First Class fares are so hefty to this part of the world—ranging from $17,000 to $21,000 (Emirates from NYC and LAX to Dubai)—that it’s silly to pay cash. Except for Saudi Arabian Airlines’ New York to Riyadh flight, the return-on-miles is greater than four cents, well above the 2.5¢ we use as the bareminimum return for redeeming miles.
The marks are based on three main criteria: the ease of earning miles without flying the carrier; number of credit-card-transfer partners the airline has; and the return on miles.
Air India / Flying Returns: D
The grade reflects the high mileage requirement, 225,000, and the low limit on miles that can be purchased annually.
Alaska Airlines / Mileage Plan: A
This carrier doesn’t fly to the Middle East or India, but its loyalty program can get you there on British Airways or Cathay Pacific. At 140,000 miles for Cathay, Mileage Plan offers the lowest redemption rate to India and the second best to the Middle East on Cathay (via Hong Kong). It only charges 160,000 miles on BA, up to 110,000 fewer miles than BA’s own program asks for the same award. (The savings equals a free Business Class ticket to Europe.)
All Nippon Airways / ANA Mileage Club: A
Partner awards are based on distance flown and are pretty reasonable: 140,000 miles for itineraries up to 14,000 miles; 160,000 miles for up to 18,000 miles; 180,000 miles for up to 20,000 miles; and 200,000 miles for up to 22,000 miles.
American Airlines / AAdvantage: B
It charges 180,000 miles to its one destination in India (Delhi), and offers an “All Airlines Award” of 180,000 miles to the Middle East and India on its partner airlines. (That includes departures from Hawaii and Alaska.) It’s an okay deal, coming in at up to 90,000 fewer miles than its oneworld partner BA.
British Airways / Executive Club: C
It charges according to zones: 240,000 miles to the Middle East and 270,000 to India. Lower cost First Class award redemptions can be had via mileage partners Alaska and AA.
Emirates / Skywards: B
Charges are based on miles flown: to the Middle East the range is from 217,000 to 255,000 miles; to India 240,000 to 285,000 miles. That’s a very high redemption rate, but with First Class fares above $17,000, you still get a good return on your miles. Plus Emirates First Class suite is one of the best in the air.
First Class Mileage Award Redemption Rates to the Middle East and India
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Etihad Airways / Etihad Guest: D
First Class awards to India cost 240,000 miles and to the Middle East 210,000 to 240,000 miles. The major drawback: lack of a credit-card-transfer partner or buy-miles option.
Kuwait Airways / Oasis Club: C
It offers the lowest rate to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Kuwait (100,000 miles) and charges only 120,000 miles to Amman and Riyadh. India costs 160,000 miles. The major drawback is the lack of a credit-card-transfer partner or buy-miles option.
Saudi Arabian Airlines / Alfursan: D
It has only two routes from the U.S., New York and Washington, DC, to Jeddah. Both cost 210,000 miles and yield a two-cent return on miles.
United and Continental / Mileage Plus and OnePass: A
Both carriers get high marks for their low rates to the Middle East and India. Partner awards on Lufthansa start at 145,000 miles to the former and 160,000 miles to the latter. Only Alaska Airlines charges less. (Hawaii departures cost up to 15,000 more.)
US Airways / Dividend Miles: B+
It gets high marks for pretty good rates to India (160,000 miles) and the Middle East (180,000 miles), and for not charging extra for departures from Hawaii.