Normal Lowest Airfare: $5,596 round-trip to London from Seattle with a 150-day advance purchase requirement; up to $10,144 if you miss that deadline.
Usual Lowest Award Cost: 136,000 miles to/from Boston, Chicago, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Washington, DC off-peak (peak is 160,000); 170,000 miles to/from Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Vancouver off-peak (peak is 200,000).
Not only does BA have great First Class award availability for solo passengers on many routes, but FCF research shows eight routes that offer award space for four passengers, which is very unusual. Most airlines, given the small size of the First Class cabin, usually only offer award space for one passenger.
Sweet Redeem Survey: British Airways First Class
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Even Better: BA Partner Award Opportunity
Save up to 85,000 miles (43%) by booking the Suite through Japan Airlines’ loyalty program (accessible to Starwood players). Inventory through JAL is often similar to BA’s own. Cost is 100,000 miles round-trip London to/from Boston, Chicago, Miami, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, DC; and 115,000 from Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle.
No British Airways Miles? No Problem.
Transfer Starwood Points to BA: 111,000 to 140,000 miles to/from Boston, Chicago, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Washington, DC; 140,000 to 160,000 miles to/from Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Vancouver.
Transfer Amex Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to British Airways.
Another Great Option: “Miles + Money” reduces the miles required for an award ticket by upping the cash portion. But you must have 50% of the miles required for the flight in your BA account.
New York-London off-peak mileage cost in First Class is 136,000 plus $1,256 in taxes, but via Miles + Money it comes down to 68,000 miles plus $2,666. In effect, you are buying 68,000 BA miles for $1,410 or 2.1¢, not a bad rate.
Transfer Starwood Points to JAL: 80,000 to 95,000 round-trip—up to 36% fewer miles than many airlines charge for Business Class.
No Miles or Points in any Program? No Problem.
Purchase Amex Rewards Points: They cost 2.5¢ each (500,000 annual purchase limit). Using this strategy, a First Class award costs $3,400 to $5,000 round-trip (plus award taxes at about $1,150+) for a ticket that can cost $20,000+.
The Suite: 14 semi-enclosed cabins (no privacy doors), configured 1x2x1. Each has a 78-inch-long flatbed with a quilted mattress and a 15-inch-wide monitor.
Experience the British Airways suite in detail.
[aside headline="How to Get 82% Off British Airways’ Suite When You Don’t Have Miles or Points" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]That’s how much you could save through its Alaska Airlines partnership if you take advantage of Alaska’s current mileage-purchase bonus—up to 40%. (The carrier offers the bonus every two to three months.) That brings the cost of Seattle-London (and from all other U.S. gateways) down to $4,145, the cost to buy 140,000 Alaska miles. The walk-up fare can be as much as $23,417 from Seattle. First Class award availability using Alaska miles is often similar to BA’s.[/aside]
Routes with the First Class Suite
To/From London: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York (JFK), Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, DC.
Your North American Departure Not Listed? You can easily connect from almost anywhere in the U.S and Canada on the same or a separate ticket, depending on the mileage program used to get the award.
Not Flying To/From London? British Airways serves cities all over Africa, Asia, Europe, and the South Pacific, any of which can be added for more miles; cost depends on the region. British Airways’ destinations here.