Spend to save in Business and First Class air travel

There are three ways of accruing enough frequent flyer miles to get Business Class and First Class tickets and upgrades. Everyone knows the first two: fly or spend (using an affinity credit card).

But there’s also a little-known third route: Buying miles directly from an airline, one of its partner carriers, or by purchasing points from a credit card partner that can be exchanged for premium mileage awards.

When you buy miles or points to upgrade, the savings can be enormous.

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Most airlines sell miles for 2.5¢ to 3.5¢. Therefore, buying miles for a Business Class ticket from New York to London is usually cheaper than paying for a last-minute published fare.

Almost all airlines allow you to buy miles for yourself. With some programs, you can purchase all the frequent flyer miles you need for an upgrade, whereas others only allow you to buy the difference between the miles you have and the miles required for an upgrade or award.

Many programs also allow you to receive miles as gifts — an option that isn’t exploited enough even by the most air-travel savvy. Always read the fine print. The more purchase avenues a program offers, the easier it is to acquire enough miles for upgrades and free airline tickets.

This article is adapted from the FlightBliss Special Report Seven Common Air Travel Mistakes to Avoid.

For more techniques on getting Business and First Class upgrades and award seats, along with the latest news on fares and comfort upgrades, subscribe to First Class Flyer.