The world of LGBTQ+ travel seems to be tailor-made for couples! Hotels are cheaper when you share a room, exclusive restaurants more affordable when you can split the bill, and flight deals often feel designed for those traveling in pairs.

But all that is changing—especially when it comes to flying solo. Today, affordable premium travel is no longer a fantasy reserved for wealthy couples or influencers with endless points. It’s becoming surprisingly accessible to lone wanderers who know how to look, when to book, and which strategies actually work. Sure, it takes some know-how, but companies like Thrifty Traveler can help!

So here it is: a guide for all you lone eagles out there looking to upgrade your solo gay travel from economy to elegant while staying on budget. If you’ve ever dreamed of boarding a long-haul flight, turning left, sinking into a lie-flat seat with a glass of the good stuff, and living the high life without one of those pesky boyfriend things in tow, then this guide is for you!

Understand That Premium Travel Has Quietly Become More Accessible

It is in the best interest of airlines to fill premium cabins. Empty business-class seats don’t earn them money, and that complimentary champagne sure isn’t drinking itself! Demand fluctuates more than you might think, and airlines regularly release discounted premium fares, partner-airline specials, off-season deals, and surprisingly cheap upgrades.

The problem is these opportunities rarely last long and almost never show up when casually browsing for flights. Thrifty Traveler is a company that is always on the lookout for these deals and can send them directly to your email the moment they appear.

Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations… If You Can!

This is where traveling alone has the most advantages, as you are free to work around just your schedule. If a business-class fare to Europe drops dramatically, you can pounce on it, and a lie-flat flight to South America is always cheaper if you can leave on a Tuesday rather than a Friday.

Take advantage of shoulder-season discounts, weekday premium fares, repositioning flights, and off-peak bonuses on weekdays. The effect of shifting your trip a day or two can be massive—something that couples and groups struggle to do.

Also, should a mistake fare show up for a particular week, you don’t have to coordinate with a partner or group. You can simply go. Mistake fares are when an airline accidentally puts a business-class seat up for the same price as economy—which happens way more than you might think! If you're registered for Thrifty Traveler Premium, they will even send you mistake fare texts and emails when they catch them.

Play the Points and Miles Game for the Win

Don’t have a clue how the points and miles system works? The truth is that very few people do and have no idea how to start. The thing is, you don’t need to go all-in—just learn enough to take advantage of the basics.

Pick one good travel credit card with a strong sign-up bonus, put your everyday spending on it, and then transfer the points to airlines when the greatest redemption appears. Turn your grocery shopping into lie-flat seats (yes, we love those enough to mention them a few times). Your restaurant dates into flight-class trips to Bangkok. Your gym membership into a luxury business-class long-haul flight to Buenos Aires… you get the picture.

Some of the best deals involve booking through partner airlines, which often charge fewer miles for the same flight.

Expand Your Horizons Beyond Your Home Airport

It’s not only major hubs like Los Angeles and JFK that get premium fares. Regional airports often get promotions precisely because airlines want to encourage long-haul travel from smaller markets. Plus, mid-sized cities often get premium fares tied to new route launches. So being a gay solo traveler living outside big cities doesn’t mean premium travel is out of reach.

Mix and Match Airlines and Flight Legs

One of the best-kept tricks in the premium travel world is combining different carriers or booking in segments. For example, you can fly economy one way and business back (or vice versa). Book a cheap domestic flight to a major hub to access better premium fares, use a mix of miles and cash, or fly business long-haul and economy short-haul—all valid strategies. This hybrid approach often cuts the total cost dramatically while still giving you that luxurious long-haul experience.

Consider Upgrades at Strategic Times

Timing is key in life, and luck, as always, is a factor. Airlines frequently offer discounted upgrades: at check-in, within the app 24–72 hours before departure, when business class isn’t fully booked, during shoulder seasons, and on red-eye flights that business travelers and couples tend to avoid—but as a single traveler, you have no problem with (assuming you aren’t in a work-related rush).

These upgrade offers can sometimes be cheaper than a checked bag!

Premium Travel Makes Solo Exploration Easier—and Safer

Flying business or first isn’t just glamorous—it’s practical. You get priority security and boarding, quieter cabins, more attentive service, onboard sleep that reduces jet lag, and lounges that offer comfort, privacy, and safety. Signing up for Premium with a company is essentially your backstage pass to all of that.

Thrifty Traveler Premium means instant alerts for all those budget business- and first-class deals mentioned above, as well as rare fares that pop up from time to time (where premium seats go at economy prices), points-and-miles sweet spots, and cabin deals all over the country.

The moment a deal drops, you get an email alert so you can book before the price vanishes. In other words: instead of doing hours of searching, the deals come to you. Your flexibility as a solo traveler means you can snag them on the spot. Furthermore, the deal alerts can be personalized and set to your airport preferences. Instructions are clear and simple to help you book with confidence, with cash and points deals sent your way and explained.

A good deal could save you upward of $2,000—which is far more than the cost of the subscription. Saving thousands on flights means more budget for splurging on things that matter—and that’ll sure buy you a lot of drinks!

Sign up for Thrifty Traveler Premium here.

Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy It

One of the biggest barriers gay men face is the feeling that premium travel is “too indulgent” or “not meant for someone like me.” Forget that imposter-syndrome mentality! You deserve to take up space—literally and figuratively. You’ve earned yourself a little joy, comfort, and TLC when you travel. As a single man, celebrate your independence and arrive as your best self, whether that’s to a wedding in the Bahamas or Mardi Gras in Sydney.

The sky—especially the front of the plane—is more accessible than ever. And you, lone gay eagle that you are, are absolutely meant to soar.

You can receive 50% off your first year of Thrifty Traveler's Premium or Premium Plus packages during their Black Friday deal from November 24 – December 2, 2025. With such a huge discount it's your perfect into to the now accessible world of flight deals! 

This article was sponsored by Thrifty Travel.