This month FCF examined 16 airlines and ended up surprised at how good these programs are—only two carriers received C’s. Also impressive was how much you can save by just buying miles. A First Class ticket from Washington, DC to Buenos Aires on United starts at $13,000, whereas buying the points from American Express Rewards comes to only $2,500, a savings of 81%.
What is really unusual is that First Class award programs to South America charge from 100,000 to 140,000 miles. That’s a very narrow spread. To Europe the range is 100,000 to 195,000 miles and to Asia 110,000 to 490,000. Thus, our grades also reflect the ease or difficulty of getting the necessary miles without actually earning them.
Not all 16 programs are shown in this report. We excluded carriers that didn’t have a bonafide First Class cabin or didn’t offer partner First Class redemptions (Delta and LAN), and we cut out their partners when the partner award costs the same (or more) as the operating carrier. Why go through the side door when the front is open?
Air Canada / Aeroplan: A
Gets the top grade because it only charges 100,000 miles for a First Class Star Alliance award, the amount many airlines charge for a Business Class award; and because the rate is the same from the West Coast (LAX) and the East Coast (NYC). Miles can be obtained from Amex Rewards (500,000-point annual purchase limit), Starwood, and Diners Club; or members can top-up from Aeroplan.
All Nippon Airways / ANA Mileage Club: B
First Class awards start at 100,000 miles for itineraries of up to 9,000 miles round-trip, such as Orlando to São Paulo (8,524 miles), 120,000 for 9,001 to 11,000 miles roundtrip, and 140,000 for 11,001 to 14,000 miles round trip, and allows credit card point transfers from Amex Rewards and Diners Club.
American Airlines / AAdvantage: B-
Charges 125,000 miles for a First Class award, and allows credit card point transfers from Starwood and Diners Club. Annual purchase limit: 40,000 miles.
British Airways / Executive Club: B- Charges
120,000 miles for a First Class award on AA to South America, 5,000 fewer miles than AA charges. Club World members can buy up to 19,000 miles from BA, or transfer credit card points from Amex Rewards, Starwood, or Diners.
Continental / OnePass and United / Mileage Plus: C
The two airlines’ mileage programs, though still separate, are mirror images, which is why we’ve combined them. Both charge 135,000 miles for a First Class award. United has a 60,000-mile limit on mileage purchases; Continental is unlimited (60,000 per transaction). Credit card points can be transferred to Continental from Amex Rewards.
TAM Airlines / Fidelidade: C
The only major South American airline that offers an international First Class cabin. Award charges depend on the season: 100,000 miles from Mar. 16 to May 31 and Aug. 16 to Nov. 30, and 120,000 miles the rest of the year. The major drawback is that TAM doesn’t allow credit card point transfers and doesn’t sell miles.
US Airways / Dividend Miles: B
Has no First Class cabin on international routes, but offers First Class redemptions for use on its partners flying to South America: United and TAM. The rate is 125,000 miles round-trip, 10,000 fewer than United charges. Miles can be obtained from transfer partner Starwood or by taking advantage of US Airways generous purchase program.
Comparing First Class Mileage Award Redemption Rates to South America
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