| To B (fare) . . . or Not to B? |
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| Posted on Saturday, February 19 @ 08:13:05 PST by editor |
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 AIRFARE TYPES: Know what they are and how to use them, and you’ll be a happy camper. This month we’ll determine when you should make ‘B class’ fares your plan A.
Like Y class fares, bookings in B class are often considered
‘full-fare’ (though not always). These fare levels can net
bonus elite credit and reduce upgrade award levels — especially now
that airlines are rewarding travelers based more on dollars spent
rather than miles flown.
Example B Fare
Advantage
American offers low B class fares to many cities worldwide, which
can net you significant advantages. Say you’re traveling from San
Francisco to Dublin: It would take 50,000 miles to upgrade to
Business Class from a $700 (lowest coach) fare. But consider ‘plan
B.’ The B class fares in this market can be as low as $1,000, only
$300 more. By booking the B fare, you’ll save 30,000 miles
upgrading to Business Class (only 20K miles to upgrade
round-trip for Y or B class fares).
For the $300 increase in cost, you'll save 30,000 miles (enough to
confirm your next domestic flight in First) — PLUS — you
earn 150% miles toward elite status! (With the lowest
economy class fare, you’d normally receive about 12,000 elite miles,
but with the B fare booking you'll earn 6,000 ADDITIONAL POINTS
toward next year’s elite membership — no small thing.) A few
carefully booked trips could mean the difference between Gold status
and Platinum, or better yet, the highly coveted Executive Platinum
level.
A single trip like the one described above can net you Platinum
Status, if you sign up for the Platinum Challenge (see website
archives under Elite Status Strategies for details).
Here’s a summary of
other carriers and possibilities . . .
Continental
Its H class fares earn 150% bonus elite miles, and start from $1,000
to $1,400 to Europe — often only a few hundred more than the lowest
fares. At the same time, upgrading with an international H fare
won’t incur the carrier’s new cash surcharges. H fares to Hong Kong
can cost $1,000 more.
Delta
You can often find reasonable M and B fares with this carrier to
Asia, Europe, and South America that will net you 150% elite credit
— something to consider at year-end if you must take a flight to
keep up your status. However, Delta only reduces mileage upgrades
for fares booked in Y class (40-60% less miles) — not a great value
unless you’re flying unrestricted anyway, with the requirement of a
much higher fare.
Northwest
While B fares won’t earn bonus elite credit, the airline reduces
mileage upgrades up to 50% with B class fares.
United
This carrier has many unbelievably low B class fares to Europe
(often for only $100 to $400 more than the lowest coach fare), plus
you’ll need only 30K miles to upgrade round-trip (reg. 60K with the
lowest fares). Plus, B fares earn 150% elite credit. The lowest
Chicago-London June fare at $329, for example, requires a 60K mile
upgrade to Business Class. Book a B fare for only $728 (only $399
more), and you’ll not only burn 30K fewer miles, you’ll get 150%
elite credit!
US Airways
This airline’s B fares to Europe are among the lowest you’ll find —
often only $100 more than the lowest fare. Upgrades on B fares
require only 20K miles, versus 60K with lowest fares (saving you 40K
miles). You’ll also earn 150% elite credit for a B class booking!
Conclusion
When making your next booking, ask your reservationist to calculate
the potential advantage of booking in B class (more than likely they
will not volunteer to compare the differences unless you ask).
If you want to keep up to
date on the latest changes to elite level loyalty program benefits,
click here.
Source for further information:
Matthew J. Bennett, CEO
FirstClassFlyer.com
mr.upgrade@firstclassflyer.com
Tel (831) 644-7777
Note: by: Matthew J. Bennett
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