What YouTubers Actually Pay For First Class Flights (The Honest Answer)

You’ve watched the videos: a smiling creator tours an Emirates private suite, samples Dom Perignon at 40,000 feet, and showers on the A380. The implied message is that this is the life.

But here’s what they don’t always tell you: most travel YouTubers don’t pay retail for these flights.

Understanding how they do it can help you do the same thing.

The Five Ways YouTubers Fly First Class

Method 1: Credit Card Points (The Most Common)

This is how the majority of travel YouTubers fly first class. The math is straightforward:

Travel content creators often have multiple credit cards specifically to earn points. They may spend $10,000-$20,000 per year on business expenses (equipment, travel, software) – all earning points.

The content itself funds the lifestyle. It’s a virtuous cycle.

Method 2: Airline Media/PR Trips

Airlines have PR departments. Their job is to get positive coverage of new products. When an airline launches a new first class suite, they often:

• Invite journalists and influencers to experience it
• Provide complimentary flights in exchange for coverage
• Host press trips for product launches

YouTubers with large audiences (typically 500K+ subscribers) regularly receive these invitations. The airline gets exposure; the creator gets content.

Method 3: Paid Sponsorships

Some travel creators are paid to fly first class – not the other way around.

Airlines and tourism boards contract with influencers for marketing campaigns. A top travel YouTuber might receive:

• Free first class flights
• Hotel accommodations
• Fee for creating content ($5,000-$50,000+)

When you see a creator touring “the world’s best first class,” they may have been paid five figures to film it.

Method 4: Mistake Fares and Sales

Airlines occasionally publish fares with errors – a $15,000 first class ticket accidentally priced at $1,500. Savvy travelers monitor sites like:

• Secret Flying
• The Points Guy
• Scott’s Cheap Flights (Premium tier)

YouTubers who cover these fares often book them personally. It makes for great content AND they fly cheap.

Method 5: Actual Cash (Tax Deductible)

For professional travel creators, first class flights are a business expense. If a $20,000 Emirates video generates $50,000 in ad revenue and sponsorships, the flight is an investment with positive ROI.

When you’re incorporated and earning revenue from content, the calculation changes:

How You Can Fly First Class Like YouTubers

You don’t need a YouTube channel to use these strategies:

1. The Points Strategy (Accessible to Everyone)

Start with transferable point cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex). Hit sign-up bonuses. Transfer to airline partners like Alaska for Emirates or Virgin for ANA. Book 330 days out.

2. Monitor Mistake Fares

Subscribe to fare deal newsletters. Be flexible on dates and destinations. Act fast when errors appear – they’re often corrected within hours.

3. Book During Sales

Airlines have business/first class sales, especially during off-peak periods. Sign up for airline newsletters to get notified.

What YouTubers DON’T Tell You

The Most Honest Travel YouTubers

Some creators are transparent about how they fund flights. Look for:

• Noel Philips – Often books with points, explains the process
• Sam Chui – Mix of press trips and personal bookings (disclosed)
• Josh Cahill – Discusses the economics openly
• Ben Schlappig (OMAAT) – Points expert, books most flights with miles

The Bottom Line

When you see a YouTuber in Emirates first class, remember:

1. They probably didn’t pay $20,000 cash
2. Points, comps, or sponsorships funded it
3. The same strategies are available to you
4. If you’re strategic, first class is more accessible than it appears

The “secret” of travel YouTube isn’t unlimited money – it’s understanding how the system works and using it to your advantage.