Which are actually available, now.
Ever hear of an airline promo that, when you went to book it, wasn’t actually available? That’s why this month, in this article we go deeper, reporting on the opportunity and the availability. (If the opportunity doesn’t sound like it’s for you, just skip it so you can go through the newsletter quickly.)
The first deal is for those of you needing to book and fly right away; the other four deals are for those of you planning ahead. Most of the deals start as little as $1,250 for Business Class, and there is also a Premium Economy deal.
If you’re booking—and flying—soon…
Opportunity #1: Cheaper-than-Free Business Class Upgrade to Europe
AirEuropa and KLM Dutch Airlines, both part of the Air France Group’s Flying-Blue mileage program, are offering Business Class to Europe for only 50,000 miles, half the normal rate. That’s how much most airlines charge for economy, making this deal a free upgrade.
If you don’t have the miles: The best way to nail this one is by transferring 40,000 Starpoints— fewer miles than many carriers charge for economy, making this opportunity cheaper-than-free— the 10,000-point transfer bonus brings the total to 50,000. Or trans-fer 50,000 Amex Membership Rewards points to the FlyingBlue program. You can buy the Amex Reward points directly (just by calling them, in about 10 minutes) for $1,250, which is a lot cheaper than the published fares ($4,000 to $10,000).
If you don’t have an Amex Card or Starwood account: Buy the miles from FlyingBlue directly. The current promo-tion of 40% bonus miles on 40,000 purchased miles yields a cost of just $1,323 for 56,000 miles.
Fine Print: Valid for travel through June 30 from Dallas, Montreal, New York (JFK), and Vancouver. More: FlyingBlue Opportunity and Buying FlyingBlue Miles
If you’re booking now—for travel later…
Opportunity #2: Free Business Class Upgrade to Europe
US Airways, a Starwood points-transfer partner, is offering Business Class for only 60,000 miles from Jan. 15 through Feb. 28, 2013. The offer is valid from every US Airways gateway to every one of its European destinations. It only takes 50,000 Starpoints, transferred to the Dividend Miles program to get this one, as the 10,000-point transfer bonus brings the total to 60,000.
Our research turned up sevenEuropean routes that offer favorable mileage availability during the travel window (see chart top right). Confirm the trans-Atlantic flight first and then work back to your connecting flight. More: US Airways Opportunity)
Free Business Class Mileage Award Space on US Airways to Europe: Jan. 15 through Feb. 28
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Opportunity #3: Almost Free Business Class Upgrade to Asia
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is offering Business Class tickets to Tokyo for 70,000 to 75,000 miles, up to 44% less than most other airlines charge that fly this route. (Honolulu departures cost 60,000 miles.) You can get this one with 60,000 to 65,000 Starwood Starpoints, the amount that many carriers charge for coach—equivalent to a free upgrade—or by purchasing Amex Membership Rewards points ($1,750 to $1,875). Given that ANA’s lowest published Washington, DC-Tokyo Business Class fare (30-day advance-purchase required) is $5,820 plus taxes, that amounts to a savings of $3,945 (68%).
Valid Jan. 7 through Feb. 28, 2013 from Chicago, LosAngeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. (See chart on page 6 for routes that offer favorablemileage availability during the travel window.)
More: Japan Airlines Opportunity
Free Business Class Mileage Award Space on Japan Airlines to Tokyo: Jan. 7 through Feb. 28
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Opportunity #4: Free Business Class Upgrade to Tokyo
JJapan Airlines (JAL) is offering Business Class to Tokyo for 70,000 miles, up to 44% less than other airlines charge that fly this route. (Honolulu departures cost 50,000 miles.) It takes 60,000 Starwood Starpoints to get the seat, the amount many carriers charge for coach, making this equivalent to a free upgrade.
Valid for travel Jan. 7 through Feb. 28, 2013 from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Vancouver. (See chart below for routes that offer favorable mileage availability during the travel window.)
More: Japan Airlines Opportunity
Free Premium Economy Mileage Award Space on Japan Airlines to Tokyo: Jan. 7 through Feb. 28
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Opportunity #5: Cheaper-Than-Free Upgrade to Premium Economy to Asia for Less Than Economy
Japan Airlines is also offering Premium Economy seats to Tokyo for only 55,000 miles. (Most airlines charge 65,000 or more for economy on this route.) A Starwood transfer requires only 45,000 points, making this equivalent to a cheaper-than-free upgrade.
Japan Airlines is also offering Premium Economy seats to Tokyo for only 55,000 miles. (Most airlines charge 65,000 or more for economy on this route.) A Starwood transfer requires only 45,000 points, making this equivalent to a cheaper-than-free upgrade.
More: Japan Airlines Opportunity
Free Premium Economy Mileage Award Space on Japan Airlines to Tokyo: Jan. 7 through Feb. 28