British Airways First Class Can Be Booked for as little as $1998 roundtrip today, May 12, thanks to a BA first class and business class fare sale combined with an AARP discount and an extra 10% British Airways Visa discount. Thanks to TravelSort reader Martin for alerting me to the sale. Here are the details, and again, you'll need to book today, since the sale lasts until 11:59pm ET May 12.
1. British Airways First Class and Business Class Fare Sale
Go to the above link to get a sense of the fares, before adding the AARP and British Airways Visa discounts. The greatest discounts are for Thanksgiving (November 22-29, 2016) and Christmas/New Year's (December 18-January 2) travel, but rates can also be quite good other times this year, depending on dates and destination.
Keep in mind that the UK APD (Air Passenger Duty) can make it more cost effective to fly into and out of non-UK destinations in Europe, such as Zurich, instead of London.
British Airways First Class discounted fares are from these cities:
- Boston BOS
- Chicago ORD
- Dallas DFW
- Miami MIA
- New York (JFK, EWR)
- San Jose SJC
British Airways Business Class discounted fares are from these cities:
- Boston
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New York (JFK, EWR)
- San Francisco
- San Jose
2. AARP Member Discount: $400 Off British Airways Business Class and First Class
AARP isn't just for your parents or grandparents–anyone can join, regardless of age, and a good reason to pay the $16 annual fee is if you want to get $400 off a British Airways First Class or Business Class ticket. You can add a spouse / domestic partner for no extra fee, and get the discount for both of you. See my post on registering at
AARP: $400 Off British Airways Business Class and First Class Flights or go to the
British Airways AARP page to log in if you're already an AARP member.
Once logged in, the rates you see should be labeled “Discounted” in red font:
Use the British Airways Visa offer code CARDOFFERU to take 10% off the fare, in addition to the AARP $400 discount.
Here's an example of British Airways First Class NYC to London and Business Class London to Zurich that prices as $1998 roundtrip, after the AARP and British Airways Visa 10% discount have been applied:
And another example to Barcelona, JFK-LHR-BCN roundtrip for $1984:
FAQ
What Is the Cancellation Policy?
You have 24 hours after booking to change or cancel your ticket without penalty. Be sure to read the cancellation policy for the cost of cancellation after that time. At least in my case, for the ticket I booked, there's a steep $750 change/cancellation fee for changes after the 24 hour window has passed, so you'll want to be very sure you'll fly the trip as ticketed (and that there are no mistakes with your booking).
I Need to Pay for British Airways Business Class Seat Assignments?!
Yes, unfortunately British Airways, alone among the major international carriers, charges to select business class seats. This is one of the reasons I highly recommend you take advantage of this fare sale to fly British Airways First Class, and not Business Class. There is no charge to select first class seats, or Club Europe Business Class seats if part of a BA First Class ticket.
Should I Credit Miles to British Airways or Another Oneworld Partner?
It will depend on which frequent flyer program and miles you find most valuable, but I tend to credit British Airways flights to Alaska Mileage Plan. Here's what these fares earn for British Airways first class and business class:
British Airways First Class, Fare Class A
- British Airways Executive Club: 250% of miles flown
- Alaska Mileage Plan: 250% of miles flown
- Amerian AAdvantage: 150% of miles flown
British Airways Business Class, Fare Class I
- British Airways Executive Club: 150% of miles flown
- Alaska Mileage Plan: 150% of miles flown
- Amerian AAdvantage: 125% of miles flown
Keep in mind that if you'll be flying before July 31, 2016 you could
register for the current American AAdvantage promotion and earn 25,000 per first class or business class roundtrip, up to 50,000 AAdvantage miles total if you take two biz class or first class roundtrips.
Do you plan to book British Airways First Class to Europe?
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