Finding Cheap Business or First Class Flights

Llostmemac on 25/02/2022 - 16:17
Last edited 25/02/2022 - 16:40

Hi OZB,

I am planning a trip to Europe in the first week of Jan (2023) and going for 8 weeks. I am 6ft 6 so looking at finding a flight that has some extra leg room for myself (business or first class).

Do you know anyway i can search cheap first class/business tickets? Really struggling to find an easy way to search for a good deal, besides search for every city in europe…

Some notes if you can help:
- happy to fly into any country in europe (with first or business)
- happy to fly economy to asia then business or first to europe (or vice versa)
- flying from Brisbane
- one way only looking at leaving 5th Jan 2023.
-EDIT - have 100k qantas points

Would really appreciate some help in finding a goood deal!!

Travel

Comments

  • Hybroid on 25/02/2022 - 16:20

    Far too early to be booking flights for January 2023. Most airlines won't have confirmed all their flights yet and especially now with the volatility in the region. Would suggest look again July onwards.

    You could consider popping into Flight Centre or similar and get them to do the legwork for you. Then cross-compare rates booking direct yourself. Always read the fine print and T&Cs though.

    Also, still consider Sydney/Melbourne flights which will have more options and possibly cheaper.

    • lostmemac on 25/02/2022 - 16:41
      +1

      thanks mate!

  • capslock on 25/02/2022 - 16:25
    +2

    Google Flights has a search function by map. Just move the map all over Europe until you see a cheap price.

    • lostmemac on 25/02/2022 - 16:41
      +1

      legend thanks mate

  • djkelly69 on 25/02/2022 - 16:27

    Got any frequent flyer points? Award space is hard to come by that time of year but should be possible for one person. Aside from one-off bargain/error/hack fares, it is probably the most cost effective way to fly business.

    However, and as opposed to cash fares, you are actually a bit late for booking award seats.

    • lostmemac on 25/02/2022 - 16:41

      100k of qantas points mate!

  • bobbified on 25/02/2022 - 16:32

    Do you know anyway i can search cheap first class/business tickets?

    You've still got quite a bit of time, so the cheapest way to get first and business class seats would be by buying the economy ticket (an upgradable ticket, not the discount economy) and upgrading that with points. Now, don't go spending a whole heap of money just to try to accrue points - it'll be much more expensive that way!. Spend as you would normally but use certain credit cards, bonus points promotions etc. to collect them and transfer to airline points to get those upgrades.

    • lostmemac on 25/02/2022 - 16:42

      thanks mate! Good angle with the upgrade

    • ninjawarrior on 25/02/2022 - 17:22
      +4

      Just be aware this is not likely to work with upgrading Qantas economy tickets unless you are gold or platinum with them - their upgrade queue prioritises requests based on status

  • Ocker on 25/02/2022 - 16:34
    +1

    Go and see a travel agent

    • lostmemac on 25/02/2022 - 17:12

      any suggestions on good ones? my old one is out of the job

    • ChrisLevo on 25/02/2022 - 17:31

      Best advice so far.

  • dahax77 on 25/02/2022 - 16:43
    +8

    Mate best tip I can give you is use the FF points if needed to position yourself out of Australia first to Asia and then book a return cash business class flight from there. We get ripped off here in Australia for Premium Cabins.

    100k points isn't really enough for more than 1 long haul leg in business unfortunately…and you will also need to find availability as getting out of Australia on points is normally the challenging part.

    The other challenge is your departure flight in the first week of January is generally an expensive/popular time.

    Google Flights is your friend (although it may not let you search that far in advance) or PM me. Happy to help :)

    • lostmemac on 25/02/2022 - 17:14

      Thanks Dave77! Interesting point on the Jan- might look at moving a month earlier and go in the first week of December.

      Also great idea on using FF to get to asia and go from there. Will use google flights to find some deals from asia to Europe from there.

    • lostmemac on 25/02/2022 - 17:17

      Just jumped on Google Flights.

      This is perfect mate- legend

      • dahax77 on 25/02/2022 - 17:21
        +6

        No worries mate

        Just to add…you can put up to 5 asia airport codes in the depart section so usually options like Manilla, KL, Jakarta, Bangkok are cheapest.

        Then just put Europe in the destination. You'll find Istanbul is usually the cheapest as it's right on the edge of Europe. Rome normally a solid option price and location wise.

        Finally remember to check plane types and seats as not all business classes are created equal!

  • chillybags on 25/02/2022 - 17:15
    +1

    Prepandemic flights return from Manila to europe with emirates and Qatar where as cheap as around $2500 return in business. Not so sure now though.

    Fly points or cheap economy to Manila and then head to europe from there.

    • dahax77 on 25/02/2022 - 17:22

      That's what I've done in the past.. just don't spend too long in Manila!

  • donga100 on 25/02/2022 - 17:32

    How good does the business class need to be? Scoot have a business class product that is similar to what Qantas and Virgin offer on domestic flights. They have flights from Gold Coast to Athens, Berlin and London for under $2500 but it's still a bit early to book your dates. You can also book them as one way sectors if you wanted to fly into Athens and then home from London for example.

  • yellowfever on 25/02/2022 - 17:55
    -1

    Skyscanner

  • Stewardo on 25/02/2022 - 18:36

    What you want to do is use google flights:
    Fly business class from Jakarta or Manila - to “Europe”
    It will give you results/destinations around 2k. Before covid you would often get to the two asian start points for around $800
    Obviously COVID could mess with this hack.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 25/02/2022 - 18:44

    Could always fly economy to Asia (7-9hours) and then redeem the points for business class on the longer flight to (western) Europe.

  • Tech5 on 25/02/2022 - 19:46

    Amex platinum gives 15-20% off most flights, but card fee is 1450. Maybe it is useful long term?

  • Sheila Dealer on 25/02/2022 - 20:58
    -1

    Try

    scottscheapflights.com
    Lots of valuable information here.

  • JoyVee on 25/02/2022 - 23:15

    Flyertalk.com has section on special price tickets when and if they arise.
    I paid $6 K to go business toJakata and then first to Amsterdam. Was drven to KLM budget aircraft across tarmac as continued on to Barcelona. Return price was Mel to Amsterdam. Once in lifetime experience which worked out much cheaper than other major airlines business fare to Europe at time.
    Sometimes you can fly on daytime economy flghts to an Asian hub such as BKK, Singapore or KL and stop overnight then catch return flight yo your desired destination. E.g. Fly Thai to BKK, next day Finnair business to European destinations,
    I flew to Teheran via Muscat with Oman air. Reasonable fare and own sleeping room in business lounge area

  • JoyVee on 25/02/2022 - 23:21

    Royal Brunei can be reasonable business to London from Melbourne.
    You get space and good food in Business although not as luxurious as others.
    I travel infrequently and have no points. Use googleflights too.

  • johninmelb on 26/02/2022 - 08:27
    +1

    Matrix ITA is one of the tools I use. Takes a bit of getting used to, but has an option to show a date range, what class etc.

    Only drawback is that you have to search individual city pairs which is not what you wanted. But I have plenty of time so I just plug in various combinations to get an idea of pricing, then book direct with the airline if I find something that suits.

    I usually book my flights out of Aisa to Europe as it is cheaper, and then look for a discounted fare from Oz to Asia or use points. One thing I discovered is a fare on Singapore Airlines is (or was when I could travel) cheaper ex Kuala Lumpur than from Singapore. It means starting in KL rather than Singapore, e.g. KUL-SIN-ORD rather than SIN-ORD, but the extra leg makes it cheaper in Malaysian ringitt for some unknown reason.

    As others have pointed out, it's very hard to use QF points international, and 100k of points is nowhere near what you need for a return J class flight to Europe. It cost me 165k points to fly Birmingham to Melbourne on Qatar J class in November 2019 - but it was worth every point! Coming home is always a night flight and I cannot do overnights in cattle class. Like you I need leg room, but I can manage short day flights in cattle or sometimes I use Premium Economy if I can find a bargain.

    https://matrix.itasoftware.com/search

  • Ade99 on 26/02/2022 - 08:42

    Aeroflot via Moscow? I am sure they will be doing deals to fill their seats!

  • OzHunterNSW on 26/02/2022 - 15:12

    Never to enjoy the invigoration of a Porsche, the comfort of an antique bed, or sustain yourself on cheap groceries, and now take advantage of cheap flights…

  • lostmemac on 27/02/2022 - 14:21
    +3

    g'day everyone!

    Thanks so much for the help. Fair to say google flights is a lifesaver. Penciled in the following:
    Brisbane -> Manila (qantas economy but all in points)
    Manila -> Dubai -> Istanbul (Emirates business class $1200)

    All with minimal layovers!

    Will keep my eye on price. Thanks again for the help everyone

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