I’m taking my family to the London Summer Olympics. Can you provide some tips for this itinerary?
Tom Billstein, El Sobrande, CA
It’s a matter of timing if you are buying your ticket Tom. I would be prepared to buy in January, when most airlines come out with discounted summer Business Class fares. Last year’s summer Business Class fare from LAX to London started at $2,100, plus taxes and fees (about $800).
Hold off on Premium Economy: Summer is high season for this cabin and current fares on BA and Virgin Atlantic come in at $2,000 plus taxes, almost the same as last year’s pro-motional summer Business Class fare. Hold your fire until summer Business Class fares come out and then compare. When trying for award space, be flexible, perhaps flying to Frankfurt or some other European city and then going on to London. (Side trips can be fun, especially when you get them for free.). Go for the trans-Atlantic segment first and then work backward, and be willing to take a connecting flight in coach if you have to.
—MB
India Mileage Redemption
What is the best way for two people to get from LA to Mumbai in Business Class? I have about 100,000 American Express Rewards points and about 250,000 Starwood points. We’re not departing for six or eight months, so we have plenty of time to plan and acquire more points if need be.
Mark Maydahl, San Diego, CA
Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Transfer Starwood points into an American AAdvantage account (after you’ve confirmed availability) and use them to book BA (an American partner) to Mumbai via London. American offers a much better rate than BA in Business Class (135,000 miles vs. 200,000, a savings of 33%).
- Transfer the American Express and Starwood points to Delta, which offers a Business Class award ticket for 120,000 miles. Delta is a partner of Air France, which also flies to Mumbai via Paris.
- Transfer Starwood points to Alaska Airlines, a BA partner that offers a better rate on the carrier than BA itself: First Class is 160,000 miles vs. 300,000 on BA, a 47% savings. Always remember to call and check for award space before transferring points.
—MB