July 2022 State of the International Premium Cabin Market After slashing premium class fares for over a year, travelers have responded by piling into BIZ CLASS cabins this summer. Most of the EXTREME BIZ CLASS EVENTS (i.e Boston-Rome $350 BIZ class, Chicago-Lisbon $450 BIZ class and most recently Boston-London $350 BIZ class + taxes May 2022) have been to Europe and come to end for the short term. Why? Airlines hit their objective of filling more than 50% of the BIZ CLASS seats with MASSIVE DISCOUNTS and seat dumping in Europe. Looks like the old saying “throw enough SH!T at the wall and something will stick” holds true to airlines, but we already knew that. Airlines typically use ANYTIME awards and upgrade lotterys to distribute the leftovers. The new wave of price incentive flyers from the U.S., gobbling up seats using ANYTIME awards and cash, shows signs of tiring. Most premium class cabins for fall/winter travel remain 90% EMPTY, a condition that could set up the next wave of BUYING EVENT activity. While BUYING EVENTS can happen at any time, U.S. originated premium cabin fares U.S. to Europe with mainstream airlines (AA,DL, UA) are likely to remain elevated for summer travel. Once the current BURST of demand fades, look for another wave of MASSIVE discounting targeting fall 2022/winter 2023. Airlines have historically slashed business fares around major holidays (i.e. Memorial Day/July 4th) when their biggest buyers (i.e. corporate but that's historical) aren’t paying attention. If you’re considering fall/winter travel, now would be a good time to start the travel planning process by defining your desired itinerary and using FARE MONITOR to capture lower fares at a future date (HINT HINT!) In the interim, “SLEEPER ROUTE” opportunities from select U.S. cities and Euro originations strategies remain the BEST VALUE for U.S. cash buyers (see March Member Intel Report). Don’t forget that since 2010, the MOST EXTREME BUSINESS CLASS BUYING EVENTS have always originated in U.S. (i.e. LAX-London $362, Washington-Beijing for $40 in BIZ + taxes). Negative economic sentiment is likely to cause this pattern to resume sometime this summer. EXTREME First-Class Values -Flat Bed Suites with showers from Milan CHEAPER than MOST BIZ fares- Why settle for business when you can enjoy the luxury of your own private suite with on board shower facilities? On March 1st, Emirates resumed its New York-Milan-Dubai service using Airbus A380 aircraft, equipped with 14 super-private enclosed suites. If you feel like socializing, you can always visit the on-board bar and sip the cocktail of your choice. Private Suites with showers from Milan CHEAPER than BIZ? YESSSS! Though New York-Milan first class fares ARE frothy ($16K r.t) Milan-New York first class starts at $3,200 + taxes one way. Considering the product, the in-flight experience (perhaps once in a lifetime) and comparable fares from other carriers you quickly realize how CHEAP $3,100 REALLY is Typically, no more than 7 first class seats sell at $3,200 on any flight. If you’re lucky enough to buy one, don’t forget to tell the flyer who paid $16K how you found out about this AMAZING value! Emirates Sounds Great, but How Do I Get to Europe? Singapore Airlines flies daily between New York & Frankfurt, with continuing service to Singapore. One-way BIZ fares start at $1,562, CHEAPER than what other airlines charge for COACH on perhaps the BEST BIZ CLASS in the sky. This incredible fare has very few restrictions. To qualify, “D” class needs to be available which typically isn’t a problem to find on most dates. Singapore Airlines uses Airbus A380 aircraft equipped with 82 business class flat beds. This offer has no specific advance purchase requirement, meaning you can fly tonight for $1,562 one way as long as “D” class is available Sample fares one way and round trip fares are shown below: One Way Round Trip Ready to Begin Your Search? Members interested in taking advantage of any of these buying events are encouraged to sign into their account by clicking here. Once you've identified your desired itinerary, select 'REQUEST FARE VALIDATION'. If you're unable to find these fares levels after running your initial search, that's OK. Proceed to identify your desired itinerary and pricing will be verified in the 'REQUEST FARE VALIDATION' process. SIGN-IN TO ACCOUNT Singapore Airlines flies Houston-Manchester too! Singapore Airlines also operates Houston-Manchester on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday with continuing service to Singapore. Unlike other airlines, Singapore Airlines has no specific advance purchase requirement to access its lowest BIZ fares, starting at $2,715. Fares from Houston are higher compared with New York, but still over 50% lower compared with other carriers (i.e. AA, BA, United, Lufthansa) for last minute departures. “D” class inventory is required to access the lowest fare levels. Ready to Begin Your Search? Members interested in taking advantage of any of these buying events are encouraged to sign into their account by clicking here. Once you've identified your desired itinerary, select 'REQUEST FARE VALIDATION'. If you're unable to find these fares levels after running your initial search, that's OK. Proceed to identify your desired itinerary and pricing will be verified in the 'REQUEST FARE VALIDATION' process. "The Trend is Your Friend!" Sliding Euro, lower taxes makes Euro originations EVEN CHEAPER for U.S. flyers Massive BIZ CLASS fares cuts from several European cities combined with the Euro sliding against the USD make Euro originations the best strategy for achieving maximum business class savings. U.S. flyers are fly comfortably and SAVING BIG (often CHEAPER than COACH) by originating travel in Dublin, Madrid, Paris and Rome. Sample fares currently available are shown below. To qualify, members must meet the following requirements: • A varying advance purchase, ranging from 90-120-days to access the lowest fare levels • A 10 Day Minimum stay (reduced to a Saturday night stay only on select routes) with a 12 month maximum stay • "I" class availability on American, BA/ “P” class availability on United / “Z” class availability on Delta/Air France which may not be available on all flights • Depart the U.S. Tuesday-Friday and return to the U.S. Sunday-Thursday to access the lowest fare levels. • Fares are non-refundable and penalties may apply for changes Fares shown are round trip & are EXCLUSIVE of taxes as of July 10th, 2022. Access to these fare levels may be restricted on select departures where strong demand has allowed the minimum fare level to be bid upward. Fares have no specific expiration and may be removed at any time without notice Ft. Lauderdale- Sao Paulo BIZ CLASS From $1,410 R.T. +taxes Passport Premiere has detected the extension of a previously reported BUYING EVENT between several U.S. cities to both Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro. The lowest business fares can now be found in Ft. Lauderdale, starting at just $1,410 r.t. + taxes. To qualify, members must meet the following requirements • A 14- day advance purchase • A 7 Day minimum stay • “I” class availability on American, “P” class availability on United which may not be available on all flights • Fares are both changeable and refundable on most routes Sample fares currently available under this offer include the following: Fares shown are round trip & are EXCLUSIVE of taxes as of July 9th, 2022 Access to these fare levels may be restricted on select departures where strong demand has allowed the minimum fare level to be bid upward. 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