December 2014: Where to Find Upgrade Opportunities Now

December 2014
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New routes, new seats, and aircraft changes can mean good to wide-open availability for a short time. Take advantage of the opportunities while they last.

This Month: Time to Burn Amex, Citi ThankYou, and Starwood Points or Air France and Etihad Airways Miles Between the U.S. or Canada and Europe or the Middle East

Air France

New Route Opportunity: Vancouver-Paris starts March 29 using a B777-200. Many months offer four seats available (take the family).

Easy Connections To/From: All over Canada and the U.S.

Fly To/From Beyond Paris: To/from many European destinations at no extra cost. Johannesburg costs 75,000 miles more in Business Class.

Air France’s Flying Blue Miles: 125,000 for Business Class and 100,000 for Premium Economy. Explore award space.

Amex Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points Transfer: 125,000 for Business Class and 100,000 for Premium Economy.

Amex Membership Rewards Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point; get a Business Class ticket for $3,125 through the Buy Miles to Fly in Style strategy, a ticket that can otherwise cost as much as $6,627 (CAD $7,513) with no advance purchase or minimum stay.

Starwood Points Transfer: 100,000 for Business Class and 80,000 for Premium Economy.

Survey of Award Availability: Air France Vancouver - Paris

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Partner Opportunity with Alaska Miles: If you take advantage of Alaska Airlines current buy miles bonus of up to 35%, then Vancouver-Paris in Business Class costs $2,808— versus a fare of up to $6,627.

Etihad Airways

New Route Opportunity: Dallas-Abu Dhabi using a B777- 200LR starts Dec. 3.

Easy Connections To/From: All over the U.S.

Fly To/From Beyond Abu Dhabi: Destinations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East cost more miles, depending on the region. Explore destinations.

Etihad Airways’ Etihad Guest Miles: 208,147 for Business Class and 260,917 for First Class. Explore award space.

Starwood Points Transfer: 169,000 for Business Class and 211,000 for First Class.

Survey of Award Availability: Etihad Airways Dallas - Abu Dhabi

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Partner Opportunity

American AAdvantage Miles: First Class is 180,000 miles from any U.S. city; with the 20% Starwood transfer bonus, the ticket costs 145,000 Starpoints. Business Class is 135,000 miles; transfer requires 110,000 Starpoints.

Even Better: All Nippon Mileage Club Miles: Brings First Class down to 160,000 miles and Business Class to 105,000. Transfer 85,000 to 130,000 Starpoints or 105,000 to 160,000 Amex Membership Reward points to ANA.

[["Class","Vancouver - Paris","#colspan#","#colspan#","Paris - Vancouver","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["#rowspan#","Handful","Hopeful","Hooray","Handful","Hopeful","Hooray"],["Business","Sept.","","<span style=\"color: #009966;\"><strong>May to Aug.<\/strong><\/span>","","<span style=\"color: #009966;\"><strong>May, June<\/strong><\/span>","<strong><span style=\"color: #6699cc;\">May to Aug.<\/span>, <span style=\"color: #009966;\">July, Aug.<\/span><\/strong>"],["Premium Economy","Sept.","June","<span style=\"color: #009966;\"><strong>May<\/strong><\/span>","Sept.","June","<span style=\"color: #009966;\"><strong>May<\/strong><\/span>"]]
<small><span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Handful:</em></strong></span> 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. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Hopeful:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Hooray:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated. <em>Months in black: at least one seat available: <span style="color: #6699cc;"> in blue, at least <u>two</u> seats:</span> <span style="color: #009966;"> in green, at least <u>four</u> seats.</span> </em></small>
[["Class","Dallas - Abu Dhabi","#colspan#","#colspan#","Abu Dhabi - Dallas","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["#rowspan#","Handful","Hopeful","Hooray","Handful","Hopeful","Hooray"],["Business","Dec., Feb.","Jan., Marc","<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><strong>April, May<\/strong><\/span>","Dec. to Feb.","March","<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><strong>April, May<\/strong><\/span>"],["First","Oct.","Feb.","<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><strong>Dec., Jan., March to Sept.<\/strong><\/span>","<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><strong>Jan.<\/strong><\/span>","Dec., Feb., Oct.","<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><strong>March to Sept.<\/strong><\/span>"]]
<small><span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Handful:</em></strong></span> 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. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Hopeful:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Hooray:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated. <em>Months in black: at least one seat available: <span style="color: #6699cc;">in blue, at least <u>two</u> seats.</span></em></small>