Wealth of Geeks

Wealth of Geeks

25 Ways To Score Business Class Flights for Cheap

Posted: February 27, 2024 | Last updated: February 27, 2024

<p><span>Flying in economy versus business class offers a vastly different experience, particularly regarding seat comfort, in-flight amenities, and overall tranquility.</span></p> <p><span>I used to save frequent flyer miles and credit card rewards to upgrade to business class. However, after being bumped from a flight and receiving a complimentary business-class upgrade, I’ve explored various ways to secure affordable or free business-class flights.</span></p>

Flying in economy versus business class offers a vastly different experience, particularly regarding seat comfort, in-flight amenities, and overall tranquility.

I used to save frequent flyer miles and credit card rewards to upgrade to business class. However, after being bumped from a flight and receiving a complimentary business-class upgrade, I’ve explored various ways to secure affordable or free business-class flights.

<p><span>Airlines offer special rewards to frequent flyers through loyalty programs. These programs often have partnerships with hotels, car rentals, and other businesses, allowing members to earn more points. </span><span>For instance, </span><span>Delta’s SkyMiles</span><span>, </span><span>British Airways Executive Club</span><span>, </span><span>American Airlines’ AAdvantage</span><span>, and </span><span>United’s MileagePlus</span><span> are loyalty programs that let you earn miles when flying with their airline and their partners.</span></p><p><span>Usually, you earn miles depending on how far you travel and your fare class (higher fare classes often earn more miles). You can use these miles for upgrades to business class. </span><span>If you don’t have enough miles, you can pay partly with cash for discounted business-class tickets.</span></p>

1. Redeem Frequent Flyer Miles

Airlines offer special rewards to frequent flyers through loyalty programs. These programs often have partnerships with hotels, car rentals, and other businesses, allowing members to earn more points. For instance, Delta’s SkyMiles , British Airways Executive Club , American Airlines’ AAdvantage , and United’s MileagePlus are loyalty programs that let you earn miles when flying with their airline and their partners.

Usually, you earn miles depending on how far you travel and your fare class (higher fare classes often earn more miles). You can use these miles for upgrades to business class. If you don’t have enough miles, you can pay partly with cash for discounted business-class tickets.

<p><span>Getting a lot of credit cards is like gearing up for a spending spree that might never happen. Each card adds an extra yearly cost and makes buying things without thinking if you can afford them. </span><span>Ultimately, this can leave you with big bills and a hurt credit score, making you worse off than if you had fewer cards and spent less.</span></p>

2. Use Credit Card Points for Travel Rewards

Credit card points make flying business class accessible to everyone and even let you score free plane tickets. Use your credit cards for everyday expenses like groceries and gas to earn points quickly. Then, transfer these points to airline loyalty programs to book tickets or upgrades.

Airline tickets are usually cheaper when paid from mileage redemptions. For example, a $3,000 round-trip business-class ticket worth around 150,000 points can go down to as low as 50,000 points on sale or other promotions. Look into credit cards from banks like Amex, Capital One, and Chase, which offer travel rewards. Also, consider airline-branded cards for even more points and travel-specific deals.

<p><span>To find discounted business-class fares, actively monitor promotions. Airlines frequently offer sales, especially on Boxing Day and Black Friday. </span><span>Subscribe to mailing lists of major carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, and others to stay informed about these events.</span></p>

3. Monitor Plane Ticket Sales From Airline Websites

To find discounted business-class fares, actively monitor promotions. Airlines frequently offer sales, especially on Boxing Day and Black Friday. Subscribe to mailing lists of major carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, and others to stay informed about these events.

<p><span>Actively search for business-class ticket pricing mistakes when current promotions are not available. </span><span>Flights and fares change rapidly, leading to occasional errors in pricing. While these mistakes are challenging to discover and airlines fix these quickly, you can still book them before they’re corrected. </span><span>Sign up for email alerts from websites like</span><span> SecretFlying.com</span><span>,</span><span> HolidayPirates.com</span><span>,</span><span> Flynous.com</span><span>,</span><span> Jack’s Flight Club</span><span>, and others to catch these error fares.</span></p>

4. Watch Out for Error Fares

Actively search for business-class ticket pricing mistakes when current promotions are not available. Flights and fares change rapidly, leading to occasional errors in pricing. While these mistakes are challenging to discover and airlines fix these quickly, you can still book them before they’re corrected. Sign up for email alerts from websites like SecretFlying.com , HolidayPirates.com , Flynous.com , Jack’s Flight Club , and others to catch these error fares.

<p><span>Timing can also be key to securing cost-effective deals on business-class tickets. You can benefit from low fares by booking months in advance or seizing last-minute opportunities. </span><span>Airlines may offer reasonably priced business-class upgrades on the day of your flight to fill empty seats. Check for these last-minute offers on the airline’s app or website.</span></p>

5. Book in Advance or Upgrade Last-Minute

Timing can also be key to securing cost-effective deals on business-class tickets. You can benefit from low fares by booking months in advance or seizing last-minute opportunities. Airlines may offer reasonably priced business-class upgrades on the day of your flight to fill empty seats. Check for these last-minute offers on the airline’s app or website.

<p><span>Flight comparison websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kayak, and Expedia enable users to compare flight prices and options from various airlines and travel agencies. </span><span>You can customize the search engines on these websites based on your preferences, such as dates, departure and arrival airports, number of stops, and airline alliances. </span><span>Additionally, you can filter by seating category, allowing you to discover potential price drops or special deals for business-class fares.</span></p>

6. Use Flight Comparison Websites to Spot Business-Class Ticket Deals

Flight comparison websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kayak, and Expedia enable users to compare flight prices and options from various airlines and travel agencies. You can customize the search engines on these websites based on your preferences, such as dates, departure and arrival airports, number of stops, and airline alliances. Additionally, you can filter by seating category, allowing you to discover potential price drops or special deals for business-class fares.

<p><span>While numerous ways to research travel exist, they don’t replace experience. Getting to a destination and everything going smoothly, based on the internet research you did, is rare. However, some people have worked in the industry for years, and their experience is invaluable – it could save you money and time. </span></p>

7. Find an Agent Specializing in Business Class Cabins

If you’re in a hurry or don’t have the time to sort through numerous booking sites, you can hire or book from business class agents like SkyLux Travel, SimplyBusinessClass, SkyClub, or Mr. Upgrade’s First Class Flyer to help you out.

Business class agents specialize in first-class and business-class airline tickets. They can access exclusive promotions, package deals, and discounts unavailable to the general public. These services are ideal for corporate travel, multi-destination routes, and other bespoke travel requests.

<p><span>Travelers with flexible travel dates can benefit from lower fares during shoulder season. Shoulder season occurs between a destination’s peak and off-peak travel periods.</span></p><p><span>Travelers must decide if they’re open to different destinations and whether they can travel during off-peak times and shoulder seasons. Once they’ve decided which factor is non-negotiable, pick the airlines accordingly.</span></p><p><span>For instance, January and February are shoulder-season months in <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/things-to-do-in-egypt/" rel="noopener">Egypt</a> and Turkey, so airlines like EgyptAir and Turkish Airlines will likely offer deals. On the other hand, November and early December are off-peak months in North America, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean, meaning you can find better deals from airlines like Fiji Air, American Airlines, or Virgin Atlantic.</span></p>

8. Pick Off-Peak Dates or Shoulder Seasons

Travelers with flexible travel dates can benefit from lower fares during shoulder season. Shoulder season occurs between a destination’s peak and off-peak travel periods.

Travelers must decide if they’re open to different destinations and whether they can travel during off-peak times and shoulder seasons. Once they’ve decided which factor is non-negotiable, pick the airlines accordingly.

For instance, January and February are shoulder-season months in Egypt and Turkey, so airlines like EgyptAir and Turkish Airlines will likely offer deals. On the other hand, November and early December are off-peak months in North America, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean, meaning you can find better deals from airlines like Fiji Air, American Airlines, or Virgin Atlantic.

<p>Airlines are grabbing as many headlines as Taylor Swift and Elon Musk these days. But the conversations aren’t around Boeing’s mechanical issues. </p> <p>Instead of calling out the airline or plane maker, Donald Trump Jr. <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1749845385370017829" rel="nofollow noopener">suggested</a> diversity efforts were to blame when a <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/boeing-passenger-jet-nose-wheel-fell-off-takeoff-rcna135410" rel="nofollow noopener">wheel fell off a jet</a> on a runway in Atlanta. Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida and tech billionaire Elon Musk <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1747992969653698885" rel="nofollow noopener">tweeted</a> out messages echoing Trump Jr’s allegations and, just like Trump Jr, provided no evidence to back up their claims. Musk’s were so offensive and baseless – and garnered so much support on X that civil rights groups <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/elon-musk-boeing-dei-diversity-x-posts-pilots-rcna133351" rel="nofollow noopener">made statements</a> condemning his tweets. </p> <p>Diversity and inclusion efforts aren’t the only issues the right is focusing on, either. <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/world-economic-forum-kick-davos-switzerland-global-elites-likely-face-flak-private-jets" rel="nofollow noopener">Fox News</a> called out Taylor Swift for using her private jet on a 40-minute flight after <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/world-economic-forum-kick-davos-switzerland-global-elites-likely-face-flak-private-jets" rel="nofollow noopener">dismissing similar criticism</a> as “flak” two weeks prior. </p> <p>While The Points Guy <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-points-guy-predicts-2024-to-be-busiest-travel-year-ever/" rel="nofollow noopener">predicts</a> a record number of travelers are taking to the skies this year, there’s another reason many politicians and political talking heads are focusing on air travel. Spoiler alert: it’s not airplane safety.</p>

9. Fly on Non-Business Days

After analyzing 917 million airfares in the United States, CheapAir.com’s 2024 Airfare Study reports to consumers the perfect time to buy cheap flights and factors that affect airfare pricing. According to the report, flying on Sundays is the most expensive, but Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest. Business travel makes Fridays busy, while Saturdays are popular for leisure travelers.

Following advice from this report, you’d have better luck scoring cheaper business-class fares if you decide to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Remember that this advice may no longer be valid if a holiday falls on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

10. Fly From Alternate Airports

You can find business class flights with better fares if you avoid popular airports and opt for an alternate hub nearby. Choosing a less crowded hub also means seats won’t sell out quickly, giving you more options when booking tickets. It’s a straightforward way to save on airfare, especially if you’re close to multiple airports and not rushing to your destination.

<p>A struggling customer should always contact their utility company to find out about any programs they offer. Call the customer service number on your bill. They even may cancel the charges you owe if you are income-qualified.</p>

11. Negotiate Directly With the Airline

Airlines might provide discounted business-class fares if you inquire directly. However, this depends on whether you booked during off-peak hours, group size, frequent flyer status, or other factors. Sometimes, if you miss an airfare price drop after buying tickets online, you can ask the airline for a refund or future travel credit. Negotiating seat upgrades with the airline varies, so there are no guarantees.

<p class="p1">When you ask most people about traveling post-September 2001, they may have a fuzzy recollection. The last attack on American soil led to travel times that were full of tension and people who were afraid of the aftermath. Everything else after the moment of reckoning happened to prevent a repeat of the fatal day. The attack also paved the way for travel changes that shaped the future. Members of an online platform came together to discuss how travel has changed since 9/11. </p>

12. Volunteer To Get Bumped Off Your Seats

Airlines sometimes overbook to ensure all seats are full, even with no-shows. However, if everyone turns up, airlines will have the issue that they can’t offer a seat to everybody. To solve this, airline representatives ask passengers willing to volunteer to be bumped off the flight. In exchange, they might offer business class seating on the next available flight, a voucher, or other travel perks.

<p>Believe it or not, you can turn your love for travel into a thriving business, exploring new places while helping others create unforgettable memories and earning a sweet six-figure income. How? Start your travel agency. You’ll chat with clients, get to know their budgets, interests, and travel styles, and then craft dream itineraries—booking flights, hotels, tours, and activities to make their <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/buy-now-pay-later-bnpl-travel-affirm/" rel="noopener">travel dreams</a> come true.</p>

13. Look For Consolidator Fares From Travel Agencies

Travel agencies and other wholesalers purchase tickets in bulk from airlines at a lower rate. These companies then resell these consolidator fares to travelers at a discounted price. While consolidator fares are often more affordable than regular airline prices, they have limitations or restrictions. As such, read policies before buying.

<p><span>Airlines offer their customers deals if they travel in pairs or groups. With companion tickets, you buy the first business-class ticket at full price, then the second ticket for your travel companion at a discounted rate. </span><span>Most airlines also offer discounts for booking multiple seats in business class, as long as the group travels together on the same flight.</span></p>

14. Check for Companion, Group, or Corporate Discounts

Airlines offer their customers deals if they travel in pairs or groups. With companion tickets, you buy the first business-class ticket at full price, then the second ticket for your travel companion at a discounted rate. Most airlines also offer discounts for booking multiple seats in business class, as long as the group travels together on the same flight.

<p><span>Ideal for people who travel frequently, purchasing a subscription to deal-tracking services like Going and Ashley Gets Around has the potential to save you a lot of time and money. </span><span>Ashley Gets Around</span><span> and </span><span>Going</span><span> both have international and domestic airfare promos, mistake fares, and a list of the best deals with the most miles or credit card points filtered for you.</span></p><p><span>Ashley Gets Around has a forever-free plan, but paid memberships receive all the info on airfare deals. Going has a free trial, but you’d have to pay a membership fee to continue reaping the benefits.</span></p>

15. Subscribe to Flight Deal-Tracking Services

Ideal for people who travel frequently, purchasing a subscription to deal-tracking services like Going and Ashley Gets Around has the potential to save you a lot of time and money. Ashley Gets Around and Going both have international and domestic airfare promos, mistake fares, and a list of the best deals with the most miles or credit card points filtered for you.

Ashley Gets Around has a forever-free plan, but paid memberships receive all the info on airfare deals. Going has a free trial, but you’d have to pay a membership fee to continue reaping the benefits.

<p><span>Many people know the savings they could get by purchasing accommodation, rental cars, and tours with airfare bundled in a package. That is how traditional travel agencies profit from discounted <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/best-vacation-packages/" rel="noopener">vacation packages</a>.</span></p><p><span>However, few people realize they can purchase discounted business-class tickets through a cruise line. The key is to book your flights along with the cruise package, allowing the cruise line to negotiate airfare on your behalf. </span><span>Sometimes, the cruise line also includes additional perks like extra baggage and priority check-in to enhance your experience.</span></p>

16. Buy a Vacation or Cruise Package

Many people know the savings they could get by purchasing accommodation, rental cars, and tours with airfare bundled in a package. That is how traditional travel agencies profit from discounted vacation packages .

However, few people realize they can purchase discounted business-class tickets through a cruise line. The key is to book your flights along with the cruise package, allowing the cruise line to negotiate airfare on your behalf. Sometimes, the cruise line also includes additional perks like extra baggage and priority check-in to enhance your experience.

<p>Tucker Carlson and others have been “warning” Fox News viewers about diversity efforts and the supposed impact this has on airline safety since 2021. At the time, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2021/04/13/united-airline-diversity-pilots-fox/" rel="noopener">they suggested</a> these changes would have lethal consequences for airline passengers. The conversation picked up heat again at the beginning of January when a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines flight. </p><p>The flight itself landed safely, with the crew – one of whom was a woman – receiving praise for how calmly they handled the emergency. But even when something “major” on a plane happens like this, <a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/is-spirit-airlines-safe/" rel="nofollow noopener">planes are still safe</a>.</p><p>In 2022, for instance, of the 32.2 million flights that took off, only five had fatal accidents, according to <a href="https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2023-releases/2023-03-07-01/" rel="noopener">Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transportation Association</a> (IATA). Of those fatal air crashes, none involved U.S. airlines. There hasn’t been a fatal airplane accident in the U.S. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/13/colgan-air-crash-10-years-ago-reshaped-us-aviation-safety.html" rel="noopener">since 2009</a>. </p>

17. Take a Repositioning Flight

A repositioning flight is when an airline moves an aircraft from one airport to another. They schedule these flights for operational reasons like adjusting flight schedules, maintenance, or meeting demand in other areas. Repositioning flights usually don’t carry passengers, but airlines may sell seats to the public or offer them to employees at discounted rates. Also, airlines usually do not advertise repositioning flights, but you can find them via flight-tracking websites or by contacting the airline directly.

travel agencies website

18. Be Open to Multiple Stopovers

Consider dividing your journey into multiple trips if traveling to two or more countries. You can purchase cheaper business-class fares if you opt out of direct flights. Pick shoulder-season countries as either your destination or stopover for additional savings. When you’ve booked this way successfully, always double-check the timing of connecting flights.

<p><span>You may not have heard of this strange travel term. This type of ticket is called this because if you were to draw your stops on a map, it would look like an open jaw. It’s a multi-city ticket where you can stop at one or more destinations on your way to your final stop. For example, you’ll catch a flight from New York to Rome, but with an open-jaw ticket, you can also have a layover in Barcelona. Plus, you don’t have to fly back from Rome; you can choose a different city. </span></p>

19. Take Advantage of One-Way Ticket Bookings

People often book two-way tickets in advance to avoid any hassle going home. However, if you’re trying to cut the costs of business-class tickets, you could purchase one-way fares instead. You might need to work extra hard to find a return ticket that perfectly fits your departure day and time, but you could have significant savings.

<p><span>To get waitlisted for a business-class upgrade, buy an economy-class ticket for your desired flight. Then, contact the airline and request an upgrade to business class. If seats aren’t available, ask to be waitlisted.</span></p><p><span>While this upgrade method is free, getting into the waitlist isn’t guaranteed. Airlines prioritize customers based on factors like fare class and frequent flyer status. </span><span>The airline will notify you via email, text, or booking app if a seat becomes available.</span></p>

20. Join the Waitlist for Business Class Upgrades

To get waitlisted for a business-class upgrade, buy an economy-class ticket for your desired flight. Then, contact the airline and request an upgrade to business class. If seats aren’t available, ask to be waitlisted.

While this upgrade method is free, getting into the waitlist isn’t guaranteed. Airlines prioritize customers based on factors like fare class and frequent flyer status. The airline will notify you via email, text, or booking app if a seat becomes available.

travel agencies website

21. Level-up Your Airline Status

Airlines categorize loyalty program members by status based on the miles they earn within a calendar year. Every airline has different status tiers and milestones frequent flyers must reach. Passengers with the highest status will most likely receive a free upgrade to business class if seats are available due to factors like missed flights or unsold seats.

<p>Compared to in-person auctions, these events exist on an online platform. An auctioneer accepts bids on items listed for sale, but through a screen instead of in front of a live audience. This allows people from all over to bid on items, making the competition fierce. </p>

22. Participate in Flight Auctions

Local and international airlines hold flight auctions to sell unsold business-class seats, allowing passengers to bid for them at potentially lower prices. These auctions are open to guests with economy tickets, who get notified about a week before departure to participate in the bidding. Travelers can visit the airline’s bidding page, enter their confirmation number, and place a bid for discounted business-class seats.

To participate in the auction, airlines set a bidding floor amount. It’s mostly a blind auction, which means you won’t know what others are bidding. You’ll be notified of your win or loss within days or hours of departure. You don’t have to do anything else—the airline will just upgrade your economy ticket to business class and charge your credit card. Bids are often made separately for each leg of the journey, not for the entire round trip, so read those details before bidding.

<p><span>If you can’t find any business-class airfare promotions, you can still save money by buying a regular economy ticket. Check your reservation on the airline app or website, find the upgrade option, and pay to upgrade your ticket. </span><span>This method isn’t free, but if you upgrade closer to your departure date and business-class seats are still available, the airline could offer the upgrade at a discounted rate. </span><span>Some airlines let you purchase an upgrade at the kiosk while checking in. </span></p>

23. Book Economy, Then Buy a Business Class Upgrade

If you can’t find any business-class airfare promotions, you can still save money by buying a regular economy ticket. Check your reservation on the airline app or website, find the upgrade option, and pay to upgrade your ticket. This method isn’t free, but if you upgrade closer to your departure date and business-class seats are still available, the airline could offer the upgrade at a discounted rate. Some airlines let you purchase an upgrade at the kiosk while checking in. 

<p>Millennials often receive a bad rap. Every generation faces challenges, but somehow, millennials get blamed for all that’s wrong in the world. Can we pass some of the judgment around? There may be some merit to the accusations, but we’re going to question some of the things that shouldn’t be leveled against millennials in particular. Let’s get to it!</p>

24. Buy Airline Points During Sale

People usually save frequent flyer miles and travel credit card points for airfare perks. However, not many people know that you can purchase miles even if you don’t have any plans to travel soon. Be on the lookout for airline promotions, selling miles at a discount during specific periods. Visit the airline you’re a frequent flyer with regularly, or sign up for their email list to get updated when there’s a sale on buying miles.

<p>In 2024, there isn’t a better way to parlay everyday spending into a memorable vacation than using credit card rewards. Many high-end offerings from companies like Chase, Capital One, and American Express offer rewards credit cards that reward you for shopping. Every purchase you make earns rewards that can be redeemed for cash, discounts, or free travel perks like amazing deals on everything travel-related! </p>

25. Use Cashback Programs To Save Travel Rewards

You can reduce out-of-pocket expenses you made when booking business-class flights by leveraging cashback programs. Sign up for programs offering rewards for purchases with specific credit cards or affiliated retailers. You can accumulate cashback rewards from everyday spending or directly towards flight expenses when booking through participating airlines or travel agencies.

More Articles from 'Wealth of Geeks'

  • 30 Essential Tips for Cheap Vacations
  • Vacation With Confidence: Choosing the Best Travel Insurance Plans

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Travel tips for snowbirds returning to Canada

From: Canada Border Services Agency

News release

April 12, 2024 Ottawa, Ontario

The Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian Snowbird Association are encouraging Canadians who have spent the winter abroad to plan ahead for a smooth return to Canada this spring.

These are the top travel tips to know before arriving at the border:

Have your travel documents handy.  Whether travelling by land, air or water, you can help speed up processing times by coming prepared with your travel documents.

Driving home? Plan ahead and check  border wait times . You can avoid waiting in line by planning your drive to cross the border during non-peak hours such as early morning.

Flying home? Save time with Advance Declaration .  Download the application on your smart phone to make your customs declaration up to 72 hours in advance of your arrival into Canada at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton international airports. Data shows that using this tool can reduce time at a kiosk or eGate by up to 50%.

Be prepared to declare your goods upon entry into Canada.  Gather your receipts for goods purchased or received while away before you travel and keep them readily available. Visit I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada and use the  CBSA duty and taxes estimator  to help calculate your monies owed. You should be aware of everything that is inside your vehicle as you are responsible for its contents.

Know your exemptions from duties and taxes .  If you have been outside of Canada seven days or more, you can import goods worth up to CAN$800, duty-and tax-free. Within this personal exemption, you are allowed to bring back duty and tax free: 

  • Two bottles of wine (1.5 litres total), or one large standard bottle of liquor (1.14 litres),  or  approximately 24 cans or bottles (355 ml each) of beer (8.5 litres total); and,
  • 200 cigarettes, and 50 cigars, and 200 grams manufactured tobacco,  and  200 tobacco sticks. The packages must be stamped “duty paid,” as you would find them at a duty-free store. 

Travelling with medication?  If you have a prescription for a narcotic or controlled drug, you must declare it and ensure its in properly labelled container. Learn more about your responsibilities .

Travelling with firearms? If you are travelling with a firearm be sure to check the  rules on importing firearms  and other  restricted and prohibited goods before your departure. Better yet, consider leaving the firearm at home.

Importing a vehicle ?   If you are a resident of Canada you can  temporarily import a vehicle  that is licensed and registered in the United States, however, the duty and tax implications, the length of time the vehicle can remain in Canada, and how the vehicle can be used in Canada may differ. If you are permanently importing a vehicle from the U.S. or Mexico, visit Canada’s  Registrar of Imported Vehicles  website prior to arriving at the border for details about vehicle eligibility and the overall process, including the necessary duties and taxes.

Bringing poultry across the border?  Any poultry products you wish to bring into Canada must be for human consumption, retail packaged and labelled as a "Product of the USA." Homemade food or leftovers containing poultry cannot be brought into Canada. Check the latest  Information for travellers: Restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States  before bringing these products across the border.

Travelling with a pet or importing an animal into Canada? You will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada's import requirements.

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F.B.I. Examining Free Airfare Upgrades Received by Adams

Federal prosecutors and F.B.I. agents are scrutinizing international flights taken by Mayor Eric Adams of New York aboard Turkey’s national air carrier, Turkish Airlines.

Mayor Eric Adams photographed at a news conference while wearing a dark suit and tie.

By William K. Rashbaum ,  Michael Rothfeld and Dana Rubinstein

Federal authorities investigating Mayor Eric Adams’s campaign fund-raising have been examining valuable flight upgrades they believe he received from Turkish Airlines that elevated him to its highest class of seats available on international trips, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The scrutiny is part of a broad corruption inquiry that has already led the F.B.I. to search the homes of the former top New York-based executive of Turkish Airlines and aides to Mr. Adams, who has frequently traveled abroad and has made no secret of his affinity for flying on the Turkish carrier.

The investigation burst into public view in November after F.B.I. agents searched the homes of the former airline executive, Cenk Öcal, the mayor’s liaison to the Turkish community, Rana Abbasova, and his chief fund-raiser, Brianna Suggs — and seized Mr. Adams’s electronic devices.

The inquiry has shaken an administration that has become increasingly mired in investigations and beset by legal and ethical problems .

The broader investigation has focused at least in part on whether the Turkish government conspired with Mr. Adams’s mayoral campaign to funnel foreign money into its coffers, and whether Mr. Adams pressured the New York City Fire Department to sign off on Turkey’s new high-rise consulate in Manhattan despite safety concerns.

Mr. Adams’s relationship with Turkish Airlines has extended beyond that of simply being a passenger. He has attended meetings and events with representatives of the air carrier, which is half-owned by the Turkish government’s sovereign wealth fund. Some of those interactions took place in the presence of Turkish business leaders and diplomats with their own close ties to Turkey’s government and its president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan and F.B.I. agents conducting the inquiry have developed evidence that Mr. Öcal helped arrange at least some of the upgrades in coordination with Ms. Abbasova, two of the people familiar with the federal investigation said. They and others interviewed for this article spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing federal investigation.

Mr. Adams, who extolled Turkish Airlines in 2017 when he told a pro-government publication that the carrier “is my way of flying,” received the upgrades both while serving as Brooklyn borough president and as mayor, on both official and personal trips, some of the people said.

Brendan R. McGuire, a lawyer for the mayor and his 2021 campaign, said there was nothing wrong with Mr. Adams’s receipt of the upgrades.

“As borough president, the mayor consistently disclosed his official travel to Turkey, did not receive any improper upgrades and did nothing inappropriate in exchange for an upgrade,” Mr. McGuire said. “Speculation is not evidence. We look forward to a just and timely conclusion to this investigation.”

The F.B.I. searches on Nov. 2 prompted the mayor’s abrupt return from a trip to Washington, D.C., where he was seeking federal aid for the city’s migrant crisis. They were followed by weeks of news coverage focused on the corruption inquiry, but agents and prosecutors have made few public moves since then.

Mr. Adams has not been accused of wrongdoing, and it remains unclear whether the investigation will lead to criminal charges against him, Mr. Öcal, Ms. Abbasova or anyone else.

A lawyer for Ms. Abbasova, Rachel Maimin, declined to comment. After repeated attempts to reach Mr. Öcal, including visits to his New Jersey home and messages left with his wife, he declined to answer questions or provide the name of his lawyer.

A representative of Turkish Airlines declined to comment, as did spokesmen for the F.B.I. and the federal prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, who are jointly conducting the inquiry.

Mr. Adams has long boasted of being an avid traveler, and he has taken trips in recent years to Turkey, the Dominican Republic , Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Monaco , Ghana , Azerbaijan, Greece, Israel , Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar , Senegal and China . He has talked about retiring to Azerbaijan, Israel and Lebanon.

It was unclear how many free upgrades Mr. Adams accepted while flying Turkish Airlines or what their total value was. In 2023, round-trip business class seats on Turkish Airlines between the United States and Turkey generally cost at least $3,400 apiece — or about four times as much as an economy class seat, travel industry experts said.

It was also unclear what, if anything, Mr. Öcal, the airline or the Turkish government might have gained from awarding the upgrades.

But Mr. Adams received the upgrades during a period in which he and the airline were developing a close relationship, a New York Times review of city emails suggests.

Mr. Adams has flown on Turkish Airlines since at least August 2015, when as Brooklyn borough president he took an official trip to Turkey and the carrier funded travel that his aides valued at about $1,500.

Mr. Adams took a second official trip four months later, justifying it by saying he needed to speak about “city marketing” at a conference, meet with local officials and visit a refugee camp, city records show. Mr. Adams flew Turkish Airlines on that trip as well, according to the records.

On another trip to Turkey in 2017, this time in a private capacity, he gave an interview praising Turkish Airlines to The Daily Sabah, saying that it accommodated his dietary needs and lauding its security protocols.

Sent from 2015 to 2021, while Mr. Adams was borough president, the emails reviewed by The Times make reference to a series of private meetings between Mr. Adams, Turkish Airlines executives and Turkish government officials and businesspeople, as well as appearances with them at public events.

Often the meetings and appearances were arranged through Ms. Abbasova, Mr. Adams’s liaison to the Turkish community.

More than a few involved Mr. Öcal, who appeared to be on a first-name basis with Mr. Adams. “Cenk from turkish airlines opening,” Mr. Adams wrote to his staff in response to one invitation to an event, possibly referring to Mr. Öcal’s speaking slot. Mr. Öcal would later serve as one of several hundred people on Mr. Adams’s mayoral transition team.

The first meeting described in the emails was scheduled for May 2016, when Ms. Abbasova inquired if he could attend a “dinner w Turkish Airlines.” The emails did not specify with whom he would be meeting, but his assistant responded that he would be available.

He agreed to another meeting, a dinner with Mr. Öcal at Liman, a Turkish restaurant in Brooklyn, in April 2017, the emails show. Also scheduled to attend were the chairman and treasurer of the Türken Foundation, an American charity with close ties to the Turkish government. It was incorporated in 2014 by a son of Mr. Erdoğan and another man, who at the time was a board member of Turkish Airlines. Mr. Erdoğan’s daughter currently sits on its board .

The Türken Foundation’s chairman, Behram Turan, its treasurer, Memiş Yetim, and another board member would go on to give a total of $6,000 to Mr. Adams’s mayoral campaign from 2018 to 2021, contributions that were first reported by The City . Mr. Adams’s campaign refunded $1,000 to Mr. Turan to comply with the rules of the city’s public matching funds program.

Reached late last year, Mr. Turan, an engineer who lives in New Jersey, said he was an American citizen who has lived in the country for 30 years. He added that there was nothing inappropriate about his donation. On Thursday, Mr. Yetim said he could not remember the dinner with Mr. Adams. Mr. Turan declined to comment.

In September 2017, Mr. Adams attended a Türken Foundation dinner and event with Mr. Erdoğan at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Manhattan. Mr. Adams would later present Mr. Yetim with a proclamation honoring the Türken Foundation for “outstanding achievements and contributions to society.”

In December 2017, Mr. Adams was scheduled to attend another dinner, this time with Turkish consular officials, at a Brooklyn seafood restaurant run by two of his close friends . Mr. Öcal and another top Turkish Airlines official were on the guest list, the emails show.

In 2019, the emails show, Ms. Abbasova passed along an invitation from Turkish Airlines for Mr. Adams to attend a gala at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan. Mr. Adams had another event that night but an internal staff memo noted that he would do his best to attend, the emails show. Ms. Abbasova would be on site and provide frequent updates, the memo said.

Mr. Adams did make it to the event, which featured Turkish dishes, a raw bar and high-end cocktails. He even took the microphone to speak, according to an article in Elite Traveler, a luxury lifestyle publication, which published photos of the event, including several of Mr. Öcal in a shiny blue tuxedo. Mr. Adams was the only city official listed in the account of the night, along with Turkish consular officials and diplomats, business leaders and Martha Stewart.

Mr. Adams won the Democratic mayoral primary in June 2021. Soon after, he contacted the commissioner of the New York Fire Department at the time and urged him to allow the opening of the Turkish consulate building, which had been held up over fire safety concerns. The building received a temporary certificate of occupancy that September — shortly before Mr. Erdoğan presided over the consulate’s grand opening in Manhattan .

Mr. Adams previously said it was part of his role as borough president “to notify government agencies of issues on behalf of constituents and constituencies.”

In May 2022, the Turkish Philanthropy Funds , a New-York based nonprofit devoted to supporting social investments in the Turkish and Turkish American communities, held its 15th anniversary gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Adams, who made remarks at the event, was there in a dark suit, posing with the foundation’s chairman and the night’s honoree, the billionaire founder of the strained yogurt company Chobani.

Mr. Öcal was there too, and was photographed in a tuxedo with the Turkish ambassador to the United States and their wives. It is unclear if he interacted with Mr. Adams that night. Their fortunes had gone in opposite directions.

Mr. Öcal had been fired by Turkish Airlines by then, according to a Turkish news report, and Mr. Adams was newly ensconced as the mayor.

Susan C. Beachy contributed reporting.

William K. Rashbaum is a senior writer on the Metro desk, where he covers political and municipal corruption, courts, terrorism and law enforcement. He was a part of the team awarded the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. More about William K. Rashbaum

Michael Rothfeld is an investigative reporter in New York, writing in-depth stories focused on the city’s government, business and personalities. More about Michael Rothfeld

Dana Rubinstein covers New York City politics and government for The Times. More about Dana Rubinstein

Explore Our Coverage of the Adams Administration

Contacting the Mayor’s Office: Mayor Eric Adams is now requiring any elected official, including members of Congress , to submit a lengthy online request to speak to an administration official.

Campaign Inquiry : Federal authorities investigating Adams’s campaign fund-raising have been examining valuable flight upgrades  they believe he received from Turkish Airlines that elevated him to its highest class of seats available on international trips.

Burger King and Baptisms: Adams keeps finding eye-catching ways to seize the spotlight on the issue of public safety , even when the narrative turns against him.

Gun-Detecting Technology: Adams announced that New York City planned to test technology  to detect guns in its subway system as officials seek to make transit riders feel safe after a deadly shoving attack.

Grappling With Acts of Violence: Adams was recently confronted with two tragic events that crystallized some people’s persistent fears  about the city: the shooting death of Police Officer Jonathan Diller  and a man being fatally pushed into the path of a subway train  in an unprovoked attack.

Sexual Misconduct Accusations: A woman has accused Adams  in a lawsuit of asking her for oral sex in exchange for career help in 1993 and sexually assaulting her when she refused. Adams said the accusation was completely false .