Covid-Forward Thinking: Book (and Really Save) Now For Super Cheap Travel Later

Covid-Forward Thinking: Book (and Really Save) Now For Super Cheap Travel Later

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Don’t expect this climate of opportunities to be around forever for several reasons.

There are certainly mixed feelings about travel right now. On the one hand, there are those who can’t wait to get back out there, while others are being more cautious about it. If there’s one thing about a lockdown, it’s that it gives you time to think and reflect, in one way or the other.

Whichever way you’re leaning on travel right now, we have an idea in three symphonies:

  1. dream now
  2. book and save now
  3. travel later 

The first part is probably happening anyway. The second is the rare opportunity (given the current state of the travel market). And the third is the icing on the cake. All three phases of our plan are good for your wellbeing too. Research has shown that even just planning a trip gets our endorphins flowing in a positive way. Planning a trip is a great way to make yourself feel good at a time when we could all use any good that’s available.

“To have a big dream requires the same effort as having a small dream.”
~Jorge Paulo Lemann

 

Book & Save. Now.

Of course some people around you will be saying, “Travel?! Are you out of your mind?”

But hey, I’ve been called worse.

Look, when it comes to using your miles to book now for a deal that will (with 80%+ certainty) not be around later (which includes such reasons as fewer routes, airlines streamlining service and much fuller flights), you’ve got to go for it. Nobody wants to look back and think, “Should have. Could have. Didn’t.” Not anymore.

Procrastination is something we did pre-covid.

See You Later.
Why Booking Now Is Risk-Averse
and Opportunity Embracing

You should grab that awesome deal now because the risk factor when using miles is low. Plus, some airlines (American, Delta, United, etc.) are currently offering a “travel change/cancel fee waiver” for new bookings, including mileage award flights. It means you don’t have to pay any fees if you cancel your ticket and put your miles back in your account. Our new widget details airline policies including waivers.

In other words: The cost to dream has never been cheaper.

But even if the airline has no travel waiver in place, the risk is still low. In most cases, you can redeposit your mileage ticket for as little as $30 to $150 worst case, or change your ticket for between $25 and $150. Details here.

Think of the change and/or redeposit fee as an insurance policy. If your plans change or you just decide not to travel, for whatever reason, you can do so with little cost.

Plus, miles aren’t like wine. They don’t get better as they sit and age. In fact, they often decline in value when mileage programs change their redemption prices, or when low-cost mileage awards are not available. Garçon! These miles are corked!

Three Book Now, Travel & Smile Later Examples

Delta to Europe: For up to four travelers (and often more), we unearthed hidden routes that save up to 480,000 miles, or 75%, when flying Business Class with Delta SkyMiles or using Amex points to Paris, for example. That’s compared to normal everyday prices traveling to and from the U.S., for travel from September through March 2021. For more on grabbing this exceptional Delta SkyMiles (Amex points partner) opportunity, go here. And for recent FCF Delta Sweet Redeems alerts to Europe go here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Save more on Delta flights: See how more flexible (or lucky) travelers can save big with Virgin miles, an Amex points partner, here.

American to Europe: For up to four travelers (and often more), we found routes that save up to 120,000 miles, or 54%, when flying Business Class with AA miles or Amex points to Barcelona when compared to normal everyday prices for travel from October through February 2021. For more on American Airlines’ up to 1,689% increase in availability of discount miles tickets for travel later in 2020 and 2021—while cutting prices up to 69% at the same time—go here. You can also see last month’s FCF report on American’s “new” hidden award calendar that quietly crushes misconceptions on pricing and availability with 20% to 35% savings here.

United to Europe: For up to four travelers (and often more), we spotted routes that save up to 190,000 miles, or 61%, when flying Business Class with United miles or Chase points to Lisbon, London, or Munich. That’s when compared to normal everyday prices traveling to and from the U.S., for travel from November through March 2021. For more on how you can find up to 6,850% increase in United MileagePlus discount availability for travel later this year and into 2021, go here.

This is your new corona lockdown mantra: Book mileage awards now, save now, and travel later… and be happier in the meantime with the adventure to look forward to.

How Soon Is “Later”?

There are opportunities available for travel later this year and into 2021 that will most likely not be available a month or two from now. That’s when you’ll go back to paying 640,000 miles for a Delta ticket to Paris, instead of 160,000 Delta SkyMiles, the current opportunity that saves you 75% when using Delta miles, or 84% when using Virgin Atlantic miles.

If you book now you have the opportunity to use your American (Amex and Chase point partner is Iberia, which has same award space as AA; and Cathay Pacific, which is a point partner with Amex, but has less space), Delta (Amex points partner), and United (Chase points partner) miles at prices we’ve rarely seen before.

You also have easy access to (finally) use your credit card points, say, Amex and Chase, on airlines like All Nippon, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore in First Class. In the past, many of these routes have not had any availability at low-cost rates.

Here are some unprecedented mileage award availabilities FCF found for dreaming, booking and saving now, and travel later:

Singapore Airlines First Class to Tokyo, for Travel October Through April 2021

Japan Airlines First Class from Los Angeles to Tokyo, for Spring Travel in 2021

Japan Airlines First Class from New York to Tokyo, for Travel Next Spring

Cathay Pacific First Class from Chicago to Hong Kong, for Travel Nov. to May 2021

Cathay Pacific First Class from Boston to Hong Kong, for Travel Sept. to May 2021

Cathay Pacific First Class from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, for Travel September Through May, 2021

First Class Single-Seat Cathay Pacific Availability from New York to Hong Kong, for Travel September Through May 2021

All Nippon First Class Washington, D.C.-Tokyo Opportunities

First Class on All Nippon from Los Angeles to Tokyo, for Travel Sept. to May 2021

All Nippon First Class to Tokyo at 62% to 72% Off

> > > Don’t see your origin or destination above? See how you can get free add-on connections here. < < <

Also, keep in mind that this availability does change and was valid when originally published. If you see something good, grab it before it disappears.

Why Won’t Current Deals Be Around Later to Book?

For a number of reasons: fewer routes, streamlined service, and fuller flights. All of this can lead to fewer low-cost mileage awards being available when you’re ready to book travel later this year.

One More Time:
Dream Now, Book Now, Save Big, Travel Later, be happier

It’s been a terrible time and we’re all desperate to find the hidden silver linings. So for us the playbook is clear: dream about that vacation and grab the great deals right now, while they’re still here. The risk is low or nil if you end up changing your mind. The upside SIGNIFICANTLY outweighs the negatives. You know what you have to do. Best wishes to all our members.