Flexibility

A post about flexibility. Not in physical terms, but more in terms of your schedule. One of the keys to getting a great deal on, say, a business class international flight, is flexibility in your schedule.

A great deal pops up, but it is only from November through March, but not traditional holidays. Well, if you have school age, or even daycare age kiddos, you probably won’t be able to take more than a weekend or a few additional days off. Your flexibility will be during winter, spring, or summer breaks. Unfortunately, airlines and hotels know this, so pricing will likely be higher.

However, that doesn’t mean there is no deal out there for folks traveling with family. You may need to plan a trip, but not know exactly your flights details until a week or even a few days before. Why!? Some airlines like Emirates and Lufthansa don’t open up award seat availability until then and you’ll be looking for 3+ seats without splitting up the family. You don’t want to be in that story of the parents in business and the kiddos in economy.

If you are single, married, or you have someone to watch your kids, then you’ll have lots of options. Travel during off-season or shoulder season (like Spring or Fall in Europe) to score more award availability or lower flight/hotel prices. This applies just as much to domestic travel, if not more so with so many traveling during the usual school breaks. You don’t want to be paying $600 a night for Hampton Inn in the middle of Delaware (not even near a beach) when that same money could get you two nights at a Park Hyatt.

So, schedule flexibility and, in cases, waiting out a deal (obviously not without risk of potentially not having a flight) can help you travel business class with the entire family without breaking the bank.