A strategy that’s hidden in plane sight
Good morning, class. I trust you’ve been studying hard and putting what you’ve learned into practice by upgrading your travel as much as possible. Today I’d like to talk to you about being strategic and opportunistic.
Business Class fares to Europe have been painfully high ever since Lockdown has waned — a classic case of demand outstripping supply, forcing prices to rise. Well happily, that phenomenon has finally plateaued, and is even beginning to trend down now. Just as in life, change is the norm. It’s how you deal with change that determines if you win. That’s the heart of what we at FCF call the Upgrade Mindset.
In today’s class, our goal is to shift your mindset, based on the fares we are currently seeing, along with other ticketing options like FCF’s Horses for Courses strategy. With Horses for Courses, you fly one way in one cabin class and return on another, maximizing value and comfort within a budget.
Now, given the fluctuating airfare climate, what else has changed? Let’s dive into the impact on our Horses for Courses strategy when Business and First Class fares drop.
Nonstop on Delta in Premium Economy for $2,838
Let’s say you’re on a budget or your company only pays for Premium Economy on international flights. In this case, you’d be looking at a nonstop JFK-Rome trip (for example) on Delta for $2,838.
Horses of Courses Upgrade for $38 Round-Trip
Or you could “one-up” them with FCF’s Horses of Courses strategy and fly nonstop on Delta in
on the return (a day flight to finish your paperwork) for $2,876. That’s an upgrade in one direction for $38, or just $2 per flight hour.
First Class Upgrade for $176 Round-Trip
Or, because you receive FCF’s fare alerts and thanks to some low fares and some out-of-the-box thinking, you could fly nonstop on American in
for just $3,014. That’s an upgrade from your original Premium Economy Class itinerary to First Class for a paltry $176, or $9.50 per flight hour, round-trip.
That’s a double upgrade, jumping two cabins. Screenshot below. If I were your boss, I’d give you an on-the-spot promotion for smart thinking.
That’s a double upgrade!
Other sample routes follow.
[table_opt id="6995" style="gray-header" header_rows="1" width="default" alignment="thcenter" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter" responsive="no" /]
Thanks for listening class, if you keep putting these lessons to use, I will definitely see you up front.