Asia and Europe—Accessible One Way or Another By Anyone—Valid Up Through April 2012
Opportunity #1: Cheaper-Than-Free Business Class Upgrade to Europe
AirEuropa, Air France, and KLM, all part of the FlyingBlue mileage program, are offering Business Class to Europe for only 50,000 miles (normally they charge 100,000). That’s how much most airlines charge for economy, making this deal a free upgrade.
The best ways to nail a seat is by transferring 40,000 Starpoints (which makes the upgrade cheaper than free, in that many other carriers charge more for coach), the 10,000-point transfer bonus brings the total to 50,000. Or transfer 50,000 Amex Rewards points to Flying Blue or you can buy the Amex points for $1,250, a lot cheaper than the published fares ($4,000 to $10,000). Valid for travel through Dec. 31, from Calgary, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Montreal, Seattle, Toronto and Washington, DC. (It might be worth buying a ticket to one of these cities just to catch the amazing deal.) More:
Opportunity #2: Cheaper-Than-Free Business Class Upgrade to Asia
Japan Airlines, via American’s AAdvantage program, is offering Business Class to Tokyo from Vancouver for only 50,000 miles, making this deal another free upgrade. Just transfer 40,000 Starpoints (which makes the upgrade cheaper than free, in that many other carriers charge more for coach) or 50,000 Diners Club points to AAdvantage. If you are short on miles, you can buy most of the miles needed from American (up to 40,000) and the other 10,000 from Starwood.
Given that the normal fare can be $3,000 to $8,000, again it could be well worth your while to buy a ticket to Vancouver to make the deal work. I would. Valid for travel through Feb. 29, 2012. More:
Opportunity #3: Free Business Class Upgrade to Aisa
Japan Airlines (JAL) is offering Business Class to Tokyo for 50,000 miles, up to 58% less than other airlines charge that fly this route. It takes 40,000 Starwood Starpoints (the 10,000-point transfer bonus brings the total to 50,000), less than the amount many carriers charge for coach, making this equivalent to a free upgrade. Valid for travel Nov.1 through Feb. 29, 2012 from San Francisco and Vancouver; requires a 7 day advance notice.
Mileage redeeming availability offers favorable odds—award space available for two passengers traveling together about 75%—in November and December. More:
Opportunity #4: Almost Free Business Class Upgrade to Asia
AsiaAll Nippon Airways (ANA) is offering Business Class tickets to Tokyo for 70,000 to 75,000 miles, up to 44% less than most of the other airlines that fly this route charge. You can get this one with 60,000 to 65,000 Starwood points, the amount that many carriers charge for coach, or by purchasing Amex Rewards points ($1,750-$1,875).
That is up to 66% off published Business Class fares, equivalent to a free upgrade. Valid for travel April 1 through April 26, 2012 from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.
The chances of redeeming miles in April are favorable at about 75% for two passengers traveling together from Chicago and Los Angeles to Tokyo.
More:
Opportunity #5: Cheaper Than Free Upgrade to Premium Economy to Europe
Air France is offering Premium Economy (Premium Voyageur) seats for only 31,500 miles—most airlines charge 50,000 just for economy. A Starwood transfer requires only 26,500 points and an Amex Rewards 32,000 points. Valid for travel through Dec. 31 from Detroit and Seattle.
More:
Opportunity #6: Cheaper Than Free Upgrade to Premium Economy to Asia
Japan Airlines is also offering Premium Economy seats to Tokyo for only 55,000 miles. (Most airlines charge 65,000 miles or more for economy on this route.) A Starwood transfer requires only 45,000 points. Valid for travel Jan. 10 through Feb. 29, 2012 from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Vancouver.
More: