New routes, new seats, and aircraft changes may mean good to wide-open availability for a short time. Take advantage of the opportunities while they last.
Time to Burn Points (Amex or Starwood) or Miles (Emirates or Virgin Atlantic) Between the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East
Emirates
New Aircraft Opportunity: San Francisco-Dubai A380 service starts Dec. 1, with an upgraded Business Class seat.
Easy Connections From: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Reno, San Diego, Seattle and many other U.S. cities.
Fly Beyond Dubai: Mumbai costs only 7,500 more miles in First Class, and Nairobi cost only 15,000 more miles in Business Class. Explore destinations.
How to Nail It (Round-Trip):
Emirates Skywards Miles: 165,000 for Business, 247,500 for First Class. Request award space online.
Amex Rewards Points Transfer: 165,000 for Business Class, 248,000 for First Class.
Amex Rewards Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point; get a First Class ticket for $6,200—which otherwise costs $22,839 —through FCF’s Buy Miles to Fly in Style strategy.
Starwood Points Transfer: 135,000 for Business, 200,000 for First Class.
Survey of Award Availability on Emirates for One Traveler: San Francisco - Dubai
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With Alaska Miles: Even better: 145,000 in Business Class, 180,000 in First Class. Search for seats.
Starwood Points-to-Alaska Miles: 120,000 in Business Class, 145,000 in First Class.
Buy Alaska Miles: If you don’t already have Starwood points, buy miles, right now Alaska is offering up to a 40% mileage bonus. With the current bonus, SFO-Dubai in Business Class costs only $3,182—a ticket with no advance is $16,347.
New Route Opportunity: Atlanta-London starts Oct. 26.
Easy Connections From: Dallas, Miami, New Orleans, and many other U.S. cities.
Flying Beyond London in Business Class: Edinburgh and Manchester for no extra cost. African destinations such as Johannesburg cost 100,000 more miles, Asian ones such as Hong Kong 120,000 more miles. Explore destinations.
How to Nail It (Round-Trip):
Flying Club Miles: 80,000 miles for Business and 55,000 for Premium Economy; research award space online.
Amex Rewards Points Transfer: 80,000 for Business and 55,000 for Premium Economy.
Amex Rewards Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point; get a Business Class ticket for $2,000—otherwise up to $15,602.
Starwood Points Transfer: 65,000 for Business—almost the cost of economy class on many airlines—and 45,000 for Premium Economy—less than economy on most airlines.
Survey of Award Availability on Virgin Atlantic for One Traveler: Atlanta - London
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With All Nippon Miles: Even better: 68,000 round-trip in Business Class: Search for seats here.
Starwood Points-to-All Nippon Miles: 60,000 in Business Class—the price of economy on many carries!