How To Find Discounts For Emirates Business Class

Table Of Contents

1. Be Flexible With Travel Dates
2. Join The Emirates Skywards Program
3. Use Credit Card Points And Travel Rewards
4. Book During Sales And Promotions
5. Look For Companion Fares
6. Utilize Emirates' ‘Special Fare’ Business Class Options
7. Consider Upgrades With Emirates Bidding Program
8. Explore Partner Airline Options
9. Use OTA (Online Travel Agents) And Flight Aggregators
10. Consider One-Way Tickets And Multi-City Bookings
11. Book Through Travel Agencies Specializing In Premium Class Deals
12. Consider A Stopover Program
13. Use Cash And Miles
14. Monitor Price Drops And Refund Policies
Conclusion

Flying business class with Emirates is a dream for many travelers, given its renowned comfort, excellent service, and luxurious amenities. But for those who wish to experience these perks without the full price tag, there are strategies and tips to find discounts on Emirates business class fares. Here’s a guide to help you discover the best ways to save and make the most out of your Emirates experience.

1. Be Flexible With Travel Dates

Flexibility with your travel dates can often be the key to unlocking discounted Emirates business class fares. Peak travel times, such as the holiday season and summer months, typically see higher prices. By adjusting your travel dates to shoulder or off-peak seasons, you increase your chances of finding a good deal. Mid-week flights tend to be cheaper than weekend flights, so consider adjusting your travel to days like Tuesday or Wednesday.

Using Emirates’ own website or apps like Google Flights can help you explore a range of dates to find the most affordable options. Emirates also offers a flexible date search, allowing you to compare fares across a seven-day window to identify the lowest prices.

2. Join The Emirates Skywards Program

The Emirates Skywards program is Emirates’ loyalty program and a fantastic way to accumulate miles for discounts on future flights, including business class. Signing up is free, and you can earn Skywards miles not only through flights but also through Emirates’ partners in hospitality, retail, and travel.

Skywards miles can be redeemed for flight discounts or upgrades to business class, making it an excellent way to experience Emirates’ luxury services at a reduced cost. Emirates also offers periodic promotions where you can earn bonus miles on bookings, so check the Emirates website or subscribe to their newsletter to stay updated.

3. Use Credit Card Points And Travel Rewards

Many credit card rewards programs partner with Emirates Skywards, allowing you to transfer points and miles to your Emirates Skywards account. Some credit cards also offer specific Emirates benefits and even access to discounted business class fares. Here are a few key cards to consider:

Chase Sapphire Preferred: You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Emirates Skywards.
American Express Membership Rewards: Amex cardholders can transfer Membership Rewards points to Emirates Skywards, sometimes with bonus promotions.
Emirates Skywards Credit Card: Emirates also offers its own co-branded credit cards with specific travel benefits for frequent flyers, including points for miles and discounts.

It’s worth keeping an eye on any promotions with your credit card issuer, as they often provide limited-time transfer bonuses. For instance, a 25% bonus transfer on points could help you reach the number of Skywards miles needed for a discount or upgrade faster.

4. Book During Sales And Promotions

Emirates regularly holds promotional sales, offering discounts across various routes and fare classes, including business class. These promotions are usually announced through their website and email newsletters. For instance, Emirates runs special sales during major shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or other regional holidays.

Keep an eye out for these sales on the Emirates website or set up flight alerts to notify you when Emirates business class fares are discounted. These promotions can save you a significant percentage on business class fares, so if your travel dates are flexible, these deals are worth the wait.

5. Look For Companion Fares

Companion fares are an attractive option for travelers planning a trip with a friend, family member, or colleague. Emirates occasionally offers discounted business class fares for a second passenger when you book two business class seats on the same itinerary. This can provide substantial savings and allow both travelers to experience the luxury of Emirates business class at a reduced cost.

These companion deals are sometimes featured on the Emirates website, or you can call customer service to inquire about any available companion fare discounts.

6. Utilize Emirates’ ‘Special Fare’ Business Class Options

On select routes, Emirates offers “Special Fare” business class tickets, which provide a discount compared to the regular business class price. Although these tickets may come with slightly more restrictions—such as limited flexibility for changes and cancellations—they offer the same business class experience at a lower price.

To find these fares, enter your travel dates on the Emirates website and look for the fare labeled as “Special” under the business class options. If your travel plans are set and you don’t anticipate the need for changes, this can be a great way to save.

7. Consider Upgrades With Emirates Bidding Program

Emirates offers a bidding program called “Skybid Upgrade,” which allows passengers to bid for upgrades to business or first class. If you have an economy ticket, you can participate in this auction-style program by placing a bid on an upgrade. If your bid is accepted, you get to enjoy the business class experience at a fraction of the full price.

To participate, log into your Emirates account and navigate to the “Manage Your Booking” section, where eligible flights will display an option to place an upgrade bid. Just make sure to place a reasonable bid, as there’s a competitive element to this program.

8. Explore Partner Airline Options

Emirates is part of a partnership with airlines in the Star Alliance network, which includes airlines like Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa. Sometimes booking through a partner airline can lead to savings, especially if you are redeeming points or miles through the partner’s loyalty program. By booking with a partner airline, you may be able to access Emirates business class seats at a reduced rate.

For example, if you have frequent flyer miles with a Star Alliance partner, you could redeem these miles for an Emirates business class seat, saving you from paying the full fare. Keep in mind that availability can be limited, so planning in advance is key.

9. Use OTA (Online Travel Agents) And Flight Aggregators

Online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia, Skyscanner, and Kayak often have exclusive deals on Emirates business class tickets. Sometimes, these OTAs negotiate discounts or pass along savings to customers that you might not find on the Emirates website.

Flight aggregators are also useful for comparing Emirates business class fares across multiple platforms, helping you find the lowest price. Some of these platforms allow you to set up alerts for Emirates business class tickets, so you’re notified when prices drop.

10. Consider One-Way Tickets And Multi-City Bookings

Purchasing two one-way tickets instead of a round-trip fare can sometimes be a cheaper option for business class travel, especially if you’re booking a multi-leg journey. Similarly, booking a multi-city itinerary that combines Emirates business class with another airline’s fare can provide you with savings.

For instance, if you’re flying from New York to Dubai, it may be cheaper to book a one-way ticket with Emirates and use another airline for your return. This approach provides the flexibility of comparing prices and potentially securing better deals on each leg of your journey.

11. Book Through Travel Agencies Specializing In Premium Class Deals

Some travel agencies specialize in premium class fare deals and have relationships with airlines like Emirates. These agencies can offer reduced business class fares and can sometimes bundle other perks, such as complimentary lounge access or priority boarding.

Premium travel agencies may also have access to unpublished fares that aren’t available online. Research agencies with good reputations in booking business class travel, such as Scott’s Cheap Flights or Premium Flights, to see if they offer discounted Emirates business class fares.

12. Consider A Stopover Program

If your itinerary includes a layover, Emirates offers a stopover program that lets you spend extra time in Dubai at no additional cost to your airfare. While this may not directly reduce the business class fare, it can add extra value to your ticket. You can spend a day or two in Dubai, exploring the city’s attractions while on your way to the final destination.

The stopover program is particularly appealing for travelers who want a luxury experience, as Emirates offers packages with discounts on hotel stays and activities in Dubai, enhancing the value of your business class ticket.

13. Use Cash And Miles

If you don’t have enough Skywards miles for a full redemption, Emirates offers a “Cash + Miles” option. This option allows you to pay part of your fare with cash and the remaining portion with Skywards miles. This can make business class more affordable if you have accumulated miles but not quite enough for a full redemption.

You can select the “Cash + Miles” option on the Emirates website when booking, allowing you to lower the overall fare cost without waiting to accrue more miles.

14. Monitor Price Drops And Refund Policies

Sometimes, ticket prices drop even after you’ve booked your flight. Emirates’ flexible booking policies may allow for partial refunds or rebooking if a lower fare becomes available for your flight. This can be especially useful if you booked a flexible or semi-flexible business class ticket. Be sure to monitor prices and contact Emirates if a better rate appears, as they might be willing to adjust your fare or offer you a partial credit for future flights.

Conclusion

While flying Emirates business class is an experience in itself, getting a good deal on the ticket makes it even more enjoyable. By following these strategies, from utilizing loyalty programs and credit card rewards to monitoring sales and promotions, you can make the dream of flying Emirates business class at a discount a reality. Start planning, stay flexible, and explore these options to make the most of your travel budget without sacrificing luxury.