Regarding
first class redemptions on domestic flights, unlike international flights, they are not more valuable than main cabin redemptions despite the averages above.
Alaska miles are much more valuable, as I can put them toward one -
way first class redemptions on Emirates, Cathay Pacific, or Qantas, amongst others.
If you're looking to fly Air France first class, you'll need to book through Flying Blue, but paying the exorbitant Flying Blue rates to fly first class on a partner airline, rather than booking those seats through that partner or another SkyTeam member with
good first class redemptions, is a waste of miles, particularly if you're transferring from a transfer program.
Etihad also presents a wealth of opportunities, including Etihad's
own first class redemptions, redemptions on American at the old, pre-devaluation levels, as well as the cheapest transatlantic business class award seat redemption in the world.
As an example, the
JAL First Class redemption I booked between Tokyo and London earlier this year set me back 70,000 AAdvantage miles (booked pre-devaluation) and $ 22.60 in taxes and, to me, a one - way First Class flight over that kind of distance is probably worth around $ 2,000.
Being able to travel to Cancun, Jamaica, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, and still another destination yet to be determined is amazing and I'd take those multitude of experiences over one
first class redemption worth $ 3,000 in travel almost any day.
Meanwhile below is a comparison of AAdvantage first class partner redemption rates under the old and new program, along with a side - by - side comparison of United
partner first class redemption rates (Delta doesn't allow award redemptions for international first class).
The table below
outlines first class redemption requirements for the major frequent flier programs and, based on the amount of spend that is required to earn those miles, I've outlined when it's better to pay for a ticket out of pocket and / or redeem Arrival Plus Miles.
It all comes down to if you value Lufthansa /
SWISS First Class redemptions made for far in the future at 17,500 additional miles + about $ 200 more in fees.
Recently their miles have gotten more valuable because they've gotten more flexible, allowing mixed cabin redemptions and
Lufthansa first class redemptions (although One Mile at a Time suggests they aren't showing all Lufthansa first class availability at this time.
The prices are actually quite competitive including one -
way first class redemptions from the U.S. to southeast Asia for 75,000 each way (which is a steal if headed to cities like Bangkok; business class is only 65,000 miles).
However, paying the exorbitant Flying Blue rates to fly First Class on a partner airline, rather than booking those seats through that partner or another SkyTeam member with
good First Class redemptions, is a waste of miles, particularly if you're transferring your miles from a transfer program.
As a result, in general, it's tough for a family to do much advance planning for
international first class redemptions, outside of limited periods where there are availability «glitches» (an airline releases more award seats than they normally do, often by mistake).
While many frequent flyers use Lufthansa miles to get into their (and Swiss) first class cabins without waiting until the last minute, as Lufthansa doesn't release first class awards to partners until very close to departure,
first class redemptions with Miles & More can in many cases be the worst value awards because of fees.
Scheduled flight time: 17 hours, 30 minutes Flight number: UA 101 Aircraft: Boeing 787 - 9 Best business class redemption: 80k United Miles, one - way (transfer from Chase) Best
first class redemption: 100k United Miles, one - way (transfer from Chase) You could:
I used the Chase British Airways Travel Together benefit for
first class redemption, but the combination of devaluing the Avios program for premium seats and now devaluing Membership Rewards transfers is making this proposition much less attractive.
If you're looking to indulge with
a first class redemption, you'll want to consider flying to South Korea during off - peak times.
Yes, it may cost you $ 1,700 + to buy enough miles for
the first class redemption you want, but it may also mean the difference between having enough miles for 1 ticket or being able to book 2.
Unlike major U.S. airlines, British Airways Executive Club uses a distance - based award chart (shown above) for
first class redemptions.
85,000 United miles is more that enough for a one - way
First Class redemption to any part of Asia.
Earlier this year, American Airlines devalued their business and
first class redemptions.
If you're looking to indulge with
a first class redemption, you'll want to consider flying to South Korea during off - peak times.
Neither business class nor
first class redemptions are available, and these redemptions can only be made by phone.
At a minimum, you should be able to achieve 1.6 cents per mile in value, but if you are making business and
first class redemptions it is possible to easily get more than 5 cents per mile in value.
First class redemptions are not available on these routes.