Overhead Oops: 4 Common Mistakes When Booking Business Class

Business class is a big step up from economy and premium economy. It's also much more expensive -- potentially thousands of dollars more, if you pay cash. You can save money by booking with miles earned on your credit cards, but you'll still spend a lot more miles than you would booking economy.

Considering the cost, you definitely want to get your money's worth when you book business class. This may seem easy enough, but some mistakes can detract from the experience or cost you more.

These mistakes are normal. There are lots of differences between flying business class and economy, and if you haven't done it before, you aren't going to be an expert. That's why it helps to be aware of the most common mistakes so you know what to avoid.

1. Assuming all the seats are the same

Some people think that there's no major difference between business-class seats. That couldn't be further from the truth. The quality of your seat will depend on several things, including the airline, the route, the plane, and even which seat you choose.

For example, many airlines provide lie-flat seats that turn into beds in business class. But some only have recliner-style seats, similar to what you get in domestic first class. These aren't bad, but they're not nearly as comfortable. Check the options an airline offers before you book and if possible, go with an airline that has lie-flat seats.

Even within the same cabin, some business-class seats have advantages over others. If you're traveling with someone else, you may want to see if there are two seats next to each other in the middle of the cabin. If you're flying solo, then a seat on its own by the window may be a better choice.

SeatGuru is a great way to check seating options before you buy. You provide the flight info, and it will give you the important details on the seating options. That includes the type of seats offered, which ones are in favorable locations, and which ones have potential issues, such as being close to the galley and potentially noisy.

2. Not choosing your meal in advance

One of the perks of business class is the food. There are normally much better meal options in business class than in economy. Airlines often have recipes from well-known chefs for business-class passengers, and you get served a meal with real cutlery, not plastic.

Most airlines give you the option of choosing your meal in advance. If so, make sure to do so. There are a limited number of each meal option available. If everyone who orders before you picks the steak, and that's what you want, the flight crew could run out before they get to you. This is easily avoided by selecting your meal online before your flight.

It's especially important to do this if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. If you need a meal that's dairy-free, vegetarian, gluten-free, or meets any other requirements, the airline may have options available. But you need to request it in advance so the airline can prepare.

3. Spending more than necessary

Business class costs a premium. That's why it's even more important to get the best deal possible, because it could save you thousands.

There are a few reasons why travelers miss out on these deals. Here's what not to do if you want to save money when booking business class:

• Being inflexible about your travel dates: Business-class prices can vary quite a bit, even from one day to the next. If you're flexible, you're more likely to find a good deal.
• Waiting until the last minute: Since the business-class cabin has far fewer seats than economy, it's more likely to be completely booked if you wait too long. Also, you'll have more options if you're setting up a trip well in advance as opposed to booking at the last minute.
• Always paying in cash: You can also book business class with miles, and one of the fastest ways to earn them is with travel credit cards. Instead of paying $3,000 or more, you could redeem 60,000 to 80,000 miles.

4. Not taking advantage of all the benefits

When you fly business class, you get more than just a better seat and food. There are lots of other perks, starting at the airport. They can include:

• A priority check-in line
• A priority security lane
• Free checked baggage with higher weight limits
• Airport lounge access

You definitely don't want to spend 30 minutes waiting in the standard check-in line when you could've sped through the priority line. And it'd be a shame to sit around the boarding area or pay for an expensive meal because you didn't realize you had access to a comfortable airport lounge with free food.

Airlines typically provide info on all their business-class amenities on their websites. This could also be in the emails they send you after you book. If you're not sure what all the benefits are, make sure to find out online before your trip so you don't miss out on anything.

There's no wrong way to fly business class, but it makes sense to make the most of the experience. By avoiding these mistakes, you'll do just that.