Page Contents<\/p>
- Why Should You Fly First Class \u2014 And Book With Points and Miles?<\/a><\/li>
- Etihad Apartments<\/a>
- Etihad Guest<\/a><\/li>
- American Airlines AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/li>
- Asiana Airlines Asiana Club<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Emirates First Class Suites<\/a>
- Emirates Skywards<\/a><\/li>
- Air Canada Aeroplan<\/a><\/li>
- Qantas Frequent Flyer<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- ANA First Class Suites<\/a>
- ANA Mileage Club<\/a><\/li>
- Avianca LifeMiles<\/a><\/li>
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club<\/a><\/li>
- United MileagePlus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Singapore Airlines Suites<\/a><\/li>
- Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
Why Should You Fly First Class \u2014 And Book With Points and Miles?<\/span><\/h2>\n
International first class is the upper echelon of air travel \u2014 unless you have a private jet. Ordinarily, first-class tickets have a price tag to match the luxury and privacy you'll get in these cabins. Think tens of thousands of dollars per way, if not more!<\/p>\n
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Credit: Google Flights<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n In the case of the example above, you could pay $15,000 to fly one-way between New York and Tokyo. That's a lot of cash! But a better way to book is by redeeming points and miles.<\/p>\n
Using rewards points earned from credit card sign-up bonuses and aligning your wallet with your spending patterns can help you fly the best products commercial aviation has to offer without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n
While this guide doesn't cover every first class cabin imaginable, it does cover what we think to be the best. So, without further ado, here's how to book the best first class seats with points and miles.<\/p>\n
Etihad Apartments<\/span><\/h2>\n
Etihad's former CEO once described it to me as not trying to be the “biggest airline” but rather “the most luxurious airline.” The national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airlines, is certainly a premium airline.<\/p>\n
For several years, it hasn't even been possible to fly its most premium product, The Residence (effectively a private three-room cabin in the sky), or its still-luxurious-but-more-traditional First Class Apartment seat since the airline's A380s were grounded. But now, the only aircraft that flies this configuration for Etihad has returned to the skies \u2014 and you can book its best seats with points.<\/p>\n
Credit: Etihad<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n The First Class Apartment features several incredible features, including a separate day bed in your fully enclosed suite, providing an unbelievable amount of space for an airline seat and an onboard shower. This contrasts Etihad's other First Class product on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which still features a door but not as much personal space.<\/p>\n
Currently, the A380 is flying these routes for Etihad from Abu Dhabi (AUH):<\/p>\n
- \n
- London Heathrow (LHR)<\/li>\n
- New York-Kennedy (JFK)<\/li>\n
- Mumbai (BOM)<\/li>\n
- Paris (CDG) from November 1st, 2024<\/li>\n
- Singapore (SIN) from February 1st, 2025<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Booking the Etihad Apartment is surprisingly easy for such a premium product. Here's how you can:<\/p>\n
Etihad Guest<\/span><\/h3>\n
The most obvious choice at first glance is Etihad, which prices routes on a distance-based chart. This means that flights between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and London (LHR) would cost 140,000 Etihad miles each way, plus taxes and fees, and flights between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and New York (JFK) would cost 220,000 miles, plus taxes and fees.<\/p>\n
Credit: Etihad<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n The problem with booking through Etihad is three-fold:<\/p>\n
- \n
- You can book Etihad awards for less through partner airline programs.<\/li>\n
- Etihad Guest passes on onerous carrier-imposed fuel surcharges<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Etihad has one of the strictest award change and cancellation policies<\/a> in award travel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
But on the bright side, it's easy to accrue Etihad miles. So, if you can stomach the surcharges and your plans are set in stone, booking through Etihad Guest is a completely viable option to book First Class awards.<\/p>\n
Presently, you can transfer at a 1:1 ratio from the following multiple credit card programs:<\/p>\n
From<\/div>To<\/div>Transfer Ratio<\/div>Min.Transfer<\/div>Average Time<\/div><\/div>Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Etihad Airways (Etihad Guest)<\/div><\/div><\/div>1,000:1,000Amex to drop Etihad as a transfer partner effective June 30, 2026<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>-<\/div>Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>United Kingdom<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Etihad Airways (Etihad Guest)<\/div><\/div><\/div>500:500<\/div>1,000<\/div>Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>Canada<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Etihad Airways (Etihad Guest)<\/div><\/div><\/div>1,000:750<\/div>-<\/div>Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>Germany<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Etihad Airways (Etihad Guest)<\/div><\/div><\/div>300:200<\/div>900<\/div>Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>Capital One<\/a>United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Etihad Airways (Etihad Guest)<\/div><\/div><\/div>100:100<\/div>1,000<\/div>Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>Citibank (ThankYou Rewards)<\/a>United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Etihad Airways (Etihad Guest)<\/div><\/div><\/div>1,000:1,000<\/div>-<\/div> - Etihad has one of the strictest award change and cancellation policies<\/a> in award travel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Avianca LifeMiles<\/a><\/li>
- Air Canada Aeroplan<\/a><\/li>
- American Airlines AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/li>
- Etihad Apartments<\/a>
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