search for the same route.

While this is a debated topic, using your browser’s incognito mode or clearing cookies ensures that your previous searches aren’t affecting the prices you see.

Use a VPN, like this one, to search from the destination you are traveling to.

Ready to Travel Smarter?

If you’ve made it this far, you already know that flying Business Class for less isn’t some secret reserved for elite travelers. It’s about being smart with your spending, using the right tools, and knowing how to make points work for you.

Once you learn how to do it, it completely changes how you travel. And honestly, it’s hard to go back to cramped economy after stretching out in a lie-flat seat with a glass of bubbly.

If you want more practical, real-life travel tips like this — from budget hacks to hidden gems across Europe — join my newsletter. I share insider advice, travel deals, and smart ways to see more of the world for less.

Sign up below to get my best budget travel tips straight to your inbox.