I was looking at QR F from DFW to BKK at 84k points + taxes and fees (maybe $200 or so). I know it gets weird with QR booking F for QSuites, which isn't true F (F lounge in Doha is denied if that is your actual flown class). But still, even half a leg in F and other in QS for 84k with a couple hundred in fees is not a bad redemption by any means!
@@ryanshannon6963 I used The First Class Lounge in Doha without any problem, and I was using AAdvantage miles, I don't understand why you are not gonna be able to use the Lounge, you are really gonna need it after such a long flight
@@ryanshannon6963I have done this many many time and to South East Asia countries. And you get access to the lounges in Doha they are two now. The new one with a garden is a must visit ! Around gate C23
Iberia may not be the best business class seat, but it's still a solid overall experience out of ORD, at least. The lounge, the food, the service and the seat are all really good!
Also the tricky thing about transfer to BA and then IB, is that you have to have your IB account active for at least 3 months. If you don't there is a glitch in the transfer process.
Also, which airlines routinely have 5+ biz class saver’s seats on a single flight? This is the challenge we are running up against for our family trips.
Idea: Example redemptions to major areas (East Asia, SEA, Europe, etc) via the Best vs Cheapest vs Most available Business class! From what I've seen to Asia, Best is likely the new JAL or ANA cabins, Cheapest could be ANA booking Star Alliance round trip, and most available being China Airlines (from experience!)
Cheapest is definitely ANA. Virgin Atlantic is obviously the second best, along with China Airlines, but only out of West Coast and I think ORD (sometimes)? I notice that with FB getting to Asia from the US is difficult without being pulled through AMS/CDG, and it's like, "WHY are you pulling me to France or the Netherlands??" I moved away from the Chase Trifecta specifically because of the lack of competitive and reasonable redemptions to Asia. Europe is like the McDonalds of redemptions. [SE] Asia and those neighboring islands are where it becomes more difficult and *A partners just have the great deals to that region. That's why my personal cards primarily revolve around C1 and TY points, whereas I'm going to see how my business cards revolving around Amex will go (new residential property builds and renovations business) given that I'm targeting the at least 1.5x points per $1 spent over $5k in single transaction. This is basically *only because ANA is a transfer partner*. That ANA redemption is that good!
Moving from San Diego to Singapore so won't use those San Diego tips on miles redemption. But I did pay a little over $5 for my Business class from SFO to Singapore. Thank you Max Miles
Question regarding the points transfer: Let’s say you transfer your Chase/Citi/Amex points to a partner. Are you able to transfer them back to your credit card points if you end up not making that booking?
No unfortunately; and that's the tricky part. You need to triple check that everything's how you want it and that everything lines up before you transfer over your points because once you do you don't (unless under extremely rare circumstances) you don't get those points back. They'll be stuck in whatever program you transfer them to.
I tried to book a business flight on a partner’s airline. It says unavailable. Is there a way to confirm your upgrade with points immediately after securing the economy ticket?
Great video! I did one a while back on the JFK-LIS flight, and it's a great one! I'd also say that a lot of Virgin flights to LHR definitely fit this bill, though the taxes and fees are ridiculous. Right now JFK-LHR is pricing just 35k miles....but $1027.80 in taxes and fees!
Top Tip: Citi TY points transfers to Qatar, which now uses the Avios system. You can then transfer Qatar Avios to BA Avios, then BA to Iberia if you needed to for whatever reason (and Aer Lingus, again, for whatever reason *that may be*). That means basically all major CC Point systems can transfer to *at least one* Avios system, which means you have access to all of their program redemptions. *I THINK* Finnair will use Avios in the future, if not already, so that may be another as well!
Thanks Max. As always very helpful. On this and several other videos showing how to book business class with less miles, you explain how to find reward availability but you always search using one way. How do you book the return? Do you book a separate flight with additional miles or pay for the ticket.
JAL with Avios (Iberia or BA), *SOMETIMES* LM/MilesSmiles DFW to BKK via TYO with ANA. LM will also have UA and EVA availability, but pretty much always 90k miles. The fees are like, maybe $20 at the most, though.
Carrier-imposed surcharge (YQ) $223.00 for LAX-TYO flight operated by ANA It’s really not that bad. AF/KLM charges similar surcharges For the reverse it’s about the same
curious why you suggest booking Japan business on ANA via Virgin Atlantic rather than directly with ANA points? Isn't it better redemption via direct with ANA? what about availability between these 2 options?
Thanks for the great video! I have some BILT points, I am wondering if I should transfer to AA before 6/24 or keep them in BILT to transfer to other airline partners. Any suggestions? I am based in East coast and plan to travel to Asia in the next few months.
Great video! I actually went to Tokyo recently and Virgin Atlantic did not have the award availability but it was showing on United. The Virgin Atlantic phone rep said they haven’t been receiving much award tickets recently from ANA. ANA has been sending all their award tickets to United only.
Are British Airways Madrid business class redemptions also 34,000 points? Could you transfer your Amex points to British Airways, and then convert the British Airways Avios to Iberia Avios?
How about award seats from East Coast (NC) to Ho Chi Minh SGN? I've tried different tips and tricks without any luck. If you've already made a video on this, please share. Or any advice would help. Flight will be late August 2024 Thanks
Maybe check FlyingBlue since VN airlines is a SkyTeam partner. However, you may have to take a positioning flight to a larger hub rather than flying directly out of NC. Fortunately, SGN is a major airport so most airlines will have a direct flight there from their regional hub (JAL/ANA from TYO, EVA from Taipei, etc...). I would check each of Alaska Airlines (for OneWorld), Delta (for SkyTeam) and United (for Star Alliance) to see what "I" class business class redemptions are available with partner airlines and then cross check for whatever program you can transfer to given your credit card point system. Turkish can have some hidden value here, as well as Avianca LM since they're pretty good for "full itineraries" rather than having to position from a major hub for a redemption. SE is difficult to get reasonable redemptions. I think ANA is best, then it's more or less a free for all with transfer bonuses and availability. ANA/JAL/Alaska Airlines program are really outliers in this area. *ESPECIALLY* Alaska Airlines. Most US based carriers have garbage valuation for their points, but Alaska is significantly higher value and significantly more difficult to accrue outside of CC spend on their cards or just straight up flying and applying those miles to their program.
Airline alliances Step 1 identify the operating airline alliance Step 2 figure out which credit card transfer partner is in the same alliance I also sell a spreadsheet that does that automatically maxmilespoints.gumroad.com/l/partneridentifier
question, if you book a flight using the partnered airlines...how can you get a confirmation number for the operating airline? where do you go check in at the gate? hahah the operating airline or the airline you used your points with?
Good question! Most airlines provide you a confirmation number that works both from the operating airline and the airline you booked through. If not they'll provide you two confirmation numebers. One for the operating airline one for the airline you booked through. When it comes to the day of the flight you go check in with the operating airline
![[UNCUT] “บอสณวัฒน์” ลากไส้!! ใครหนุนหลัง "แม่ตั๊ก ป๋าเบียร์" I คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ I 30 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QlD7mU2KKRk/mqdefault.jpg)
My best redemption so far was Doha to Bangkok, Qatar First Class, just 50k AAdvantage + 45 usd
thats awesome
I was looking at QR F from DFW to BKK at 84k points + taxes and fees (maybe $200 or so). I know it gets weird with QR booking F for QSuites, which isn't true F (F lounge in Doha is denied if that is your actual flown class). But still, even half a leg in F and other in QS for 84k with a couple hundred in fees is not a bad redemption by any means!
@@ryanshannon6963 I used The First Class Lounge in Doha without any problem, and I was using AAdvantage miles, I don't understand why you are not gonna be able to use the Lounge, you are really gonna need it after such a long flight
@@ryanshannon6963I have done this many many time and to South East Asia countries. And you get access to the lounges in Doha they are two now. The new one with a garden is a must visit ! Around gate C23
I have no luck finding anything from BOS to BKK.
So for Oneworld availability, you like to use Alaska's website and for Star Alliance you like to use United? In general? As a rule?
Iberia may not be the best business class seat, but it's still a solid overall experience out of ORD, at least. The lounge, the food, the service and the seat are all really good!
Also the tricky thing about transfer to BA and then IB, is that you have to have your IB account active for at least 3 months. If you don't there is a glitch in the transfer process.
Also, which airlines routinely have 5+ biz class saver’s seats on a single flight? This is the challenge we are running up against for our family trips.
Booking ANA from the west coast can be less than 50K if there's a transfer bonus for Virgin.
Idea: Example redemptions to major areas (East Asia, SEA, Europe, etc) via the Best vs Cheapest vs Most available Business class! From what I've seen to Asia, Best is likely the new JAL or ANA cabins, Cheapest could be ANA booking Star Alliance round trip, and most available being China Airlines (from experience!)
Cheapest is definitely ANA. Virgin Atlantic is obviously the second best, along with China Airlines, but only out of West Coast and I think ORD (sometimes)? I notice that with FB getting to Asia from the US is difficult without being pulled through AMS/CDG, and it's like, "WHY are you pulling me to France or the Netherlands??"
I moved away from the Chase Trifecta specifically because of the lack of competitive and reasonable redemptions to Asia. Europe is like the McDonalds of redemptions. [SE] Asia and those neighboring islands are where it becomes more difficult and *A partners just have the great deals to that region. That's why my personal cards primarily revolve around C1 and TY points, whereas I'm going to see how my business cards revolving around Amex will go (new residential property builds and renovations business) given that I'm targeting the at least 1.5x points per $1 spent over $5k in single transaction. This is basically *only because ANA is a transfer partner*. That ANA redemption is that good!
I think you mean 6:33 for Tokyo 🗼
Moving from San Diego to Singapore so won't use those San Diego tips on miles redemption. But I did pay a little over $5 for my Business class from SFO to Singapore. Thank you Max Miles
What ended up inspiring the move? Quite a transition.
@@grownsimba8120tax
I'm surprised you didn't mention flying blue. 50k from a lot of airports in U.S. or Canada
Especially with transfer bonuses being somewhat frequent.
Question regarding the points transfer: Let’s say you transfer your Chase/Citi/Amex points to a partner. Are you able to transfer them back to your credit card points if you end up not making that booking?
Nope
No unfortunately; and that's the tricky part. You need to triple check that everything's how you want it and that everything lines up before you transfer over your points because once you do you don't (unless under extremely rare circumstances) you don't get those points back. They'll be stuck in whatever program you transfer them to.
There's no CTRL+Z for life, bruv.
Ugh ofc the best business class product will be the most difficult to redeem and use 😅
I tried to book a business flight on a partner’s airline. It says unavailable. Is there a way to confirm your upgrade with points immediately after securing the economy ticket?
You can almost get anywhere in western Europe or north Africa (only checked Morocco) with Air France/KLM from the east coast.
Yes also a good option
Great video! I did one a while back on the JFK-LIS flight, and it's a great one! I'd also say that a lot of Virgin flights to LHR definitely fit this bill, though the taxes and fees are ridiculous. Right now JFK-LHR is pricing just 35k miles....but $1027.80 in taxes and fees!
Top Tip:
Citi TY points transfers to Qatar, which now uses the Avios system. You can then transfer Qatar Avios to BA Avios, then BA to Iberia if you needed to for whatever reason (and Aer Lingus, again, for whatever reason *that may be*).
That means basically all major CC Point systems can transfer to *at least one* Avios system, which means you have access to all of their program redemptions. *I THINK* Finnair will use Avios in the future, if not already, so that may be another as well!
Thanks Max. As always very helpful. On this and several other videos showing how to book business class with less miles, you explain how to find reward availability but you always search using one way. How do you book the return? Do you book a separate flight with additional miles or pay for the ticket.
Max, thanks for all your videos, very easy to follow! Is the search process the same for looking up return trips?
Yup its the same in reverse
I will wait for you to make a video BC from DFW to BKK❤
JAL with Avios (Iberia or BA), *SOMETIMES* LM/MilesSmiles DFW to BKK via TYO with ANA. LM will also have UA and EVA availability, but pretty much always 90k miles. The fees are like, maybe $20 at the most, though.
That 2nd one is bizarre but a great find nevertheless, thanks for the tips!
vs blocked the route
Why no mention of the uber high fuel surcharge on ANA redemptions? Not worth it at all
Carrier-imposed surcharge (YQ)
$223.00 for LAX-TYO flight operated by ANA
It’s really not that bad. AF/KLM charges similar surcharges
For the reverse it’s about the same
7:05 japan booking start - thanks Max!
Oops forgot to mention there are chapters 😅
Subscribed
Hey - so does this search work in reverse? Can I get that to work MAD to LAX for those same number of miles? Thanks!
Yup!
@@MaxMilesPoints Thank you! Trying to figure out our return from Europe Spring 2025
Great video. thanks
My best redemption so far was ANA Roundtrip SEA to HND for 92,500 points! This was challenging back then and pretty much impossible now 😅
curious why you suggest booking Japan business on ANA via Virgin Atlantic rather than directly with ANA points? Isn't it better redemption via direct with ANA? what about availability between these 2 options?
Hey is there anyone who can help me regarding AMEX Germany. I cant transfer to virgin atlantic or anyway to get very cheap to South Korea?
Thanks for the great video! I have some BILT points, I am wondering if I should transfer to AA before 6/24 or keep them in BILT to transfer to other airline partners. Any suggestions? I am based in East coast and plan to travel to Asia in the next few months.
Great video! I actually went to Tokyo recently and Virgin Atlantic did not have the award availability but it was showing on United. The Virgin Atlantic phone rep said they haven’t been receiving much award tickets recently from ANA.
ANA has been sending all their award tickets to United only.
Hi Max, I'm based in Manila and i'm trying to get from here (or TPE or Japan) to New York (nonstop preferred) any good redemptions under 100K miles?
Im checking japan flights but they are all more than 200k
Any tips on finding business class to south Africa? Having a hard time with it. Flying out of sfo
That Concorde on the background. Where did you get it?! Man I love it!!
It’s the Lego Concorde, you can usually find the Lego set online
Oh, I thought it changes time, etc.@@MaxMilesPoints
TY for your great content! Off topic...What mic system and camera do you use when you travel?
Are British Airways Madrid business class redemptions also 34,000 points? Could you transfer your Amex points to British Airways, and then convert the British Airways Avios to Iberia Avios?
You can but your Iberia account needs to be at least 90 days old
How about award seats from East Coast (NC) to Ho Chi Minh SGN? I've tried different tips and tricks without any luck. If you've already made a video on this, please share. Or any advice would help. Flight will be late August 2024
Thanks
Maybe check FlyingBlue since VN airlines is a SkyTeam partner. However, you may have to take a positioning flight to a larger hub rather than flying directly out of NC. Fortunately, SGN is a major airport so most airlines will have a direct flight there from their regional hub (JAL/ANA from TYO, EVA from Taipei, etc...). I would check each of Alaska Airlines (for OneWorld), Delta (for SkyTeam) and United (for Star Alliance) to see what "I" class business class redemptions are available with partner airlines and then cross check for whatever program you can transfer to given your credit card point system. Turkish can have some hidden value here, as well as Avianca LM since they're pretty good for "full itineraries" rather than having to position from a major hub for a redemption. SE is difficult to get reasonable redemptions. I think ANA is best, then it's more or less a free for all with transfer bonuses and availability. ANA/JAL/Alaska Airlines program are really outliers in this area. *ESPECIALLY* Alaska Airlines. Most US based carriers have garbage valuation for their points, but Alaska is significantly higher value and significantly more difficult to accrue outside of CC spend on their cards or just straight up flying and applying those miles to their program.
Amex to Iberia is instant, I did it a month ago
Thanks for the data point. It’s usually not instant , it’s usually the slowest Iberia transfer
@@MaxMilesPoints well the Amex portal wasn't working so I did it by phone, I'm not sure if that makes a difference
Thank you for the video. How do you know what airlines to check if AMEX points dont transfer directly to an airline?
Airline alliances
Step 1 identify the operating airline alliance
Step 2 figure out which credit card transfer partner is in the same alliance
I also sell a spreadsheet that does that automatically
maxmilespoints.gumroad.com/l/partneridentifier
Airalo shows Data only for the Philippines? So no text and call?
Yeah data only. If you’re looking for call and text you can consider a Worldwide sim with text/call/data. Or go with your current cellphone provider
question, if you book a flight using the partnered airlines...how can you get a confirmation number for the operating airline? where do you go check in at the gate? hahah the operating airline or the airline you used your points with?
Good question!
Most airlines provide you a confirmation number that works both from the operating airline and the airline you booked through. If not they'll provide you two confirmation numebers. One for the operating airline one for the airline you booked through. When it comes to the day of the flight you go check in with the operating airline
@@MaxMilesPoints thank you for explaining!
Have you ever had issues with a Chase transfer that was supposed to be instant but wasn’t? Did you call or wait?
I’ve had. you can only wait. If you call Chase Chase will tell call the airline. If you call the airline they’ll tell you to call Chase
@@MaxMilesPoints thanks max.
I just did chase to British took 2 days! And my Qatar award flight was gone😢