The Seats: The carrier’s best international Business Class seat (170-degree recline, 22 inches wide) is only on B777s. They usually fly international routes, but also look for them from New York/Newark to Houston. The second-best option is Continental’s internationally configured B767s and B757s, with Business Class seats that recline 156 degrees.
Connections: Keep this in mind when making connections. For example: Flying from Albuquerque to Newark on Continental requires a change in Houston. Go for flights 1482 and 40 (B767) to score the international Business Class seat.
Return on miles: On New York/Newark-Honolulu and HoustonHonolulu routes, Continental flies 767s. Both routes offer a great return on miles since fares are usually high; a First Class ticket can easily cost $2,600. The Newark-Honolulu flight time is three hours longer than JFK-London, but costs 25,000 miles less. We surveyed both routes over the next 11 months and found award space to be good from Newark to Honolulu, December through February, outbound, and December through April for the return. Availability from Houston to Honolulu is good for departures October through February, and October through April for the return.
Buying miles: Short on miles? DON’T buy them from Continental at 3.2¢ per mile. At 2.5¢ per mile, American Express Membership Rewards (transferable to Continental) is a much better deal. Also avoid Starwood, usually our favorite. Starpoints are transferable to Continental, but the exchange rate is lousy.
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