As I've noted, premium economy is a much better product than regular economy. In fact, it's very sim

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on October 6, 2008. To see the most recent SmarterTravel articles on related topics, please click on any of the following links: airfare , Air France , American Express , AskEd & AnswerEd , British Airways , business travel , CheapoAir , Continental nevada travel brochures , Ed Perkins , Expedia , first-class airfare , United .
Given today's low standards of comfort and service in coach/economy class, I'm not surprised many travelers are seeking an inexpensive way to move to the still-roomy and still-well-served front cabins. One reader recently put it this succinctly: "Where do we find cheap business class air from San Francisco to Rome?"
The short answer is that "cheap business class" is an oxymoron. Sure, you can get discounts, often as much as 50 percent off and sometimes more, but even a big discount seldom brings business class into the realm of "cheap," as most of us know it. Still, low-priced business class is attractive enough to generate a niche marketplace.
The biggest business-class discounts I've seen have been from the airlines themselves. In recent years, several nevada travel brochures major airlines have cut business-class fares more than 50 percent. However, those deals are highly restricted nonrefundable, on limited travel days, during periods of low business-travel nevada travel brochures demands, nevada travel brochures and subject to a minimum stay and an advance-purchase period as long as 45 days. As I remember, Air France and Continental have been active in this market. However, as of September, I couldn't find any current offers.
The big airlines routinely offer slightly discounted restricted-business-class options. For our reader's trip (San Francisco-Rome), United quotes a restricted (nonrefundable) round-trip of $6,565, compared with full fare of $7,874. nevada travel brochures That discount is nice, but even the restricted fare is more than four times the best economy fare.
Airline discounts are sometimes better. British Airways and its competitors quote restricted round-trips from various U.S. cities to London at almost 50 percent below the unrestricted level. But even at the half price of $6,166, for example, a round-trip nevada travel brochures from Boston to London is many times the cost of an economy ticket. Of course, London is generally the most expensive business-class destination in Europe nevada travel brochures maybe one of the reasons those lines frequently offer such deals. Discount Agencies
Warning: As far as I can tell, several of these sites list fares either search results or samples as "plus taxes and surcharges," which means they may add fuel surcharges up to $500 to the featured prices. This practice, of course, is highly nevada travel brochures deceptive, as well as in violation of federal regulations on airfare nevada travel brochures advertising. nevada travel brochures Also, I haven't used any and can't vouch for any; if you plan on buying, your usual due diligence will be key.
My take: Although these sites promise discounts of more than 50 percent, those claims are often to put it kindly nevada travel brochures unrealistic. As with any self-proclaimed "discount" agency, never buy without (1) checking individual airline sites, (2) checking the "usual suspect" mass market sites such as Expedia , and (3) ascertaining that any quoted figure does not omit mandatory add-on fees that should really be part of the base fare. Credit Card Twofers
Two premium credit nevada travel brochures cards feature twofer airline tickets in business and/or first class: Holders of AmEx Platinum cards ($450 per year) can buy twofers in business class on 18 airlines: Aeromexico , Air France , Air New Zealand , Alitalia , Asiana , Austrian , Cathay Pacific , China (Taiwan), Continental (limited cities), Delta (limited cities), nevada travel brochures Emirates , LAN (limited cities), Lufthansa ,
In both programs, you buy one ticket and get a second at no additional cost. The traveler on the companion ticket must follow the exact itinerary of the primary ticket holder and pay all taxes and fees that apply to a paid ticket; the companion ticket does not earn frequent nevada travel brochures flyer credit. Seats are limited. There is no limit on the number of trips taken. Both cards offer additional benefits, such as free admission to airline airport lounge clubs and (on Carte Blanche) primary rental car collision coverage. The big catch in both programs is that to get the twofer, the qualifying purchased ticket nevada travel brochures is limited to the most expensive list-price unrestricted fare. The Premium Economy Alternative
As I've noted, premium economy is a much better product than regular economy. In fact, it's very similar to what you used to get in business class before Virgin Atlantic launched the "flat-bed seat" battle. Unfortunately, there are no premium economy flights to Rome. The Outlook
Business class is the cabin that basically supports nevada travel brochures international long-haul flights, and that cabin is mainly filled with business travelers. For that reason, airlines are loath to do much open discounting on business class none without very heavy restrictions.
Nevertheless, with the weakening economy, I suspect demand for full-fare tickets will be weak for the next year or so. Don't be surprised to see more discounting in the future, either by the airlines themselves, with heavy restrictions, or through discount agencies.