First Class Insider: Getting the Front Cabin at an 85% Summer Discount

May 2010
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In last month’s FCF Report Card (page 3), we rated the major airlines’ upgrade policies from Business to First Class on routes from the U.S. to Europe. This month we’re revisiting the topic, highlighting discounted upgradeable Business Class fares offered by American and United on routes to Asia, Europe, and South America.

Getting the Miles

American lets you buy up to 40,000 miles per year, and it is also a transfer partner with Diners Club and Starwood. Starwood allows you to buy up to 19,000 points, and if you combine them with 40,000 miles from American, you’ll have more than the 50,000 the carrier requires for First Class upgrades on flights to many destinations.

United

‍allows you to buy up to 60,000 miles per year, which is more than enough miles needed for many destinations. But don’t transfer points from Starwood, as United gives you only one mile for every two points transferred.

Getting the Upgrade

‍The more flexibility you have with dates and destinations, the better your chances are of scoring an upgrade. Always start your upgrade search with the long-haul flight (transatlantic or transpacific).

Low Upgradeable Business Class Fares to Asia, Europe, and South America

[table_opt style="gray-header" id="1398 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]

[["<strong>Region<\/strong>","<strong>Route<\/strong>","<strong>Airline<\/strong>","<strong>Advance Fare<\/strong>","<strong>Miles Required<\/strong>","<strong>First Class Fare<\/strong>","<strong>Savings<\/strong>"],["Asia","Atlanta - Hong Kong","UA","$3,270","50,000","$16,398","$13,128 \/ 80%"],["#rowspan#","Houston - Beijing","AA","$3,010","50,000","$19,776","$16,766 \/ 85%"],["#rowspan#","Los Angeles - Seoul","UA","$3,200","50,000","$8,676","$5,476 \/ 63%"],["#rowspan#","Miami - Shanghai","UA, AA","$3,538","50,000","$19,998","$16,460 \/ 82%"],["#rowspan#","New York - Tokyo","UA","$3,650","50,000","$14,745","$11,095 \/ 75%"],["Europe","Atlanta - Zurich","UA","$1,938","40,000","$3,876","$1,938 \/ 50%"],["#rowspan#","Boston - Frankfurt","UA","$1,738","40,000","$3,476","$1,738 \/ 50%"],["#rowspan#","Houston - London","UA","$1,680","40,000","$3,400","$1,720 \/ 50%"],["#rowspan#","Los Angeles - London","UA","$2,376","40,000","$4,752","$2,376 \/ 50%"],["#rowspan#","New York - Brussels","UA","$1,438","40,000","$2,876","$1,438 \/ 50%"],["South America","Los Angeles - Buenos Aires","UA, AA","$2,913","50,000","$10,108","$7,195 \/ 71%"],["#rowspan#","Miami - Su00e3o Paulo","UA, AA","$2,484","50,000","$10,022","$7,538 \/ 75%"],["#rowspan#","New York - Rio de Janeiro","UA, AA","$2,228","50,000","$9,220","$6,992 \/ 76%"]]
<small><em>AA = American, UA = United. Fares shown do not include taxes and fees.</em></small>