The 26 Best Ways to Redeem Alitalia MilleMiglia Miles for Maximum Value

UPDATE: Alitalia ceased operations in 2021 and the MilleMiglia program ended in January 2023.

Alitalia’s frequent flyer program, MilleMiglia, has been subject to devaluations over the years, oftentimes huge ones at that. Alitalia is a SkyTeam alliance member. The Italian flag carrier, now renationalized as ITA (Italia Trasporti Aereo), offers a way to redeem miles for flights all around the world.

Additionally, Alitalia MilleMiglia is not nearly discussed as much as other SkyTeam frequent flyer programs like Air France/KLM Flying Blue and Delta SkyMiles, though there is still some potentially great value to be had.

The airline is headquartered in Rome, Italy and has faced financial turmoil for a long time. It is also owned 49% by Etihad Airways, which has invested significantly in Alitalia operations.

There are a ton of different options for redeeming Alitalia miles, but most of them provide poor value. Here are the best ways to extract tons of added value from Alitalia MilleMiglia miles.

The Pros and Cons of Alitalia MilleMiglia Miles

Alitalia’s basic pros are:

• Great redemption prices on Alitalia flights
• Transfer partner with Amex transfer partners and Marriott Bonvoy
• You can book any SkyTeam partner flight
• You can also book non-SkyTeam partners like Etihad
• Round-trip pricing is cheaper than 2 one-way flights

Alitalia’s basic cons are:

• Unattractive award pricing on partners
• Devaluation on February 1, 2020 annihilates most of the value
• The website is clunky and the call center is unhelpful
• Difficult to predict what fuel surcharges will be prior to searching, as they change depending on the route

Alitalia’s routing rules are pretty simple. Award tickets must be used within 12 months of ticket issuance. Also, all award bookings are non-refundable unless it wasn’t used due to causes attributable to Alitalia or its partner airlines, but what exactly constitutes these causes is unclear.

Both one-way and round-trip tickets are allowed, and there are 2 award charts:

• Alitalia table (used only on itineraries solely consisting of Alitalia flights).
• Multi-carrier table (used for all partners and mixed airline tickets).

You are allowed 2 layovers and no stopovers. Mixed cabin flights are permitted. You can book open jaws, but only if the 2 cities are within the same award area. There are also no blackout periods for Alitalia award tickets, but there are blackout periods for partner flights.

You cannot combine an award ticket with a Cash & Miles ticket. If you change your reservation and the new reservation costs fewer miles, then you’ll lose the difference. The no-show date change fee is $61 (€55) or 5,000 miles, and there is no before-departure date change fee.

If you want to change your destination, you’ll pay $61 (€55) or 5,000 miles for before departure changes, while you’ll pay $123 (€110) or 10,000 miles for no-show destination changes.

You can book many partners online, including Etihad, which is a big plus. Let’s take a look at how to quickly boost your Alitalia miles balance.

How to Boost Your Alitalia MilleMiglia Miles

Alitalia MilleMiglia miles can be transferred from American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, and Marriott Bonvoy at a 3:1 ratio.

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card^®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card^®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card^®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card^®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Credit Cards
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

More Reads

• Amex Platinum 150k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of The Amex Platinum
• How to Use 100,000 Amex Platinum Points
• Amex Platinum Card Requirements
• American Express Platinum Military Benefits
• Amex Platinum and Business Platinum Lounge Access
• Amex Platinum Benefits for Authorized Users
• Amex Platinum vs Delta Platinum
• Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Capital One Venture X vs Amex Platinum
• Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve

BEST FOR DINING

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,320

Annual Fee

$250

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
• Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
• Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

• $250 annual fee (see rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Credit Cards
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

More Reads

• Find the Amex Gold 75k or 90k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Amex Gold
• Upgrade Amex Gold to Amex Platinum
• Amex Gold Benefits for Military
• Amex Gold vs Blue Cash Preferred
• Amex Platinum vs Amex Gold
• Amex Gold vs Delta Gold

The 26 Best Ways to Use Your Alitalia Miles

Before diving deep into the top Alitalia miles redemptions you can make, it’s important to talk about the actual process of using Alitalia miles. Alitalia’s online search engine is pretty robust; they can often display award availability on their partners all in one place.

If you’re searching for SkyTeam availability on Air France/KLM Flying Blue or Delta and can’t find the same availability on Alitalia, you’ll want to first confirm if it’s phantom award space. Then, you’ll want to call Alitalia at 800-223-5730 to make an award reservation. Be warned, however, as Alitalia MilleMiglia has a bad reputation for its subpar call center capabilities.

Remember to avoid booking award flights using Alitalia miles until you are certain of your travel dates and plans because these tickets are mostly nonrefundable.

Also, when you search online, you’ll want to avoid the “Flex” availability, which charges prices that are absolutely bonkers. These are huge numbers that are often 1 million miles or more in cost. Instead, only book awards that are in the Saver bucket.

Redemptions Flying Alitalia

Fly Alitalia Business Class From the U.S. to Italy (48,000 Miles)

The first and top redemption to use Alitalia miles is arguably the most useful for readers: flights from the U.S. to Italy in business class. Currently, you can book a one-way flight between the U.S. and Italy for only 48,000 miles in business class.

This is an area of phenomenal value as other carriers are charging upwards of 70,000-80,000 miles to fly to Europe. In fact, for the price of a one-way ticket on some other partners, you can get double the value by spending 80,000 Alitalia miles for a round-trip ticket, which represents tremendous value.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Boston (BOS) – Rome (FCO) – good availability
• Chicago (ORD) – Rome (FCO) – okay availability
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Rome (FCO) – nearly impossible to book
• New York City (JFK) – Rome (FCO) – decent availability
• San Francisco (SFO) – Rome (FCO) – poor availability
• Washington D.C. (IAD) – Rome (FCO) – good availability

Hot Tip: For more U.S. routes, explore our definitive guide to Alitalia’s direct routes from the U.S. to see all of your options.

Fly Alitalia Business Class on an Ultra Long-Haul Flight to South America (72,000 Miles)

Alitalia flies several ultra-long-haul flights, and these are all to South America. If originating in Italy, this is a great way to spend loads of time in their business class product. For 72,000 miles one-way or 120,000 miles round-trip, you can book Alitalia business class between Italy and Argentina, Chile, and Brazil.

Route through Argentina and Brazil to avoid fuel surcharges if that’s something you’re interested in.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Rome (FCO) – Buenos Aires (EZE)
• Rome (FCO) – Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
• Rome (FCO) – Santiago (SCL)
• Rome (FCO) – São Paulo (GRU)

When you consider that these flights are 12-15 hours in length, you can begin to imagine the tremendous value you can attain by booking these award tickets in business class.

Fly Alitalia Business Class from Italy to the Maldives (48,000 Miles)

Are The Maldives on your wishlist? Planning a trip to Italy and the Maldives? You can fly nonstop to Italy and then the Maldives with a convenient schedule using Alitalia miles. Flights from Rome (FCO) to Malé (MLE) are priced identically to flights from the U.S. to Italy.

Thus, you’ll pay 48,000 miles one-way for the Maldives flight in business class or 80,000 miles round-trip. This flight is 9-10 hours in length, so you could get lots of time relaxing in your fully lie-flat seat.

Taxes and fees will run about $254 each way, which is usually significantly less than U.S. flights to Italy.

Fly Alitalia Business Class from Italy to India (48,000 Miles)

India is one of the most sprawling nations in the world. The growth it is poised to experience, along with the cultural/historical significance, makes it a hot tourist destination. If you’re flying from Rome, you can book flights to India for 48,000 miles in business class one-way or 80,000 miles round-trip.

Currently, Alitalia flies only to New Delhi (DEL) from Rome (FCO), so that’s the routing you’ll want to take. The 7-8 hour flight features lie-flat seats aboard the A330, which is a great way to get to India.

Fly Alitalia Business Class From Italy to Japan (72,000 Miles)

Alitalia charges quite a bit for flights to North Asia, specifically Japan. However, it can still represent great value if you consider the fact that one-way tickets can cost upwards of $3,000. The 12-13 hour flight from Rome (FCO) to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) costs 72,000 miles for a one-way flight or 120,000 miles for round-trip in business class.

These flights are operated by the long-haul 777, and it’s a great way to try a solid business class product without having to pull your hair out searching for availability from the West Coast to Italy.

Fly Alitalia Economy Round-Trip Between the U.S. and Italy (50,000 Miles)

Nonstop Alitalia flights in economy can be extremely expensive. For example, tickets from Los Angeles (LAX) booked close to departure are in the thousands of dollars, which is infuriating.

Even so, you can pay 50,000 Alitalia miles + around $182 in taxes and fees to book a last-minute ticket in Alitalia economy to Italy. Remember that you don’t need to end in Rome; you can fly anywhere else within Italy as your final destination as long as it doesn’t violate the 2 layover limit as outlined in the routing rules.

Here’s are great examples of redemptions you can make:

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Rome (FCO) – Naples (NAP)
• Miami (MIA) – Rome (FCO) – Venice (VCE)

Redemptions Flying Alitalia Partner Airlines

Fly Etihad Business Class to Europe (100,000 Miles)

Perhaps the best partner sweet spot of Alitalia MilleMiglia lies in their partner Etihad Airways. Sadly, you can’t book international first class flights using MilleMiglia, but you can experience Etihad business class by flying to Europe from their Middle East headquarters in Abu Dhabi (AUH).

Alitalia charges 100,000 miles for one-way flights between the U.S. and Europe in business class, and Etihad is no exception. So, you can fly east to Abu Dhabi (AUH) and then west to Rome. In all seriousness, you should complete your flight in its entirety because it means free business class.

Etihad has 2 long-haul business class products:

• Business Studio on the 787 and A380.
• Business Class on the 777-300ER.

You can try the Business Studio on flights from Washington, D.C. and New York City. Here are some great example routes you can take:

• New York City (JFK) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Rome (FCO)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Milan (MXP)
• Washington D.C. (IAD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Rome (FCO)

Bottom Line: All in all, you can leverage Etihad’s position in the Middle East for connecting flights to Europe via Abu Dhabi more cheaply than flights directly to Abu Dhabi, which means you’ll get a free business class flight for fewer Alitalia miles. 

Fly Etihad Business Class to the Middle East (120,000 Miles)

If you’re interested in trying out Etihad but don’t want to fly to Europe, you can fly from the U.S. to the Middle East and vice versa for 120,000 miles one-way in business class. Etihad’s route network within the U.S. is small, but they have amazing products, so give it a try!

Here is a great example route you can take:

• Chicago (ORD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH)

Fly Etihad Business Class to The Maldives (120,000 Miles)

In the spirit of odd award pricing, let’s talk about the Indian sub-continent. Alitalia includes the Maldives in the Indian sub-continent, but it is priced identically from North America as flights ending in the Middle East.

What this means for Etihad travelers originating from the U.S. is that you can tack on a business class flight on Etihad from Abu Dhabi to the Maldives for the same price as a flight terminating in Abu Dhabi. Here’s a great example route you can take:

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Malé (MLE)

Although all of Etihad’s flights from Abu Dhabi to the Maldives feature recliner business class, you’ll find that these tickets are outrageously expensive in cash, often hitting $2,000 one-way. Economy is equally ridiculous at around $700 one-way for a 4-hour flight.

Fly Etihad Business Class to Southern Africa (120,000 Miles)

To extract tons of additional value from our final Etihad redemption, you can book flights from the U.S. to Central and Southern Africa using Alitalia miles. On Etihad, this means a connecting flight via Abu Dhabi (AUH).

Currently, you can fly to:

• Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB)
• Khartoum, Sudan (KRT)
• Lagos, Nigeria (LOS)
• Mahe, Seychelles (SEZ)
• Nairobi, Kenya (NBO)

Flying to either the Seychelles or Johannesburg would represent the best value both in terms of cash price and distance flown. When you consider the fact that you’re effectively getting a 6-8 hour flight in a top business class product for free, you’ll similarly understand our enthusiasm.

Here are some great example routes you can book one-way for 120,000 Alitalia miles:

• Chicago (ORD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Lagos (LOS)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Johannesburg (JNB) (24 hours in business class!)
• New York City (JFK) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Mahe (SEZ)
• Washington D.C. (IAD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Nairobi (NBO)

Bottom Line: Overall, Etihad Airways redemptions on Alitalia are a great way to get lots of value from the Italian frequent flyer program. 

Fly Air France Business Class From the U.S. to Southern Africa (120,000 Miles)

If you want to fly to South Africa but don’t want to fly on Etihad through the United Arab Emirates, you’ll be pleased to learn that you can book Air France business class for the same price. Air France is an excellent airline with a top-tier business class product (for the most part), so you’ll be satisfied with the onboard offerings.

Whether you are looking for comfortable bedding, privacy, great food, or just a top business class seat overall, Air France has got you covered. You can book Air France from the U.S. to Central and Southern Africa in business class for 120,000 Alitalia miles. Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Detroit (DTW) – Paris (CDG) – Cape Town (CPT)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Paris (CDG) – Luanda (LAD)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Paris (CDG) – Mauritius (MRU)
• Washington D.C. (IAD) – Paris (CDG) – Johannesburg (JNB)

Fly Air France Business Class From Paris to South America (120,000 Miles)

Want to take the long way from Europe to South America? You can fly from Paris to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, or Uruguay for 120,000 miles. If this is something that interests you, you can try Air France or KLM business class on these example routes:

• Amsterdam (AMS) – Buenos Aires (EZE)
• Amsterdam (AMS) – Fortaleza (FOR)
• Amsterdam (AMS) – Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
• Amsterdam (AMS) – São Paulo (GRU)
• Paris (CDG) – Buenos Aires (EZE)
• Paris (CDG) – Fortaleza (FOR)
• Paris (CDG) – Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
• Paris (CDG) – Santiago (SCL) 
• Paris (CDG) – São Paulo (GRU)

Award availability is excellent far in advance on all of these routes, which is phenomenal. You’ll get anywhere from 10-15 hours in business class by flying on these routes.

Fly Aeromexico Business Class From the U.S. to Northern South America (40,000 Miles)

Although you can fly from the U.S. to Mexico for 40,000 miles in business class, why not extend that to Northern South America for free? That way, you’ll travel longer in business class and get a free flight out of it. Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Mexico City (MEX) – Quito (UIO)
• New York City (JFK) – Mexico City (MEX) – Lima (LIM)

Fly Saudia Business Class From the U.S. to South Africa via Saudi Arabia (120,000 Miles)

Interesting in flying a unique airline? Saudia, or Saudi Arabian Airlines, is an excellent way to savor ultra-long-haul flights. You can book flights to the Middle East for 120,000 miles one-way, or continue on to Central and South Africa for the same price, getting a free 7-hour flight in business class! Just remember, there’s no alcohol served on Saudia flights.

Here’s a great example route you can take:

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Jeddah (JED) – Johannesburg (JNB)
• New York City (JFK) – Jeddah (JED) – Mauritius (MRU)
• Washington D.C. (IAD) – Riyadh (RUH) – Addis Ababa (ADD)

Fly Saudia Lie-Flat Business Class Seats on Regional Flights (48,000 Miles)

If you already find yourself in the Middle East and want to spend Alitalia miles to get a lie-flat seat, look no further than Saudia. For 48,000 miles, you can fly one-way in flat beds on the A330, 787, and even the A320!

Here are some great example routes you can take with lie-flat beds on select frequencies:

• Jeddah (JED) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) 
• Jeddah (JED) – Dubai (DXB)

Fly Saudia Lie-Flat Business Class Seats on Regional Flights (48,000 Miles)

If you want to use Alitalia miles to get a lie-flat seat to Europe on the narrow-body A320, look no further than Saudia.

Here are some great example routes you can take with lie-flat beds on select frequencies:

• Jeddah (JED) – Frankfurt (FRA)
• Jeddah (JED) – Geneva (GVA)
• Jeddah (JED) – Milan (MXP)
• Jeddah (JED) – Munich (MUC)
• Jeddah (JED) – Rome (FCO)
• Jeddah (JED) – Vienna (VIE)

Fly Business Class Within Southeast Asia (48,000 Miles)

Southeast Asia is a large area as defined by Alitalia MilleMiglia. The constituent territories are:

You can spend 48,000 miles one-way for flights within Southeast Asia, and connecting flights are included.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Beijing (PEK) – Bali-Denpasar (DPS) on Garuda Indonesia
• Koror (ROR) – Taipei (TPE) – Chengdu (CTU) on China Airlines
• Shanghai (PVG) – Jakarta (CGK) on Garuda Indonesia
• Urumqi (URC) – Changsha (CSX) on Xiamen Airlines

Fly Korean Air Business Class From the U.S. to Mongolia (100,000 Miles)

Flying from the U.S. to Mongolia is often an expensive endeavor. Cash flights are extremely expensive an economy, and get only worse in business class. Luckily, Korean Air operates nonstop flights from Seoul to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital.

Further, you can spend Alitalia miles at the same rate as flights to North Asia and get a free flight to Mongolia. This is great deal when you consider that the flight to Mongolia is also in lie-flat seats!

Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN) – Ulaanbaatar (ULN)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN) – Ulaanbaatar (ULN)
• New York City (JFK) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN) – Ulaanbaatar (ULN)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN) – Ulaanbaatar (ULN)

Fly Business Class from the U.S. to the Maldives (120,000 Miles)

Want to take a transpacific flight to the Maldives instead of transatlantic? You can fly from Shanghai or Colombo, but Colombo doesn’t offer nonstop flights to the United States so your best option for a one-stop flight is via Shanghai.

You can’t underestimate the power of a 1 stop flight, especially when you consider normal routes take upwards of 36-40 hours to get to the Maldives. You can either fly Delta or China Eastern across the Pond. Unless you’re flying on Delta One Suites, you’re better off flying on China Eastern business class.

This one-way itinerary will cost 120,000 miles in business class.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Shanghai (PVG) – Malé (MLE) on Delta One and China Eastern business class
• Chicago (ORD) – Shanghai (PVG) – Malé (MLE) on China Eastern business class
• Detroit (DTW) – Shanghai (PVG) – Malé (MLE) on Delta One Suites and China Eastern business class
• Honolulu (HNL) – Shanghai (PVG) – Malé (MLE) on China Eastern business class
• Las Vegas (LAS) – Shanghai (PVG) – Malé (MLE) on Delta One and China Eastern business class
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Shanghai (PVG) – Malé (MLE) on Delta One Suites and China Eastern business class
• New York City (JFK) – Shanghai (PVG) – Malé (MLE) on China Eastern business class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Shanghai (PVG) – Malé (MLE) on China Eastern business class
• Seattle (SEA) – Shanghai (PVG) – Malé (MLE) on Delta One and China Eastern business class

Fly KLM Business Class From the U.S. to Central and Southern Africa (120,000 Miles)

KLM currently flies nonstop to:

• Accra, Ghana (ACC)
• Cape Town (CPT)
• Johannesburg (JNB)
• Lagos, Nigeria (LOS)
• Luanda, Angola (LAD)
• Kigali, Rwanda (KGL)
• Nairobi, Kenya (NBO)
• Mauritius (MRU)
• Mount Kilimanjaro (JRO)

By flying into Amsterdam (AMS) nonstop from the U.S., you can continue onto any of these destinations for a total of 120,000 Alitalia miles one-way.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Boston (BOS) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Johannesburg (JNB)
• Chicago (ORD) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Lagos (LOS)
• Houston (IAH) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Luanda (LAD)
• Las Vegas (LAS) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Mount Kilimanjaro (JRO)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Kigali (KGL)
• Miami (MIA) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Accra (ACC)
• Minneapolis (MSP) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Nairobi (NBO)
• New York City (JFK) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Cape Town (CPT)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Mauritius (MRU)

Fly Virgin Australia Business Class From the U.S. to Oceania (120,000 Miles)

Flying on Virgin Australia is an excellent way to spend your time in the air. It ranks with the best international business class airlines in the world, so you should definitely try it out when you have the chance.

Virgin Australia’s sole routes to the United States consist of nonstop flights to Los Angeles and Honolulu. If you’re settled on flying Virgin Australia and trying out their awesome business class product, you can pay 120,000 Alitalia miles one-way.

Here are a few great example redemptions you can make:

• Honolulu (HNL) – Brisbane (BNE)
• Honolulu (HNL) – Sydney (SYD)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Brisbane (BNE)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Melbourne (MEL)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD)

Fly Air Serbia Business Class Nonstop From the U.S. to Serbia (100,000 Miles)

Interestingly, Air Serbia is a partner of Alitalia. If you have a hankering to fly to Belgrade, Serbia, then Air Serbia actually has a single non-stop flight from New York City (JFK) for 100,000 Alitalia miles. This 8-10 hour flight (depending on which direction you’re flying) will cost $400 in taxes and fees one-way.

Nevertheless, the A330-operated flight is the only nonstop to Serbia from the United States. With a herringbone product, it definitely is one of the more interesting and unique products out there. Still, lie-flat seats and a convenient schedule make this a must-consider.

Fly China Southern Business Class Nonstop From the U.S. to Oceania (120,000 Miles)

China Southern is a former member of the SkyTeam alliance. With Alitalia miles, you can still fly on China Southern, just as a non-alliance partner. If you’re using Alitalia MilleMiglia, nothing about redeeming miles for China Southern flights is changing, so that’s a big plus.

There’s a particularly nice redemption sweet spot where you can spend 100,000 Alitalia miles to fly from the U.S. to Oceania via China. Here are some great example routes you can take:

• New York City (JFK) – Guangzhou (CAN) – Melbourne (MEL)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Guangzhou (CAN) – Perth (PER)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Guangzhou (CAN) – Sydney (SYD)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Guangzhou (CAN) – Adelaide (ADL)

Access Central Asia From the U.S. via Moscow by Flying Aeroflot Business Class (120,000 Miles)

Aeroflot’s business class doesn’t necessarily win any awards, but what they do have is nonstop flights to most of Central Asia. Because of its strategic focus on this area, the Central Asian energy sector is particularly connected with Russia thanks to countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. If you spend 120,000 Alitalia miles, you’ll be able to fly in business class from the U.S. to Central Asia via Moscow (SVO).

Also, fuel surcharges from Aeroflot aren’t that bad, around $300 each way. Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Moscow (SVO) – Osh, Kyrgyzstan (OSS)
• Miami (MIA) – Moscow (SVO) – Tashkent, Uzbekistan (TAS)
• New York City (JFK) – Moscow (SVO) – Almaty, Kazakhstan (ALA)
• Washington D.C. (IAD) – Moscow (SVO) – Baku, Azerbaijan (GYD)

Fly Garuda Indonesia Business Class From Indonesia to North Asia (60,000 Miles)

Garuda Indonesia’s business class is pretty good, especially when you consider how underrated the airline is overall. You can spend 60,000 Alitalia miles to fly between Indonesia and South Korea or Japan on Garuda Indonesia business class.

Here’s the example routes we’re talking about:

• Bali-Denpasar (DPS) – Osaka (KIX)
• Bali-Denpasar (DPS) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN)
• Bali-Denpasar (DPS) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
• Jakarta (CGK) – Nagoya (NGO)
• Jakarta (CGK) – Osaka (KIX)
• Jakarta (CGK) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN)
• Jakarta (CGK) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND)

Try Kenya Airways Lie-Flat Business Class Seats within Central and South Africa (60,000 Miles)

Kenya Airways has had a relatively rocky history. Their corporate structure has alternated between publicly owned, privatized, and it is currently a hybrid of the 2. Nonetheless, the SkyTeam partner operates flights to/from its capital in Nairobi, Kenya.

With one of the most diverse route networks for intra-Africa flights, you can save a bundle of cash by using Alitalia miles for Kenya Airways flights in business class around Africa.

You’ll spend 60,000 miles each way for business class flights within Central and Southern Africa. But, you can spend 60,000 miles more each way if you originate from the United States.

When you consider Kenya Airways’ sole flight to America is an ultra-long-haul flight nearly 15 hours in length from New York City (JFK), it’s hard to imagine why you wouldn’t tack on 60,000 miles more for tons more time in business class. Plus, with a convenient schedule, you’ll be able to fly to tons more destinations in Africa with only 1 stop!

Here is a great example route you can take:

• New York City (JFK) – Nairobi (NBO) – Johannesburg (JNB) on the 787

Final Thoughts

All in all, there are loads of different and unique ways to use Alitalia miles. First, you saw the strong value redemption, using Alitalia miles for Alitalia business class flights.

Next, you learned more about Etihad Airways and how you can strategically leverage backtracking to get extra value or even the same miles through throwaway ticketing, also known as hidden city ticketing or skiplagging.

Finally, you explored the top airlines to fly on, along with the best routes for cost-effective redemption of Alitalia miles.