At up to 70% off, they represent incredible value
Northwest has quietly launched its annual Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Business Class promotion, starting at $2,068 round-trip. Without fanfare, United has matched, and Continental is game for November travel to Hong Kong.
Lowest Fares From Los Angeles and San Francisco, fares range from $2,068 to $2,248 to Bangkok, Manila, and Seoul. Dallas and Houston fares to those cities start at $2,378. Boston, Miami, New York and other East Coast fares start at just $2,408.
Comfortable Seats Northwest’s Business Class seats outperform United’s—Continental’s are arguably better than Northwest’s on these routes. Both earn mileage and elite credit with all SkyTeam partner carriers. For the most comfortable seats to Asia on Cathay Pacific and Singapore Air, you’ll have to pay at least $5,000. Having recently made significant investments in premium cabin upgrades, neither airline is discounting heavily. (Singapore seldom discounts much anyway.) Cathay offers a 2-for-1 with Amex’s International Airlines Program to seven Asian countries.
Lowest Upgradeable Fares to First Class If you’re after First Class, United offers the lowest upgradeable Business Class fares, starting at $4,362 round-trip (San Francisco-Seoul), which, for 30,000 miles each way, you can upgrade to a nice First Class, otherwise priced at $9,224.
Mileage Run If you must fly to keep up your elite status credentials, a situation commonly referred to as a ‘Mileage Run,’ this is the time to do it, especially when you can do it in comfort. On a per-mile basis, these are some of the lowest fares you’ll find. Business Class bonuses can yield up to 150% elite and mileage credit. Special Holiday Fares to Europe (outlined in FCF last month) can at times be even better!
Fare Perspective If $2,200 seems too expensive, consider that both class-of-service and elite-status bonuses can yield enough miles to upgrade your next domestic trip—offsetting the net cost of this trip up to $1,000. In other words, if you can save $1,000 on your next domestic round-trip, then this trip might net out at $1,200 roundtrip—amazing given the flight distance.
Canadian Considerations Sorry, but the airlines are neglecting you: There are no Holiday Fares from Canadian gateways. Purchase a separate ticket to a US gateway offering a special fare, and you’ll save up to $3,000+.
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At up to 70% off, they represent incredible value
Northwest has quietly launched its annual Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Business Class promotion, starting at $2,068 round-trip. Without fanfare, United has matched, and Continental is game for November travel to Hong Kong.
Lowest Fares From Los Angeles and San Francisco, fares range from $2,068 to $2,248 to Bangkok, Manila, and Seoul. Dallas and Houston fares to those cities start at $2,378. Boston, Miami, New York and other East Coast fares start at just $2,408.
Comfortable Seats Northwest’s Business Class seats outperform United’s—Continental’s are arguably better than Northwest’s on these routes. Both earn mileage and elite credit with all SkyTeam partner carriers. For the most comfortable seats to Asia on Cathay Pacific and Singapore Air, you’ll have to pay at least $5,000. Having recently made significant investments in premium cabin upgrades, neither airline is discounting heavily. (Singapore seldom discounts much anyway.) Cathay offers a 2-for-1 with Amex’s International Airlines Program to seven Asian countries.
Lowest Upgradeable Fares to First Class If you’re after First Class, United offers the lowest upgradeable Business Class fares, starting at $4,362 round-trip (San Francisco-Seoul), which, for 30,000 miles each way, you can upgrade to a nice First Class, otherwise priced...