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Follow These 3 Steps If You Want To Fly Business or First Class Using Points!

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Stephen Au
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Stephen Au

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If you’re tired of flying economy and want to fly business or first class (without paying crazy amounts of cash), you need to earn the right type of points and then use them in a smart way!

Follow these 3 steps and we’ll show you how to fly at the front of the cabin in no time.

Step 1 — Earn a Big Welcome Bonus Offer and You’ll Earn Lots of Points or Miles (Quickly)

Yes, there are many credit cards out there, but we’ve helped thousands of people and always recommend travelers start by adding cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Premier® Card, or Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to their wallets.

POPULAR FIRST CARD
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® 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.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
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)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros

  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
  • 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel worldwide
  • $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
  • 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
  • Excellent travel and car rental insurance
  • 10% annual bonus points
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold CardTerms 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)

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!
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
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
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)

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

  • 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

  • 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

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Citi Premier® Card

Citi Premier® 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.

Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi Premier® Card

Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
60,000 points
$960
$95
21.24% - 29.24% Variable
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)

The Citi Premier® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!

Pros

  • 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
  • Access to Citi transfer partners
  • Annual hotel credit
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
  • Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
  • Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
  • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
  • 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
  • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 21.24% - 29.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit 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.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
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 Credit (670-850)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros

  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
  • Access to Capital One transfer partners

Cons

  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

There are 2 main reasons to get these specific cards over others out there:

1. You’ll earn a fantastic welcome bonus offer of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Amex Membership Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Rewards Points, or Capital One Miles after completing a minimum spend requirement.

Tip: Both you and your spouse can each get a card and earn the welcome bonus offer, netting you a major stash of points or miles.

Your welcome offer is typically worth more than $1,000, but under Step 3 we’ll show you how to get a lot more value than that!

2. Chase, Amex, and Citi points, as well as Capital One miles, are some of the most valuable rewards currencies on the market because they’re easy to earn and can be transferred to partner airlines and hotels (this is the key).

Step 2 — Earn Even More Points or Miles

The more points you earn, the more options you’ll have to use them for business and first class flights. Here’s a quick look at how some of the cards we’ve featured can help you earn even more points:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card can help you earn:

  • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
  • 3x points on dining, online groceries, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel purchases
  • 1x points on other purchases

Hot Tip: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a broader definition of travel than other cards, making it a lot more generous than other competing cards.

The Amex Gold card has the ability to earn up to 4x points:

  • 4x points at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year)
  • 3x points on airfare purchased directly from the airline or through AmexTravel.com
  • 1x points on other purchases

The Citi Premier card also doesn’t joke around when it comes to earning rewards:

  • 3x points at supermarkets, air travel, hotels, gas stations, and restaurants
  • 1x points on other purchases

Lastly, the Capital One Venture card could be your best friend for miscellaneous purchases:

  • 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles on all other purchases

Bottom Line: We put ALL of our daily expenses (that don’t incur a fee) on our card so that we’re always earning points, whether it’s at restaurants, bars, department stores, or making any online purchases!

For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders can earn 2x points on these types of non-Chase Travel purchases:

  • Airbnb and other house-sharing services
  • Airfare tickets booked directly through the airline or through third-party sites like Expedia, Booking.com, and more
  • Parking meters, lots, and garages
  • Timeshares
  • Tolls and bridges
  • Tours organized by travel companies
  • Trains, metros, buses, and other public transportation services

Cards from Amex, Citi, and Capital One have their own separate terms and conditions from Chase, but making regular purchases on these credit cards, especially in bonus categories, is how you continually rack up points or miles.

Bottom Line:

Build up your points or miles very easily on travel and dining. This means you can rack up lots of valuable rewards during the year to use on incredible redemptions. Choose the best cards, like the Amex Gold card, Capital One Venture card, Chase Sapphire Preferred card, or Citi Premier card.

Step 3 — Maximize Your Points or Miles With Transfer Partners (This Is How You Fly Business/First Class)

Each of the major flexible rewards programs, whether it’s Amex Membership Rewards or Capital One Miles, is capable of transferring rewards to travel partners (airlines and hotels).

Every bank maintains its own list of transfer partners, but it’s very common for airline frequent flyer programs or hotel loyalty programs to participate in multiple partnerships with credit card issuers.

For example, all 7 of the programs listed below transfer to Air France-KLM Flying Blue (at varying ratios). On the flip-side, certain frequent flyer programs may be exclusively associated with a singular program; for example, ANA Mileage Club only has 1 transfer partner with a 1:1 ratio — Amex Membership Rewards.

Here are the transfer partners associated with each rewards program:

Before we get into a few examples, each of these programs offers so many incredible ways to use your points for maximum value! Transferring your flexible rewards to airline partners is one of the best ways to fly business and first class.

Here are our top recommendations for using your points for business and first class flights.

1. Fly Singapore Suites One-Way From JFK to Frankfurt for Just 97,000 Miles

Singapore Airlines new A380 First Suite Double Bed
Transferring Ultimate Rewards points to Singapore’s KrisFlyer program will allow you to book an amazing flight in Singapore Suites class. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Transfer your points or miles directly to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and you could book an absolutely amazing experience in its Singapore Suites cabin using points and save thousands of dollars in cash.

The Singapore Suites class on the A380 aircraft has been impressing flyers since it was introduced in 2007, offering a full double bed to couples flying together in the middle cabin. Even better, Singapore Airlines has retrofitted some A380s and is continuing to retrofit its entire fleet.

The easiest way to experience this amazing flight is to transfer just 97,000 Amex, Capital One, Chase, or Citi points/miles to your existing or newly created Singapore KrisFlyer account. From there, redeem the KrisFlyer miles for a one-way Suites ticket from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt (FRA)!

Hot Tip: 97,000 miles correspond to Singapore Airlines’s Saver fares; its more expensive fares, known as Advantage fares, are easier to find if your schedule isn’t as flexible.

Want to continue all the way to the Far East and visit Singapore (SIN)? Save up to get 148,500 points and spend 20 hours in your own private suite in the sky for the ride.

Need help booking this award flight? Read our in-depth guide on how to fly Singapore Suites using points.

2. Fly Delta One Business Class From the U.S. to Hawaii for 86,000 Miles Round-Trip

Delta One Seat 3A Windows
The lay-flat seats are one of the best benefits of being seated in Delta One. Image Credit: Stella Shon

This is an awesome deal. If you transfer 86,000 of your points or miles to Flying Blue (a transfer partner of every major rewards program), you can fly round-trip from anywhere in the U.S. that Delta flies to Hawaii in Delta One business class.

With a high enough welcome bonus offer, you could book this just by meeting the minimum spend of a new card!

Need help booking this award flight? Check out our guide to booking Delta One business class with points.

3. Fly Virgin Atlantic Upper Class From the U.S. to Europe for 117,000 Miles Round-Trip

Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350 Upper Class Seat 9A from Aisle
Enjoy Virgin Atlantic’s premium Upper Class from 117,000 miles. Image Credit: Greg Stone

You can experience Virgin Atlantic Upper Class to Europe using your Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles for less than flying on Singapore Airlines and have more options for your final destination.

You could take this flight, for example, from New York (JFK) or Washington, D.C. (IAD) to London (LHR).

Singapore Airlines partners with Virgin Atlantic and only charges 117,000 miles for a round-trip ticket in its Upper Class premium cabin. Best of all, you can transfer Amex, Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, and Marriott Bonvoy rewards to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

Need help booking this award flight? Read our guide on how to book Virgin Atlantic Upper Class.

4. Fly Lufthansa First Class From the U.S. to Europe From 87,000 Points

Lufthansa First Class A380
Enjoy an amazing lie-flat seat with direct aisle access in Lufthansa first class. Image Credit: Caroline Lupini

Lufthansa has also been hailed as one of the best airlines for first class experiences. You can easily transfer your Amex, Bilt, Brex, Capital One, Citi, or Marriott Bonvoy points or miles to Avianca LifeMiles to book Lufthansa first class flights. LifeMiles charges 87,000 miles each way; however, LifeMiles does pass on fuel surcharges, so you’ll just have to pay the nominal taxes and fees of around $60.

Chase loyalists don’t need to panic because they can transfer their points to Air Canada Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio to book Lufthansa first class for 90,000 to 100,000 points!

One of the most sought-after flights for Lufthansa first class is on the A380, which connects Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), and San Francisco (SFO) to Frankfurt (FRA).

Looking for the ultimate first class experience? Be sure to use your miles to fly from Frankfurt to the U.S. if you want a chance to explore Lufthansa’s exclusive first class terminal where you can wine and dine at a full-scale restaurant, take a bubble bath with a Lufthansa rubber ducky, and be driven right to your flight in a luxurious private car from your very own personal assistant.

Need help booking this award flight? Check out our guide to booking Lufthansa first class with points.

5. Fly ANA First Class Round-Trip From the U.S. to Tokyo for as Few as 110,000 Points

ANA new first class suites HND SFO Boeing 777 Ryan and wife Carolina
All smiles before takeoff in ANA’s new 777 The Suite first class cabin. Image Credit: Ryan Smith

Arguably the best sweet spot in all of points and travel is the ability to book ANA’s legendary first class product between the U.S. and Tokyo for as few as 110,000 points round-trip.

Just remember that this particular sweet spot only works for flights to Tokyo — it will not work for flights via Tokyo to other destinations like Southeast Asia.

You can also book one-way tickets at half of the mileage price, which can be as low as 55,000 points for a one-way flight from the West Coast and 60,000 points for a one-way flight from elsewhere in the U.S.

The frequent flyer program you’ll want to use is Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which is transfer partners with Amex, Bilt, Chase, Citi, and Marriott Bonvoy. Capital One is transfer partners with Virgin Red, which can then be moved to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at a 1:1 ratio.

This exclusive first class experience entails an intimate cabin of just 8 seats spread out across 2 rows with a 1-2-1 arrangement, top-class service, an enormous array of dining options of the highest caliber, Krug Champagne, and an exquisitely luxurious bed.

Need help booking this award flight? Check out our guide to booking ANA first class with points.

6. Fly Emirates Business Class One-Way From the U.S. to Europe for 72,500 Points

Emirates A380 Business Class Middle Row D and G
Emirates A380 business class. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

Emirates is best known for its lavish, over-the-top first class product. But its business class is simply stellar, too. In particular, its A380 business class has proven to be one of the best overall products, time and time again. Currently, this includes spacious, forward-facing seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with lie-flat capabilities.

Normally, travelers wouldn’t frequently encounter Emirates as a viable airline option unless they were planning on flying ultra-long-haul to the other side of the world. But Emirates has a couple of fifth freedom routes where you can savor the signature Emirates business class product on certain routes between the U.S. and Europe, so there’s no need to fly to the Middle East or Africa if you want to try out Emirates!

Even better, the U.S.-Europe routes offered by Emirates are convenient and cost-effective with points.

Currently, you can transfer 87,000 points or miles from every major rewards program to Emirates Skywards to book a one-way Emirates business class flight between New York (JFK) and Milan (MXP) or Newark (EWR) to Athens (ATH). Taxes and fees are around $106 per person.

Best of all, it’s pretty easy to find solid business class availability, so this is a perfect way to dip your toes into Arab luxury using your points.

Need help booking this award flight? Check out our guide to booking Emirates business class with points.

7. Fly Qatar Airways Qsuite One-Way From the U.S. to the Middle East for 70,000 Avios

Qatar Airways Qsuites
Qatar Airways’ Qsuite is one of the best business class products in the skies. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Another terrific way to fly business and first class using points is on Qatar Airways Qsuite, which is one of the best business class products in the world.

This airline exclusively flies between the U.S. and Doha (DOH), the capital of Qatar.

Qsuite offers double beds (at certain seat numbers), amazing service, endless amenities, and wonderful inflight entertainment options. Its food and beverage program, in particular, is top-notch.

One of the best ways to book Qsuite is by transferring your points or miles to British Airways Executive Club. British Airways is transfer partners with Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, and Marriott Bonvoy.

If you only have Citi points, transfer them directly to Qatar Airways Privilege Club. After that, link your Qatar Airways and British Airways account together and transfer your Avios from Qatar Airways to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio.

Right now, nonstop business class flights from the U.S. to Doha can be booked for just 70,000 British Airways Avios + ~$105 in taxes and fees.

Need help booking this award flight? Check out our guide to booking Qatar Airways Qsuite with points.

8. Fly Iberia Business Class Round-Trip From the U.S. to Spain for as Few as 68,000 Avios

Iberia A350 business class seat 3L
Comfortable business class from the U.S. to Spain can be found with Iberia. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

If flying to Spain is high on your to-do list, you’ll love this business class redemption. Iberia, the flag carrier of Spain, offers some amazing redemption rates for business class flights between the Midwest or Northeastern U.S. and Spain.

Specifically, you can redeem 34,000 Iberia Plus Avios each way for a business class flight during off-peak dates as long as the flights are between 3,001 and 4,000 miles in distance. You can transfer to Iberia Plus direction from Amex, Bilt, Chase, or Marriott Bonvoy. If your Iberia account is at least 90 days old, you can also transfer points into British Airways Executive Club and then into Iberia Plus at a 1:1 ratio.

The cities that offer nonstop service to Madrid (MAD) and fit the distance requirement are Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), and Washington, D.C. (IAD). You’ll pay just $114 in taxes and fees for these flights.

Although Iberia’s business class product can’t quite compare to Emirates or Qatar Airways, it’s a comfortable way to fly to Spain at an astonishing price.

9. Fly American Airlines Flagship First Class Transcontinentally Within the U.S. Round-Trip for 65,000 Miles

American Airlines Flagship First Class A321T seat 1F
Experience American Airlines Flagship First class on transcontinental flights. Image Credit: Stephen Au

Looking to stay within the U.S. when traveling? If you’ve got an appetite to travel from coast to coast, one of the best ways to get fantastic value is to book American Airlines’s Flagship First class product on select, premium transcontinental flights.

Right now, this is offered on the following routes:

  • Boston (BOS) to Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Miami (MIA) to Los Angeles (LAX)
  • New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX)
  • New York (JFK) to Orange County (SNA)
  • New York (JFK) to San Francisco (SFO)

If you can find award availability, you can transfer your points or miles to Etihad Guest from Amex, Capital One, Citi, or Marriott Bonvoy. Etihad Guest charges 32,500 points for a one-way flight, which translates to a round-trip cost of 65,000 miles. Taxes and fees will generally be around $10 one-way.

If you have Chase points, you can transfer them to British Airways Executive Club. British Airways charges slightly more for this flight, around 51,500 Avios one-way.

Need help booking this award flight? Check out our guide to booking American Airlines Flagship First class with points.

10. Fly Air France Business Class From the U.S. to Europe Round-Trip From 106,000 Miles

Air France's new Boeing 777-300 business class cabins
Air France’s chic Boeing 777-300 business class product. Image Credit: Air France

Air France offers a luxurious and classy business class product bookable using points. Better yet, its mileage prices are some of the best you’ll get on flights to Europe.

One-way flights can be booked for as few as 53,000 Flying Blue miles in business class, which means round-trip would cost as few as 106,000 miles!

You’ll want to transfer your points or miles to Air France-KLM Flying Blue, which happens to be partnered with every major rewards program. Taxes are fees are usually around $190 one-way, per person.

Need help booking this award flight? Check out our guide to booking Air France business class with points.

Bottom Line: As you can see above, there are many incredible redemption options for your points. In the examples above, if you use your points for those redemptions you’re getting between $3,000 to $9,500 in value!

Final Thoughts

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Amex Gold card, Capital One Venture card, and Citi Premier card have some of the best welcome bonus offers on the market, plus industry-leading rewards on ongoing purchases.

Remember, if you have a spouse or partner, you can each get your own card and double your earnings!

Using these cards for daily purchases can multiply your rewards compared to if you just used these cards for travel purchases. Whether it’s dining, groceries, or gas, you can get more points on purchases you’re making anyway.

You will also be able to maximize the value of your points significantly by transferring your points to select travel partners and trying some of the most exclusive travel experiences out there, including business and first class flights on legendary airlines like Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa. It’s really hard to beat this.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points do I need to fly first class?

You can book ANA first class for as few as 110,000 points round-trip to Tokyo! Also, you can book Singapore Airlines First Class Suites for 97,000 miles one-way or Lufthansa first class for as few as 87,000 points one-way.

How many points do you need for a business class ticket?

It depends on what airlines you want to book. For example, Iberia allows you to book some business class flights for as few as 34,000 points one-way, and you can book Air France business class from 53,000 points one-way.

Can you fly business class with miles?

Yes! You can absolutely fly business class with points and miles. It probably requires a lot fewer points than you think. You can book a one-way business class flight for as few as 34,000 points one-way.

How can I use 60,000 bonus points or miles?

In this article, we showed you several different ways of using your points or miles. However, there are many more and we’d recommend reading our posts on the best ways of using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Amex Membership Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Points, and Capital One miles.

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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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