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I would always fly in business class if I had an endless supply of money in my checking account. But that’s not the case. So, I take advantage of low-cost ways to fly in a premium seat when I get the opportunity. I’ve been lucky enough to fly in business class several times — but only when the price was right.

Want a more comfortable flying experience? You may be able to afford to fly on a premium ticket. I’ll share two affordable ways to fly in business class.

You can score a cheap upgrade on your next flight

Buying a business-class ticket isn’t the only way to fly in a premium seat. Another option is to upgrade an existing ticket. If an upgrade is available and the price is right, you can score an affordable seat upgrade for your next flight.

Spending thousands of dollars for an international long-haul flight ticket isn’t my idea of a good time. But spending a few hundred dollars to upgrade my existing ticket is ideal. The easiest way I’ve been able to do this is by taking advantage of in-app upgrade offers. Before your next flight, check if your airline has affordable upgrade opportunities.

Here’s how it works: If an upgrade is available, the airline will outline the options and the fee required. The price listed is the amount you must pay to upgrade your ticket, in addition to what you already paid for your initial ticket. If you see an upgrade opportunity you like, follow the prompts to accept it and submit payment details.

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Airfare deals can unlock cheaper premium tickets

My favorite way to fly in business class is by booking airfare deals. The standard cash price for a premium ticket can be expensive. However, some airlines discount the cost of premium tickets. If you can score a business-class ticket on sale, you can fly for cheap.

I subscribe to a flight deal service to find business-class airfare deals. This allows me to stay in the know without having to manually search for discounted flights myself.

Here’s how it works: I get an email alert when business-class deals are available for my preferred departure airport. If I like the deal, I can book a ticket directly with the airline.

Several companies provide this service. One example is Thrifty Traveler Premium. I’ve been a member for two years. I pay about $100 a year for its flight deals service, and I have saved thousands of dollars on airfare, so it’s been a worthwhile investment.

If you’re a frequent traveler and want to fly in style without overspending, a flight deal subscription could help you unlock more affordable premium flights. Consider whether this kind of subscription aligns with your budget and goals before signing up.

Save money on travel by earning rewards

Whether flying in economy or business, take advantage of the chance to earn travel rewards. One way is by joining airline loyalty programs. When you fly with your favorite airlines, you can earn miles and later redeem them for award flights. This strategy could help you save on travel.

You can also maximize your savings when you swipe your credit card for travel purchases and earn points, miles, or cash back. Ensure you’re paying for airfare and other travel expenses with a credit card that earns rewards. Otherwise, you’re missing out. Explore our list of the best travel credit cards with big rewards.

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