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 used to illustrate a given strategy.
But that’s not true. The strategies and tactics we outline often work no matter what your itinerary or departure city or country is. 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 many of you might think has little relevance to FCF.
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 “Business Class for Less Than Coach: To Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico”
The special report has global relevance because Canadian and U.K. Starwood members can also get the 25% British Airways bonus and then use the miles to save on First and Business Class on BA or one of its mileage partners. All of the routes listed on pages 8, 9, and 10 can be booked in reverse; the BA mileage amounts are the same as is the award inventory. BA also offers 80,000-mile awards in Business Class from Canada, for example on Toronto-London. That’s 10,000 miles less than Air Canada charges, and 54,000 (40%) less during the promotion. Go here to use the BA mileage calculator to see how many points are required for your route.
The section outlining the when, how, and drawbacks to using BA miles also pertains to any country BA serves, and the “Cash & Miles” opportunity can be a great value for international members looking to get miles cheaply.
From “How to Become a Transconnoisseur: What You Need to Know About the Evolving Premium Service and Fares”
The article has global application because anyone coming to the U.S. that is going to fly JFK-LAX or SFO should know how to get the best Business and First Class fares, and should know which American flights will offer a better seat.
From “Premium Travel Quick Takes” (page 6)
Knowing that Air France is starting a new premium seat roll-out is just as important for someone flying to (as well as from) the U.S. or Canada (Toronto).
The same goes for Delta’s Smart Travel Pack Option, which can be purchased in any country (but must be paid for in U.S. dollars) and Delta and Virgin Atlantic Airways’ joint venture approval, which are as important to someone departing from New York as they are for someone departing Columbus, Georgia, London, Paris, or Sydney.
KLM’s new Business Class seat roll-out on B747s is relevant to anyone flying the carrier in the next few months. The roll-out won’t be completed until April, 2014, so until then you’ll want to book a refitted 747 if you can. After April, it’s smooth flying.
Lufthansa’s new Premium Economy class is relevant to anyone who flies the airline, no matter what the departure city.
Qatar Airways first A380 is big news for anyone who travels Qatar, but especially for Europeans as the first route will be to and from Europe.
From “Rife with Upgrade Opportunities: New Routes, Upgraded Seats, and Aircraft Changes” (page 11)
Knowing which months have favorable mileage award availability on Aeromexico, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, and Korean enables you to get a better flight experience from many countries.