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22 Best Ways To Redeem Brex Rewards Points for Maximum Value

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Stephen Au
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Stephen Au

Former Senior Content Contributor

483 Published Articles

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Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used...
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Jessica Merritt

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A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little ca...
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Kellie Jez

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Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s c...
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Brex is one of the newest financial technology startups, focusing on founders, business cards, and cash-management accounts.

While it remains to be seen whether its portfolio of credit cards will eventually rival those of the major banks, its cards are tempting, thanks to a lucrative rewards structure.

Importantly, Brex established transfer relationships with a number of airlines, making us even more excited at the prospect of using these points for luxury travel experiences.

In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of the program and all of the best ways to redeem Brex points for maximum value.

Earn Brex Rewards Points

Earning Brex Rewards points is easy: All you need to do is make purchases on an eligible Brex Rewards card.

Brex Card
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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.

Earn 30,000 points after spending $3,500, or 50,000 points after spending $9,000 in the first 30 days.
30,000 points or 50,000 points
$0
N/A
Card Highlights
  • 30,000 points after spending $3,500, or 50,000 points after spending $9,000 in the first 30 days.
  • Brex offers a corporate credit card designed to help companies boost their spending power and grow faster.
  • Earn rewards and cash back on everything you spend, like 7x on rideshare and 2x on recurring software, and access exclusive events and over $400K in software discounts.
  • Build business credit from day one with a card that’s automatically paid monthly.
  • No credit check, no personal guarantee, no account fees, and no interest.
  • Save time and money with auto-generated receipts and built-in controls for real-time tracking and reporting.
  • Issue unlimited virtual and physical cards to your team, and set custom limits with auto-enforced rules on each card.
  • Close the books in record time with Brex integrations: NetSuite, QuickBooks, Workday, WhatsApp, and more | Brex
  • Additional Highlights: 24/7 customer support, fraud monitoring and protection, Brex Travel– Issue reimbursements and book global travel on Brex.
  • Brex Mastercard® issued by Emigrant Bank, Member FDIC. Brex Cash provided by Brex Treasury LLC, member FINRA and SIPC. Brex Treasury is not a bank; Brex Cash is not a bank account. Testimonials may not represent experiences of all clients. Terms apply, visit brex.com.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: N/A
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 

On top of earning Brex points quickly, Brex cards offer huge statement credits and other perks for commonly used SaaS products and services, potentially saving you thousands of dollars every year.

In general, you’ll also get access to much higher credit limits than traditional small business cards.

Transfer Brex Rewards Points to Airline Partners

You can book travel with Brex, but transferring Brex rewards points to travel partners could offer a higher value for your rewards.

Brex Airline Transfer Partners

We value Brex Rewards points at 1 cent per point, but you can maximize the value of your points by transferring them to one of Brex’s 8 airline transfer partners across all 3 major alliances: Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam.

In addition, you can access Emirates as a non-alliance partner!

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Brex Airline Transfer Partner

Minimum Points Transfer

Transfer Ratio (Brex > Partner)

Transfer Time

Aeromexico Club Premier

1,670

1,670:1,000

Up to 1 business day

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

1,670

1,670:1,000

Up to 1 business day

Avianca LifeMiles

1,670

1,670:1,000

Up to 1 business day

Cathay Pacific Cathay

1,670

1,670:1,000

Up to 1 business day

Emirates Skywards

1,670

1,670:1,000

Up to 1 business day

Qantas Frequent Flyer

1,670

1,670:1,000

Up to 1 business day

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

1,670

1,670:1,000

Up to 1 business day

Although there’s a minimum transfer amount (1,000 points), there’s no transfer increment, unlike other rewards programs such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards.

Hot Tip: Brex points used to transfer to all 8 partners at a 1:1 ratio, but unfortunately, this changed in March 2023, and now you’ll need to transfer 1,670 Brex points to get 1,000 airline miles.

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The 22 Best Ways To Redeem Your Brex Rewards Points for Flights

In the rest of this guide, we’ll show you the best ways to leverage Brex’s transfer partners to receive maximum value for your points whether you’re flying first, business, or economy.

As you’ll see, some transfer partners are better than others, but you’ll most likely be able to get superb value for your points. Let’s take a look at how:

1. Fly Emirates First Class to Europe (Emirates Skywards)

Emirates Inaugural World's Shortest A380 First Class Window Suite Cherag Dubash
Emirates first class. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

One of the most exceptional experiences you can ever have 35,000 feet above the ground is Emirates first class.

Between the glamour of the polished wood with gold finishes, the lavish food and beverage offerings, the over-the-top functionality of the personal tablets, and the incredible service from the flight crew, there’s no good reason why you wouldn’t want to fly Emirates.

Unfortunately, Emirates first class doesn’t come cheap — rates are sky-high for flights to Dubai, and fuel surcharges are off the charts. But, thanks to some interesting fifth-freedom flights, you can savor a long-haul flight in Emirates first class to Europe … and you can use your Brex points to book it.

Here are some awesome European routes you can book in Emirates first class using Emirates Skywards miles:

  • New York (JFK) – Milan (MXP) one-way for 85,000 Emirates miles + ~$103 in taxes and fees
  • Newark (EWR) – Athens (ATH) one-way for 85,000 Emirates miles + ~$103 in taxes and fees

2. Fly Emirates A380 First Class to the Middle East or Africa (Emirates Skywards)

Emirates A380 First Class Shower
Emirates A380 first class shower. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

Emirates was made famous for its first class product on the Airbus A380, which includes access to an onboard shower experience and inflight bar. Trust us, showering inflight is a fantastic way to take this luxury experience to new heights.

And while most of Emirates’ routes worldwide are operated by the Boeing 777, there are several nonstop routes served by the A380 to and from the U.S.

Here are some Emirates routes you can book in first class with at least 1 segment in the A380:

  • Houston (IAH) – Dubai (DXB) – Johannesburg (JNB) one-way for 187,500 Emirates miles + $1,222 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Dubai (DXB) – Cape Town (CPT) one-way for 187,500 Emirates miles + $1,222 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Dubai (DXB) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 160,000 Emirates miles + $1,222 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Dubai (DXB) – Cairo (CAI) one-way for 160,000 Emirates miles + $1,222 in taxes and fees
  • Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Dubai (DXB) – Nairobi (NBO) one-way for 160,000 Emirates miles + $1,222 in taxes and fees

3. Use Emirates Miles to Upgrade Paid Economy Tickets to Business Class (Emirates Skywards)

Emirates A380 Business Class Seat
Emirates A380 Business Class Seat. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

One of the biggest annoyances with the Emirates Skywards program is that each ticket in business class to Dubai, Africa, and other destinations comes with at least $800 in fuel surcharges and up to $1,300 in some cases.

One of the only ways to avoid these massive costs on Emirates flights is to book a paid economy ticket and then redeem Emirates miles for an upgrade to business class.

Keep in mind that we’d consider this to be an advanced strategy due to the fact that you can only upgrade to business class flights that have Business Saver availability.

For example, if you try to book a paid economy ticket on a flight that only has Business Flex or Business Flex Plus availability, you will not be able to confirm your upgrade.

Here are some great example upgrades you can perform:

  • Houston (IAH) – Dubai (DXB) – Malé (MLE) for 237,500 miles on a round-trip Economy Saver ticket
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Dubai (DXB) upgrade for 217,500 miles on a round-trip Economy Saver ticket
  • New York City (JFK) – Dubai (DXB) upgrade for 190,000 miles on a round-trip Economy Saver ticket

When you consider the fact that Emirates regularly sells round-trip economy tickets for less than $1,000, this is a great way to avoid the over $2,000 in fuel surcharges when booking round-trip business class award tickets outright.

4. Fly Lufthansa First Class (Avianca LifeMiles)

Lufthansa B747-8 First Class Cabin - Cherag Dubash
Lufthansa first class. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

Lufthansa first class is an extraordinary experience. While not as blingy as Emirates first class, there aren’t many other first class options you can book to Europe on points.

Air France and SWISS don’t allow award redemptions unless you have elite status and redeem a ridiculous number of points, which makes Lufthansa a much-appreciated option.

Lufthansa’s first class experience includes spacious open-air suites, Rimowa and La Prairie amenities, caviar service, top-shelf Champagne and wine, an array of solid dining options, exceptional service, and most importantly, exclusivity.

In fact, first class is only available on the airline’s Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A340-600 aircraft, both of which have become rare sights in the commercial aviation world.

The catch is that Lufthansa almost never releases availability in advance for first class seats — you’ll only be able to book these award tickets up to 15 days before departure.

In fact, most of the time, you’ll only see availability up to 7 days before departure. If you’re a last-minute flyer, this shouldn’t bother you much. But if you’re an advanced planner, it might be more difficult to accept.

Nevertheless, here are some phenomenal Lufthansa first class flights you can book using Brex points transferred to Avianca LifeMiles:

  • Chicago (ORD) – Frankfurt (FRA) one-way for 87,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$61 in taxes and fees
  • Houston (IAH) – Frankfurt (FRA) one-way for 87,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$61 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Frankfurt (FRA) one-way for 87,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$61 in taxes and fees
  • Newark (EWR) – Frankfurt (FRA) one-way for 87,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$61 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Frankfurt (FRA) one-way for 87,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$61 in taxes and fees

Additionally, here’s a 1-stop itinerary on which you can fly first class for the entire journey:

  • Houston (IAH) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Johannesburg (JNB) one-way for 105,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$61 in taxes and fees

5. Fly ANA First Class to Tokyo (Avianca LifeMiles)

ANA First Class First Look
ANA First Class. Image Credit: Stella Shon

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has one of the best reputations in the world of commercial aviation. Japan’s largest airline shares the crucial job of connecting Japan to the rest of the world with Japan Airlines (JAL), another very highly regarded airline.

However, the Star Alliance airline took the world by storm when it revamped its flagship premium cabin product. Today, ANA’s newest aircraft is famous for gigantic UHD TVs in first class, the largest business class seats in the world, and a wonderful soft product.

ANA’s first class product is consistently one of the most expensive plane tickets around, which should give you an idea of how amazing it is. Even if you don’t have the privilege of flying its newest aircraft, ANA’s “old” first class product is incredible, too.

Here are some ANA first class routes you could book with Avianca LifeMiles:

  • Chicago (ORD) – Tokyo (HND/NRT) one-way for 90,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$62 in taxes and fees
  • Houston (IAH) – Tokyo (HND) one-way for 90,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$62 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Tokyo (HND/NRT) one-way for 90,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$62 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Tokyo (HND/NRT) one-way for 90,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$62 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Tokyo (HND/NRT) one-way for 90,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$62 in taxes and fees

6. Fly Business Class to Europe Without Fuel Surcharges (Avianca LifeMiles)

Swiss Air business class seat
SWISS Air business class seat. Image Credit: SWISS Air

Star Alliance has a handful of European airlines, making it easy to fly to Europe with any member airline’s frequent flyer program.

For example, SWISS Air business class features forward-facing seats with elegant wood trim and checkered stitching. This is likely one of the best ways you can fly to Europe in business class.

SWISS business class also comes with the ability to select throne seats, terrific service, comfortable bedding, and a good catering program.

The airline levies significant fuel surcharges, but you can avoid these fees entirely by redeeming LifeMiles!

It doesn’t end there — with LifeMiles, you can book business class flights on an array of other airlines while avoiding fuel surcharges, including Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, LOT Polish, SAS, TAP Air Portugal, and United.

Here are some incredible business class flights to Europe you can book using LifeMiles without any fuel surcharges:

  • Boston (BOS) – Vienna (VIE) one-way in Austrian Airlines business class for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • Denver (DEN) – Istanbul (IST) one-way in Turkish Airlines business class for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • Houston (IAH) – Munich (MUC) one-way in United Polaris for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Zurich (ZRH) one-way in SWISS business class for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • Miami (MIA) – Lisbon (LIS) one-way in TAP Air Portugal business class for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Krakow (KRK) one-way in LOT Polish business class for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Warsaw (WAW) one-way in LOT Polish business class for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • Newark (EWR) – Porto (OPO) one-way in TAP Air Portugal business class for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • Newark (EWR) – Stockholm (ARN) one-way in SAS business class for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Paris (CDG) one-way in United Polaris class for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Frankfurt (FRA) one-way in Lufthansa business class for 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees

7. Fly EVA Air Business Class to Asia (Avianca LifeMiles)

EVA Air 777-300ER Business Class
EVA Air offers comfortable reverse herringbone seats, lie-flat capabilities, direct aisle access, fantastic food and beverage offerings, and even pajamas. Image Credit: Stephen Au

Suppose you wanted to fly to Taiwan, or even to other destinations in Asia. With Brex points, it’s possible to book an incredible flight you won’t forget — EVA Air business class.

As one of the best business class airlines in the world, it’s no secret that EVA Air is one of the go-to gems when planning trips to Asia.

EVA is generous with award availability, and the product itself showcases reverse herringbone seats, Rimowa amenity kits, top-notch bedding, pajamas, slippers, and catering by Din Tai Fung. There has even been Krug Champagne in the past!

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better business class product than this en route to Asia. And the fact that you can redeem Brex points for this experience is almost too good to be true. Almost.

Here are some of the best U.S.-Taipei nonstop flights in EVA Air business class bookable with LifeMiles:

  • Chicago (ORD) – Taipei (TPE) one-way for 90,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • Houston (IAH) – Taipei (TPE) one-way for 90,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Taipei (TPE) one-way for 85,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Taipei (TPE) one-way for 90,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Taipei (TPE) one-way for 85,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$52 in taxes and fees

8. Fly Singapore Suites to Europe (KrisFlyer)

Singapore Suites First Class Morning Coffee and Champagne
Sip on your morning coffee while your partner enjoys Champagne in the Suite! Image Credit: Alex Miller

Singapore Airlines is synonymous with sheer excellence in the world of aviation.

It was the first airline to offer double beds in first class — and it remains one of the few to do so to this day.

Each Singapore Suite (only offered on the carrier’s Airbus A380s) is enclosed with sliding doors, finished with diamond stitching akin to the interior of a luxury car, and is incredibly spacious.

Amenities include Singapore’s signature Book the Cook service with caviar and Lobster Thermidor, the choice of Taittinger or Krug Champagne, amenities by Lalique, and so much more.

Singapore Suites is simply an otherworldly experience, and you can experience it on a few routes around the world (though none to or from the U.S.):

  • Singapore (SIN) – Paris (CDG) one-way from 141,000 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • Singapore (SIN) – London-Heathrow (LHR) one-way from 141,000 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • Singapore (SIN) – Sydney (SYD) one-way from 93,500 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees

9. Fly Singapore Suites or First Class to Asia (KrisFlyer)

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 First Class - Front Front
Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 first class. Image Credit: Greg Stone

If you can’t get your hands on a first class ticket aboard a Singapore Airlines A380, don’t fret — Singapore Airlines has an exclusive Boeing 777-300ER first class product that is, in some ways, better than the A380 Suites product.

Singapore Airlines’ 777-300ER first class has just 1 row of utterly massive seats in a 1-2-1 layout and comes with the same soft product as its A380 Suites product.

The seat is incredible, but you simply can’t argue with the soft product, including the high-end amenities, Book the Cook product, and perfect service.

Fly Singapore Suites or Singapore first class to Asia by redeeming KrisFlyer miles:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Tokyo (NRT) one-way for 107,000 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Hong Kong (HKG) one-way for 104,000 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees

10. Fly Singapore Airlines Business Class (KrisFlyer)

Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 Business Class Seat
Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 business class. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Singapore Airlines doesn’t have the world’s best business class, but it’s perfectly acceptable. Most people love how large the seats are, but many aren’t fans of their firmness.

Another drawback is that the footwells at each seat are tight, so do your best to reserve the bulkhead seats that have much larger footwells.

Otherwise, the inflight entertainment is exceptional and the catering is top-notch. But, you probably won’t be blown away by the absence of amenities, including the lack of an amenity kit.

The best part, though, is that business class availability is generally easy to book using KrisFlyer miles.

Here are some nonstop business class routes you can book using KrisFlyer miles:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Singapore (SIN) one-way for 107,000 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • Newark (EWR) or New York City (JFK) – Singapore (SIN) one-way for 111,500 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Singapore (SIN) one-way for 107,000 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees

11. Fly From the U.S. to Canada in Business Class (KrisFlyer)

Air Canada Business Class
Air Canada Signature Class on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is flown on some transcontinental U.S.-Canada flights. Image Credit: Air Canada

Flying to Canada? Assuming you’re flying coast-to-coast, the most enjoyable way to book U.S.-Canada flights is aboard Air Canada’s business class product.

Known as Signature Class, these premium aircraft are equipped with reverse herringbone seats identical to what you’d experience on a true long-haul flight.

If you fly from the U.S. to Canada on one of these flights, you’ll enjoy lie-flat seats, direct aisle access, good bedding, a refined, multi-course dining presentation, good service, and plenty of privacy.

The catch? Award availability is pretty hard to find, and these products are only offered on a few premium transcontinental routes.

Here are some redemption ideas for Air Canada business class flights (KrisFlyer has the best redemption rates):

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Toronto (YYZ) one-way for 26,000 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • Newark (EWR) – Vancouver (YVR) one-way for 26,000 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Toronto (YYZ) one-way for 26,000 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees

12. Book Economy Flights Between the U.S. and Hawaii (KrisFlyer)

United economy multimedia view
Enjoy inflight entertainment en route to Hawaii in United economy class. Image Credit: United

Flights to Hawaii can get really expensive really quickly — using points could potentially save you thousands of dollars, even on economy flights. To accomplish this, we recommend transferring your Brex points to Singapore KrisFlyer.

That’s because you can redeem just 12,500 miles one-way or 25,000 miles round-trip for a flight between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii!

If you can’t find availability on the Singapore Airlines website, give them a call after finding Saver-level award space on United’s website.

Here are some great routes you can book in United economy:

  • Chicago (ORD) – Kona (KOA) one-way for 19,500 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • Denver (DEN) – Lihue (LIH) one-way for 19,500 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • Newark (EWR) – Kahului (OGG) one-way for 19,500 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Hilo (ITO) one-way for 19,500 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees
  • Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Honolulu (HNL) one-way for 19,500 KrisFlyer miles + ~$5.60 in taxes and fees

13. Fly EL AL Business Class to Israel (Qantas Frequent Flyer)

EL AL business class
EL AL business class. Image Credit: EL AL

EL AL is the flag carrier of Israel, with nonstop long-haul flights operating out of its hub in Tel Aviv (TLV).

In the past, EL AL was considered a necessary evil to fly nonstop to Israel. However, ever since the carrier retired its outdated aircraft with sub-par seats and replaced them with high-tech Dreamliner aircraft, many travelers have gone out of their way to fly EL AL.

There aren’t many ways to book EL AL business class using points. Luckily, though, Brex is transfer partners with the main option: Qantas Frequent Flyer.

Be warned, these aren’t terribly competitive award prices. The alternative would be to try to find availability on American Airlines, Delta, or United, which is virtually impossible. Plus, EL AL is uniquely positioned with 2 nonstop routes to Los Angeles and Miami that no other airline offers.

Here are the recommended redemptions you can make for EL AL business class:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Tel Aviv (TLV) one-way for 119,200 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$33 in taxes and fees
  • Miami (MIA) – Tel Aviv (TLV) one-way for 104,500 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$33 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Tel Aviv (TLV) one-way for 90,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$33 in taxes and fees

Hot Tip: Explore your options to fly to Israel in our guide to the best ways to fly to the Middle East and North Africa with points and miles.

14. Book China Eastern First Class to Shanghai (Qantas Frequent Flyer)

China Eastern 777 First Class
China Eastern’s 777 first class offers fully lie-flat double beds along with doors! Image Credit: China Eastern

In the spirit of unique redemptions, here’s one you probably didn’t see coming.

Did you know that China Eastern is one of the few airlines that has double beds in the sky? That’s right — China Eastern is a member of the exclusive club that also includes Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways.

China Eastern operates first class-equipped Boeing 777-300ER aircraft out of Shanghai’s Pudong Airport to a few gateways in the U.S.

With ordinary SkyTeam frequent flyer programs like Flying Blue or Delta SkyMiles, it’s not possible to book international first class products. Enter Qantas Frequent Flyer!

Remember, these redemption prices aren’t exactly sweet spots, but this method is one of the only ways to book nonstop first class flights to China using points:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Shanghai (PVG) one-way for 149,800 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$333 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Shanghai (PVG) one-way for 170,800 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$333 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Shanghai (PVG) one-way for 149,800 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$333 in taxes and fees

15. Access Enhanced Qantas Award Availability to Australia (Qantas Frequent Flyer)

Qantas Airbus A330 Business Class Window Seat 4K
Qantas business class aboard an A330. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Qantas is probably the best way to fly to Australia. With exceptional lounges around the world, an updated lie-flat business class seat with direct aisle access, and great service, you ought to book this product if you find availability.

The challenge, though, is exactly that: finding availability. Qantas business class availability is pretty rare, particularly for U.S.-Australia flights.

One way you can tip the scales in your favor is to transfer your points to Qantas Frequent Flyer.

Sure, you’ll redeem more points, but you’ll also get access to the best award availability in the event that you don’t have that much flexibility.

Here are some great example redemptions you can make for Qantas business class seats:

  • Dallas (DFW) – Sydney (SYD) one-way for 126,500 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$83 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Brisbane (BNE) one-way for 108,400 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$83 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Melbourne (MEL) one-way for 108,400 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$83 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD) one-way for 108,400 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$83 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Sydney (SYD) one-way for 108,400 Qantas Frequent Flyer points + ~$83 in taxes and fees

16. Fly Cathay Pacific First or Business Class (Asia Miles)

Cathay Pacific 777 first class cabin
Cathay Pacific 777 first class offers the widest seats — an astonishing 36 inches! Image Credit: Stephen Au

Cathay Pacific has one of the most elite first class products in the world. The airline has incredible lounges, legendary service, incredible amenities, and fantastic seats.

In general, booking Cathay Pacific first class is only possible in advance for 1 passenger. You’ll almost always have to book the second passenger closer to departure (usually within a week of departure).

This redemption benefits solo travelers the most, though it’s still possible to pull off the booking for duos.

Cathay Pacific business class, though, is a different story. You’ll sometimes find award availability for 4 passengers, and the product is a solid reverse herringbone seat with comfortable bedding and solid food and beverage selections.

In general, Cathay Pacific award availability is most plentiful to members of its own frequent flyer program — Asia Miles.

Cathay Pacific has a handful of nonstop U.S. routes offering first class:

  • Boston (BOS) – Hong Kong (HKG) one-way for 125,000 Asia Miles + ~$174 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Hong Kong (HKG) one-way for 110,000 Asia Miles + ~$174 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Hong Kong (HKG) one-way for 125,000 Asia Miles + ~$174 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Hong Kong (HKG) one-way for 110,000 Asia Miles + ~$174 in taxes and fees

Meanwhile, here are some examples of business class flights you can book:

  • Chicago (ORD) – Hong Kong (HKG) one-way for 85,000 Asia Miles + ~$174 in taxes and fees
  • Seattle (SEA) – Hong Kong (HKG) one-way for 85,000 Asia Miles + ~$174 in taxes and fees
  • Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Hong Kong (HKG) one-way for 85,000 Asia Miles + ~$174 in taxes and fees

17. Fly LATAM Business Class to South America (Asia Miles)

LATAM Business Class
LATAM business class. Image Credit: LATAM

Flying to South America can be surprisingly complicated, despite its relative proximity.

But trips to South America can be appealing to those from the U.S., due to the minimal time changes, the immense culture, and the affordable prices compared to Europe.

If you’re flying out of a U.S. gateway like Los Angeles, New York, or Miami, you can book nonstop flights on LATAM using Brex points.

LATAM is one of the biggest airlines in Latin America, and it’s one of the only full-service carriers offering a true business class product.

This airline’s business class seat is fully lie-flat in a 2-2-2 configuration with direct aisle access at all seats except window seats.

The bedding spread is a mattress pad, a doona, and a plush pillow. You’ll enjoy a diverse selection of South American wines, a tasty meal service, and professional service.

Here are some great example redemptions for LATAM business class you can book with Asia Miles:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Santiago (SCL) one-way for 75,000 Asia Miles + ~$30 in taxes and fees
  • Miami (MIA) – Bogotá (BOG) one-way for 30,000 Asia Miles + ~$30 in taxes and fees
  • Miami (MIA) – Lima (LIM) one-way for 30,000 Asia Miles + ~$30 in taxes and fees
  • Miami (MIA) – São Paulo (GRU) one-way for 61,000 Asia Miles + ~$30 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Lima (LIM) one-way for 61,000 Asia Miles + ~$30 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Santiago (SCL) one-way for 75,000 Asia Miles + ~$30 in taxes and fees
  • Orlando (MCO) – São Paulo (GRU) one-way for 61,000 Asia Miles + ~$30 in taxes and fees

18. Fly Qatar Airways Qsuites to the Middle East or Africa (Asia Miles)

Qatar Qsuites A350 Seat View
Qatar Airways Qsuites. Image Credit: Alex Miller

Qatar Airways’ Qsuites is one of the world’s top business class products.

In addition to sliding doors and enclosed suites, it has double beds, lavish amenities, incredible service, and 5-star dining.

Having the chance to savor these flights is a dream come true for most luxury fanatics. The kicker? Some of these Qsuites can be converted into a “pod” of 4 seats, which is essentially 2 pairs of Qsuites facing each other.

With Asia Miles, you can book Qatar Airways Qsuites seamlessly. But for the same exact price, you can also add on a segment to other cities in the Middle East or even deep into Africa!

That’s an incredible way to get another $4,000+ flight for free! However, with Asia Miles, you’ll be liable for Qatar Airways’ hefty fuel surcharges of around $500 per person in each direction.

Here are some great Qsuites routes you can book:

  • Atlanta (ATL) – Doha (DOH) – Dubai (DXB) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles
  • Boston (BOS) – Doha (DOH) – Salalah (SLL) one-way for 75,000 Asia Miles
  • Chicago (ORD) – Doha (DOH) Entebbe (EBB) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles
  • Dallas (DFW) – Doha (DOH) – Beirut (BEY) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles
  • Houston (IAH) – Doha (DOH) – Riyadh (RUH) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Doha (DOH) – Maputo (MPM) one-way 90,000 Asia Miles
  • Miami (MIA) – Doha (DOH)Khartoum (KRT) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles
  • New York (JFK) – Doha (DOH) Dar es Salaam (DAR) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles
  • Philadelphia (PHL) – Doha (DOH) Djibouti (JIB) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Doha (DOH) Luanda (LAD) one-way 90,000 Asia Miles

Hot Tip: See our extensive review of the Qsuites experience aboard a 777 from Sydney (SYD) to Doha (DOH).

19. Fly Qantas Business Class to Australia (Asia Miles)

Qantas Boeing 747 Business Class Flat Bed
Qantas Boeing 747 business class lie-flat bed. Image Credit: Greg Stone

In the earlier Qantas section, we talked about the benefits of booking Qantas flights using Qantas Frequent Flyer points. With Qantas points, you’ll get access to a greater selection of award space, but you’ll be charged more points for this perk.

If you happen to be a points pincher, you can book Qantas business class flights using Asia Miles.

You’ll save a bundle on points, but you’ll just need to work a bit harder to find Qantas’ partner-level award availability.

Here are some great redemption options for Qantas business class from the U.S. to Australia:

  • Dallas (DFW) – Sydney (SYD) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles + ~$64 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Brisbane (BNE) one-way for 75,000 Asia Miles + ~$64 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD) one-way for 75,000 Asia Miles + ~$64 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Melbourne (MEL) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles + ~$64 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Sydney (SYD) one-way for 75,000 Asia Miles + ~$64 in taxes and fees

20. Access SkyTeam Business Class Availability to Europe (Flying Blue)

Air France 777 Business Class Pair Seats
Air France business class. Image Credit: Nick Ellis

SkyTeam has a few big airlines in Europe. If you think about great business class airlines in Europe, Air France and KLM are probably among the ones that come to mind.

And with Air France or KLM business class, you’ll benefit from good award availability, great redemption prices, and well-intentioned service.

Best of all, even if you’re flying to cities other than Paris (CDG) or Amsterdam (AMS), chances are you can get there with 1 connection from all of the major international airports in the U.S.

In general, Air France has better award availability and a better product overall, owing to its chic French service culture.

Check out some of these great deals you can get using Brex points transferred to Flying Blue:

  • Boston (BOS) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Milan (MXP) one-way in KLM business class for 66,500 Flying Blue miles + ~$290 in taxes and fees
  • Houston (IAH) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Oslo (OSL) one-way in KLM business class for 65,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$290 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Paris (CDG) – Marseille (MRS) one-way in Air France business class for 80,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$290 in taxes and fees
  • Miami (MIA) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Rome (FCO) one-way in KLM business class for 65,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$290 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Paris (CDG) – Nice (NCE) one-way in Air France business class for 66,500 Flying Blue miles + ~$290 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Paris (CDG) – Naples (NAP) one-way in Air France business class for 68,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$290 in taxes and fees

21. Book Nonstop Business Class Flights to Taiwan and the Rest of Asia (Flying Blue)

One of the most useful partners to book flights to Asia very far in advance is China Airlines, and it offers an awesome business class product, plus great 1-stop connectivity to the rest of Asia.

China Airlines’ hub is located in Taipei (TPE), so you can fly to cities like Bangkok (BKK) and Manila (MNL) with just 1 quick stop in Taipei.

Best of all, China Airlines business class can be booked using Brex Rewards points transferred to Air France-KLM Flying Blue.

Here are some great example routes we’d recommend considering:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Taipei (TPE) one-way in China Airlines business class for 97,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$101 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Taipei (TPE)Bangkok (BKK) one-way in China Airlines business class for 129,500 Flying Blue miles + ~$137 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Taipei (TPE) – Manila (MNL) one-way in China Airlines business class for 117,500 Flying Blue miles + ~$135 in taxes and fees

22. Fly Around the World on SkyTeam Airlines (Aeromexico Rewards)

The Aeromexico Rewards frequent flyer program has a unique benefit: the SkyTeam Go Around the World Award Ticket. As long as you follow the rules, you can book an epic trip with up to 15 stopovers for 224,000 points in economy or 352,000 points in business class.

Here are some of the main stipulations:

  • Travel must be continuously in the same direction, either eastward or westward
  • Travel must begin and end in the same country (though not necessarily the same city)
  • There’s a minimum of 3 stopovers, a maximum of 15 stopovers overall, and up to 5 stopovers allowed per continent
  • Tickets are valid for 1 year after the date of issuance
  • Any tickets will be priced relative to the cabin class of the highest segment in the itinerary
  • Flights must be direct or consist of the most immediate connections

So if you can stick to these conditions, you can build some awesome around-the-world journeys, like this one:

  • New York City (JFK) – Mexico City (MEX) on Aeromexico
  • Mexico City (MEX) – San Jose del Cabo (SJD) on Aeromexico
  • San Jose del Cabo (SJD) – Los Angeles (LAX) on Delta
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Honolulu (HNL) on Delta
  • Honolulu (HNL) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN) on Korean Air
  • Seoul-Incheon (ICN) – Bali-Denpasar (DPS) on Garuda Indonesia
  • Bali-Denpasar (DPS) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) on KLM
  • Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – New Delhi (DEL) on Vietnam Airlines
  • New Delhi (DEL) – Jeddah (JED) on Saudia
  • Jeddah (JED) – Nairobi (NBO) on Saudia
  • Nairobi (NBO) – Johannesburg (JNB) on Kenya Airways
  • Johannesburg (JNB) – Amsterdam (AMS) on KLM
  • Amsterdam (AMS) – Paris (CDG) on Air France
  • Paris (CDG) – London-Heathrow (LHR) on Air France
  • London-Heathrow (LHR) – New York City (JFK) on Delta

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there’s certainly no shortage of ways you can redeem Brex points. However, while the list of airline transfer partners is solid, the transfer ratio is no longer 1:1, so the program isn’t quite as valuable as it used to be.

But there are still great opportunities to use your Brex points — you can book first class flights on some of the best airlines in the world, including Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, ANA, and Cathay Pacific. You can also book business class flights on EVA Air, Qatar Airways, Air France, Swiss Air, and so many more.

You can even book economy flights that would otherwise cost a pretty penny by using your Brex points.

Now that you know all of the highest-value ways to redeem Brex points for stellar value, happy booking!

The information regarding the Brex Corporate Card for Startups was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

The information regarding the Brex Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are Brex points worth?

According to our travel points and miles valuations, Brex points are worth 1 cent each. That being said, it’s possible to get far better value than that if you transfer your points to frequent flyer programs for premium cabin award travel.

What do I do with Brex points?

With Brex points, you can redeem them for cash-back, gift cards, statement credits, crypto, and of course, transfer them to partners for award travel.

How do you earn Brex points?

You can earn Brex points by making purchases on your eligible Brex cards. Spend on your Brex card, and you’ll earn up to 8x points.

Does Brex do a credit check?

Brex does not do a personal credit check. Instead, Brex uses your bank account information and other data to approve you for its card products.

Do Brex points expire?

Brex points do not expire as long as you are an active Brex cardholder in good standing.

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About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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