How to book business class flights with credit card points
A Guide to the Best Credit Cards for Earning Business Class Miles & How to Use Them
YOUR GUIDE TO BOOKING BUSINESS CLASS FLIGHTS FOR CHEAPER USING POINTS
Have you ever passed by the business class section of the plane on your way to economy and felt a sting of jealousy? If you answered "yes", don't worry- I used to feel the same way before I learned how to maximize my credit card points. And when I say maximize my points, I'm not talking about a couple hundred dollars off business class tickets,.. I'm talking thousands of dollars off. A most recent example is I got a business class flight direct JFK in New York to France for 50k points and $384 when the ticket usually costs over $5,000. Even better, I haven’t paid for a full-price flight in the last five years—just the mandatory taxes and fees. With that being said, if you're looking to learn about the steps of booking a business class flight for as little points as possible, you've come to the right place. I personally believe that everyone deserves to fly business class once in their life, but with the information you're going to gain from this article, you'll be flying business class even more than you thought. Ready to upgrade how you travel? Let's do it!
WHAT ARE CREDIT CARD POINTS & MILES?
Credit card points and miles are rewards you earn when you use certain credit cards for everyday purchases, like groceries, gas, or travel. Instead of cash back being the only option, these programs let you accumulate points that can also be redeemed for flights, hotels, upgrades, or other travel perks. Many of the credit cards that have a reward system using points also partner with hotel chains and airlines so that card users can transfer their credit card points to the airline or hotel of choice to take advantage of deals and save even more money. This means that the more you spend on your credit card, especially in the categories that your credit card promises 2x, 3x, or 4x rewards for, the more money you'll be able to get off flight fare.
Which Credit Cards Earn the Best Points for Business Class Flights?
The following credit cards can help you to earn the most points for business class flights:
FOR PERSONAL USE:
FOR BUSINESS OWNERS:
Remember: how many points you earn is entirely up to you! The first step is to sign up for one of the credit cards above, then qualify for the sign up bonus, and make sure to spend how much is necessary to get the bonus. That's the quickest way to get a chunk of points in your account immediately. After that, make sure to use your card for the main categories it earns more in at the very least and keep accumulating points! You can also refer friends to get the same credit card as you with a unique referral link and get points this way as well.
Step-by-Step: How to Book a Business Class Flight Using Points
The best position to be in when you're booking a business class flight is to be a couple of months out from your trip so that you have a little time to do inventory. If you are traveling last minute, these steps will still work though!
Step 1: Set your goal
Step 2: Add up all of your available travel points
STEP 3: Check for current transfer bonuses (NEVER skip this step)
STEP 4: If there’s a transfer bonus with an airline, check their flights
Example: If Air France business class from JFK to CDG costs 75k points, and there’s a 25% transfer bonus, you only need to transfer 60k points. The 25% bonus will give you the full 75k in your Flying Blue account so you can book.
Step 5: If no transfer deals exist or the airline doesn’t serve your route
STEP 6: DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE TAXES & FEES
Best Business Class Airlines to Redeem Points On
While you can use points to fly virtually any airline with business class, there are some airlines that are worth more "bang for your buck". These airlines include:
BEST BUSINESS CLASS AIRLINES:
WORST BUSINESS CLASS AIRLINES:
Does a Business Class Ticket Include Extra Perks?
YES, purchasing a business class ticket includes amazing perks that make the ticket even more worth the points. Some of my personal favorite amenities that are included in many business class tickets are:
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Flying business class doesn’t have to feel like a luxury that’s out of reach. With the right credit cards, transfer partners, and booking strategies, you can experience lie-flat seats, world-class dining, and priority perks without paying thousands of dollars. I’ve personally used points to fly to countles different countries, and I truly believe anyone can learn how to make travel more affordable with the right approach. If this guide helped you, don’t forget to subscribe for more tips on points, travel hacks, and destination guides, and scroll below for more resources to help you plan your next trip in style.
