via bribrito

For many travelers, business class seems to be reserved for passengers with a corporate expense account and those who have diligently saved up their frequent flier miles. However, a full slate of upcoming promotions will make it easier for average fliers to experience business class without going broke.

Business-class-only carrier OpenSkies, whose parent company is British Airways, launched last year with a lot of fanfare. It has yet to become very successful, but still maintains one route from New York to Paris. Though other airlines have been aggressively lowering premium class prices, OpenSkies’ $590 one-way ($1,350 round trip, after taxes and fees) is one of the best early winter deals for those flying to Paris. The current fares match the promotional prices that the airline offered when it originally began service. The $590 deal is a limited time offer. Tickets must be purchased by December 15th.

Continental Airlines offered some of the best business-class deals in the industry in September and October. Though the most amazing deals have passed, there are still some worthwhile fares for flights from Newark to Europe. The standout deal is a $1,448 round-trip business-class fare from Newark to Shannon, Ireland. A business-class flight to Stockholm will set you back $1564. Continental has competitive premium class fares to other European destinations as well.

The current prices at Aer Lingus for a New York to Shannon, Ireland flight are slightly higher than Continental’s ($1698 round trip). But Ireland’s national carrier offers quite a bit more flexibility. For the same $1698 price, passengers can choose to fly to Shannon or Dublin from New York, Chicago or Boston. Also, as long as tickets are purchased by November 30th, passengers are free to choose travel dates between January 1st and April 30th.

You don’t have to go to Europe for outstanding premium class tickets. Air Canada has been offering great deals on business-class (“Executive Class” in Air Canada’s vernacular) fares, though would-be passengers will have to sift through a myriad of overpriced premium class fares to find these gems. Current door-busters include $539 one-way business-class service from New York to Vancouver. Other deals are available to those who can purchase by December 1st and fly by February 5th.

United Airlines is a bit behind in this year’s race for business class customers. Compared with the other carriers mentioned above, their prices are almost laughably high in many cases. However, business-class offerings like $1032 one-way from Washington D.C. to Rome are worth noting, though travelers would be wise to shop around a bit before settling on a ticket from United.

Get more mileage for you money with these US airfare deals.

via Kevin Zollman

This coming Friday is the retail industry’s biggest day.  Online shoppers have to wait until Cyber Monday (on November 30th this year) to find the lowest prices of the holiday shopping season.  The travel industry is getting into the act this year with plenty of virtual door-busters for Cyber Monday 2009 deals seekers.

There has been an industry-wide effort by airlines to draw passengers to their premium class seats.  Cyber Monday promotions will include more than a few rock bottom business class fares on carriers like Continental and British Airways.  Some business class tickets to Europe will not be much more expensive than standard economy class fares.

Those who want to escape the cold Northern Hemisphere winter in the Caribbean will find plenty of one-day-only deals on Cyber Monday.  There are rumors that resorts in Jamaica and the Bahamas will be offering high-season rooms at low-season prices.

Of course, shopping is still a major theme on the Cyber Monday scene.  Hotels are offering special rates for shoppers who will receive extra perks like discounts at shopping centers located near the hotels.

Cruise lines are hoping that people will consider gifting cruises for the holidays.  Buyers can expect low prices from major cruise lines and travel agents on November 30th.

Best Travel Deals will be keeping you updated on the latest deals and promotions.  Check back early on Cyber Monday to find who is offering the best Cyber Monday travel deals during online shopping’s biggest day.

San Diego whale-watching, Ski packages in upstate NY, last-minute travel deals from Southwest for Thanksgiving, half-price rooms inthe Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Québec, and much much more in today’s travel podcast.

Travel deals for November 20th include reduced fares to China, Japan, and the Bahamas, deals on Mexican spa vacation packages, hotel deals in Europe, and much more.

A few years ago,  I took a solo trip to Spain. With amazing history, architecture and food Barcelona was easily my favorite stop. American Airlines is currently offering fares from NYC to Barcelona start at only $271.

If I were planning this trip for myself, I’d use the extra money to invest in some of the vibrant and unique clothing options they offer in Barcelona. I still have the two pairs of leather boots I purchased there over three years ago.

Discover Gaudi's handiwork at Parc Guell where you can wander the gardens and take in a panoramic view of Barcelona

During my trip, I spent a lot of time “discovering the nightlife” as it were. This didn’t leave much time or energy to see some of the historic spots. Jump on a train and check out artist Salvador Dali’s house – it’s only a little less than two hours north of the city, train rides are roughly 17 €. If this is out of your budget (or just plain out of your way) just catch one of the other Dali museums throughout the city limits of Barcelona.

More of a sports fan? Check out a FC Barcelona game or head to the museum! For 17 € you can get a tour of the stadium as well as the museum.

If museums and tours aren’t your cup of tea, head to Las Ramblasfor some people watching. This main drag is lined with shops and has an open air feel with lots of colourful characters.

Las Ramblas can be a fun place to people watch during the day. Just be careful at night - parts of it turn into the "Red Light District"

Everyone says the problem with London is the cost; the pound is strong and city life is expensive. However, for those in the know there are deals to be had at every corner, all you have to do is look in the right place and then you’ll find that the city opens up to you like you never expected.

First of all, you can’t come to London without tickets to the theatre. The West End is bigger than Broadway and tickets for big name shows are often sold out before they are even available to the public. Last year alone over 13 million people went to the theatre so at times the competition for seats can be fierce. To spare yourself the headache check lastminute.com is offering seats at the most popular shows for 15-35 pounds (compared to 75-115 pounds). If you need a little direction on what’s good right now here’s some advice: children are begging their parents to get them tickets to see Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, and the parents are all too happy to oblige. Critics have been hailing this production of Peter Pan as one of the best, with a circular center stage and actors flying high over the audience, it’s hard to believe that you’re actually sitting in one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. If you’d rather sit in a traditional theatre then check out Oliver. The Charles Dickens classic makes for a truly authentic English experience and it doesn’t hurt that Rowan Atkins (known famously as Mr. Bean and an English institution in and of himself) headlines the show as a Fagan that you love to hate. Lastly, it seems that everyone and their mother has gone to see Sister Act and has loved it. It’s the second coming of Mama Mia! in that everyone who sees it can’t stop lauding it as a ‘get up in your seat and dance’ musical, which definitely makes for a good night out.

Once you’ve gotten the most important reservations made you’re ready to sort out your accommodations. With the world wide economy not faring so well, British tourism has taken a large hit so many hotels, from one to five stars, are offering massive cuts in their rates in order to get people in their rooms, the only trick is knowing where to look for them. Again, Best Travel Deals knows where you can find the best deals in this famously expensive city. Lastminute.com is offering  50% off deals on popular and luxurious hotels in the most central and exciting parts of town. The Cavendish on Jermyn Street, next door to the original luxury goods store Fortnum and Masons, and The Grosvenor, a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace are all featured on the site at extremely impressive rates.  You’ll also find that many hotels are offering 2-for-3 deals, stay for two nights and get the third free.

And don’t forget, London isn’t all that Great Britain has to offer. This is the land of cream teas, rocky pebble beaches, the Great Countryside, Burberry, Jaguar and the Royal Family. From top to bottom there is more natural beauty than one can shake a stick at. Spend a couple of days on the coast and marvel at the Isle of Wight (the steep rock cliffs that look as if they’ve been painted a gleaming white), or rent a car and drive over to Bath where the landed gentry have been summering for centuries. Or yet, my favorite, take a guided walk through any of the thousands of National Trust estates dotted all over the country for a small donation. These grand houses used to belong to royalty and aristocracy but have since been turned over to the state due to dwindling family fortunes; walking through them is like walking through a history of unsustainable wealth, luxury and excess.

London and England in general have so much to offer the foreign traveler. Up until now it may have seemed beyond your budget but troubling economic times means that there are always great opportunities and deals to take advantage of. Check out some of our London airfare deals and you’ll see that getting there isn’t half the battle anymore; it’s deciding what to do with your time once you’re there.

From now until August 26th, you can book a trip to somewhere tropical with JetBlue for as low as $29. For travel between September 8th – November 18th, these flights leave from a handful of  major cities such as Orlando, FL, New York City, Buffalo, NY and Portland, ME to tropical locations such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. For $79 each way, I can fly from JFK in New York City to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Live upstate? You can get the same fare from Buffalo, NY.

Live a little south? Check out the $59 flight from Orlando, FL to Cancun, Mexico. I plan on giving myself an early Labor Day present of tickets from JFK to Puerto PLata, DR for $89 each-way. Not in the practice of giving Labor Day presents? This is the year to start. Just remember to read restrictions closely as there are some blackout dates. And don’t forget the sunscreen!

Join us tomorrow for a virtual Facebook kick-off. On August 21^st from 11am-6pm EST BestTravelDeals.net will be giving away a prize from their treasure chest. Prizes will include T-shirts, an Entertainment booklet valued at $1000 (great for budget travelers!) and a grand prize of a Marriott Gift Card. Read more about Marriott gift cards here, and then head to www.BestTravelDeals.net for more information

All you need to do to enter is become a fan on Facebook and let start voting on your favorite travel deals between 11am -6m EST. It’s that easy! Follow @BestTravelDeals for more updates. And tell your traveler friends, they’ll thank you later. Happy Trails!

Let’s face it, traveling can be a pain. Flying comes with it’s own unique set of headaches that would stress even the toughest globetrotters. How do you know that airfare deal you found is the best travel deal?  Simply click on the picture below to see all the various costs and rule for each airline at a glance.

Tired of traveling alone?  If you don’t have a travel companion, Air New Zealand can help you find one.  They are offering a Matchmaking Flight Package  for $580- that’s $200 off- in conjuntion with the Great Matchmaking Ball in Auckland.   On October 19th you will join other flight passengers for a pre-departure party at LAX.  The flight promises to be “buzzing with like minded folk, along with fun and games and a mystery celebrity host”.   If you’re single and you’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand check out this deal!