Use FCF’s research to experience First and Business Class on A380 routes with good availability. Our unconventional yet simple process can be used by non-loyalty, as well as, loyalty program members from almost anywhere.
The most frequent loyalty program member complaint is the inability to use miles for free Business or First Class travel.
But the fact is that there are a lot of upgrade opportunities out there, which is why FCF constantly reports on routes where premium seats are readily available.
In this report we’re detailing eight airlines and 20 A380 routes that offer good mileage redemptions from the U.S. in Business and First Class.
Why only the A380? Because eight years from this behemoth’s debut (first test flight was 10 years ago, and the first A380 commercial flight was with Singapore in 2007), the plane still has its own allure. It is often still the opening venue for advances in Business and First Class seats. The advent of the plane provoked a number of carriers into reinventing First Class and most others to make serious upgrades. When Etihad introduced its “Residence” and the “First Apartment” it was on the A380 London-Abu Dhabi route last December. (The cabins are now available on the JFK-Abu Dhabi route.)
Routes with Easy-to-Get First and Business Class Mileage Awards on an A380
Emirates
The lowest discounted published First Class fare from Los Angeles to Dubai is $30,845 round-trip. A round-trip award ticket costs 247,500 miles and $1,537 in taxes with the airline’s loyalty program, Emirates Skywards. That’s an 11.8¢ return on miles.
Don’t have Emirates miles? No problem if you have Starwood Starpoints, as you can transfer 75,000 to 200,000 points (cost varies by route and class of service) to Emirates, given the SPG bonuses.
Don’t have Emirates miles or Starpoints? No problem if you have Amex Rewards points, as you can transfer 90,000 to 247,500 to get the First or Business Class opportunity.
Don’t have Emirates miles, Starpoints, or Amex Reward points? Might not be a problem if you have Alaska Airlines miles—see alert on current mileage bonus for up to 50% here—as Emirates is a partner airline. You might have to be more flexible because Alaska’s award inventory for travel on Emirates is less than Emirates own mileage program.
Even Better with Japan Airline Miles: 65,000 to 100,000 in Business Class, 100,000 to 155,000 in First. (Transfer from Starwood requires only 55,000 to 80,000 in Business Class, 80,000 to 125,000 in First; availability is sometimes the same with JAL miles as it is with Emirates miles.)
The lowest discounted published First Class fare for Washington, DC-London is $4,302 round-trip (and goes up to $18,500), while a round-trip award ticket costs 136,000 miles and $1,169 in taxes. That’s a 2.3¢ return on miles.
Don’t have BA miles? No problem if you have Starwood
Starpoints, Amex Rewards, or Chase, as you can transfer 80,000 to 111,000 points (cost varies by departure city and class of service) to BA, given the SPG bonuses; or transfer 100,000 to 136,000 points with the other credit cards.
British Airways Partner Opportunities With American Miles: 100,000 in Business Class, 125,000 in First. (Starwood transfer requires only 80,000 in Business Class, 100,000 in First; availability is often the same with AA miles as it is with BA miles.)
Even Better with Japan Airline Miles: 63,000 to 80,000 in Business Class, 100,000 in First. Starwood transfer requires only 53,000 to 65,000 in Business Class, 80,000 in First; availability is often the same with JAL miles as it is with BA miles.
Air France
The lowest discounted published Business Class fare for Los Angeles-Paris is $6,792 round-trip (and goes up to $16,851), while a round-trip award ticket costs 125,000 miles and $548 in taxes. That’s a 5¢ return on miles.
Don’t have Air France miles? No problem if you have Starwood Starpoints, Amex Rewards, or Citi ThankYou, as you can transfer 100,000 points to Air France, given the SPG bonuses; or transfer 125,000 points with the other credit cards.
Air France Partner Opportunities
With Alitalia Miles: 80,000 in Business Class. Starwood transfer requires only 65,000 in Business Class; availability is sometimes the same with Alitalia miles as it is with Air France miles.
Etihad Airways
The lowest discounted published Business Class fare for New York-Abu Dhabi is $7,046 round-trip (and goes up to $15,971); while a round-trip award ticket costs 176,888 miles and just $286 in taxes. That’s a 3.8¢ return on miles.
Don’t have Etihad miles? No problem if you have Starwood Starpoints, or Citi ThankYou, as you can transfer 142,000 points to Etihad, given the SPG bonuses; or transfer 177,000 points with Citi ThankYou (current 25% transfer bonus).
Etihad Airways Partner Opportunities With American Miles: 135,000 in Business Class if booked before March 22, 2016; after that the cost is 140,000. Starwood transfer requires only 110,000 in Business Class; availability is sometimes the same with AA miles as it is with Etihad miles.
Even Better with All Nippon Airline Miles: 104,000 in Business Class. Transfer from Starwood requires only 84,000; availability is sometimes the same with ANA miles as it is with Etihad miles.
Etihad Airways A380 Business Class Sweet Redeem Survey to Abu Dhabi:
| U.S. Departure Cities |
U.S. to Abu Dhabi |
Abu Dhabi to U.S. |
| Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
| New York |
Oct. |
Dec. |
Dec. Jan. to Sept. |
Oct. |
|
Dec. to Sept. |
Handful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible.
Hopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated.
Hooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.
Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats.
Singapore
The lowest discounted published First Class fare for Los Angeles-Tokyo is $12,200 round-trip while a round-trip award ticket costs 148,750 miles and just $260 in taxes.
That’s an 8¢ return on miles.
Don’t have Singapore miles? No problem if you have Starwood Starpoints, Amex, Chase, or Citi ThankYou, as you can transfer 107,000 to 120,000 points (cost varies by class of service) to Singapore, given the SPG bonuses; or transfer 132,000 to 149,000 points with other credit cards. (Figures are based on the 15% discount for booking awards online.)
Singapore Partner Opportunities
With All Nippon Miles: 85,000 in Business Class. Starwood transfer requires only 70,000; availability is sometimes the same with All Nippon miles as it is with Singapore miles.
Singapore Los Angeles - Tokyo A380 Sweet Redeem Survey:
| Class of Service |
U.S. to Tokyo |
Tokyo to U.S. |
| Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
| First |
Aug., Oct. |
Sept. |
|
Sept. |
Oct. |
|
| Business
|
Dec., Jan. |
Feb., March, April, May to July, Oct. |
Feb., May to July, Aug., Sept. |
Feb., May to July, Aug., Sept. |
Feb., May, Sept., Oct. |
|
Handful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible.
Hopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated.
Hooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.
Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats.
Asiana
The lowest discounted published First Class fare for New York-Seoul is $7,929 round-trip (and goes up to $16,371); while a round-trip award ticket costs 160,000 miles in low season (year round, except Dec. 5 to Dec. 23 and May 14 to July 3, 2016) and just $245 in taxes. That’s a 4.8¢ return on miles.
Don’t have Asiana miles? No problem if you have Starwood Starpoints, as you can transfer 100,000 to 130,000 points (cost varies by class of service) to Asiana, given the SPG bonuses.
Asiana Partner Opportunities
With All Nippon Miles: 95,000 in Business Class (First Class is more using ANA miles). Starwood transfer requires only 80,000 in Business Class; availability is sometimes the same with All Nippon miles as it is with Asiana miles.
The lowest discounted published First Class fare for AtlantaSeoul is $18,291 round-trip, while a round-trip award ticket costs 160,000 (low season) and just $245 in taxes. That’s an 11.3¢ return on miles. (In peak season, Dec. 10 to Dec. 25 and May 13, 2016 to June 30, 2016, the cost is 240,000 miles.)
Don’t have Korean miles? No problem if you have Starwood Starpoints, as you can transfer 100,000 to 195,000 points (cost varies by class of service and travel season) to Korean, given the SPG bonuses, or transfer 125,000 to 240,000 points with Chase.
Korean Partner Opportunities
With Alitalia Miles: 90,000 in Business Class. Starwood transfer requires only 75,000; availability is sometimes the same with Alitalia miles as it is with Korean miles.
China Southern
The lowest discounted published First Class fare for Los Angeles-Guangzhou is $9,550 round-trip (and goes up to $20,399); while a round-trip award ticket costs 310,000 miles and about $398 in taxes. That’s a 3¢ return on miles.
Don’t have China Southern miles? No problem if you have Starwood Starpoints, as you can transfer 180,000 to 250,000 points (cost varies by class of service) to China Southern, given the SPG bonuses.
China Southern Partner Opportunities
With Alitalia Miles: 95,000 in Business Class. Starwood transfer requires only 80,000; availability is sometimes the same with Alitalia miles as it is with China Southern miles.
China Southern Los Angeles-Guangzhou A380 Sweet Redeem Survey
| Class of Service |
U.S. to Guangzhou |
Guangzhou to U.S. |
| Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
| First |
|
Dec., Jan. |
Feb. to Oct. |
|
Dec. |
Jan. to Oct. |
| Business |
Dec. to Feb., July |
Aug. |
March to June, Sept., Oct. |
Dec. to Feb. |
Aug. |
March to June, Sept., Oct. |
Handful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible.
Hopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated.
Hooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.
Months in black at least one seat available.
Emirates A380 Sweet Redeem Survey:
| Route |
Class of Service |
U.S. Departure |
Return to U.S. |
| Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
Handful |
Hopeful |
Return to U.S. |
| Dallas - Dubai |
First |
Dec., Jan., May |
|
Jan. to April, July to Sept. |
Jan. |
Jan., Aug. |
Dec., Feb.,
March, April, May, June, Sept. |
| Business |
Dec. |
May |
Jan. to April, July to Sept. |
Jan |
Aug. |
Dec., Feb.
to April, May, June, Sept. |
| Los Angeles - Dubai |
First |
March, May |
Feb. |
Jan., March, April |
Jan., Feb., March, June |
|
March, April |
| Business |
Jan., April, May |
Feb., March |
March |
Feb., March, June |
April, May |
|
| New York - Dubai |
First |
Dec., July |
Jan.,
May, Sept. |
Jan., Feb.
to April, Sept. |
|
Jan., Aug. |
Dec., Jan., Feb. to April, May, June, Sept. |
| Business |
Dec., July |
Jan.,
May, Sept. |
Jan., Feb.
to April, Sept. |
|
Jan., Aug. |
Dec., Jan., Feb. to April, May, June, Sept. |
| Houston - Dubai |
First |
Oct. |
Dec., May |
Jan. to April, July to Sept. |
Jan., Oct. |
Jan. |
Dec., Jan., Feb. to April, May, June, Sept. |
| Business |
Dec., May, Oct. |
|
Jan. to April, July to Sept. |
Jan., Oct. |
Aug. |
Dec., Jan., Feb. to April, May, June, Sept. |
| New York - Milan |
First |
Oct. |
March, May |
Jan. to April, July to Sept. |
Oct. |
|
Dec., Jan., Feb. to April, May, June, Sept. |
| Business |
Oct. |
March |
Jan. to April, July to Sept. |
|
|
Jan., Feb., March, April to Sept. |
Handful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible.
Hopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated.
Hooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.
Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats.
Korean A380 Sweet Redeem Survey to Seoul:
| U.S.
Departure Cities |
Class of Service |
U.S. to Seoul |
Seoul to U.S. |
| Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
| Atlanta |
First |
|
May |
Dec. to April,
June, July to Oct. |
|
Aug. |
Dec. to April, May, July, Sept.,
Oct. |
| |
Business |
|
May |
Dec. to April, July to Oct. |
|
July, Aug. |
Dec. to April, May, June, July,
Sept., Oct. |
| Los
Angeles |
First |
Dec. |
May |
Dec., Jan. to April, July to Oct. |
|
Aug. |
Dec. to April, May, June, July,
Sept., Oct. |
| |
Business |
|
Dec., May, Aug. |
Dec., Jan.
to April, July, Aug. to Oct. |
|
Dec., Aug. |
Dec., Jan. to April, May, June,
July, Sept., Oct. |
| New York |
First |
Dec. |
Dec., May |
Jan. to April, July to Oct. |
|
Aug., Dec. |
Dec., Jan. to April, May, June,
July, Sept., Oct. |
| |
Business |
|
Dec., May |
Jan. to April, July to Oct. |
Aug. |
Aug. |
Dec. to April, May, June, July,
Sept., Oct. |
Handful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible.
Hopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated.
Hooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.
Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats.
Air France A380 Business Class Sweet Redeem Survey to Paris:
| U.S.
Departure Cities |
U.S. to Paris |
Paris to U.S. |
| Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
| Los
Angeles |
Jan., April,
May, June, July |
Feb., March |
April, May |
Feb., March, April, May, June |
April |
|
| New York |
March, April, Aug. |
Jan., Feb., May, July |
|
|
Jan., July |
Dec., Feb. to June, Aug. |
| Washington,
DC |
June |
July, Aug. |
June to Aug. |
July |
|
June,
July, Aug. |
Handful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible.
Hopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated.
Hooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.
Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats.
Asiana Airlines A380 Sweet Redeem Survey to Seoul:
| U.S. Departure Cities |
Class of Service |
U.S. to Seoul |
Seoul to U.S. |
| Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
| Los Angeles |
First |
|
Feb., March, May |
Jan., April,
May, July to Oct. |
March, Aug. |
May, July |
April, May, June
to Aug., Sept., Oct. |
|
Business |
Dec. |
May, Aug. |
Jan. to April, July, to Oct. |
Dec. |
Jan., Aug. |
Feb. to April,
May, June, July, Sept., Oct. |
| New York |
First |
Jan., May |
Feb. |
Jan., Feb., March, April, May, June to Oct. |
Jan., July, Aug. |
Feb. |
Feb., March to June, July,
Aug., Sept., Oct. |
|
Business |
Dec. |
May |
Jan. to April,
May, June to Oct. |
Jan. |
Aug. |
Dec., Jan., Feb. to July, Aug., Sept., Oct. |
Handful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible.
Hopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated.
Hooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.
Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats.
British Airways A380 Sweet Redeem Survey to London:
| U.S. Departure Cities |
Class of Service |
U.S. to London |
London to U.S. |
| Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
Handful |
Hopeful |
Hooray |
| Los Angeles |
Business |
March, June, Oct. |
|
|
May, June, Oct. |
|
|
| Washington, DC |
First |
April, May, July,
Sept., Oct |
June |
Jan. to March,
July, Aug. |
July, Aug. |
Jan., March |
Jan. Feb., March to
Aug. |
|
Business |
Dec. |
April to June, July,
Aug., Sep. |
Jan. to March,
July, Oct. |
Jan.,
July, Sept. |
Jan. Feb., March, April to June, Aug., Oct. |
Hopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated.
Hooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.
Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats.
