Moneysaving on first class flight tickets

Legacy_user

We are due to celebrate our 30th (Pearl) weeding anniversary in 2014. We are thinking of going to visit Pearl Harbour in Hawaii and explore the rest of the islands.
Since it's a special occasion we fancy trying to fly first class for the first time with either Virgin or BA. However we have no experience of this, we aren't frequent flyers so can't call on customer loyalty programmes to save money, we don't have any airmiles and we would prefer not to chance it at the airport and request a free upgrade

So we are looking on tips on how to get the best price. We do use Kayak and Skyscanner normally when researching flight prices.

Caz3121

Virgin do not do First Class, they offer Upper Class which is the equivalent of Business class.
BA often have sales on, probably too early to book for 2014 but keep an eye out

richardw

BA and Virgin don't fly to Hawaii, so part of your journey is likely to be on a US airline.
Do you fancy a stopover in the US as well?
Where are you in the UK?
What date is your anniversary?

victor2

Have you looked at the basic prices for first class? Something like 5 times the cost of an economy ticket.
Consider business class. Still a big increase, but not as much as first class. First class is really for those with money to burn or doing it on expenses.
For such long haul flights and a special ocassion, I totally agree that upgrading would make it more memorable, but business class is still excellent with the major airlines.
Can't recommend a particular way to get the tickets, but I usually start with the airline's own website and then see what reduced rates I can get elsewhere, but stick to IATA accredited companies.

rocking69

Pam17 wrote: »

We are due to celebrate our 30th (Pearl) weeding anniversary in 2014. We are thinking of going to visit Pearl Harbour in Hawaii and explore the rest of the islands.
Since it's a special occasion we fancy trying to fly first class for the first time with either Virgin or BA. However we have no experience of this, we aren't frequent flyers so can't call on customer loyalty programmes to save money, we don't have any airmiles and we would prefer not to chance it at the airport and request a free upgrade

So we are looking on tips on how to get the best price. We do use Kayak and Skyscanner normally when researching flight prices.

I am a BIG fan of BA Club World. Try Travel Agents as well as they sometimes have better fares with BA. Not always but we do sell them discounted depending on dates/destination etc. Sometimes BA.com is cheaper but worth looking around just in case. But for Honolulu I would try Swiss and Air Canada for the best fares. Sometimes Korean also offer good prices. I hope this helps.

Doshwaster

rocking69 wrote: »

I am a BIG fan of BA Club World. Try Travel Agents as well as they sometimes have better fares with BA. Not always but we do sell them discounted depending on dates/destination etc. Sometimes BA.com is cheaper but worth looking around just in case. But for Honolulu I would try Swiss and Air Canada for the best fares. Sometimes Korean also offer good prices. I hope this helps.

As much as I love BA Club World (especially upper deck on a 747), Air Canada is a good suggestion as the OP isn't tied to a particular FF scheme. Connecting in Vancouver is a much more pleasant experience than in LA.

I would also agree that unless you have money to burn, Business Class on most major airlines is special enough and I'd save the money you'd pay on flying First by getting better accommodation at your destination.

blindman

Pam17 wrote: »

We are due to celebrate our 30th (Pearl) weeding anniversary

Are you keen gardeners (sorry couldn't resist)

in 2014. We are thinking of going to visit Pearl Harbour in Hawaii and explore the rest of the islands.
Since it's a special occasion we fancy trying to fly first class for the first time with either Virgin or BA.

So we are looking on tips on how to get the best price. We do use Kayak and Skyscanner normally when researching flight prices.

Unlike when flying economy, First class and business class varies HUGELY bewteen airlines in respect of cost, service and facilities.

So your first problem is to choose your airline and type of aircraft wisely. Some cabins are years old and show their age whilst other have just been refitted and have all mod cons.

Second, as richardw points out is that you will have a stop over in the USA and the last leg to Hawaii will most probably be on a US carrier.

Not all have first class products so some research would be needed to see if it's possible\worth it.

As victor2 mentions the cost difference between Busines and First is HUGE and only those on expenses\with money to burn or reward miles fly first :cool:

The other things you have to compare with First\Business is how you get treated on the ground.

BA have a separate First class lounge at LHR-
Virgin have one of the best clubhouses at LHR for business class pax and as has been said doesn't have a first class cabin

So, look at prices for 2013 for first on your dates (?) and try to see what price range and airline options you get.

zagfles

I was determined to book first class for our honeymoon (co-incidently we went to Hawaii too), but the cost was simply ridiculous, it would have been about £6000 more than economy. In the end we flew economy, which was fine (even got free champagne and excellent service).

In the end we had 3 weeks of luxury (top hotels, top restaurants) for the same price as 2 days of luxury in first class would have cost

rocking69

Doshwaster wrote: »

As much as I love BA Club World (especially upper deck on a 747), Air Canada is a good suggestion as the OP isn't tied to a particular FF scheme. Connecting in Vancouver is a much more pleasant experience than in LA.

I would also agree that unless you have money to burn, Business Class on most major airlines is special enough and I'd save the money you'd pay on flying First by getting better accommodation at your destination.

Uhhh, I like the lower deck at the front , right by the lobby. Yes, I agree with your comments re Los Angeles. I have never flown Korean so not sure what it is like but their prices are good as well.

Doshwaster

rocking69 wrote: »

Uhhh, I like the lower deck at the front , right by the lobby. Yes, I agree with your comments re Los Angeles. I have never flown Korean so not sure what it is like but their prices are good as well.

Nah, you want to be upstairs on BA CW. It feels like you are in a small private plane, it's quieter and the service is better as the staff are less rushed.

Here's a good comparison between Club and First on BA: http://www.civilianglobal.com/journeys/british-airways-review-first-vs-club-world/ as the article says, First is worth it if you can get a cheap upgrade or use miles but I wouldn't pay the full ticket price.

Caz3121

I second blindmans point about standard varying between airlines
I have been fortunate enough to fly business and first on a number of occasions (thanks to miles) and, for example I would pick Air New Zealand Business Class (they don't do F) over United F any day of the week