Low-Cost First Class Upgrades Available to Europe for Summer Departures

March 2012
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First Class fare promotions, unlike those for Business Class, are a lot harder to find. The proof: Summer Business Class promotional fares to Europe are rampant but not for First Class. With First Class fares ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, taking advantage of a promotional Business Class summer fare ticket—together with using a mileage upgrade to First Class—is a great way to use your miles while still earn-ing miles at the same time and saving a small fortune.

In last month’s issue we highlighted summer 2012 Business Class fares to Europe; here we’ll look at which of the carriers offer a First Class cabin and which allow mileage upgrades with the lowest published Business Class fares (American, British Airways, and United do—whereas Lufthansa and SWISS don’t), and what transatlantic routes offer good upgrade availability for summer departure travel.

Guidelines

  • The departure window for special Summer Business Class fares is June 29 through Sept. 3; so the departure upgrade availability shown below is limited to that time-frame.
  • Not every route offers a First Class cabin, which is why we’ve only included routes that do in the chart. American and British Airways only offer First Class cabins on flights to London from the U.S. (If you must make a connection anyway, here’s one place to consider doing it.)
  • Listed are return dates through January 2013, which was the furthest out permitted at time of research.
  • Keep in mind that upgrades are one-way. If you have to choose, upgrade the overnight flight so you can get a good night’s sleep.
  • Definitions of mileage upgrade chart: Handful: Award space is available for two people traveling on the same itinerary about four to eight days during the month indicated at time of research (in the last two weeks). Decent: Available for two people traveling on the same itinerary about nine to twelve days during the month indicated. Go For It: Available for two people traveling on the same itinerary about 13 days or more during the month indicated.

Upgrade Availability from Business to First Class—for Travel to Europe Summer 2012

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