Facebook
Twitter
MySpace
Digg

Single Page
Larger Font
Smaller Font

LOYALTY
When it comes to doing business, a little loyalty can get you a lot in return. This also holds true for travelers who are looking to upgrade their flights or accommodations to business class. Your favored credit card, for instance, can be your fist step toward business class perks. American Express (www.americanexpress.com) offers several credit cards that let members earn points redeemable for travel rewards. Its Blue Sky Preferred holders pay around $75 annually, but receive 7,500 bonus points. They also earn double the points on all dining, hotel, car rental expenses, and one point per dollar for all other purchases. In addition, the card comes with a $100 annual Airline Allowance that pays for baggage fees and other incidental in-flight costs. Meanwhile, Capital One (www.capitalone.com) has their Venture Rewards Credit Card. Members get 10,000 miles for spending $1,000 within the first three months, and two miles per dollar on other purchases, all of which can be used at any time on any airline. All this comes free the first year, with an annual fee of $59 thereafter. Chase’s Sapphire Preferred Card (www.chase.com) also comes with zero dollars down plus a free flight to start. Afterward, members pay $85 each year and can earn 25,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 within the first three months of sign up. Airfare and hotel accommodations booked through the card’s Ultimate Rewards program are worth double or more, while members earn one point per dollar for anything else they buy.

Credit cards are also teaming up with major carriers. Mastercard (www.mastercard.com) has matched up with Continental (www.continental.com) and American Airlines (www.aa.com). Visa (www.visa.com) has joined forces with United (www.united.com) and Southwest (www.southwest.com). American Express has partnered up with Delta (www.delta.com). These credit cards do double duty, letting members earn points with their favorite airline while also covering everyday expenses.

Staying faithful to one carrier is another great strategy for savvy travelers. “The best thing to do is really stick to one airline to get an upgrade. If they see you’re a frequent flyer, they’re going to take care of you,” says Dane Green, President and CEO of Steele Luxury Travel (www.steeletravel.com). According to Green, one gains “status” after flying often with one carrier. For example, a frequent flyer who has traveled 25,000 miles could qualify for silver status. Once they’ve flown 50,000 miles or more, they advance to gold status. Each level boasts its own perks, such as automatic enrollment for complimentary domestic upgrades. When these frequent flyers book economy class tickets, they’re immediately placed on a waiting list. If any business class seats are open on the date of departure, they’ll often go to these preferred passengers. The higher they are in terms of elite status, the better their chances for getting an upgrade.

When you’ve saved enough miles, you can then exchange them for an upgrade or a business class ticket. The amount of miles needed may vary depending on the airline, destination, and other factors. For instance, United exchanges 50,000 miles for a business class ticket within North America, while a trip to Europe costs around 105,000 miles. Still, trading miles still beats spending $4,000 or more of your own money.

Once you’ve landed, a bit of loyalty can also make sure you’re driving in business class style. Major car rental companies like Enterprise (www.enterprize.com), Hertz (www.hertz.com), Budget (www.budget.com), and Alamo (www.alamo.com) all have frequent renter programs. All four offer free memberships that provide faster reservations, special discounts, and sometimes even the option of skipping the airport rental counter completely. Hertz, however, also has a #1 Club Gold program that comes with privileges like queue-free car pickup at some of the world’s busiest airports for around $60 annually.

CONNECTIONS
When it comes to airlines, there are additional options to consider when booking your flights. Star Alliance (www.staralliance.com) carriers even let frequent flyers use their miles for flights on other member airlines. For instance, miles earned by flying with Continental can also be exchanged for trips on Lufthansa (www.lufthansa.com). Another good connection to have is a knowledgeable travel agent. In addition to saving you the headache of comparing prices, they will make it their mission to find you the best rates. As Dane Green puts it, “A travel agent will have push and pull with the airline. They’ll play with the fare rules, they’ll play with the booking class in order to get you an upgrade.”

Coordinating with a consolidator is another option. These companies, like AccessFares.com, receive preferred rates because they buy business class tickets in bulk. They can then pass on those savings to their customers. For example, a flight from New York to Paris may cost $3,500, but AccessFares might sell it for $2,100. Online travelers’ forums are also a great resource on how to travel business class for less. FlyerTalk.com, for instance, is a favorite of airline fanatics. There, jetsetters pick up tips on how to beat the system when it comes to business class tickets.

Of course, as in all areas of the business world, it’s always crucial to do your own research. “Book early if you know that you have travel dates and check back a month out, and again a couple weeks out, to see if the availability has loosened up or the rates have softened to where it’s a little bit less than when you booked it,” recommends Char Thian, Director of Public Relations at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans (www.ritzcarlton.com). One of Thian’s favorite go-to travel websites is Bing.com. Once visitors have plugged in their travel dates, the website provides days around that range when rates will be lower. Low peak times are always best for business class deals. According to Thian, December as well as the hot summer months of June, July, and August, are the least busy seasons in New Orleans. During these times, visitors can find up to 50 percent off regular hotel rates. Summer months, as well as holidays like Christmas Eve, are also when business class airline seats are most empty, according to Green.

FARE PLAY
Still, those who must travel during peak seasons can save on business class as well. Some airlines now have cheaper, non-refundable business class tickets. “Since only a few seats are available at this price point it may take some patience in finding it,” says Lance Stamps, Vice President of Marketing for Classic Travel (www.classictravel.com), “However, the savings are serious—more than $4,000.”

Continued