First Class Flyer's Premium Subscriber Newsroom
Not yet a member? You can Subscribe now to get immediate access to the last twelve months of First Class Flyer. You'll read beginner and advanced booking strategies and quickly learn how the industry works.
HOW TO READ PREVIOUS ISSUES:
Click on the date to download issues. Please note, the newsletters are in PDF format and can take up to 2 minutes to download. You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer (click here to download) to view the PDF.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: Hidden Routes Net Savings Up to 52%; Fare Sleuth: Europe Summer Business Class Fares Have Resurfaced; High & Inside: How Low- & Mid-Tier Elites Can Bypass the Upgrade Line; New Routes for Mileage Award Travel; Domestic Seat Beat: How to Get American’s Best Seats to the Caribbean & Get Twice the Value; FCF Report Card: We Rate Six Carriers’ Upgrade Programs to Africa; and The Worst Mistake You Can Make When Booking Premium Economy.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: Big Discounts on Business Class Upgrades, 40% to 60% off to Asia and Europe, with Oneworld and Star Alliance; Fare Sleuth: Special Asia Business Class Fares Extended Through Oct. 31; High & Inside: Future Shock? … We’re About to See the Effect of Merger Mania; First Class Insider: First Class Seat, Business Class Price; Where the Mileage Seats Are: Hot Routes for Mileage Award Travel; How to Taste the A-380 Experience Up Front, Starting at $284 R/T; The Latest Gimmick For Sale, Elite-Level Ground Services; Getting American’s Best Business and First Class Seats Here: Domestic Seat Beat; and FCF Report Card: South Pacific, Part Two: Business Class Upgrades to Paradise.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: How Anyone Can Get Business Class on 47 Airlines Starting at $1,238 R/T International, $672 Domestic; High & Inside: Dirty Little Secrets of the United-Continental Merger (think fare and mileage program changes and more); FCF Report Card: Business Class Upgrades to the South Pacific (two Bs, a C, and two Ds); How to Save Up to 70% on Business Class with Lesser-Known Airlines; Where the Mileage Seats Are: Mileage Award Travel Hot Routes; and Fare Sleuth: Lowest First Class Fares to Europe & within US (up to 80% off).
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: Three Steps to Get Business Class to Europe and South America for $750, Asia for $675, and Domestic First Class for $315; High & Inside: Squeezing More Travel Out of Award Tickets; Credit Card Savvy: Is the Virtuoso World Elite MasterCard Worth the Dough?; Elite Maneuver of the Month: Well Grounded: Which Carriers Do Pre-fight Best?; FCF Report Card: U.S. Carriers’ Domestic Mileage-Upgrade Programs; Recession Trend: Premium Economy Comfort Options to Europe; Where the Mileage Seats Are: Worldwide Redemption Guide: Hot Routes for Mileage Award Travel; and First Class Insider: Getting the Front Cabin to Asia, Europe, and South America at an 85% Discount.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: Delta and 23 Partners’ Extravagant Promotion – Nets Saving Up to 78% on First and Business Class; High & Inside: How to Work the One-Way Award System to Score Seats Easier; FCF Report Card: Business to First Class Upgrades to Europe: The Best and Worst Programs; Elite Maneuvering: How to Take AAdvantage of American’s AAirPass; Mileage Upgrade Pro
Maximizing Your Chances for a Domestic First Class Seat; Save Up to 66% on First Class to Hawaii; Domestic Seat Beat: American Adds First Class Seats; Worldwide Redemption Guide: Hot Routes for Mileage Award Travel; and First Class Readers’ Q & A.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: Special First Class Sale to the Caribbean and Mexico; Save 66% to South Africa; High & Inside: How Mastering One-Way Award Travel Puts You Way Ahead of the Pack; First Class Insider: Two Promos that Can Save You Up to 87% in First Class; FCF Report Card:
Catching the Wave With U.S. Carriers’ Mileage Upgrade Programs to Hawaii; Mileage Pro: How to Save Miles with an Award-Chart Loophole; International Seat Beat: Continental Rectifies Great Seat Injustice; Recession Trend: Premium Economy; Continental and US Airways Members: Why to Keep Air New Zealand on Speed Dial for International Flights; Where the Mileage Seats Are: Hot Routes for Mileage Award Travel; and First Class Readers’ Q & A.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: Three Fab Promotions Anyone Can Take Advantage Of (to net Business for cost of coach to Asia, Europe, and South America); High & Inside: Booking Summer Business Class Fare to Europe and Beyond (do it now or later?); How to Get First Class to Europe 73% Off; Card Sharp: New Credit Card Partnership Nets Savings of 76% (a ticketing strategy that works--worldwide--in Business or First Class--on 15 different airlines); Where the Mileage Seats Are; Elite Status Maneuvering: When to Buy Your Status Back; FCF Report Card: Comparing U.S. Carriers’ Mileage Upgrade Programs to Europe; Recession Trend: Why and When Delta Members Should Think Air France and KLM to Europe During the Economic Downturn; and Where to Get the Best Last Minute Fares.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: First Class Flyer’s Crystal Ball for 2010; Business Class to Europe for Less than Coach; My Favorite Upgrade: How to Upgrade Without Paying for an Upgrade; First Class Transcon on American Airlines at 74% Off; Domestic First Class Upgrade; Finding the Best Eleventh-Hour Premium Fares; Mileage Pro: The Golden Rule of Using Unrestricted Travel Awards; International Seat Beat: How to Get United’s Best International Seats; Where the Mileage Seats Are: Hot Routes for Mileage Award Travel; How to Get the Best Mileage Upgrade to South America; and Planning Business Class to the Seychelles.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: First Class for the Price of Coach (on 22 different Carriers) to Almost Anywhere in the World; High & Inside: First Class fare Illusion – What in the World is the Mainstream Media Reading? And What Upgrade Tactics Should You Be Employing in this Economy; Consumer Alert: Save More Than 70% by Cross-Shopping Travel Agencies; Mileage Upgrade Pro: US Airways New Award Program: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly; Where the Mileage Seats Are; Elite Update: Who Gains the Most with the Latest Elite Venture?; Report Card Time: Which U.S. Carrier Offers the Best Mileage Upgrade Program to Asia; Card Sharp: How to Build Elite Status with the Right Credit Cards; Finding the Best Eleventh-Hour Fares; and First Class Reader’s Q & A.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: New First Class Mileage Strategies Save Up to 80% (plus an $1,100 tip and a comparison of American vs. United); High & Inside: Why Free Elite Upgrades Cost You in Any Economy (how the recession drove United to drastic deeds, and why the program goes from average to bad); Hot Routes for Easy Mileage Award Redemption; Mileage Upgrade Pro (Deal #1: Business Class for Less than Coach, Deal #2: 40% off Lufthansa’s Business Class Upgrades, and Deal #3: Business Class for the Price of Coach, and Deal #4: 30% off British Airways Awards); Finding the Best Eleventh-Hour Fares; The First Class Insider: When Buying Miles on American Makes More Cents; Loophole of the Month: US Airways International “At-the-Gate” Upgrades; and Domestic Seat Beat: Getting United’s Best on Domestic Routes.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: First Class Weekend Getaway Starting at $460 R/T; High & Inside: How and Where to Profit with the New Alliance Shift (which alliance gets the best fares, now, and where to get lower-cost mileage award tickets … A MUST READ for Continental, Delta/NW, United & US Airways mileage game players); Fares You'll Never See: To Asia & Europe, Savings Up to 43% on Select Fares with United; Hot Mileage Redemption Routes; The Mileage Upgrade Pro: Which Top-Tier Elite Program Is Best? (Domestic top tier elite comparison); The First Class Insider: Getting Around High Upgrade Fares to Asia (best First Class savings via airlines with lowest upgradable Business Class fares -- a way to snare First Class upgrades for up to 84% off); Finding the Best Eleventh-Hour Fares; and How to Find Delta/Northwest's Best Business Class Seats (which of its eight different international aircraft has the best seats).
IN THIS ISSUE: Hot Ticket: Comfort Upgrades for the Holidays; High & Inside: 10 Ways to Improve Your Loyalty Program’s Upgrade Odds in a Time of Scarcity; Unpublished Fares: Save Up to 57% to Europe and Hawaii with Fares You’ll Never See Online; Worldwide Redemption Guide: Top Routes for Mileage Award Travel; The First Class Insider: New Mileage Program Exploit Nets Savings Up to 86% with Seven Airlines; Short Notice Fares: Finding the Best Eleventh-Hour Fare; Domestic Seat Beat; Getting Delta’s and Northwest’s Best on Domestic Routes; The Mileage Upgrade Pro: Free Upgrade or 65% Off to Europe and Beyond; and the Upgrade Advisor’s Q&A .
First Class Flyer Alerts
9/3: Free Round-trip Upgrade on Your Next Trip With the Purchase of an International Business Class Ticket
8/28: First Class Fare Sale to Mexico– Save Up to 32%
8/23: Reminder: Get 50% bonus miles when you transfer miles on Delta by Aug. 31
8/21: Holiday Fares to Europe Are Here -$950 for Business Class Round-trip
8/20: Business Class Fare Sale to Europe – Deadline Aug. 23
8/18: Save 46% on Business Class travel with Air France
8/16: Reach Elite Status Faster with Double Elite Qualifying Miles Promotion
8/13: Business Class tickets to Rome offer a 40% Discount
8/12: First Class Fare Sale to the Caribbean is Back-Deadline Aug. 16
7/27: Mileage Availability In Business Class On A Popular European Route
7/24: Free Business Class Upgrade on British Airways
7/23: REMINDER: Double Your Miles When You Buy or Gift Miles on US Airways by July 31
7/22: Summer Business Class Fare Promotions Are Back - Save Up To 46%
7/13: Business Class Fall Fare sale to Ireland from New York – Save Up to 30%
7/12: Business Class Fare Promotion to Amsterdam Saves Up to 61%
7/8: Eleventh-Hour First Class Fares to the Caribbean Saves Up to 22%
7/7: Discounted Business Class Fares to the South Pacific that Save Up to 47%
6/28: Save up to $370 on Premium Economy Fares to Europe
6/26: REMINDER: Business Class Sale to Asia Ends on June 30
6/25: REMINDER: Secure your Summer Business or First Class Tickets to Europe by June 30
6/19: $1,100 ROUND-TRIP BUSINESS CLASS FARE TO EUROPE
6/17: Discount First Class on Hawaiian: Low Fares, Plus $200 Bonus
6/16: Elite Status Fast Track with American and Delta
6/15: British Airways’ First Class for What You Might Expect to Pay for Business Class
6/14: British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Summer Business Class Fare Sale – Save Up to 30%
6/11: New U.S. Departure Cities for Air France Premium Economy Bring Savings of Up to $550
6/10: Business Class to the Middle East on Qatar Airways: Save up to $652
6/10: Expanded First Class Service Adds Mileage Availability on Five Domestic Routes
6/9: Upgrade to Business Class to Europe for only $300
6/8: Summer Promotional First Class Fares to Hawaii Extended – Save Up to 68%
6/7: Save up to 28% on Premium Economy Fares with All Nippon
6/4: Two-for-One Business Class fares to Mexico and Central America are a Better Deal
6/3: Last-Minute First Class to Cancun and the Caribbean Saves Up to 31%
6/2: Summer Business Class Fares Extended Through June 30—Save 45% or More
6/1: Discounted Business Class Fares to Asia that Save Up to 73%
5/31: Free First Class Upgrade from the U.S. on Etihad Airways
5/28: Timely Tip: Lock in Summer Fares by May 31
5/27: Domestic First Class for Less than Coach with American Airlines
5/26: First Class on Delta and Partners up to 81% Off
5/25: Free One-Way Upgrade to First Class
5/24: International First Class Travel at Up to 82% Off
5/21: Save Up to $800 on Business Class travel to Paris
5/20: First Class Travel to the Tropics from $798 Round-Trip
5/19: First Class Award Seats Found on New and Seasonal Domestic Service
5/18: Caribbean Business Class Fares Starting at $718 Round-trip
5/17: Starwood Promo Saves on Upgrades with International Carriers
5/14: British Airways Visa Card Bonus Buys Free Business Class Upgrade
5/13: Last Chance for American AAdvantage Elite-Status Buyback
5/12: Save 31% on Business Class Tickets to Asia with Air Canada
5/11: Qantas 2-for-1 Deal to Australia and New Zealand in Premium Economy and Business Class—Save More than $3,000
5/10: Ten Business Class Fares to South America that Save Up to 59%
5/7: Save Up to 73% on Business Class to South America and Domestic First Class
5/6: Save Up to 79% on Business Class to Germany with Miles & More Offer
5/5: Ten Business Class Fares to Africa — Save Up to 57%
5/4: Qatar Airways Promo Saves Up to 70% on Business Class Travel Worldwide
5/3: Save 51% on Business Class Travel to Asia and Australia with JAL Upgrade Promo
4/30: First Class Upgrade with Gold Delta Amex Card
4/29: Business Class Fares to the Middle East that Can Save Up to 64%
4/28: United's First Class Europe Fare Promo Saves Up to 78% through May
4/27: Save Up to 59% on Business Class with British Airways' New Transfer Option
4/26: Save Up to 53% on First Class with Prepaid Travel Card
4/23: New Routes Offer Business and First Class Award Availability
4/22: Ten U.S. Domestic First Class Fares starting at $380
4/21: Save Up to 63% on Business Class Canada-U.S. Flights on Air Canada
4/20: 33% Savings Await on Updated United Award Chart
4/19: Save Up to 57% on International Business Class Travel
4/16: Free Business Class Travel with United Credit Card
4/15: Free Domestic Business Class Seat with United Transcon Ticket Purchase
4/15: Ten Great Fares to Asia and the South Pacific
4/14: Free Business Class Transcon Seat with Each One Purchased on American and Delta
4/13: Save Up to 59% on Domestic First Class Travel
4/12: Business Class to Europe at Coach Promotional Rate Extended
4/12: Save up to 25% on Short-Notice Premium Economy Fares with Air France
4/2: Save 72% on Last-Minute Travel to Europe in US Airways’ Business Class
3/25: First Class to Hawaii 27% Off – travel through 6/10; book through 3/31
3/22: Save Up to 80% on First and Business Class Travel with Amex and BA
3/20: Ten Tempting Business Class Fares to South America Starting at $1,100 R/T
3/19: 43% Off Business Class Travel to Australia
3/18: Save Up to 69% on Short-Notice Business Class to Asia
3/17: Premium Economy for the Price of Coach Rates to Europe Revived by Virgin, Amex
2/12: Companion Flies Free with British Airways (this time valid with discounted fares!)
1/30: Two Free Domestic First Class Upgrades With Amex Points Transfer
1/29: Fly Virgin Atlantic’s Premium Economy to Europe for the Price of Coach – Exp. 1/31
1/23: Ten Great Business Class Fares to the Caribbean
1/23: Star Alliance Business Class for Price of Coach to Europe -- Travel through Feb. 28
1/22: Ten Great Business Class Fares to Mexico
1/22: SAS Discounts Premium Economy 43%
1/19: Fare War: Seven Airlines Slash Business Class to Europe
1/18: Singapore Airlines Business Class 51% Off
1/15: Save Up to 64% on First Class Summer Flights to Europe with United
1/11: $75.00 Round-trip Business Tickets to Europe on Three Major Carriers
1/11: British Airways Premium Economy 20% Off
1/9: Ten Days Till United Upgrades Turn Into Pumpkins?
12/19: Buy Starwood Starpoints for 38% Off
12/18: Business Class Last Minute to Europe for Less than Coach – Travel By 12/28
12/16: Domestic First Class 58% Off
12/9: Special Asia Fares Up to 38% Off, Must Ticket by Dec. 11
11/20: How to Easily Get Two Free Business Class Tickets for Travel Within the U.S.
11/19: Ten Great Business Class Fares to South America
11/18: Ten Great Business Class Fares to Asia Starting at $2,316 R/T
11/17: New Lower Holiday Fares to Europe
11/16: Free Business Class Ticket to Europe with Credit Card Sign-up Bonus
11/12: Delta Matches Continental Elite Status, Members Get Best of Both Worlds
11/11: The Impact US Airways Program Changes Have on Business & First Class Travelers
How to Profit from Continental’s Jump to the Star Alliance
More First Class Weekend Getaways $500 to $800 R/T
76% Off Delta Domestic First Class
Discount Business Class to Europe on Lufthansa 33% Off
Elite Upgrade Program Changes Coming to United
Last Chance: Get a Free Upgrade to Europe on Air France and KLM – Exp. 9/28
Save 20% or More in Premium Economy to South Pacific
Save More Than $1,500 on Business Class Travel to New Zealand
Last Chance: Business Class R/T Upgrades for Only 20,000 Miles on Two Asian Carriers – Exp. 9/30
Business Class Fares to Israel Slashed to $2,329 r/t
Free Business Class Companion Ticket to Caribbean – Exp. 9/30
Save up to 28% on Premium Economy, U.S. to London
More SkyMiles for HHonors Points Transferred
Any Fare 10% Off or 35% Free Miles With AA Purchase – Exp. 8/31
Holiday Business Class Fares to Europe Starting at $1,130 R/T (+ tax)
Free US Airways Silver Elite Status Card (Normally $200+) – Exp. Aug. 31
South America Business Class to $1,679 R/T from Two U.S. Cities
Economy Plus Up to 44% Off – Exp. 8/14
Domestic First Class $655 r/t on Three Carriers - Exp. Aug. 15
$780 R/T Europe Business Class to 10+ Cities - Exp. Aug. 15
Take $500 off Already Discounted Biz Class Fares to Africa
Delta Offers Upgrades for One Mile
Biz Class for Coach with Air France/KLM to Europe – Through Amex & Starwood – Exp. 6/21
First Class to Hawaii Discounted 40% – Exp. 6/12
50% Off First Class Fares to Europe – Star Alliance Carrier
Secret Fare War Just Discovered: $1,398 (If Not $897) Business Class R/T – Exp. 5/29
American Airlines "Revolutionary Mileage Program Changes" a big deal?
