How to Book First and Business Class Flights Using Points and Miles
Flying first or business class doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, with the right points and miles strategy, you can experience luxury travel for a fraction of the price. If you’ve ever dreamed of stretching out in a lie-flat seat or sipping champagne at 35,000 feet, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to book those coveted premium cabin seats using points and miles.
1. Choose the Right Credit Cards for Points and Miles
The foundation of any points and miles strategy is selecting the right credit cards. Look for cards that align with your travel goals, offering lucrative sign-up bonuses and rewards in categories you frequently spend on. Some top options include:
Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve: Flexible points that transfer to multiple travel partners like United Airlines, British Airways, and Emirates.
American Express Platinum Card: Excellent for earning Membership Rewards points, which transfer to Delta, Air France, and other premium airlines.
Citi Premier Card: Great for accruing points that transfer to Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways.
Pro tip: Focus on cards within the same ecosystem to consolidate points for higher-value redemptions.
2. Learn Airline Alliances and Transfer Partners
Understanding airline alliances is key to maximizing your points. The three main alliances—Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam—allow you to redeem points on partner airlines. For example:
Use American Airlines AAdvantage miles to book Qatar Airways business class.
Redeem United MileagePlus miles for Lufthansa or ANA first class.
Use British Airways Avios for short-haul flights on American Airlines or Iberia.
Knowing transfer partners for your credit card points gives you flexibility. For instance, Chase points transfer to Oneworld airlines like British Airways, while Amex points work with Star Alliance carriers like Singapore Airlines.
3. Accumulate Points Strategically
Earning points goes beyond credit card sign-ups. Use these strategies to boost your balances:
Maximize everyday spending: Use cards with category bonuses, like 3x points on dining or travel.
Take advantage of promotions: Airlines and hotels frequently offer bonus miles for specific bookings.
Shop through online portals: Earn extra points by shopping via your credit card’s or airline’s shopping portal.
Pro tip: Don’t let your points sit idle. Frequent travelers should redeem points regularly to avoid devaluation.
4. Know How to Search for Award Availability
Finding award space is often the most challenging part of booking premium flights. Use these tools to simplify the process:
ExpertFlyer: Search for award availability and set alerts for specific routes.
Point.me: A user-friendly platform that shows the best ways to use your points for flights.
Airline websites: Some airlines, like Alaska Airlines and Singapore Airlines, display partner awards online.
Flexibility is key. Being open to alternate dates, routes, and even nearby airports increases your chances of finding award seats.
5. Plan Ahead (But Be Flexible)
Award availability in premium cabins can be limited, so planning ahead is crucial. Most airlines release award seats 330 days in advance. However, last-minute availability sometimes opens up as airlines adjust inventory.
Pro tip: If you can’t find availability initially, book an economy seat and keep checking for upgrades using points or miles.
6. Take Advantage of Stopovers and Open-Jaws
Many frequent flyer programs allow stopovers (extended layovers) and open-jaw tickets (flying into one city and out of another). These can add significant value to your trip:
Example: Use ANA miles to book a round-trip to Asia with a stopover in Tokyo.
Example: Redeem Alaska Airlines miles for a one-way trip to Europe with a stopover in Iceland on Icelandair.
These features can turn one trip into two or three memorable experiences.
7. Use Points for Luxury Airline Experiences
Some of the most luxurious airline experiences can be booked with points. A few highlights include:
Qatar Airways Qsuite: Often called the best business class in the world, bookable with American Airlines miles or British Airways Avios.
Singapore Airlines Suites: A first-class experience with a private suite, available through KrisFlyer miles.
Emirates First Class: Indulge in a shower spa at 40,000 feet, bookable with Emirates Skywards miles.
Pro tip: Research sweet spots in airline programs where the redemption value is exceptionally high.
8. Avoid Pitfalls When Booking with Points
Redeeming points can be tricky. Watch out for these common issues:
High surcharges: Some airlines, like British Airways, charge hefty fuel surcharges on award tickets.
Expired points: Always check expiration policies for your miles and points.
Dynamic pricing: Airlines like Delta use variable pricing, making some redemptions less valuable.
To avoid these issues, familiarize yourself with the rules of your frequent flyer program.
9. Transfer Points Wisely
Transferring credit card points to airlines is usually irreversible, so be sure there’s award availability before you move points. Keep these tips in mind:
Transfer only the exact amount needed for your booking.
Check for transfer bonuses—sometimes programs offer extra points during promotions.
Confirm the transfer timeline. While some transfers are instant, others can take days.
10. Sweet Spots to Maximize Value
Every frequent flyer program has its sweet spots. Here are a few to look out for:
ANA Mileage Club: Round-trip business class to Europe for just 88,000 miles.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: One-way first-class flights on Cathay Pacific to Asia for 70,000 miles.
Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles: Business class to Europe for 45,000 miles.
These sweet spots offer outsized value compared to the miles required for similar flights in other programs.
Conclusion: Unlocking the World of Premium Travel
Booking first and business class flights using points and miles is more accessible than you might think. With the right credit cards, a strategic approach to earning and redeeming points, and a little patience, you can enjoy luxury travel experiences without breaking the bank.
Start exploring award availability today and take the first step toward your dream flight. Have questions or tips to share? Drop a comment below or connect with us on Instagram at ej.explore for more insights and inspiration!
