June 2014: Where to Find Upgrade Opportunities Now

June 2014
Read Offline

New routes, new seats, and aircraft changes often mean good to wide-open availability for a short time. Take advantage of them while you can.

Air Canada – Business Class

New Route Opportunity: Toronto-Rio starts Dec. 11.

Easy Connections From: All over Canada.

How to Nail It (Round-Trip):

Air Canada’s Aeroplan Miles: 95,000; find details here.

Amex Rewards Points Transfer: 95,000.

Starwood Points Transfer: 80,000.

Survey of Award Availability on Air Canada for One Traveler: Toronto-Rio De Janeiro

[table_opt style="double-blue-header" id="2242 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]

With All Nippon Miles: Even better: 85,000.

Amex Rewards Points-to-All Nippon Miles: 85,000.

Starwood Points-to-All Nippon Miles: 70,000.

Delta – Business Class

New Route Opportunity: New York-Zurich starts June 16.

Easy Connections From: Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami, among many other U.S. cities.

Fly Beyond Zurich: Athens, Istanbul, Johannesburg, or Rome can sometimes be tacked on for no cost (for Europe) or 15,000 more miles (for Africa). Find Delta’s destinations.

How to Nail It (Round-Trip):

Delta’s SkyMiles: 125,000; find more information here.

Amex Rewards Points Transfer: 125,000.

Amex Rewards Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point; get a Business Class ticket for $3,125, which is normally $3,934.

Starwood Points Transfer: 100,000.

Survey of Award Availability on Delta for One Traveler in Business Class: New York-Zurich

[table_opt style="double-blue-header" id="2243 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]

With Alitalia Miles: Even better: 100,000.

Amex Rewards Points-to-Alaska Miles: 100,000.

Starwood Points-to-Alaska Miles: 80,000.

Emirates

New Route Opportunity: Dallas-Dubai starts Oct. 1.

Easy Connections From: Many other U.S. cities.

Fly Beyond Dubai: Find Emirates’ destinations.

How to Nail It (Round-Trip):

Emirates Skywards Miles: 165,000 for Business and 247,500 for First Class; request award space online.

Amex Rewards Points Transfer: 248,000 for First and 165,000 for Business Class.

Amex Rewards Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point; get a First Class ticket for $6,200, which is otherwise $22,839.

Starwood Points Transfer: 135,000 for Business and 200,000 for First Class.

Survey of Award Availability on Emirates for One Traveler: Dallas-Dubai

[table_opt style="double-blue-header" id="2244 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]

With Alaska Miles: Even better: 180,000 round-trip in First and 145,000 in Business Class; search for fares here.

Starwood Points-to-Alaska Miles: 145,000 in First, 120,000 in Business Class.

[["Departure Availability","#colspan#","#colspan#","Return Availability","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["Handful","Decent","Go For It","Handful","Decent","Go For It"],["Feb.","March, April","Jan.","Jan., Feb.","March, April",""]]
<small><span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Handful:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Hopeful:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Hooray:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.</small>
[["Departure Availability","#colspan#","#colspan#","Return Availability","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["Handful","Decent","Go For It","Handful","Decent","Go For It"],["Aug., Oct.","March","July, Nov. to Feb.","Nov","July, March","Dec. to Feb."]]
<small><span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Handful:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Hopeful:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Hooray:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.</small>
[["Class","Departure Availability","#colspan#","#colspan#","Return Availability","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["#rowspan#","Handful","Decent","Go For It","Handful","Decent","Go For It"],["First","Oct.","","March","","Oct.","March"],["Business","Oct.","","March","","Oct.","March"]]
<small><span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Handful:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Hopeful:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><strong><em>Hooray:</em></strong></span> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.</small>