Spacious seats and luscious amenities can make long-distance flights bearable, and comfortable business class seats can be relatively affordable if you know where and when to book. Whether you're flying across the country or encircling the globe, here are a few tips to help you fly business class as cheaply as possible. 

Timing is Everything

If possible, book your flights on low-demand days, avoiding Mondays and Fridays. Saturday night stays can also lower your business class fare. If you have the luxury of time, research your destination's off-season, and book travel during the slower times. Great business class deals can also be found during the shoulder season, which is between peak and off seasons. While last minute business class flights can sometimes offer good deals, planning your trip well in advance is usually better.

Learn the Lingo

The luxury travel industry has its own language, and it can be helpful to learn a few of the terms that will give you access to greater business class savings. For domestic flights within the U.S., airlines often offer what they call Y-Up, K-Up or Q-Up fares. For flights in Asia and Europe, they are referred to as Z-fares. These special fares are high-priced coach tickets that usually give you access to business or first class seats. You'll probably need to go through a travel agent to book these specially coded fares.

Rack Up Points

Special airline credit cards, mileage points and travel rewards cards can go a long way toward reducing business class ticket prices. If you fly frequently, or if you are planning to take a lengthy international flight in the future, signing up for a rewards card can be worthwhile.