Use this list of published airfare anomalies, free and upgrade award strategies (whether or not you have any miles now), and good availability while it lasts.
In this special report, the hottest tickets have been searched and sifted and sorted so you can have them at your fingertips. For a variety of different travel scenarios, this list is a great place to start: It begins with some of the most amazing published airfares now available and includes mileage strategies for domestic routes and travel to Africa, Asia, Europe, and the South Pacific.
EasyUp Business Class Fares to Europe Starting at $1,700
FCF loves Easy Up fares, but one of their major drawbacks is that most are only available for a few hours. This recent deal to Paris, though, has been going on for three weeks.
That’s probably because this deal is intended to put upstart carrier La Compagnie out of business—just like the deals the majors offered in the mid-2000s when Maxjet, Silverjet, and EOS were trying to poach lucrative trans-Atlantic business from them. (Will we see fares slashed between New York and London, given La Compagnie’s new Newark Luton route.)
What’s also interesting is that Star Alliance is letting one world and SkyTeam do the dirty work of undercutting La Compagnie, which offers an inferior product. Find more details on past “All Business Class” carriers.
The fact that you have to get to New York can actually be an advantage. Let’s say you’re flying Chicago-Paris this summer: An American non-stop costs $4,220 round-trip including taxes. But connect in New York and the price drops to $2,349 because of the “fare break”, meaning two separate discounted fares combined to make an itinerary. (A savings of $1,849 / 44%.)
See alerts April 22 and April 27 for an additional 50 U.S. and Canadian cities from which this strategy will work to Paris.
It even works on the Transcon, say Los Angeles Paris. Non-stop on Air France (October departure) costs $6,643 round-trip including taxes. But fly to New York on American and connect to Air France and the price drops to $2,803 because of the fare break. The savings: $3,840 (58%).
Three Deals that Net Business Class for Little More than the Price of Coach to/from Europe and to/from Asia Via Amex Rewards, Citi Thank You, or Star wood, and Air France, Japan Airlines, KLM, and Lufthansa
Miles & More: Lufthansa, a member of the Miles & More program, is offering Business Class up to 50% off on selected routes. U.S. to Europe is 55,000 miles round-trip—5,000 fewer miles than other airlines charge for economy.
From Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Miami, New York, Newark, and Orlando to dozens of cities in Europe including Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Istanbul, and London. Valid Sept. 1 to Sept. 30; booking window through May 31.
Getting the Miles: It only takes 45,000 Star points transferred to Miles & More to get this one, given the Starwood transfer bonus. That’s less than economy class on many airlines. Downside: Taxes can be up to $1,000, but that’s still relatively modest compared to the normal published fares, which can easily run up to $6,500.
Flying Blue: Members Air France and KLM are offering Business Class and Premium Economy at up to 50% off on selected routes. U.S. to Europe is 93,750 miles round-trip in Business Class. Europe to/from Asia is 100,000 in Business Class; Europe to South America is 120,000 in Business Class; Europe to the Middle East is 50,000 in Business Class. Travel valid July 1 to Aug. 31; booking window through May 31. Taxes generally run about $1,000.
Getting the Miles: Transfer points from Amex, Citi Thank You, or Star wood or buy up to 75,000 miles.
ANA Mileage Club: It’s offering Business Class starting at 75,000 miles to/from Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Washington, DC to/from Tokyo. (To Seoul is only 5,000 miles more.) The cost is only about 10,000 miles more than many carriers charge for economy to Tokyo. This is good for people who plan ahead, as the deal is valid for two periods next year, Jan. 5 to Feb. 29, and April 1 to 26.
Getting the Miles: Transfer points from American Express or Starwood.
Sweet Redeems Survey: All Nippon to Tokyo Business Class at 75,000 Miles R/T**
[table_opt style="double-blue-header" id="1745 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]
Published First Class Anomaly Fare to Asia: Upgrade to First on American for Free
Fares to Asia often start between $8,000 and $11,000, but American is offering some that are at least 72% lower to Seoul from New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, among other cities. The lowest fare, from New York, is $3,473; Business Class on the same route goes for $3,828. That’s First Class for less than Business Class, a free upgrade. Restrictions: 90-day advance purchase required; valid Monday through Thursday; no date/season restrictions. Availability bucket P; fare basis code P1X9Q4D1.
South Pacific: Low-Cost Business Class Fare Route Starting at $2,252 Round-Trip
Get away from it all—to Rarotonga (Cook Islands) for $2,252 on Air New Zealand from Los Angeles. Valid year-round, but non-stop service on outbound flight only on Sunday, return on Saturday. No advance purchase required, no minimum stay, and no maximum stay. Availability bucket J, fare code J3. Fly onward to Auckland for $1,706 more; Sydney for $2,255.
North Africa: Low-Cost Business Class Fare Routes Starting at $1,786 Round-Trip
Based on FCF’s most recent research for Business Class fares to Africa, Alitalia, Delta, and KLM have added new lower fares to Algeria and Morocco. Valid June 26 to Aug. 29 on the departure and June 28 to Sept. 3 on the return; 50-day advance purchase required for Casablanca (14 for Alitalia) and no advance for Algiers; minimum stay is seven days and a three-month maximum stay. Availability bucket Z for Delta and KLM; and I for Alitalia. Fare code ZHP75US for Delta and KLM; and IHP75US for Alitalia. Add on the second ticket from any U.S. city to connect if you have to and take advantage of these great fares to Africa.
Samples of the Business Class Fares to Africa
[table_opt style="blue-header" id="1746 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]