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When we travel again wish list:
Business Class Cabins
What does a travel blogger do when travel isn’t an option? Dream. The constant inundation of negative Covid news is draining, and without diminishing the seriousness of COVID, I think we could all benefit with having something to dream about. I’m putting together a series of posts that are simply 5 things I want to experience post Covid – a when we travel again wish list. Honestly, the thing I want to experience most is being back with my family since I could be a silent carrier and they are in at risk group, but alas, we are focusing on travel here.
Today’s installment? Business Class.
In the future, hopefully very near future, wheels will go up, points will be redeemed, and more YouTube videos will get made here at Monkey Miles. I’ve been thinking about where in the world I’d like to visit as soon as it’s possible, and my mind keeps coming back to how I would like to fly to those places. So let’s start with business class first, and then each post will highlight some cool spots around the world, and places to dream about visiting down the road.
ANA’s new The Room Business Class.
Qatar’s QSuites were the undisputed world champion of business class until ANA debuted, without any forewarning I might add, The Room. The entire conversation shifted in an instant, and many, including GSTP, think ANA takes the throne as world champion.
It was announced early in 2020 that the New York to Tokyo route would operate this highly sought after product, and once things are operating again, I’d guess we will see a lot more award availability than we did prior to Covid.
Best Ways to redeem:
- Air Canada Aeroplan: 75k
- ANA ( Roundtrip ) : 75-85k depending on high vs low seasons
- Avianca Lifemiles: 75k
- United: 80k
- Virgin Atlantic ( roundtrip ): 90-95k roundtrip
Lufthansa’s New Business Class aboard the 777-900
Lufthansa announced in 11/17 that they would be debuting an all new business class sometime in 2020. It would first be featured onboard the 777X and it looks awesome. Currently, they operate a business class that doesn’t offer all aisle access, but as you can see below in the promo pics, these will not only offer aisle access, but several seats will be thrones.
This will be one of the most sought after new business class products to experience. Lufthansa also releases a very reliable schedule of award availability, and I’d guess once things get up and running we will see a ton of space hit the market. We don’t know when or where they will fly the new product, but even if award space doesn’t populate, I’d expect deals will be very attractive.
Ways to redeem from the US:
- Air Canada Aeroplan: 55k
- ANA: 88k roundtrip
- Avianca: 63k
- Singapore: 65k
- United: 70k
United and Avianca would be ideal since the bulk of taxes and fees are eliminated.
British Airways “New” Club Suites
I fly a lot of BA since they have incredible earn rates on Alaska. In fact, I’ve often chosen their outdated Club World over better products from American and Finnair, but I’m planning on paying for this experience.
Since it’s virtually impossible fly BA using points without paying high fees, it can make sense to strategize flights around incredible business class fare deals. That’s what I intend to do, and I will most certainly credit those flights to Alaska. If you’re unfamiliar with those earn rates, check out this post where we break it down.
Ways to I would redeem:
Depending on how low the paid fares are vs my Amex balance, but I would potentially use my Amex Business Platinum and book via Amex Travel with a redemption value at 1.55c ( 35% refund benefit ).
Turkish Airlines new business class
Turkish Airlines’ new business class found on the 787-9 and A350 offers all aisle access and I had planned a trip to fly it at the end of November last year. Award space was populating, often up to 4 seats, out of Atlanta and DC. I’d really like to visit Bodrum at some point plus my best friend Dave has never been to Istanbul. Once things settle down, it would be a great way to pop over and visit.
Ways to I would redeem:
- Aeroplan: 57.5k
- ANA: 88k
- Avianca Lifemiles: 63k
- United: 70k
- Singapore Airlines: 76.5k
EVA’s new business class
EVA announced in the fall of 2018 that they were unveiling a new business. EVA has one of the very best business class products out there offering a first class experience in a business class seat. Top notch champagne, pajamas, Rimowa amenity kits. I would absolutely love to try out their new business class. EVA was supposed to start flying it to Vancouver in the first quarter and was operating to Vienna, but fingers crossed they introduce it on the US routes.
Ways to I would redeem:
- Aeroplan: 75k
- Avianca Lifemiles: 75k
- EVA: 75k
- United 80k
- Singapore: 115k
Recap:
As I worked through these various cabins I realized that there were several other ones that I was eager to fly as well like Oman Air, Korean Airlines Apex Suites, China Eastern with the doors, Kuwait Airways, Delta One, Air France’s new biz, the list goes on.
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠
- The begins immediately for new cardmembers and after your account anniversary for existing cardmembers
- 2x on all other travel
- 10% Anniversary Bonus
- Every year you keep the card, your total spend will yield a 10% points bonus. If you spend $10k in a year, you’ll get 1k bonus points
- Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to redeem at 1.25c in the Chase Travel℠ and the slew of other benefits remain in tact including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver ( primary ), purchase protections, etc.
- Points are transferrable to 14 Ultimate Rewards partners
- Redeem in Chase Travel℠ for 1.25 cents per point
- No foreign transaction fees
- Suite of Travel and Purchase Coverage
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is my favorite
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- $95 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is exceptional starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Ink Business Cash® , Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee is quite low at $95 a year + you get a 10% anniversary bonus on points + $50 hotel credit in Chase travel.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.