Transport

Travel Advice: Specialist travel agents will help you get best first-class and business-class fares

British Airways’ sale until January 31st is famous, float out into the Caribbean Sea for a fraction of what it usually costs

If you do want to take a punt at an upgrade, dress neatly, ask nicely and hope that the staff like you

Joan Scales
Sat Jan 28 2017 - 01:00

Getting an upgrade has become more difficult in recent years due to the airlines being busier and also through them seeing it as a revenue stream and charging miles or money.

If you do want to take a punt at an upgrade, dress neatly, ask nicely and hope that the staff likes you. Travelling on your own and being a member of the airline’s loyalty programme is also helpful. There are ways of flying at the front of the aircraft that cost a lot less.

Aer Lingus reduce their Transatlantic business class seats hugely in the summer. You can fly to New York for a third of the business class fare, from €1,490 compared to from €5,216 (aerlingus.com). All year round depending on volume of business they may offer you an opportunity to upgrade. You can make an offer for a business class seat, the higher the bid the more likely the result.

British Airways’ sale on flights and holidays until January 31st is famous. Try Barbados for a fraction of what it usually costs. Business class flights from £1,800, or make it a week’s holiday from £1,950pps with four star hotel accommodation (britishairways.com).

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Emirates First Class companion offers from Dublin also include your own chauffeured car to the airport along with a private suite on board. Enjoy Dom Perignon champagne and gourmet cooking, from €3,602pps, a discount of €1,238, going to Mauritius (emirates.com).

Airlines such as KLM and Air France have a network of very exotic locations and great sale fares not just in January.

Air France’s network to the Caribbean is good. Explore Guadeloupe from €2,040, full fare €5,184.

Specialist travel agents are trailfinders.ie with branches in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, Usit.ie, Worldtravel.ie, Clubtravel.ie Flightcentre.ie, and e-travel.ie.

jscales@irishtimes.com

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