… begs the $64,000 question:

Is it for real?

Quick answer: Yes.

It’s one of the surprising finds in part three of FCF’s latest mileage-award comparison reports.

This time it’s eight oneworld alliance airline loyalty programs compared:

Air Berlin/Topbonus, American/AAdvantage, British Airways/Executive Club, Cathay Pacific/Asia Miles, Iberia/Iberia Plus, Japan Airlines/JAL Mileage Club, LAN/LanPass and Malaysia/Enrich.

Each of the eight rated:

A+ through to D-.

Best and Worst Business Class Oneworld Award Opportunities: U.S. to/from Southern South America takes care of page 8 and 9 in the latest issue, and takes good care of members not afraid to call themselves mileage misers.

Hey that’s me. Those miles are hard-earned (when not easily bought) and thriftily spent they are a source of great comfort in more ways than one.

BTW, the airline with the 65,000 miles Business Class seat is Japan Airlines and the routes are Miami-Buenos Aires and New York-Rio de Janeiro.

But get this: Japan Airlines does not fly those routes.

This is (again) why you need to think partner airlines.

As always, so counterintuitive.

Nurture that upgrade mindset.