Article: Unbundled Business Class fares that exclude perks like lounge access

[AFF Editor]

Traditionally, Business Class tickets include a full suite of on-the-ground benefits that are designed to remove the hassle from flying. But several major airlines now sell basic Business Class tickets which exclude access to lounges, seat selection and other perks. Etihad is just the latest example.

We've put together a guide to the airlines that do this, and what you get with their "lite" Business fares:

These Business Class Fares Exclude Lounge Access & Other Perks

Airlines including Emirates, Etihad and Finnair have unbundled Business Class, removing staples like lounge access and seat selection as standard inclusions. Are the lower ticket prices worth it?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[SYD]

The regular comment in threads here that you “Don’t need status if flying Business”, is becoming a big minefield.

The bigger problem will be when they all start removing perks from award seats (rare as they are).

 

[dmgale1960]

I want to enjoy the whole Business experience so saving a few dollars wouldn't make this attractive.

 

[dcd]

I have booked business class flights with Emirates using QANTAS points and paying around $1800 per seat. Will I still have lounge access?

 

[kelvedon]

Yes, business class award tickets get you lounge access but no chauffeur.

 

[Carmel Macmillan]

This is really interesting because I only fly business because of the flat bed. How do you access these fares?

 

[AIRwin]

How do you access these fares?

Directly through the airline website

 

[moa999]

Directly through the airline website

Or occasionally through consolidators/ OTAs who might not necessarily spell out the 'features' of these fares.

I actually suspect Jetstar with it's Basic / Max fares was one of the first to split off lounge access and points/ SC earn (albeit lounge access can be gained at Qantas branded lounges, not 3rd party with status) even if most wouldn't call it a Business product.

 

[SYD]

I actually suspect Jetstar with it's Basic / Max fares was one of the first to split off lounge access and points/ SC earn (albeit lounge access can be gained at Qantas branded lounges, not 3rd party with status) even if most wouldn't call it a Business product.

JQ was / is different because you’ve always paid extra for those extra perks eg Lounge access. Vs pay less for less…

Pretty sure JQ weren’t the first for the ++ model.

 

[Archipelago]

I flew to Rome last year with Finnair from Bangkok (BKK-HEL-FCO return)

I had a certain allowance for economy travel from the company (quoted from the cheapest ME carrier) , and with that amount I was able to instead purchase a Business Light fare myself with Finnair with room to spare. As per the article - no checked baggage, no lounge, no seat selection (not even at check-in at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport!)
And I had to travel for 8 days with only 12kg.

I managed it (the baggage), by being extremely disciplined on what clothes & stuff I took. I ended up having just under 13kg at check in, which they weighed and were fine with. (my pockets had power banks, chargers, phone, anything small and heavy )
If I had pre-booked a 23kg bag, that would have added another USD$300~ return

One thing - the article states no Priority check-in and no Fast Track - but this was not the case for BKK-HEL and I breezed through the newly revamped Fast Track at the western end of the terminal. Result.

For the lounge - walk-in Miracle Lounge in BKK is cheap, promo was around 1,200 baht at the time, so I wasn't bothered that no lounge was included outbound.

On board, there ended up being some empty window seats so I was quickly allowed to switch from my middle seat to 8A without fuss (to pre-pay a seat for the long sector was something like EUR185 per flight - was not going to pay that)

For transit in Helsinki, I only had 45 minutes - so no need for lounge there.

On the way back - At Rome Fumicino Airport, I bought walk in lounge access for EUR25 - was well worth it.
For the transit in Helsinki, I had an overnight, went back to airport in the morning, and paid extra for the Finnair Lounge access (around EUR55 - through the manage booking portal). Well worth it.

And finally - internet - the price for the full flight, inflight wifi for the 2 long legs (BKK-HEL and HEL-BKK) was very reasonable. Joined Finnair member program, and full flight was EUR19.95 - and I got a LOT of use out of it - kept me amused for most of the flight (I don't sleep well longhaul, but did get a couple of hours here and there)
For the shorter 3 hour HEL-FCO & FCO-HEL flights, I didn't bother with the EUR9.95 wifi. There was a live inflight map on the APP which kept me amused.

Everything else on board was Finnair Business Class - the fantastic seats (they're controversial but I loved them, and I am a big fella), inflight meals, drinks, service - amenity kits, snack bar - everything else was as it is for a full Biz fare.

Overall - for a long work trip (to attend a workshop) - would I do the Business Light fare again?

Absolutely. It was significantly cheaper - than the normal business fare with everything bundled in.

EDIT: and yes, I got full mileage (credited the whole trip to my Enrich account with Malaysia Airlines, as I am based in SE Asia. Made more sense)