Finding how to get cheap business class international flights is about method, not luck. Start by deciding whether you want a paid ticket or an award reservation. Award routes and partner sweet spots can cut the cash price dramatically if you know which loyalty programs to target. For transatlantic and transpacific trips, certain partner award charts and transfer partners regularly offer better value than booking the airline directly. 
Only Tips that actually save money
Use partner awards and flexible transfers
Convert transferable points and search partner award space instead of the carrier you want to fly. That often reveals seats that the operating airline is not selling cheaply.

Buy miles during promotions
When a program sells miles with a large bonus the effective cents per mile can fall low enough to book a business class seat for much less than cash. Buy miles only when you have a specific flight in mind.

Monitor error fare and deal sites
Dedicated deal services spot mispriced business class tickets and flash sales. Be ready to complete a flight booking quickly and know the rules around ticket cancellation and date changes in case an airline voids the fare.

Watch carrier flash sales and seasonal windows
Gulf carriers and some flag carriers run periodic business class sales from large hubs. If you can position yourself to a sale city you can combine a cheap one-way paid ticket with an award on the long-haul segment.

Mix one-way award and cash segments
A mixed itinerary allows you to redeem a cheap award in one of the long-haul, after which you use a low-cost cash flight to get into the departure city. Also check seat upgrades services in order that you may upgrade to a better seat in case space becomes available.
Where to look and what to expect
Consider airline hubs that operate your area and a long-haul market. South Asia and southeast Asian hubs in Doha, Dubai and Singapore are the ones that keep on promoting business fares to Europe and North America.

From North America, award sweet spots through Star Alliance and carrier partners often unlock lower-cost transatlantic business seats. For last-resort deals check error-fare aggregators and be prepared for quick decision making.

Before you commit, check the fine print on reservation rules around ticket cancellation and date changes. When buying miles or a flash-sale ticket confirm the loyalty program’s policy on refunds and the carrier’s rules for seat upgrades services. That protects you if an airline cancels the deal or if travel plans change.

Use these tactics together. For example, combine a miles purchase during a promo with a partner award search, watch deal alerts for an error fare into the same hub, and keep flexible dates. That sequence is how to get cheap business class international flights.