You do NOT need to be a member of any mileage program right now to reap these opportunities.
Real First Class, meaning a three (or four) cabin aircraft on long-haul international routes, is the increasingly rare bird in the sky.
Some airlines (Alitalia, Delta, and KLM, among them) don’t offer it at all; others (American, British Airways, Lufthansa, and United) offer it only on some routes.
One thing is certain though, First Class is expensive. It can easily cost $10K+— out of reach for most buyers (non-FCF readers, anyway).
Making it the ultimate luxury item in today’s world of hype luxe: First Class is scarce, expensive, and usually pretty darn good, just like luxury used to be.
Okay, but the major complaint among many loyalty program members is the lack of mileage award seats, especially in First Class. They’re not reading FCF.
The fact is that there are still a lot of First Class upgrade opportunities out there, which is why FCF frequently reports on the routes where First Class seats are most available.
This month’s Hot Ticket trains the binoculars on six airlines flying between the U.S. and Europe that have award space in First. In upcoming months we will also check for First Class upgrade opportunities to Asia, Africa, India, the Middle East, South America, and the South Pacific.
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And the information is not just for members that have miles. We will tell you where to get the necessary miles, painlessly, even if you have zero miles right now. Anyone can take advantage of this report.
As previously mentioned, and now underscored, these booking strategies have global relevance because wherever you live, you might want to know the 37 routes where you can save up to $8,940 for First Class travel between the U.S and Europe.
Remember: Newark-London award deals are also valid London-Newark. Or, start in Indianapolis and connect in Newark for the same mileage price on United. Or, connect in London to Frankfurt or Zurich for the same price. Or, start from Rome. Your choice.[/aside]
Upgrade Route-Opportunity Mindset
Don’t be concerned if your departure city isn’t mentioned.
Remember the word “connection,” whether here or in Europe. In other words, you can often, for free, tack on a flight to the gateway and, worst case, buy a separate ticket from your departure city to catch a flight with great availability in First Class.
Attention: European Residents
Also, keep in mind that opportunities on a U.S.-Europe route exist on a Europe-U.S. route. It’s really the same thing. That means European residents should find this upgrade intelligence of equal value.
The Major Point:
Focus on the long-haul segment first, then figure out how to get there. Think of these routes as starters to itinerary planning in First Class. IOW: Build your Itinerary Around the Seat (BIAS) availability.
Paying More to Book in Advance is OK
Since First Class mileage awards are a loyalty program’s first prize, airlines often don’t release as many seats to their partners as they actually have available. That’s why your odds are often much better at getting a First Class award through the carrier operating the route. Unless, that is, the carrier is European because they usually impose high taxes and fees. It’s a trade-off. See FCF’s Two-Step Strategy (Feb. 2013 issue) for advice on netting a last-minute First Class award cheaply.
Survey of Award Availability for One Traveler in First Class to Europe
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You do NOT need to be a member of any mileage program right now to reap these opportunities.
Real First Class, meaning a three (or four) cabin aircraft on long-haul international routes, is the increasingly rare bird in the sky.
Some airlines (Alitalia, Delta, and KLM, among them) don’t offer it at all; others (American, British Airways, Lufthansa, and United) offer it only on some routes.
One thing is certain though, First Class is expensive. It can easily cost $10K+— out of reach for most buyers (non-FCF readers, anyway).
Making it the ultimate luxury item in today’s world of hype luxe: First Class is scarce, expensive, and usually pretty darn good, just like luxury used to be.
Okay, but the major complaint among many loyalty program members is the lack of mileage award seats, especially in First Class. They’re not reading FCF.
The fact is that there are still a lot of First Class upgrade opportunities out there, which is why FCF frequently reports on the routes where First Class seats are most available.
This month’s...