If you’re preparing for the ultimate points and miles redemption in 2024, a few select airlines still offer both domestic and international genuine first-class experiences.
The best part is that you can use your points and miles to book any of these luxurious first-class offerings. This article will explore various options for using your points and miles to secure amazing first-class tickets.
Emirates first class
Naturally, we must start with the most over-the-top first-class product in the sky: Emirates first class.
Emirates has an iconic first-class product. On its retrofitted 777-300ER aircraft, you’ll find its first-class product effectively gives you full room on the plane. There’s a huge lie-flat seat, a large entertainment screen and an en suite minibar with refreshments. Plus, you’ll be treated to delicious inflight food and excellent service.
The older A380 product that normally serves U.S. routes isn’t half-bad either and offers the same top-notch onboard service.
The airline started restricting first-class bookings to its own loyalty program, Emirates Skywards. The price for first class varies by route and booking type. But as an example, you can book New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) for as low as 165,500 miles one-way when booked as a part of a round-trip itinerary, plus taxes and fees.
Emirates also operates a fifth-freedom route between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Athens International Airport (ATH). Each seat will set you back at least 102,000 miles. Emirates also tacks on a hefty fuel surcharge on most tickets.
You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou and Marriott Bonvoy points to Emirates. If you’re under Chase’s 5/24 rule, your best bet is to apply for a Chase card with one of these heightened welcome bonuses:
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You can also book Emirates first-class awards with Air Canada Aeroplan, but award rates are astronomical.
Related: Getting my money’s worth in Emirates first class: Bottomless Champagne and endless caviar
ANA first class
ANA first class is one of the easier first-class products to book with points and miles.
The airline flies first class on most U.S. routes, including flights to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and JFK. On board, you’ll find a great product, hospitable service and excellent food and drink options. Watch for flights operating ANA’s new The Suite product — it’s truly a sight to behold.
The best way to book this flight is using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points. First-class awards to its Tokyo hubs start at just 72,500 points one-way from the West Coast and 85,000 from the East Coast. You can view round-trip pricing for all flights in the table below — you can book one-way tickets at half the cost.
To book, find award space using a Star Alliance search tool and call Virgin Atlantic to book your flight. Confirm award space over the phone before transferring points to Virgin Atlantic. Most transfers process instantly, so you don’t have to worry about losing award space.
You can transfer points to Virgin Atlantic from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Rewards (to Virgin Red), Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou and Marriott Bonvoy.
Related: How to book a $20,000 ANA first-class ticket for just $34
Japan Airlines first class
Japan Airlines — commonly called JAL — is another major airline in Japan. It operates flights to a handful of U.S. cities and offers first-class flights to major cities like Chicago and New York. If you book it, you’ll be showered in luxury from the moment you enter the JAL first-class lounge.
One of the best ways to book JAL first class is with American AAdvantage. A one-way flight from the U.S. to Japan costs 80,000 miles plus nominal taxes and fees.
American Airlines miles are among the hardest miles to earn, but it’s not impossible. Your best bet is earning with an American cobranded credit card or transferring points from Bilt Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy to American.
Related: Best uses of American Airlines miles
Cathay Pacific first class
The Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific is a TPG favorite. It offers consistently fantastic service in all its cabins, but first class is truly amazing. Its first-class lounges in Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) are relaxing. The onboard service includes incredible food, Champagne, caviar and even its own custom-brewed beer.
You’ll find Cathay Pacific first class on select 777-operated routes from the U.S., including from JFK and LAX to Hong Kong.
Currently, you’ll get the best redemption value with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan as award tickets from the U.S. to Asia cost 70,000 miles one-way in first class. However, in March 2024, Alaska Airlines will follow a new distance-based award chart. Therefore, you may have better luck finding award space with Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.
One-way first-class tickets generally cost 110,000 miles from the West Coast and 125,000 from the East Coast to Hong Kong. Even though this is still a bookable redemption, Cathay Pacific has significantly reduced service to U.S. destinations, so it may be hard to find award space for the time being.
You can transfer Amex, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Marriott points to Asia Miles. To boost your Capital One balance, you can open a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Right now, the Venture card offers 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Related: The ultimate guide to Cathay Pacific first class
Singapore first class
Singapore Suites first class is one of the most well-known first-class products in the sky. The new Suites product features a single bed and seat, giving you a full bedroom. Plus, you’ll be treated to excellent food, drink and inflight service and access to first-class lounges at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
Singapore’s 777-300ER aircraft features a standard first-class product that’s still excellent. From the U.S., these planes operate routes from LAX to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT). As you’d expect, you can continue to Singapore if you’d like.
Singapore Airlines is a Star Alliance member but generally restricts premium-cabin award space to its KrisFlyer loyalty program. From the U.S., you’ll find the best pricing from New York to Frankfurt. This ticket costs 97,000 miles one-way, which is a pretty solid deal, considering paid flights are usually more than $5,000. You can continue to Singapore for more miles.
Although still bookable, we found no saver award availability on the JFK-to-FRA fifth-freedom route. Keep a close eye on Singapore awards and be flexible with your travel dates for your best shot at booking this incredible award ticket.
You can transfer Amex, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Marriott points to Singapore KrisFlyer. Here’s a look at the best American Express cards that can help you earn points with your everyday spending:
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of account opening. Earn 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants, 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent), 3 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly from airlines or American Express Travel, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases ($250 annual fee; see rates and fees).
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Earn 5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly from airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees).
Related: Singapore Airlines resumes retrofitting A380s with new cabins, much-improved suite
Lufthansa first class
Even though it isn’t the most modern product, Lufthansa first class remains one of the best ways to fly between the U.S. and Europe.
You’ll generally get the best deal when booking with Avianca LifeMiles. You’ll pay 87,000 LifeMiles and minimal taxes and fees for a one-way flight from the U.S. to Europe in Lufthansa first class. This pricing is valid if you also choose to connect beyond a Lufthansa hub.
One thing to note: Lufthansa only opens first-class award space to partners within 14 or 30 days of departure. You’ll have to book at the last minute if you don’t have Lufthansa Miles & More miles.
You can transfer Amex, Capital One, Chase, Bilt, Citi and Marriott points to LifeMiles. If you’re interested in earning Citi ThankYou points, the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) comes with a welcome offer of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Citi Premier: Which mid-tier travel card is better?
British Airways first class
British Airways has first class on a number of its routes and has continued offering it throughout the pandemic. Some of these flights are operated by planes equipped with BA’s first-class seat that offers sliding doors — a huge step up from what was previously offered. It’s still not as luxurious as other first-class products on this list, but it’s a great way to fly transatlantic in luxury.
The best way to book BA first class is generally with Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. You’ll pay a similar number of miles as booking with AAdvantage miles or BA Avios, but you’ll pay fewer taxes and fees.
A British Airways first-class seat from Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) will set you back 100,000 miles and between $200 and $350 in taxes. This is far cheaper than the $750-plus BA charges when booking with Avios.
Again, you can transfer Amex, Capital One, Bilt, Chase, Citi and Marriott points to Asia Miles.
American Airlines first class
American Airlines is the only U.S. airline that offers a true first-class product. You’ll find its Flagship First product on several international routes on four-cabin international flights and transcontinental routes like JFK to LAX and SFO. You can expect upgraded lounge access, seats and service in Flagship First.
You’ll generally want to book with AAdvantage to fly Flagship First.
Related: Flight review: American Airlines Flagship First from Dallas to Hong Kong on the 777-300ER
Etihad Airways first class
Finally, we have Etihad first class. The airline operates a true first-class cabin on its Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft fleet. You’ll find these on flights from the airline’s Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) hub to IAD. You can connect to many international destinations in Asia, Africa and the Middle East from AUH.
U.S.-based travelers have two good options for booking Etihad first class: American Airlines AAdvantage and Air Canada Aeroplan. Both loyalty programs offer significantly lower award costs than Etihad’s own loyalty program.
However, Etihad has been restricting partner first-class award space, so you might not find any options to redeem, especially with Aeroplan.
If you find award space, you’ll pay 115,000 American miles for a one-way flight from the U.S. to the Middle East in Etihad first class when you book with AAdvantage. On the other hand, you’ll pay 120,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points for a one-way first-class ticket from IAD to AUH when you book with Aeroplan.
If you don’t live near Washington, D.C. or New York, you can add connecting tickets with American’s and Air Canada’s network of airline partners. Since Aeroplan is a distance-based program, you could pay more points if you add a connecting ticket. AAdvantage will charge the same amount regardless of if you connect.
You can transfer Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase and Marriott points to Air Canada Aeroplan. You can also transfer Bilt and Marriott points to AAdvantage.
Related: The best way to book Etihad award flights with transferable points
Bottom line
International first class isn’t as common as it once was, but several airlines still offer it.
Though booking first-class tickets can set you back thousands of dollars, you can use your points and miles to score an excellent deal. This can make for a memorable (and more comfortable) international trip.
