How to Score the Best A380 Deals With Cash or Miles

August 2012
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Save up to 51% in miles; know where the mileage seats are; or save 68% if paying in cash with this cheat sheet

The A380 is a big plane—and its wingspan is getting bigger. In February 2011, only three airlines used the A380 from the U.S. and only on three routes. Today six carriers are flying the plane from the U.S. and Canada on 18 routes.

There are good savings to be had on departures in August and over Thanksgiving and Christmas, all outlined in the chart on page 9. Some of what this article will cover:

  • The airlines that fly the A380 from the U.S. and Canada, and the routes on which they offer the aircraft.
  • 28 ways to get the best Business and First Class airfares.
  • The top 15 mileage-award-chart anomalies.
  • The routes that offer the best chance of redeeming miles for A380 Business Class award travel.

Airlines and Their A380 Routes from North America

Six airlines currently offer the A380 from Canada and the U.S.: Air France, Emirates, Korean, Lufthansa, Qantas, and Singapore.

A380 Airlines, Routes, and Schedules from North America

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Save up to 42% on Korean Air Business Class milage award seat through Alitalia

28 Ways to Get the Best Business and First Class A380 Deals When Paying Cash

Summer and the holidays are the best times to get low fares on A380 routes to Europe. The latter offers especially significant savings because business travelers tend to ground themselves over Thanksgiving and Christmas-New Year’s, forcing airlines to dump premium seats, sometimes at prices that are less than coach.

Take New York–Paris on Air France from November 18 to 25. The round-trip Business Class base fare is $734; taxes and fees are $971; total ticket price is $1,705. A coach class ticket during the same period has a base fare of $211; taxes are $617; the total ticket price comes to $828, a difference of $877 for a 15.5 hour round-trip flight, or only about $56 more per hour in the air.

Save up to 51% on Qantas First Class milage award seat through Alaska Airlines

Likewise, airlines often have excess inventory to dump in the summer. Over the last few years most airlines have slashed summer fares to Europe on their A380 routes, dropping prices to $2,552 round-trip from the East Coast. See the chart below for sample savings on seasonal Business and First Class fares.

The Top 15 Mileage-Award-Chart Anomalies for A380 Routes

Loyalty-Program-Partner Award’s are tickets you book with miles from one airline’s loyalty program for travel on one of its partners. For example, using All Nippon miles for travel on Lufthansa, Alaska miles for travel on Qantas, or Korean miles for travel on Air France.

You’d think that alliance award charts would be standardized by now, but that’s often not the case. Partner and alliance members sometimes charge a different number of miles for an award ticket for the same flight. By taking advantage of the difference, you can realize savings equivalent to an “almost free upgrade.” You just have to know which chart to use.

Let’s take the A380 Los Angeles-Melbourne flight on Qantas as an example. Qantas charges 288,000 miles round-trip for a free First Class award ticket. But if you redeem using Alaska miles (a points-transfer partner with Diners Club and Starwood), your cost is only 140,000 miles round-trip, a savings of 148,000 miles (51%).

Top 28 Special Airfare Deals on the A380 for Business and First Class1

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See chart below for more sample savings by taking advantage of award-chart anomalies.

Top 15 Mileage Redemption Strategies on the A380

[table_opt style="gray-header" id="1350 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]

Get good award availability in Business Class on Singapore New York-Frankfurt

Free Mileage-Award Space on the A380

On page 11 are the top eight A380 routes that offer the best chances of redeeming miles for free award travel. The mileage redemption options listed are based on using miles on the operating airlines. Thus, Lufthansa flights require using the Lufthansa’s mileage program, Miles & More.

Partner award space (flying Lufthansa and using All Nippon miles) which gives you a lower mileage cost can be at times the same as the operating airlines own mileage award availability.

Top Eight A380 Routes with Free Mileage Award Space

[table_opt style="gray-header" id="1352 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]

Save up to 51% in miles; know where the mileage seats are; or save 68% if paying in cash with this cheat sheet

The A380 is a big plane—and its wingspan is getting bigger. In February 2011, only three airlines used the A380 from the U.S. and only on three routes. Today six carriers are flying the plane from the U.S. and Canada on 18 routes.

There are good savings to be had on departures in August and over Thanksgiving and Christmas, all outlined in the chart on page 9. Some of what this article will cover:

  • The airlines that fly the A380 from the U.S. and Canada, and the routes on which they offer the aircraft.
  • 28 ways to get the best Business and First Class airfares.
  • The top 15 mileage-award-chart anomalies.
  • The routes that offer the best chance of redeeming miles for A380 Business Class award travel.

Airlines and Their A380 Routes from North America

Six airlines currently offer the A380 from Canada and the U.S.: Air France, Emirates, Korean, Lufthansa, Qantas, and Singapore.

A380 Airlines, Routes, and Schedules from North America

[table_opt style="gray-header" id="1343 " width="" alignment="center"...

[["Airline","Routes","Schedule"],["Air France","Los Angeles - Paris","Year-round"],["#rowspan#","Montreal - Paris","Now until Oct. 28"],["#rowspan#","New York (JFK) - Paris","Year-round"],["#rowspan#","Washington, DC - Paris","#rowspan#"],["Emirates","New York (JFK) - Dubai","Year-round"],["#rowspan#","Toronto - Dubai","#rowspan#"],["Korean","Los Angeles - Seoul","Year-round"],["#rowspan#","New York (JFK) - Seoul","#rowspan#"],["Lufthansa","Houston - Frankfurt","August 2012 to August 2013"],["#rowspan#","Miami - Frankfurt","Oct. through March 2013"],["#rowspan#","New York (JFK) - Frankfurt","Now until end of Oct."],["#rowspan#","San Francisco - Frankfurt","Now until the beginning of Jan. 2013"],["Qantas","Los Angeles - Melbourne","Year-round"],["#rowspan#","Los Angeles - Sydney<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><sup>1<\/sup><\/span>","#rowspan#"],["Singapore","Los Angeles - Singapore<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><sup>2<\/sup><\/span>","Year-round"],["#rowspan#","New York (JFK) - Singapore<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/span>","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","New York (JFK) - Frankfurt<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><sup>4<\/sup><\/span>","#rowspan#"],["#rowspan#","Los Angeles - Tokyo","#rowspan#"]]
<small><em><span style="color: #6699cc;"><sup>1</sup></span> Not daily service. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><sup>2</sup></span> Stop in Tokyo. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><sup>3</sup></span> Stop in Frankfurt. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><sup>4</sup></span> A possible aircraft change Dec.27 to March 24.</em></small>
[["Airline","Route","Class","Summer 2012 Fares<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><sup>2<\/sup><\/span>","Lowest Normal Fare","<strong>Savings<\/strong>","Thanks- giving 2012 Fares","Lowest Normal Fare","<strong>Savings<\/strong>","Christ- mas 2012 Fares","Lowest Normal Fare","<strong>Savings<\/strong>"],["Lufthansa","New York - Frankfurt","Business","$2,552 ","$3,300 ","<strong>$748 \/ 23%<\/strong>","Deep discounts not available.","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["#rowspan#","San Francisco - Frankfurt","Business","$3,432 ","$5,183 ","<strong>$1,751 \/ 34%<\/strong>","$2,369 ","$5,183 ","<strong>$2,814 \/ 54%<\/strong>","$2,989 ","$5,183 ","<strong>$2,194 \/ 42%<\/strong>"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","First","n\/a","#colspan#","#colspan#","$8,000 ","$16,500 ","<strong>$8,500 \/ 52%<\/strong>","$8,000 ","$16,500 ","<strong>$8,500 \/ 52%<\/strong>"],["#rowspan#","Houston - Frankfurt","Business","$2,992 ","$5,130 ","<strong>$2,138 \/ 42%<\/strong>","$1,949 ","$5,130 ","<strong>$3,181 \/ 62%<\/strong>","$2,569 ","$5,130 ","<strong>$2,561 \/ 50%<\/strong>"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","First","n\/a","#colspan#","#colspan#","$7,500 ","$15,500 ","<strong>$8,000 \/ 52%<\/strong>","$7,500 ","$15,500 ","<strong>$8,000 \/ 52%<\/strong>"],["Air France","Washington, DC - Paris","Business","$2,882 ","$5,036 ","<strong>$2,154 \/ 43%<\/strong>","$2,154 ","$5,036 ","<strong>$2,882 \/ 57%<\/strong>","$2,620 ","$5,036 ","<strong>$2,416 \/ 48%<\/strong>"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","First","n\/a","#colspan#","#colspan#","$7,500 ","$15,364 ","<strong>$7,864 \/ 51%<\/strong>","$7,500 ","$15,364 ","<strong>$7,864 \/ 51%<\/strong>"],["#rowspan#","New York - Paris","Business","$2,562 ","$5,339 ","<strong>$2,777 \/ 52%<\/strong>","$1,705 ","$5,339 ","<strong>$3,634 \/ 68%<\/strong>","$2,202 ","$5,339 ","<strong>$3,137 \/ 59%<\/strong>"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","First","n\/a","#colspan#","#colspan#","$7,000 ","$14,440 ","<strong>$7,440 \/ 52%<\/strong>","$7,000 ","$14,440 ","<strong>$7,440 \/ 52%<\/strong>"],["#rowspan#","Los Angeles - Paris","Business","$3,400 ","$5,320 ","<strong>$1,920 \/ 36%<\/strong>","$2,574 ","$5,320 ","<strong>2,746 \/ 52%<\/strong>","$3,039 ","$5,320 ","<strong>$2,281 \/ 43%<\/strong>"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","First","n\/a","#colspan#","#colspan#","$8,000 ","$17,733 ","<strong>$9,733\/ 55%<\/strong>","$8,000 ","$17,733 ","<strong>$9,733\/ 55%<\/strong>"],["Singapore","New York - Frankfurt","Business","$33,00<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><sup>3<\/sup> <\/span>","$4,200 ","<strong>$900 \/ 21%<\/strong>","Deep discounts not available.","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["Emirates","New York - Dubai","First","$211,11<span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><sup>4 <\/sup><\/span>","$40,222 ","<strong>$19,111 \/ 48%<\/strong>","#rowspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#"]]
<small><em><span style="color: #6699cc;"><sup>1</sup></span> Fares include average taxes and fees ($1,000) for the routes shown in the chart. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><sup>2</sup></span> Ticketing deadline Aug. 8. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><sup>3</sup></span> Tuesday/Wednesday promo; not a current summer fare. <span style="color: #6699cc;"><sup>4</sup></span> 2-for-1 with the Amex IAP Program; the cost reflects two people traveling together.</em></small>
[["Route","Class","Operating Airline","Partner Redemption Airline","Partner Airline Cost","Operating Airline Cost","Anomaly Savings","Airline Credit Card Points Transfer Partners"],["Houston - Frankfurt","Business","Lufthansa","All Nippon","85,000","105,000","20,000 \/ 19%","Amex Rewards, Starwood"],["#rowspan#","First","#rowspan#","#rowspan#","120,000","170,000","50,000 \/ 29%","#rowspan#"],["Los Angeles - Melbourne","First","Qantas","Alaska","140,000","288,000","148,000 \/ 51%","Starwood, Diners Club"],["Los Angeles - Seoul","Business","Korean Air","Alitalia","90,000","155,000**","65,000 \/ 42%","Amex Rewards, Starwood"],["Los Angeles - Sydney","Premium Economy","Qantas","Alaska","110,000","192,000","82,000 \/ 43%","Starwood, Diners Club"],["#rowspan#","Premium Economy","#rowspan#","Cathay Pacific \/ Asia Miles","72,000","144,000","72,000 \/ 50%","Amex Rewards, Starwood"],["Los Angeles, New York, Washington, DC - Paris","Business","Air France","Alitalia","80,000","100,000","20,000 \/ 20%","Amex Rewards, Starwood"],["#rowspan#","First","Air France","Korean","100,000","200,000*","100,000 \/ 50%","Diners Club"],["Miami - Frankfurt","Business","Lufthansa","All Nippon","85,000","105,000","20,000 \/ 19%","Amex Rewards, Starwood"],["#rowspan#","First","#rowspan#","#rowspan#","120,000","170,000","50,000 \/ 29%","#rowspan#"],["New York - Dubai","First","Emirates","Japan Airlines","180,000","217,500","37,500 \/ 17%","Starwood"],["New York - Frankfurt","Business","Lufthansa","All Nippon","68,000","105,000","37,000 \/ 35%","Amex Rewards, Starwood"],["#rowspan#","First","Lufthansa","#rowspan#","100,000","170,000","70,000 \/ 41%","#rowspan#"],["San Francisco - Frankfurt","Business","Lufthansa","Air Canada","90,000","105,000","15,000 \/ 14%","Amex Rewards, Diners Club, Starwood"],["#rowspan#","First","Lufthansa","US Airways","125,000","170,000","45,000 \/ 26%","Starwood"]]
<small><em>*Cost for elite Flying Blue members only. **Peak season.</em></small>
[["Airline","Route","Class","<strong>Departure Availability<\/strong>","#colspan#","#colspan#","<strong>Return Availability<\/strong>","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","#rowspan#","<strong>Handful<\/strong>","<strong>Decent<\/strong>","<strong>Go For It<\/strong>","<strong>Handful<\/strong>","<strong>Decent<\/strong>","<strong>Go For It<\/strong>"],["Air France","Los Angeles - Paris","Business","June","Jan.","Feb. to May","","June","Jan. to May"],["#rowspan#","New York - Paris","Business","Jan. to March","May","April","Jan., Feb., June","May","April"],["#rowspan#","Washington, DC - Paris","Business","Oct., June","","Nov. to May","June","","Nov. to May"],["Emirates","Toronto - Dubai","Business","","May","","Oct., Nov.","",""],["Lufthansa","Houston - Frankfurt","Business","","Nov., Jan., Feb., April","March","Nov. to Jan., April","March",""],["#rowspan#","New York-Frankfurt","Business","Aug., Dec.","Nov.","Jan. to May","Aug., Nov., Dec.","Jan., Feb.","March to May"],["Singapore","Los Angeles - Tokyo","Business","July","","Oct. to June","July","Dec.","Oct., Nov., Jan. to June"],["#rowspan#","New York - Frankfurt","Business","July","","Aug. to June","July","","Aug. to June"],["<strong>Major Credit Cards and Their Airline Point-Transfer Partners<\/strong>","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["<em><strong>American Express Membership Rewards:<\/strong><\/em> Delta.<em> <strong>Starwood: <\/strong><\/em>American, Delta, United**, and US Airways. Diners Club:nDelta. *Off-Peak award available for the month of Sept. for 50,000 miles. **Not recommended due to 2-to-1 exchange rate.","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["<em><span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><strong>Handful:<\/strong><\/span> Award space is available for two people traveling on the same itinerary about 4 to 8 days during the month indicated in the chart (at time of research). Worth pursuing if you're flexible.<\/em>\n<em><span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><strong>Decent:<\/strong><\/span> Award space is available for two people traveling on the same itinerary about 9 to 12 days during the month indicated.<\/em>\n<em><span style=\"color: #6699cc;\"><strong>Go For It:<\/strong><\/span> Award space is available for two people traveling on the same itinerary about 13 days or more during the month indicated.<\/em>","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#","#colspan#"]]
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