3 Times Business-Class Tickets Aren't Worth It

Many people say it's hard to go back to economy seating after flying business class. That's because many business-class tickets provide high-end amenities like larger seats and luxurious airport lounges. 

But even if you're used to flying business class, there are a handful of instances when it's not worth the price. Here's when it's best to skip the business-class upgrade.

1. When you pay full price 

Business-class tickets often cost thousands of dollars, leaving them out of reach for many people's budgets. Considering that economy-class tickets are far less expensive -- while getting you to the same destination -- the cost of business-class tickets can be difficult to justify. 

If you're paying full price, it's probably best to skip the business-class tickets. The good news is that travel credit cards can help you get a good deal. 

Some travel rewards cards offer welcome bonuses, allowing you to use those points for discounted or even free flights. While some cards charge an annual fee, you can find cards with no annual fees to keep your costs lower. 

Not only can you use the rewards to score cheaper flights, but some travel rewards cards include airport lounge access and free checked bags. 

2. It's a short flight 

Business class is all about the perks, but on short-haul flights, you have little time to enjoy them. Sure, the extra legroom and larger seats are always nice, but they're not worth the cost for shorter treks.

Your money and travel rewards points should probably be saved for far-off destinations, like international travel. Larger planes for long flights usually have better onboard perks, and international destinations often have the best airport lounges.

If you don't want to give up business-class tickets even for short flights, consider using a subscription service to find the best deals. Services like Going and Dollar Flight Club search for discounted flights and deliver them to your inbox, making it easy to find discounted tickets. 

Some of these services are free, but Going and Dollar Flight Club charge $199 and $168, respectively, for finding cheaper business-class flights. 

3. Your money would be better spent on the vacation

Unless you're getting a significant discount on your business-class seats, you may want to put your money toward other parts of your vacation, like a car rental or a hotel upgrade. 

And if experiences are important to you, putting your money toward exploring a new city, a snorkeling excursion, or a guided tour might be a better way to spend your money. 

Travel rewards can also be used on hotel upgrades, which may be a wiser choice than upgrading your airline tickets, especially since you'll spend far more time at the hotel than on the plane. 

Do this if you're determined to fly business class

If business class is a must-have, getting a travel rewards credit card is probably a good idea. Many cards have welcome bonuses that can go a long way toward earning discounts on business-class tickets. 

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a travel credit card:

• Check the annual fee: Some cards charge up to several hundred dollars in annual fees. But you can find good travel credit cards with no annual fees. As with any credit card, it's best to compare them to find the best one. 
• Look for a welcome offer: Ideally, you want to find a card that offers a large amount of points so you can use them toward your business-class tickets. Also, look for cards with a high reward rate when making purchases to quickly earn back the points you use. 
• Consider a transferable rewards card: A transferable rewards card may be a good option if you want to earn travel rewards but don't have preferences for which airlines you travel on or which hotels you stay in. For example, the Chase Ultimate Rewards program is a popular option for earning points that can be transferred to many airlines and hotels. Several of Chase's best credit cards earn these points. 

Ultimately, deciding to fly business class comes down to your personal preference. And if you travel often, applying for a travel rewards card could be a great way to save money.