Ever walked past business class on your way to economy and thought “one day”?
Well, that day could be sooner than you think. In fact, your next flight could be in business class – for less than what most people pay for economy.
Sounds impossible? Let me show you exactly how it's done.
Last month, my student Jessica flew business class from New York to Paris.
The person next to her paid $4,500.
Jessica's cost? $95.60 in taxes and fees.
Here's the exact step-by-step process she used:
Step 1: Points Strategy
• Airline needed: Air France/KLM
• Points needed: 55,000 Flying Blue miles
• Transfer partners: Chase, Amex, Citi, Capital One
Step 2: Accumulating Points
Jessica started with zero airline miles. Here's what she did:
• Signed up for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 60,000 points
• Regular spending for 3 months: 8,000 points
• Dining category bonus: 2,000 points
Total: 70,000 Chase points
Step 3: Finding Availability
• Used Flying Blue's calendar search
• Looked 6-8 months ahead
• Focused on mid-week flights
• Checked partner airlines
Step 4: The Transfer
• Transferred 55,000 Chase points to Flying Blue
• Transfer was instant
• Kept extra points for future trips
Step 5: The Booking
• Booked through Flying Blue website
• Paid $95.60 in taxes/fees
• Selected seat in advance
• Added meal preferences
The entire process took less than two months from start to finish.
Common Questions:
“Isn't this complicated?”
Not if you follow the steps. The hardest part is usually finding availability, which is why booking in advance is crucial.
“What about my credit score?”
Jessica's score actually went up by 15 points because she followed our credit management strategies.
“Do I need perfect credit?”
No. You need a 680+ score for most rewards cards, but we have strategies for lower scores too.
Pro Tips:
1. Be Flexible with Dates
• Mid-week flights have better availability
• Avoid peak seasons
• Use calendar search tools
2. Watch for Transfer Bonuses
• Can reduce points needed by 20-30%
• Sign up for program emails
• Check transfer partner promotions monthly
3. Book in Advance
• Sweet spot is 6-8 months out
• Set calendar reminders
• Join waitlists if available
4. Choose the Right Program
• Not all points are equal
• Focus on transferable points
• Consider multiple airline partners
The best part?
This isn't a one-time thing. Once you know the process, you can repeat it over and over.
Remember: The same seats are available whether you pay cash or points. The only difference is some people know how to get them for practically free.
Sign Up For The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred delivers exceptional value for travelers, making it an ideal first travel rewards card. Between its substantial welcome offer, affordable yearly fee, and the high-value points you can earn, it's hard to beat.
The perks are substantial: you'll get a yearly $50 credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel℠, earn 5X points when booking travel on the Chase portal, triple points at restaurants, and double points on all other travel spending. These features make it an excellent choice for anyone stepping into the world of travel rewards cards.
Ready to start planning your first business class redemption? Leave a comment below on where you want to go.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.