The Business Traveler & High-Flyers Delight

It’s an international First Class cabin — on carriers offering three classes of service — that usually delivers the ultimate in-flight experience (something fewer airlines are offering, but that’s another subject). First Class cabins, usually equipped with a mere 8 to 18 seats, can be difficult to break into for a few reasons: Fewer seats are allocated for mileage awards (to encourage passengers to actually buy tickets); 2-for1 companion fare programs often exclude First Class (
 Air France and Lufthansa First Class are not available through Amex’s Platinum and Centurion 2-for-1 program); and, perhaps the most obvious, overseas First Class airfares can be unmercifully high — frequently in the $10,000+ range.

For these reasons, many of you have challenged me to come up with ways to upgrade from Business Class to First — in addition to the 2-for-1 options with Air New Zealand, Asiana, British Airways, LanChile, Malaysia, SWISS and United outlined in January’s First Class Flyer.

This month we’ll look at international destinations with the best Business-to-First Class upgrade options.

Free Business to First Upgrades

If you’re paying full Business Class fares, do so with carriers offering free upgrades (their attempt to gain and retain your business). Example: Asiana Airlines, a Star Alliance member based in Seoul, will award a free First Class upgrade to anyone paying full-fare Business — a 30% to 40% savings. Contact: (800) 227-4262.

Kuala Lumpur-based Malaysia Airlines offers the same free First Class upgrade program. The airline serves 110 destinations in Asia; its US gateways are Los Angeles and Newark. Contact (888) 627-8477.

Corporate Business Travelers: If your company’s travel policy permits Business Class travel, these no-cost upgrades can be golden.

Paid Upgrades

Paying for upgrades is another way to get into First Class on carriers offering three-class service. Example: Thai Airways will upgrade you (at time of ticketing) for $780 each way on its Los Angeles-Bangkok route.

On Scandinavian Airlines, pay $600 above the Biz Class fare (at time of booking) for one of six sleeper seats in its first row of Business Class. Contact: (800) 221-2350.

Mileage Upgrades: Know Your Upgradeable Fares

There are two types of airlines: Those that allow you to use miles to upgrade on discounted Business Class fares — and those that require you to pay full-fare.

Here’s a rundown of airlines that are the most Business-to-First Class upgrade friendly. . .

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EUROPE

Best British Airways: Allows you to upgrade from its lowest Business Class fares, booked in I and D class, for 50K miles r/t. With its new Business Class leisure fares to Europe — in the $2,699 to $3,200 range — you can gain easier access to its highly coveted First Class — often priced at $12,000+.

Singapore: Serves Newark-Amsterdam with a three-class B747. For 60K miles, you can upgrade a $3,600 Business Class fare to First (regularly $7,560). Remember, you can acquire the necessary miles quickly through partner Starwood Hotels buy-miles program, and/or the airline’s own buy-miles program.

Decent United: For 60K miles, you can upgrade discounted D class fares, which are often much lower than full-fare Biz Class. (Caveat: many of United’s lowest Biz Class fares, sold in Z class, do not permit upgrading.)

Needs improvement: Air France, American, SWISS and Lufthansa.

ASIA

Best Japan Airlines: Travel Monday through Thursday and get heavily discounted Biz Class fares — that are upgradeable too! Example round-trip upgradeable Biz Class from Los Angeles: to Seoul, $2,650 (First Class reg. $5,714); Taipei, $3,012 (reg. $7,326); Shanghai, $3,696 (reg. $6,056).

Decent United: You can find discounted Business Class fares on many routes, often for $1,000 to $2,000 less than full fare.

Cathay Pacific: While the airline does allow you to upgrade from most Biz Class fares, its discounted Biz Class fares are not discounted very much.

Needs improvement: All Nippon, American and Thai.

Hidden Gem Opens Floodgates

Cathay Pacific’s loyalty program, Asia Miles, offers some of the best opportunities for Business to First Class upgrades. Why? Simple: The airline’s partners — with three classes of service — permit mileage upgrades on almost any discounted Business Class fare.

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You don’t have to currently have miles in any of these programs: As we’ve said for years, you can buy miles directly from the airlines. Through Cathay’s Asia Miles, you can buy up to 180,000 miles per year, per account, for about 3 cents per mile depending on volume.

Yet another reason to carry the Starwood Amex card: I don’t mind continually bringing to your attention the far-reaching value of this card. The advantages are almost everywhere. Cardholders can transfer Starwood Starpoints into miles with most of the programs we’ve discussed. (Plus you’ll get 25% more miles than with most other cards.)

South America, South Africa & Australia: When flying on major carriers on direct routes, there is little price difference between discounted Business Class and full Business Class fares to these destinations.

Canadians: American Airlines upgrades through Asia Miles, and British Airways upgrades through any program, are your best bets. Consider Cathay Pacific to Asia.

Round-the-World (RTW) Fares: Often much less than a typical ‘point-to-point’ ticket. Take Los Angeles-London on British Airways: First Class is $14,588. But, buy a Round-the-World ticket through its Oneworld alliance, and you can fly First Class for $8,400. (This obviously works best when your destination is halfway around the world.)

Better RTW fares: Singapore offers great RTW fares when you fly exclusively with the carrier — or if you fly with only one or two of its partners. Under these circumstances, you can get First Class fares for under $7,000.

Think alternative airports if you must pay full fare: Many leisure travelers have the option of flying into or out of more than one airport. Look for airports offering significantly lower fares. Example: New York-Madrid runs $6,730, while a flight to London will cost you dearly, at $11,662. Japan Airlines will charge you $5,730 for First Class Los Angeles-Seoul, but over $10,000 for nearby Tokyo.

There has to be something I missed. If it comes to mind, please write: mr.upgrade@firstclassflyer.com