And for U.S. Residents Who Don’t See Their Departure or Destination City Named in the Examples.
Far too often, FCF readers think that our strategies only apply to the routes we use to illustrate the high-value of a given strategy.
But that’s not true. The strategies and tactics we outline often work no matter your itinerary or departure city—or country. You can see a short video here showing how to fly Business Class for the price of coach from the South Pacific to Europe—a route few would think FCF is relevant to.
Here are examples of this month’s FCF special features that employ concepts applicable to flights originating in Australia, Canada, Europe, and smaller U.S. cities.
From “82% Off on First and Business Class” (pg. 1)
The article has global relevance because anyone in any country can (for the most part) buy Alaska miles, book Alaska’s mileage partners, and save on First and Business Class travel. For example, Alaska’s Qantas mileage award is offered from Australia and New Zealand to North America. Cathay Pacific’s flight awards are offered from Asia to North America (including Canada), intra-Asia, and for travel between Hong Kong and Europe. Even Emirates awards via Alaska miles redemptions are not only offered from India or the Middle East to North America, but also between Europe and North America. Click here to see all travel awards using Alaska miles.
From “How to Overcome a Big Challenge in Using Credit Card Points for Premium Travel” (pg. 2)
The article has global application because anyone in any country can hold award travel for the airlines listed in the chart. Hold time might vary by country. The concept, too, regardless of your credit card, is worth knowing at the level of detail explained for the greatest advantage, no matter if you live in Addis Abba or Zimbabwe.
From “What’s Worth More To and From Asia” (pg. 10)
No matter where seasoned travelers live, they often don’t know whether an upgrade or an award is more valuable.
The article’s side-by-side comparison of an upgrade vs. a free ticket on Chicago-Beijing also holds true for Beijing-Chicago. Given that United flies to six different continents, the concept holds true for a non-U.S. citizen or resident living in Korea, Cordoba, Kuwait, or Kiev as it does for an American citizen in Cleveland.
Sample Cost of Business Class Using Miles—Beijing-Chicago: Upgrade Award vs. Free Award
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From “Rife with Upgrade Opportunities” (pg. 12)
Knowing which months have favorable mileage award availability on Airberlin and Japan Airlines can get you to/from many countries in a better flight experience.
From “Premium Travel Quick Takes” (pg. 14)
This article also has global application because knowing that Austrian Airlines has completed its rollout is just as important to someone flying from as flying to the U.S., or from Toronto.
The same goes for Delta’s program changes, which are as important to someone departing New York as they are for someone departing Columbus, Georgia, or goimg from Paris to New York, or Toronto to London.
Singapore’s new First and Business Class—offered only on the London-Singapore route—is big news for Brits traveling to Asia.
Virgin Atlantic’s mileage purchase-limit increase (which can equal lucrative premium class savings) applies to every member of the loyalty program—no matter where they live. (More on that soon.)