5 Questions I Always Ask Myself Before Using Miles for Business Class or Economy Flights

If you were to ask 100 individuals whether they prefer to fly business class or economy, every single one would undoubtedly choose business class. However, money doesn’t grow on trees, and earning points and miles isn’t limitless.

If you’re anything like me, when booking a flight, you debate whether to use your miles for an economy ticket or splurge on a business class ticket. Various factors to consider include cost, award space, flight duration, and more.

Here are the 5 key factors I think about when deciding whether to redeem miles for business class or economy.

1. Am I Getting a Favorable Redemption Value?

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of the seat I’d be flying in each cabin, I kick things off by comparing the cash cost of a ticket to the cost with points and miles.

I typically start my search with Google Flights, using the free Points Path browser extension which recommends whether you should spend cash or miles on a flight. As an example, I’ll price out economy tickets for a flight from Miami (MIA) to Turks and Caicos (PLS).

Next, I dive into checking out the prices for those same routes I’m interested in, but this time in business class.

I’m all about maximizing the value of my award redemptions, so when I see absurd cash fares for a flight I want to take, the next question is whether to book a ticket in economy or business class. I next compare our valuations of various reward currencies to evaluate whether using points or miles provides better value.

In our example above, we value American Airlines miles at 1.4 cents apiece. If I’m able to redeem miles at (or above) this valuation — whether in economy or business class — then I’m happy to consider that option first.

2. Are There Enough Award Seats for Everyone?

One challenge I often encounter when planning family trips is locating award space for 5 people. This is much more difficult than looking for 1 or 2 seats on which to use my miles.

When I travel with my family, we prefer to sit together in the same cabin rather than being divided. Even if I see an available award seat in business class, I keep checking for 4 more award seats to become available before considering business class — which is seldom seen nowadays.

When it comes to domestic flights within the U.S., about half the time, I’m able to find 5 award seats in business class for my family and me. However, it can be nearly impossible to find 5 award seats in premium cabins on long-haul flights to Europe and Asia, so we’ll happily book premium economy tickets.

This factor significantly influences my decision to book either economy or business class seats, as our travel preference is to sit together in the same cabin.

3. How Long Is the Flight?

As a self-proclaimed AvGeek, I try to fly in the best business class cabins available whenever possible. I often do this on long-haul flights, traveling alone or with my wife.

However, when I fly to Europe with my kids, I always aim to book business class seats or at least premium economy to ensure more comfort along the way. I’ve noticed that when my kids get good rest on long-haul overnight flights to Europe from the U.S., they tend to arrive in a better mood, which helps kick off the trip on a positive note.

If a flight is longer than 9 hours, I like to treat myself and my travel companions to business class, provided I can snag award seats. If that’s not the case, we go for premium economy. Finally, if I have to, I consider redeeming miles for an economy ticket on a long-haul flight, but this is usually a last resort for me.

4. Do I Have Enough Points and Miles?

When I’m looking to book business class tickets but find myself short on points, I can tackle that challenge by applying for the right travel credit cards.

With thoughtful trip planning, I can avoid this dilemma by creating a strategy that helps me earn the points or miles I need for a comfortable business-class experience. If more points are required, I have my wife (Player 2 or P2, as we call our other halves in the world of points and miles) contribute by applying for another card or 2 with a big welcome bonus offer.

This is an excellent strategy for couples to earn more points and miles. That way, we can accrue a healthy amount of travel rewards needed to open up redemptions for a trip we’ve been thinking about.

However, if I do not have enough miles for business class at the time of booking, I purchase an economy ticket instead.

5. Is Business Class Worth the Extra Cost?

It depends. If I’m taking a domestic flight under 3 hours, I’m perfectly fine flying in economy class. That’s because the domestic first-class recliners that many U.S. airlines have installed aren’t exactly impressive.

By opting out of a less-than-stellar premium seat on a short domestic flight, I can save those miles for a more enjoyable lie-flat business class seat down the line.

That being said, if I’m flying on a long-haul route and find an award seat in a comfortable lie-flat seat, I pay the extra miles so I can relax a little more and arrive at my destination more refreshed.

Final Thoughts

Deciding between an economy or business class ticket isn’t always a clear-cut answer. When booking my travel, I consider things like award space, cost, and the distance of the flight.

These 5 factors are vital in shaping my decisions. It’s a great idea to take a moment to think about your travel needs so you can find the ticket class that suits you best.