When the pampering of business class is just not enough – it’s time to upgrade. First class is an increasingly rare, but ever more luxurious cabin, consistently transforming everything we think we know about air travel. There are a few ways to experience the best of the best, without breaking the mileage bank or actual bank. Here are the very best tricks to know…
Etihad First Class Apartment – Starting At 35,000 Points
Using: 40,000 Asiana Club miles or 35,000 SPG points transferred to Asiana Mileage Club. You can book Etihad First Class using Asiana points.
Where: Between Europe and Abu Dhabi in either direction. Like London or Paris to Abu Dhabi.
How Long: At least 7 hours in the air.
Booking: Find space on Etihad website and call Asiana Mileage Club to book.
Surcharges: Mediocre. Roughly $200 one way.
Earn The Points: All Star Alliance flights, Asiana credit card, SPG credit card, buy SPG points, stay in SPG hotels.
Qatar Airways First Class – Starting At 40,000 Points
Using: 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles or 40,000 SPG points transferred into American AAdvantage. You can use American miles to book flights on Qatar Airways.
Where: Between the Middle East And Asia in either direction. Like, Doha to Bangkok.
How long: Up to 8 hours in the air.
Booking: Find space using British Airways website and call American to book.
Surcharges? Minimal, less than $100 generally.
Earn The Points: All OneWorld flights, American Airlines credit card, online shopping portal, buy SPG points, SPG credit card, SPG hotel stays.
Lufthansa First Class – Starting At 40,000 Points
Using: 50,000 Asiana MileageClub points or 40,000 SPG points transferred to Asiana MileageClub. You can book Lufthansa Flights using Asiana miles.
Where: Between the U.S. and Europe in either direction. Like Frankfurt to Los Angeles.
How Long: Up to 13 hours in the air.
Booking: Find space using United website, 72+ hours in advance. Call Asiana to book.
Surcharges? Mediocre. $200-$400 max.
Earn The Points: All Star Alliance flights, Asiana credit card, SPG credit card, buy SPG points, stay in SPG hotels.
Emirates First Class- Starting At 55,000 Points
Using: 55,000 SPG Points or 65,000 Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles. You can book Emirates flights at best rates with Japan Airlines Mileage Bank.
Where: Distance based. New York to Milan for 55,000. Around the World for 125,000.
How Long: Up to 50 hours, depending on distance band.
Booking: Find space using Qantas website and book by calling JAL Mileage Bank.
Surcharges? Virtually none if originating Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo. Otherwise at least $300 and up.
Earn The Points: All OneWorld flights, JAL credit card, SPG credit card, buy SPG points, SPG hotel stays.
ANA First Class – Starting At 100,000 Points
Using: 120,000 Virgin Atlantic miles, which you can create from Amex, Citi, Chase or SPG. Or 100,000 SPG points.
Where: US or UK to Tokyo and vice versa round trip. You can book ANA flights using Virgin Atlantic miles.
How Long: Up to 26 hours round trip. Can depart multiple US or European cities.
Booking: Find space using United website. Book by calling Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Surcharges? Minimal. Under $200 round trip in most cases.
Earn The Points: Virgin Atlantic and partner flights, Virgin Atlantic credit card, Chase, Amex or Citi points, buy SPG points, SPG hotel stays. Online shopping on Shops Away.
That was a good post, thanks. It’s refreshing to see real informative post like this rather than “See Me”
Should read the FEWEST points or the least AMOUNT of points.
Maybe also worth mentioning JAL using Alaskan 70k from say LAX to DEL/SE Asia via Tokyo.
But yes, I understand these posts are much lower in terms of mileage requirement. So I guess that’s why Alaskan is not on the list. Maybe worth a nod though?!
Trying to find first class on the UA website is not as easy as once was. They have merged biz and first in the search box and so first does not show up on the month calander. Have to search each day by day. SoBs.
Nothing about flying Etihad using AA points? Or is too many points for the value? Thanks anyway, these are all gemstones of points redemptions.
Thankyou, helpful and useful post…
Hello,
is it possible to transfer Miles & More to Asiana? If yes, how do you recommend booking Lufthansa First class from Frankfurt? Destination doesn’t matter
Thank you:)