Everyone loves upgrade economics and this month won’t let you down…
Hello class, welcome to the second session of Upgrade Economics 101 at FCF University. Last month we looked at topics including JAL upgrades from Business to First Class for a low miles cost; adding Hawaii to a West Coast trip to make it hula-whoopee; and FCF’s Delta-Virgin hack to Europe. I trust you’ve re-read the text, memorized it, and have been upgrading all month.
Today we have new topics to cover to help you reimagine upgrading–so you can get the most bang for your buck.
February’s Upgrade Economics Example #1
Fly in Business Class on Iberia Instead of Economy
for Just 8,000 More Miles R/T
For me, this is the definition of an upgrade no brainer. You could fly Iberia Airlines in economy using American miles for 60,000 miles, or fly Iberia in Business Class for 68,000 Iberia miles (transferable from Amex and Chase points). Enough said? (Why earn miles with an American Airlines credit card and be locked into a program like that?) Great, let’s move on.
Example of Award-Class Upgrade Economics:
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Iberia Coach Class 30,000 American Miles One-Way…
Iberia Business Class 34,000 Iberia Miles One-Way…
No Iberia miles? No problem. You can transfer your miles from Amex and Chase. Here are recent FCF Sweet Redeems on Iberia to Madrid from Boston and New York. Here’s how to get even more value from Iberia’s cheap Business Class strategy to Europe.
February’s Upgrade Economics Example #2
Upgrade to a Suite at a Premium Hotel for $35 Less
While FCF seldom covers high-end hotels, this strategy is one I personally use and it’s so good when it works (it doesn’t always) that it deserves to be mentioned from time to time… Imagine you belonged to a secret society that, for a ridiculously small fee, bestowed wondrous magical gifts upon you. Well, a membership in the American Bar Association (ABA) gets you deals such as a “1 Bedroom Executive Suite” at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove in Miami for $462 (normally $749), when it would cost you $497 for a mere “Guest Room with King” without the membership. Abracadabra. This works with many other hotels too, as you can see in our report on domestic hotels, and Europe hotels. Note: Anyone can join the ABA for just $150. See below for the basic upgrade math:
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Why would you book a regular room when you can get a suite, and pay less for it? Upgrade your stay the legal way.
Normal Room at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove July 11 $497
Suite at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove July 11 $462
February’s Upgrade Economics Example #3
Upgrade from United Business Class to Lufthansa First Class to Europe for 40,000 Fewer Miles Each Way
Let’s play Jeopardy. “Europe First Class for 40,000 miles less than Business Class, please Ken.” Answer: “What is Lufthansa’s hot deal right now?” Correct! Contestants can spend 155,000 United miles and just $6 in taxes for Business Class, OR, 115,000 Lufthansa miles and $10 in taxes for Lufthansa First Class from the U.S. to Europe. Is that a mistake, Ken? No it’s not. It’s 40,000 fewer miles to jump from Business to First. Tonight’s winner takes home a First Class seat. Winner, winner, huhn dinner (that’s German for “chicken”). The Award Class-Upgrade Economics:
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*Don’t have any Lufthansa miles? No problem. You can buy them with this New Lufthansa First Class Ticketing Strategy to Europe.
**We used the higher figure of 115,000 miles because we wanted to compare “Flex Plus” awards, i.e., the kind with fewer taxes, so we’re comparing apples to apples here.
***Routes FCF found best Lufthansa First Class availability: Boston and New York to Munich.
****Not traveling from a U.S. gateway or to Germany? It’s worth checking out Lufthansa’s route network throughout Europe and/or consider positioning flights – especially if you have to make a connection anyway.
Lufthansa currently operates 13 First Class Lufthansa routes: To Frankfurt from Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and to Munich from Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, Washington, DC.
There goes the bell!
Thanks for following along in class. Your homework this month is to apply these three upgrade lessons however you like: Either book a flight to Europe in Business Class for just 8,000 miles more than coach; stay in a spectacular hotel room for a very accommodating price; or get First Class ticket for less than the cost of Business Class.