Get your dates right to leverage savings of up to $9,945 or 752,000 miles on American Airlines, First Class for less than Business
First Class fares can often run up to $13,400, making them not even a thought for most people–and using your miles these days for premium seats gets bad headlines nowadays. So when we protted an opening, from January through March, a time when Europe hosts a range of extraordinary events that are ideal for any kind of traveler, we took notice.
There are countless reasons to love Europe outside of high season. I have no interest in destinations that are overcrowded with tourists.
There are many activities and events across the Continent during these three months, as well as the award costs and strategies that can make travel much more attractive.
Across the Alps in Italy, for example, the Carnival of Venice from February 22 to March 4, 2025. Imagine arriving in Venice after a comfortable First Class flight and stepping straight into an age-old tradition where the streets and canals come alive with costume balls and theatrical performances. It’s a celebration steeped in history, as timeless as the city itself.
Or head south to the Carnival in Nice from February 15 to March 2, 2025. Here, the French Riviera glistens under winter sun with parades, floats, and celebrations that color the streets. After a smooth flight, the beauty of Nice is the perfect backdrop for one of Europe’s largest carnivals.
First Class Journey to Europe
First Class fares can often soar with many airlines charging a premium for this disappearing cabin. Take Air France, for example, where a nonstop flight from New York to Paris will set you back $11,428+, and adding a stop in London bumps the fare to $11,627+.
Meanwhile, Lufthansa offers First Class fares from New York to Frankfurt for $7,657+, but routes to Munich climb to $10,018+, and with a stop in London, skyrocket to $12,698+. SWISS isn’t far behind, with fares to Zurich at $7,914+, and flights with a stop in London pushing the price to $9,917+.
By contrast, oneworld alliance members offer more competitive First Class pricing for transatlantic routes. American Airlines, for example, offers First Class service between key U.S. cities and Europe, notably London and Rome.
Here’s a breakdown of typical First Class fares on American Airlines:
- Los Angeles to London: Ranges from $5,690 to $8,800.
- Miami to London: Typically between $5,760 and $7,060.
- New York to London: The most affordable, with fares from $3,857 to $5,780.
- Dallas to London: Mid-week fares average around $5,970, while peak travel days see prices rise to $6,470-$7,480.
- Charlotte to London: For mid-week travel, fares start at $5,170, with peak season prices between $7,560 and $13,400.
- New York to Rome (service through October 25): Fares from $6,790 to $9,270 for nonstop service, making it a pricier but direct option.
Award Costs and Strategies
But if you don’t want to pay on average $5,000+, here’s a look at the award costs on American:
To/From London:
- Charlotte: Keep your eye out for the lowest cost awards are at the moment typically found close-in for 128,000 to 221,000 round-trip, otherwise go for 254,000 to 880,000 miles round-trip.
- Dallas: The lowest cost awards currently are found close-in for 144,000-230,000 round-trip, otherwise go for 254,000 to 880,000 miles round-trip.
- New York: The lowest cost awards currently found close-in and typically a handful of random days each month for 128,000 to 144,000 miles round-trip, (compare Business Class usually running 340,000 miles on Delta, and 160,000+ on United.) Get First Class for much less than Business!
- Los Angeles: The lowest cost awards currently found close-in for 188,000 round-trip, otherwise go for 284,000 to 880,000 miles round-trip.
- Miami: The lowest cost awards currenlty found close-in for 294,000 round-trip, otherwise go for 534,000 to 880,000 miles round-trip.
To/From Rome:
- New York (service through October 25): Keep your eye out for the lowest cost awards typically found close-in for 188,000 round-trip, otherwise go for 284,000 to 880,000 miles round-trip.
No Miles? No Problem
If you’re low on American miles, Amex, Capital One, and Chase members can transfer points to British Airways to get tickets to Europe for as low as 206,000 miles round-trip from the West Coast, or transfer from Amex, Capital One, and Citi to Cathay Pacific to get tickets to Europe for as low as 240,000 miles round-trip from the East Coast.
Buy American miles when on sale: With the Dallas-to-London baseline fare at $5,970, you can buy 128,000 American Airlines miles for about $3,130 when on sale and add taxes of about $325 with American’s loyalty program for a total of $3,455. Using cash to buy miles will save up to $2,515, or 42%.
To/From London and New York on American
At time of publication, which changes by the minute, we did not find any available low-cost award seats to/from Miami-London or to/from New York-Rome.
Here's what we found:
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Getting There
If you’re traveling internationally from a smaller U.S. city, concentrate on the long-haul flight. Say you live in Boise and are going to London via Dallas, the important seats are the ones on the long Dallas-to-London leg. Prioritize the flight segments you want to be most comfortable on even if it means flying in economy from Boise to Dallas.
Not flying from Charlotte, Dallas, Los Angeles, or New York and/or to London? Learn about getting free connecting flights or buying a positioning flight.
Sample connecting flights ACROSS the U.S to New York/JFK
Non-stops on American to New York/JFK according to www.flightconnections.com
Sample connecting flights from London to all over Europe
Non-stops on American and partners from London/LHR to all over Europe according to www.flightconnections.com
Whether you're jetting off to sip wine at a Parisian gallery or donning a mask in Venice, these miles and points opportunities are as good as they get with American. Each journey is more than just a flight — it’s the beginning of an unforgettable adventure, so consider