Buying a flight ticket can feel a bit like playing high-stakes poker – except instead of chips, you’re gambling with your hard-earned money and travel plans. There are rules for what you should do and, more importantly, what you should never do. So let’s have a little chat about what I learned when I booked my cheap business class flights.
In This Post
The Classic Travel Panic
Picture this: I needed to be somewhere at a specific time, and the pressure was on. The whole thing was still a bit stressful, even for someone who’s been around the block (or, in this case, the airport lounge). I knew patience was my best friend, but it’s easy to make costly mistakes when time’s ticking.
I’d been gearing up for a trip to India. Being based in London, I had plenty of options – I could’ve redeemed OneWorld points, flown Virgin Atlantic, or tried my luck with another scheme. But while I was searching for flights, I couldn’t find any return dates that worked for me, not from India, Singapore, or even Hong Kong.
Then, I stumbled upon a golden nugget: a cheap cash ticket from Abu Dhabi. It was an Etihad flight from Bahrain to Mumbai on the outbound and Delhi to Bahrain on the return, both legs via Abu Dhabi. And get this, the business class ticket was just £350 all in. Normally, this would cost double that amount.
The Ultimate Travel Hack
But there was one small problem: I still needed to get to Bahrain from London. So, I whipped out my trusty Amex 2-4-1 voucher and booked British Airways first class to Bahrain. Voilà – the entire journey from London to India ended up costing me just over a grand for a first and business-class ticket combo. Not too shabby, right? All because I didn’t panic, waited for the right time, and didn’t let the ticking clock stress me out.
Timing is Everything
Knowing the right price and when to strike can be a bit overwhelming. Wait too long, and you might miss out on a great deal. But as the saying goes, “You snooze, you lose.” So what’s the secret? Set some alerts, sit back, and let the deals come to you. If you’re unsure how, check out our guide on setting Google Flights alerts (you’re welcome).
Another pro move? Waiting for points availability to open up. Believe it or not, patience usually pays off. For example, Lufthansa often releases first-class availability just a day or two before departure. So, if you’re flexible, waiting can lead to some seriously plush seats.
When to Just Swipe the Card
But here’s the thing – if you stumble across a reasonable deal and it’s cheaper than everything else out there, just go for it. Don’t overthink it. Sometimes, it’s better to lock it in rather than risk losing out while waiting for a unicorn fare to appear.
The Bottom Line
Set alerts, wait for the price to drop, and don’t let the pressure of time push you into a bad deal. And if you find yourself staring down a fair price for cheap business class flights, just swipe that card and secure the ticket. After all, travel should be about excitement, not stress – unless you enjoy the thrill of nearly missing your flight, of course.
1 comment
Awesome post!