New routes, additional flights, new seats, and aircraft changes can spell opportunity at times. We’ve cherry-picked the best—and have discovered at least four seats available between the U.S. and Europe and between the Middle East and the U.S.
Time to Burn Amex, Chase, Citi, & Star wood Points & American, Air France, Emirates, or Etihad Miles
American—Business Class
New Seat Opportunity: New York-Manchester B767 with new, flat-bed Business Class seats started service March 28.
Connections To/From New York: Easily from many cities in the Midwest, South, and East.
Fly To/From Beyond Manchester: Use the long-haul flight to go all over Europe and beyond. Explore destinations.
American Miles: 100,000. Search availability space.
Starwood Transfer to American: 80,000.
Survey of Availability: American New York - Manchester Business Class
Booking through American’s Partners
British Airways Miles: 80,000 (through April 27). Transfer Amex or Chase Points to BA.
Starpoints Transferred to BA: 65,000.
Japan Airlines Miles: 63,000.
Starpoints Transferred to JAL: 53,000 (less than many airlines charge for economy class).
Buy Miles to Fly in Style: At 2.5¢ with Amex and transferred to BA, the net cost is $2,000 plus about $1,126 in taxes—resulting in savings of $3,396 (52%) compared to the lowest published fare of $6,522 with no advance.
Air France—Business Class (From West Coast)
New Flight Opportunity: A second San Francisco-Paris flight starts June 2 and ends Oct. 4.
Connection To/From San Francisco: Easily from all over the West Coast, such as Las Vegas, Los Angele's, San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix or Portland.
Fly To/From Beyond Paris: Use the long-haul flight to get beyond Paris to other cities in Europe, the Middle East or beyond. Explore destinations.
Air France Miles: 125,000. Search availability space.
Amex and Citi Points Transfer: 125,000.
Starwood Transfer: 100,000.
Amex Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point; get a Business Class ticket for $3,125 (plus $1,019 in taxes) through the Buy Miles to Fly in Style strategy—a seat that can otherwise cost $11,845 with no advance purchase, a savings of up to $7,701 (65%).
Survey of Availability: Air France San Francisco - Paris Business Class
Booking through Air France Partners
With Alaska Miles: If you take advantage of Alaska Airlines current buy miles bonus of up to 40%, San Francisco-Paris in Business Class costs $2,689 (plus $1,019 in taxes)—versus a fare starting at $5,721 (and could be up to $11,845 with fewer restrictions), a savings of at least $2,013 (35%).
With Japan Airlines Miles Even Better: 80,000.
Starwood Points-to-Japan Airlines Miles Best: 65,000.
Emirates—First Class Suite and Business Class
Second Flight Opportunity: On July 7 Seattle-Dubai gets a second flight using a B777-200LR.
Fly To/From Beyond Dubai: Use the long-haul flight to make connections in the Middle East or to get to Africa, Asia, or the South Pacific. Explore destinations.
Emirates Miles: 165,000 for Business and 247,500 for First Class (plus about $1,537 in taxes). Search availability space.
Amex Points Transfer To Emirates: 165,000 for Business and 247,500 for First Class.
Amex Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point; get a First Class ticket for $6,200 through the Buy Miles to Fly in Style strategy—a seat that can otherwise cost $30,485 on the Seattle-Dubai route, a savings of $22,748 (75%).
Survey of Emirates Award Availability:
Starwood Transfer: 135,000 for Business and 200,000 for First Class.
Booking through Emirates Partners
With Japan Airlines Miles:Better: 100,000 in Business Class, 155,000 in First Class for both routes.
Starwood Points-to-Japan Airlines Miles: Best: 80,000 in Business Class, 120,000 in First Class.
Buy Alaska Miles: If you took advantage of the current 40% miles-purchase bonus, then flights to Dubai in Business Class cost $3,132—$11,992, savings of $8,860 (74%).
Etihad First Class Suite & Business Class
New Aircraft and Seat Opportunity: Washington D.C.-Abu Dhabi on a B787-9 Dream liner started March 15.
Fly To/From Beyond Abu Dhabi: Use the long-haul flight to get to other destinations in the Middle East or Africa, Asia, or the South Pacific. Explore destinations.
Etihad Miles: 182,222 for Business and 228,888 for First Class, plus about $86 in taxes. Search availability space.
Citi Points Transfer: 183,000 for Business and 229,000 for First Class.
Starwood Transfer: 148,000 for Business and 184,000 for First Class.
Survey of Award Availability: Etihad Washington D.C. - Abu Dhabi
Booking Through Etihad’s Partners
American Miles: First Class is 180,000 from any U.S. city; with the Star wood bonus the ticket costs 145,000. Business Class is 135,000; transfer 110,000 Star points.
All Nippon Miles: Brings First Class down to 160,000 and Business to 105,000. Transfer 85,000 to 130,000 Star-points or 105,000 to 160,000 Amex points to ANA.
Buy Miles to Fly in Style: At 2.5¢ with Amex and transferred to All Nippon, the net cost is $2,625 plus about $500 in taxes for Business Class—resulting in savings of $4,236 (57%) compared to the lowest fare of $7,361.