About

From the other side of the counter.

The Black Ticket publishes travel guides and tools written by a former travel agent. Years of booking flights for other people, written down for the people who book their own.

Why it exists

01Same plane, different price

Two people on the same flight rarely pay the same fare. The difference is when, where and how they booked, and agents learn those rules on the job.

02The rules aren't secret

They're just never explained to travelers. Booking windows, hubs, miles, seats, upgrades: each one fits on a page once someone writes it down.

03So we wrote it down

A guide to how airfare works, an app for knowing when to book, and an app for getting into business class for less.

How we work

01No sponsors

No airline deals and no affiliate links. We don't earn anything when you book a flight, so there's nothing to push.

02Kept current

Prices, fees and airline rules are dated in every guide, so you know how fresh they are. Fares change; the method doesn't.

0330-day guarantee

If a guide doesn't help you, write to us within 30 days and you get a full refund. No forms, no questions.

What we make

$9Confessions of a Travel Agent

The full playbook in nine chapters: when to book, the right hub, miles, seats, strange pricing and how agencies make money.

See the guide
$5The Fare Tracker

Log the fares you see. It adds bags and seats, watches your booking window and tells you when to book.

See the app
$9The Upgrade Field Guide

Every way into business class on 23 airlines, ranked for your flight, with what it typically costs.

See the app

All three for $19.

$23 separately. Instant access on any phone or computer, with the 30-day guarantee.