10 Surprising Business Class Perks First-Timers Often Miss

When we booked our first business class flight, we figured we knew what we were getting: champagne, spacious seats, and maybe a better meal. Those things are definitely part of the experience (and honestly, we still love them). But what we didn’t realize at the time is just how many extra perks come with a business class ticket that make the whole travel experience smoother and more comfortable.

If you’re flying business class for the first time, or are somewhat new to the experience, there’s a good chance you’ll miss a few of these simply because they’re not always obvious. Some you have to ask for, others you’ll only notice after a few flights. Here are 10 surprising business class perks that first-timers often miss, and a few stories from our own travels that taught us just how valuable they can be.

1. Priority Service from Start to Finish

Our favorite example of this is at Istanbul Airport, where there’s a dedicated business class check-in and security area. It’s not technically its own terminal, but it feels like one. You walk straight into a calm, organized space with short lines and friendly staff.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we had a private shuttle to travel between airport terminals. (We hear Emirates offers chauffeur service to and from the airport, but we haven’t flown with them.)

Even at smaller airports, you may get priority check-in, security, and boarding. Sometimes you’ll even get a designated business-class boarding queue at the front of the plane. The shorter lines make a big difference, as does hassle-free boarding.

Pro tip: You may miss out on these perks if you don’t know where to look. Look for marked business class lines at check-in, as well as fast track or priority lanes through security, and your designated boarding group or line at the gate.

📸 Click here to follow our latest adventures on Facebook!

2. Fast-Track Immigration

In addition to the priority services mentioned above, this one can save you hours if you know about it. Some airports have separate immigration lanes for business and first-class passengers, but they’re not always marked.

When we landed in Bangkok, several international flights arrived at the same time, and the immigration hall was packed. We didn’t see a sign for business class, so we asked about it. An airport staff member pointed us toward a small side lane with about ten people in it. We were through in minutes.

We’ve also used fast-track immigration lanes in Paris (Orly and Charles de Gaulle). Look for the Access No. 1 Priority signs.

Pro tip: Many airports now have priority lanes that are electronically controlled. All you need to do is scan your boarding pass to enter and skip the longer lines. Your electronic boarding pass will be marked “Priority” and you’ll generally be able to breeze through.

3. Lounge Perks You May Not Know Are Available

You may know about free food and drinks in lounges, but our favorite perk is the showers. They’re a total game changer on long travel days. We’ve used them in Copenhagen (SAS) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) during long layovers, and they make all the difference. We also showered before night flights after long days sightseeing in sunny El Salvador and, on another trip, after exploring Munich in the pouring rain during an eight-hour layover.

Some lounges even have small bedrooms or rest pods you can use on a first-come basis. Getting clean and recharged before a long flight changes everything, especially if you’re traveling multiple time zones.

Pro tip: Almost all international business class tickets come with lounge access, even if the airline doesn’t have its own lounge at that particular airport. Your airline may have a designated partner lounge or you may have access to all its alliance partner lounges.

For example, at our home airport (Washington Dulles), SAS business class gave us access to only Virgin’s lounge (not the Air France/KLM lounge that is also part of SkyTeam). On Turkish Airlines, however, we had access to all Star Alliance lounges, including the luxurious United Polaris Lounge, which we’ll discuss more below.

4. Elevated Lounges May Be Available Just for Long-Haul Business Class

Not all lounges are created equal. Some airlines have special spaces reserved only for passengers flying true long-haul business or first class itineraries. United’s Polaris Lounges are a great example. They’re limited to international business class travelers on longer journey, not short international or domestic routes. Sometimes they feel more like an elegant hotel lobby with a restaurant, concierge service, and communal and private spaces.

You can sit down for a full à la carte meal, grab food from a solid buffet, enjoy cocktails or coffee, and take a shower before your flight.

We’ve spent time in United Polaris Lounges, and they’re a huge step up from regular United Clubs, especially if you want to eat a proper meal before boarding.

United’s inflight meals leave a lot to be desired but the Polaris lounge does a fantastic job. They have an a la carte restaurant that is far superior to the meal service onboard. They also have an elevated buffet if you’d prefer something more casual.

We also love the American Flagship Lounge in Miami. We haven’t made it to Qatar’s Al Mourjan Lounge in Doha or Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris Lounge yet, but they’re on our list to check out soon.

If you’re flying long haul, always check whether your airline has a separate premium lounge. It’s an easy upgrade to miss if you don’t know it’s there.

Pro tip: Even when you’re not on a long-haul route, your international business class ticket may still include access to a standard lounge like the United Club or American Airlines Admirals Club. We almost missed this on our first business class trip to Belize. You can generally access the lounge on a domestic connecting leg, too, so long as the international flight is on the same itinerary.

In the US, domestic business class tickets usually don’t include lounge entry, although there are exceptions on certain transcontinental routes such as JFK–LAX. Check the lounge access rules online before you travel so you know what’s available.

5. Bedding and Turndown Service

The lie-flat seat on a long-haul is generally the star of the show, especially if you get some extra comfy bedding, Not all airlines do this, but we’ll never forget our first turndown service on Turkish Airlines. A flight attendant came by with a mattress pad, pillow, and blanket and turned our seat into a bed. We didn’t even know that was a thing.

This is where service really varies among airlines, but most provide a real pillow, soft blanket, and sometimes extra padding for sleeping. You don’t have to pack your own travel pillow or blanket, and you’ll probably wake up feeling rested.

Pro tip: Sometimes extra bedding and slippers are available on request (maybe even pajamas). Our clear theme here is “just ask.”

6. Free Stopover Hotels That Make Layovers Part of the Vacation

Some airlines offer free or discounted hotel stays for passengers with long layovers. Business class travelers usually get better hotels and more flexible rules.

We tried this with Turkish Airlines in Istanbul and loved it. What could’ve been a long, boring layover turned into a mini vacation. We explored the city, had breakfast with a gorgeous view of the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, and flew out the next afternoon rested and happy.

Pro tip: More airlines are offering versions of this now, so it’s worth asking or checking the airline’s website if you have a long connection.

7. Amenity Kits Worth Keeping

Theo doesn’t get excited about an amenity kit the way I do, but I’m obsessed. On our first business class flight, we didn’t even open the amenity kit because we didn’t know what it was. Now it’s something I look forward to, especially when they are done as a collaboration with a major brand.

Most kits include small comforts like an eye mask, socks, lip balm, lotion, and a toothbrush. They’re perfect for a boost mid-flight or freshening up after landing.

Some of our favorites have been the Turkish/Ferragamo bags and the United/Therabody fanny pack kit that I still use every day on my walks. It’s a small thing, but it adds a nice touch to the overall experience.

Pro tip: I always take mine from the plane, but I don’t always wind up using them. I don’t want to waste them, so I keep them for future economy trips, leave them with cash tips for hotel housekeeping, or give them to our overnight guests as a nice touch if they forget toiletries. My mom donates her unused amenity kits to local shelters.

8. Priority Baggage Tagging

We almost always travel with carry-ons, but when we checked bags for our Christmas trip to the mountains and needed winter gear, this perk really stood out. Our bags came off the carousel first, and we were out of the airport in no time, even during the busiest season when most people have a ton of luggage.

9. A Path to Elite Status

If you travel semi-regularly, business class tickets can help you gain elite status faster on paid tickets by earning more qualifying miles and points than what you’d get in economy.

That can be enough to bump you up to the next tier, and unlock future upgrades, better seats, and priority boarding, even on economy flights. In the long run, elite status saves us money, since we would otherwise pay out of pocket for these perks.

We’ve had status with both United and American, and we’ve found American to be better for upgrades. Even though we like the Star Alliance route options more, American’s loyalty perks have turned into upgrades more often. If you’re close to a new tier, a business class trip might be what gets you there.

10. Pre-Order Meals and Dine on Your Own Schedule

This perk doesn’t get talked about much, but it’s one of our favorites. Many airlines now let you pre-order your meal online before your flight, often from a wider menu than what’s available onboard. Some of the best options sell out fast, so pre-ordering ensures you get your pick.

Some airlines also offer “dine on demand,” which means you can eat whenever you’re ready instead of following a set service schedule. On long-haul or overnight flights, that flexibility makes a huge difference. You can sleep when you want and eat when you’re actually hungry.

Pro tip: While dine-on-demand is generally limited to long-haul flights, even US domestic first-class passengers can pre-order meals when they’re offered. Check the airline’s app a few days before your trip.

🤩 Just Ask 🤩

We’ve said this a bunch, but it’s important to do research and ask questions:

• Check out the perks listed on the airline’s website ahead of your trip.

• Stop at the business class check-in counter when you arrive at the airport.
• Ask about fast track, priority, and lounge access. If there’s more than one lounge option, ask which they would recommend.
• When you arrive at your destination, ask an airport employee about expedited immigration.

If it’s your first time flying business class, the key is to go in knowing what’s included so you don’t miss out.

Have you flown business class? What are your favorite perks? Let us know in the comments.

Explore More of Our Travel Tips

• Flying Basic Economy: Your 10-Step Survival Guide
• Is SAS Business Class Worth It? An Honest Review
• Best Travel YouTube Vloggers: Our 16 Favorite Channels
• Cheap Premium Economy Flights to Europe: 3 Ways to Save Big With “Budget Luxury” Options
• Why I’m Keeping My $795 Chase Sapphire Reserve and How I’m Changing My Points Strategy