Flying business class can present potential buyers with difficult choices in terms of airlines, agents and such. You want to get the best deal, but you also want to get one that is reliable and from a reputable enough agent that you know you’ll be covered in case things go awry. Fortunately, many European cities are popular destinations, so there are some good deals out there if you look in the right places.

And what about exchanges? That can also be tricky as purchasing an exchangeable ticket often seems like a choice versus paying a low price. Let’s take a look at some of the current options out there and who is offering the best deals for both ticket purchases and exchanges.

Look for a consolidator

If you’re concerned about high prices on business class air tickets to Europe, you should start looking at consolidators. Yes, there are some shams out there, but there are also quite a few reliable companies that will offer you good fares with flexible conditions and decent customer service. These types of operations are becoming more widespread as air travel becomes more and more frequent. And business class options are increasing along with a corresponding increase in international business operations. If you're traveling between major hubs such as New York or Boston and London, Frankfurt, or Milan, you should definitely be able to find some great

What should you look for in a consolidator? 

There are several characteristics that you should look for in consolidators to make sure they are legit. First of all, the agency should be accredited by reputable associations. Which ones will depend on where you live, but for example if you are in the US, you should look for accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). 

In addition, you’ll want to check out third-party reviews of consolidators that you’re considering using. Be sure to look for the following characteristics:

• Reliability. Especially if you are booking business-class tickets, you’ll want to be sure the agency won’t let you down if you encounter a problem. Worst case scenario, you’ll end up losing your money altogether. But there are also a number of agencies that are technically legit but not necessarily reliable in terms of follow-through if flights should be canceled or delayed, so you’ll want to be sure you’re in good hands.
• Level of savings. Once you find a few agencies that look good, do a little comparison between them to see how much savings they’re actually offering. Some are better than others!
• Offers with alliances in addition to airlines. If you’ve got a membership with one or more alliances, you might want to look for an agency that offers deals with whole alliances. 

In addition, you'll want to keep an eye out for the exact features you want. Why exactly are you hoping to fly business class? Different airlines offer different options, of course. Among the things you should be looking foe are the following:

• Legroom. This is arguably the biggest reason people choose to upgrade. Particularly (but not exclusively) for taller flyers, the space you get in economy simply isn't adequate. And if you're on a long-haul flight like New York to London, you really want to be able to stretch out. Different airlines will offer you different options both in terms of legroom, as well as recline as some seats go completely horizontal. 
• Food options. Differences in food options between economy and business class are generally the second biggest motivation for people to upgrade. When you're doing your search, look for specifics in meal and drink options. If you've got special dietary needs, be sure the airline you're looking at will have you covered!
• Any other perks. Most airlines give business class flyers priority boarding, as well as lounge access, and amenity kits.

What about exchanges?

Exchanges and refunds can often be difficult. Sometimes it’s not clear what conditions are being offered on a given ticket. Even if you think you’ve understood the rules correctly, there is often a fine print stating that exchanges are only allowed in case of a medical emergency, due to a problem with the airline, or something else you didn’t expect. And especially if you’re flying business class, you don’t want to suddenly find yourself out 3 grand because of some obscure policy that wasn’t stated straightforwardly.

Here again, it is best to choose an agency with a reputation for handling exchanges reliably. You can go through individual airlines, but you never know when you’ll end up getting stuck and find yourself waiting on an airline’s hold system for days at a time.

Try conducting separate searches just for exchanges. See which results overlap with your results for tickets in general. That way, you'll really be able to discern the best places for both options.

Your trip to Europe awaits!

If you know where and how to look, you're sure to end up getting a great deal every time. Just be persistent and you'll soon have choice deals falling into your lap!