An old fashioned method of booking business class without using websites may be old fashioned, yet it can find fares that the search engines do not display. Offline channels provide you with access to unpublished inventory, agent-only consolidator rates, corporate rates and sometimes upgrade offers at check-in.
To get the How to Book Cheapest Business Class Airlines playbook that works in the real world, you need to take the following steps in a clear manner and think of this as a negotiation where preparation is more important than luck.
A step by step offline strategy that works
The exact dates of travel, the airports, the airlines of your choice and some alternative dates and your passport information. The core of the offline strategy is phone calls and face-to-face meetings with IATA accredited travel agencies or airline sales offices. Instruct the agent on the fact that you are seeking business class and that price is the main factor.
Skilled agents have the option of searching Global Distribution Systems based on the route and retrieve unpublished or consolidator fares that do not appear on consumer websites. Request a consolidator or net fare quote and the fare rule base code and the refund/change rules specifically so that you can compare apples to apples.
Another rule of ‘how to book cheapest business class airlines’ to follow is never call the airline sales office without asking whether the miles option of upgrading or the upgrade-for-cash option is open only by phone. Other times the cheapest route is to purchase a discounted premium economy or flexible economy offline and ensure a paid upgrade or an upgrade with miles at the time of check-in.
In case of last-minute travel, visit the airline ticket counter at the airport early in the morning and inquire about same-day upgrade pricing and manager-offers; either of them can very well be negotiated.
Block inventory and tour operator fares are sold through corporate travel desks and specialized consolidators that may be sold at lower retail prices. In case you are anyhow corporate-affiliated, request the HR or corporate travel team to verify negotiated contracts.
Always confirm the total cost such as taxes, fuel surcharges and agent service charges. Lastly, retain a copy of the fare quote, fair basis and payment receipt in the form of paper or email for Cheapest Business Class Airlines.
Offline negotiation checklist
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Do not forget to bring specific dates and backup dates along as well as passport name to the talk.
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Ask the agent to look up consolidator net fares and ask the fare basis code.
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Ask options on mixed cabin routing or open jaw routing where that will reduce the business class fare.
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Ask about hold or option periods to be able to think and pay but agents may be able to hold a fare a short time.
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Present any lower online fare, and ask the agent whether he can match or locate a similar offline fare.
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Inquire on paid upgrade offers, availability of mileage upgrade and same-day upgrade prices with the airline sales office.
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Check baggage, cancellation and change fees; do not take verbal assurances.
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Use a credit card which offers protection to the traveler and the contact details of the travel agent in case of dispute.
Making a reservation via the offline method is no quicker than a button press. It takes time, reiteration and readiness to make numerous attempts to the agents and airline offices.
