The best way to pay less for first class is to start off with a budget airline.
Southwest Airlines is a favorite among millennials, both as an airline and as a place to work (according to Indeed.com). In fact, according to a recent survey from Morning Consult, Southwest is the favorite airline of most Americans. However, Southwest does not have first class.
Jetblue is a good choice for those seeking “luxury” without paying extra. Jetblue offers the most legroom in economy class. If you want more, go for JetBlue Mint.
If you are flying internationally, WiseBread.com recommends that you look into La Compagnie, a tiny airline that flies from Newark to Paris with all first class seats. They also suggest Norwegian Air which offers service to major European cities for less than the better-known competitors.
Look for offers from the airlines which provide as many as 50,000 miles for getting their credit card and meeting a particular spending threshold. Some waive the annual fee for the first year and others have no annual fee. Shop around!
Bonus Tips
- If there is something wrong, complain. If you have a legitimate gripe, respectfully let them know. They may give you an upgrade in order to remedy the situation.
- Always look for nearby airports for departure and landing. You might save a bundle by going to an airport that might be an hour or so from your destination.
- Bid to upgrade. You might win an upgrade for far less than if you had booked it from the get go. Just be sure that you will be okay in economy class if you don’t get the upgrade
