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MATTHEW BENNETT First Class Flyer 10-Year AnniversaryVOL. 20 NO. 4 • APRIL 2015 MASTERING THE ART OF BUSINESS & FIRST CLASS AIR TRAVELHot Ticket Fare SleuthSurpass First Class Comes to the U.S. Business Class Starting as Low as $599 to MexicoPlus Emirates A380 First Class Suite between Europe and U.S., and how Take advantage of special Businessto save up to 38% on that and 66% on Surpass First Class… Class fares from American, Delta, and United. We’ve uncovered a numberTwo top Middle East airlines, Etihad and Emirates, have been busy over the last of routes where fares are undertwo months trying to outdo each other on First Class Suites from the U.S. $800. Fine print: Booking code I for American, Z and A for Delta, and P forMarch 4: Etihad announced that New York will receive the airlines’ new Surpass United. Advance purchase varies byFirst Class (First Apartment) and The Residence on the A380 on one of its two airline and destination, 3 to 21 days.daily flights starting Dec. 1 to Abu Dhabi—with onward connections to over 50cities in the Middle East, India, Asia and Australia. Sample of Special Business Class Fares to MexicoSee the special report (page 1) on the two cabins and how they score against otherluxury First Class Suites. R / T Fare Route AirlineMarch 15: Etihad started flying a B787 Dreamliner from Washington, D.C. $599 Miami - Cancun AA $624 Los Angeles - San Jose del AA Cabo Etihad might have been $679 Atlanta - Cancun DL influenced by Emirates February announcement that it will start $690 Seattle - San Jose del Cabo UA $736 Washington, DC - Cancun DL flying an A380 on New York-Milan, making Emirates the fifth airline to $759 Las Vegas - Puerto Vallarta DL Europe flying the A380 (joining Air France, British Airways, $798 New York (JFK) - Cancun DL Lufthansa, and Singapore). $820 Chicago - Cancun DL *Fares include the average taxes and fees for the route. AA = American, DL = Delta, and UA = United. Emirates stands out because it is the Fare Games ... Etihad’s New, 39-Square-Foot only airline that offers an onboard by the numbersSurpass First Class “First Apartment” shower for First Class passengers, and it also received a Bennett Suite Savings on First ClassScore of 10—see page 12 here for more on the ratings. 84% travel between New York and Seoul. See page 7.March 24: Emirates announced a new U.S. route, its 10th, Orlando-Dubai, flying First Class travel Losa three Class B777-200. Angeles - Detroit. $ 401 See page 4. (continued on page 12)In this issue . . . How to Save Up to 84% On Asiana’s 65% Savings on Business Class A380 First Class Suite to Asia . . . . . . page 7 travel between San FranciscoSeven Reasons to Consider New Upgrade Opportunities First Class travel New and Paris. See page 8.BA Despite Its Program —For Up to Four Passengers . . . . . . page 8 York - Milan. SeeDevaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2 No Miles? No Points? page 6. $4,284Reflections on Delta’s SkyMiles No Problem. (Part 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10Soap Opera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 When Spending 52% Savings on Business ClassMore Transcon Routes Miles Is Relatively Easy . . . . . . . . . . . page 14 travel between Los AngelesGet Flatbed Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6 and Toronto. See page 13.

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E WBENNETTHigh & Inside with Matthew BennettSeven Reasons to Consider BA Despite Its Program DevaluationGood values remain for those with Amex, Chase, Mind Your Upgrade Mindsetand Starwood points. Biggest Losers April 28: Chase Point ChasersOn Jan.28, British Airways announced changes to itsExecutive Club (as of April 28) that in many ways make the It only has five major premium partners, and BA is a huge one, notprogram less lucrative: For example, higher rates for both only on its own but for the access it provides to Oneworld partnersupgrades and free mileage tickets on BA and partner flights. American, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, etc. The BA Deval means that Chase points suffer a significant deval, too.But, BA miles can still be very worthwhile for those whohave amassed them, or have access to them via Multi-Airline- Especially painful coming on the heels of Chase’s SignificantCurrency credit cards (MACs). Deval last year when United tanked its program, specifically travel on Star Alliance partners. Instead of transferring Chase pointsRound-trip First Class fares on BA from the U.S. to Europe to United consider useing Amex or Starwood with ANA—and you’llare typically $5,000 to $10,000 with a 90-day advance- often pay up to 54% less. (NYC-Frankfurt in First is 54% less withpurchase, and can easily run up to $20,000+. Advance- ANA, as one example.)purchase Business Class generally goes for $4,500 to $8,500,and $10,000+ otherwise, so it often pays to use miles to Biggest Winners April 28:lower the cash outlay. Loyalty “Deval Anxiety-Free” Agents Seven Ways to Still Reap With BA (You’re sleeping fine right now.)#1 Make Up for Lost Ground With Amex Bonus: Link to MAC partner comparison (page 12).The last one was 40%. (See the two Amex cards we Link to Play Your Cards Right Cribsheet (page 9).recommend here on page 8.) The bonus alone can compensatefor much of the devaluation. Link to Play Your Cards Right Calculator.#2 Domestic First Class with BA Partners Still Saves Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh28%: Use BA miles for First Class travel with American andUS Airways flights on short-haul domestic routes. Cost is Another British Airways Devaluation Workaround: A cool waygoing from 27,000 miles to 36,000 round-trip, still a savings to book BA First Class is with Alaska miles, a transfer partner withof 14,000 over using AA (which just absorbed the US Starwood Starpoints.Airways mileage program) miles. More on domestic U.S. gemson page 7. Availability via Alaska miles is often similar to BA’s own, but instead of paying 160,000 to 200,000 BA miles for First, you get the ticket for (continued on page 3) 140,000 Alaska miles (or 115,000 Starpoints)—for tickets which otherwise easily run $7,000 to $17,000+. (Keep this between us, be- cause card churners could exploit it, which could make it go away.) Using American miles is another good strategy to get BA tickets for much less between the U.S. and Europe, as AA charges only 125,000 miles (or 100,000 Starpoints) for First Class on BA. Two other options: Cathay Pacific (120,000 to 180,000 miles, same number of Amex points; 100,000 to 145,000 Starpoints), and Japan Airlines (85,000 to 115,000 miles; 70,000 to 95,000 Starpoints). ABOUT THE PUBLISHER 2 Matthew J. Bennett has been tracking down airfare deals since his days as a minor league pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. His specialty was uncovering bargain fares for teammates, which eventually earned him the sobriquet “the guy who doesn’t pay retail for anything.” Since then, “Mr. Upgrade” has gained a reputation as the leading authority on how to upgrade, serving his readers and corporate clients by providing advice on how to travel in comfort without spending a fortune. He is consulted by top publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Condé Nast Traveler, and other media including CNN, MSNBC, NBC, and FOX News.Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc.

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E W BENNETT(continued from page 2) Seven Reasons to Consider BA#3 U.S. to/from Canada Hedge Fun #4 U.S. to/from CentralBusiness Class Remains America, Mexico, and theUnchanged: Book BA awards on BA, AA, and Iberia to Europe and beyond Caribbean Business ClassThe cost still ranges from before April 28—even if you don’t know your travel dates. Why? Remains Unchanged: AA and18,000 to 40,000 miles round- You’ll save 13% to 50%—and you can change your dates (but not US Airways flights still costtrip in Business Class, a savings the routing) later, free of charge. 18,000 to 40,000 miles round-of 10,000 to 32,000 (up to 65%) trip via BA miles—20,000 toover the cost via American Get BA Miles via point transfers from Amex, Chase, and 42,000 less (up to 70%) than Starwood. The first two offer almost instant transfers (more onmiles. More on page 8 here. FCF’s Miles Accumulation Ratings with Oneworld airlines (pg. 7). with AA. More on page 9 here. (continued on page 5)Survey of Award Availability: British Airways to London U.S. Class of Availability From U.S. Availability To U.S.Departure Service Hopeful Handful Hooray Handful Hopeful Hooray City Oct., Dec. Nov., Jan., Feb. Jan., Feb.Atlanta Business Oct. to Dec. Jan., Feb. Jan., Feb. First Jan., Feb. May April, Aug., Sept., Oct., Dec., Jan. Dec. Nov. to Feb. Business May to July, Sept. April, Aug., Oct. to Feb. June, Oct. Aug. Oct., Nov., Dec., May, Dec.Boston July Jan., Feb. First April, Aug., Sept., Oct. Aug., Oct., Dec. April, Nov., Jan., Feb.Chicago Business Oct. April, Dec. Oct., Nov., Dec., April Oct., Nov. to Feb. First April, Nov., Dec. Jan. Jan., Feb. April Jan., Feb. Feb. Jan.Dallas Business Jan. Nov., Feb. Feb. Nov. Sept., Oct., Nov. to Feb. First Nov., Jan., Feb. Nov., Jan. Feb. Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb. Nov. AprilHouston Business April, July, Sept. Aug. Oct., Nov. to Feb. Aug. April, Oct., Dec. First April, July to Sept., Dec. Oct., Nov., Dec., May, Aug., Sept., Oct. Jan., Feb. Oct.New York Business April, Nov. Dec. Nov., Dec., Jan., April Dec. Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb. (EWR) First July, Aug., Dec. Oct., Nov. Feb. Nov. Nov., Jan., Feb. Nov., Jan., Feb. May, Aug., Oct., Nov. toNew York Business May, June April, July, Aug., Sept., Oct. Sept., Oct. April, June, Sept. Feb. (JFK) First April, May, June, July, Sept. to Feb. May, June, Nov., Oct., Nov. April, Aug., Sept., Dec., Jan., Aug., Dec. July, Aug, Sept., Feb. Feb. Oct., Nov., Jan., Feb.Philadelphia Business April, July, Aug., Oct., Nov. Dec., Jan., Feb. April, Aug. to Oct. Nov., Dec. to Feb. First Dec. Jan., Feb. Nov. April, Oct., Nov., Feb. Feb.Phoenix Business Feb. Jan. Jan. First Nov., to Jan. Nov. Jan., Feb.San Francisco Business April, Oct. Nov., Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb. April, Nov., Dec., Dec., Jan. Feb. First April, Oct., Jan., Feb. Dec. Feb. Nov. Feb. April April, Nov., Dec.Seattle Business April, Dec. Nov., Jan. Jan., Feb. Jan., Feb. First April, Jan. Nov., Feb. Sept., Oct. Jan., Feb. April, Nov. Feb. Aug., Nov. to Feb.Washington, Business April Aug., Oct. Oct., Nov. to Feb. April, Oct. Jan. DC First Dec., Feb. Jan. *See page 14 for ‘availability definitions’. Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats. 3Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc.

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E WBENNETTLatest Loyalty Losers & WinnersReflections on Delta’s SkyMiles Soap OperaThe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly for international Business Class and domestic First Class travelers.New Elite Fare Restrictions In effect, Delta is now like American, charging elites forDelta has introduced a new line of branded products. upgrades (although Delta still calls them “unlimited free”).Business Class is now called Delta One and Medallion But, unlike American, Delta is taking the money in the formmembers who purchase the lowest economy fares (Basic of the higher fare whether you get the upgrade or not.Economy) no longer receive paid or complimentary Delta has already blocked elite upgrades on routes that matterupgrades to First Class, paid or complimentary Preferred most, such as JFK-LAX/SFO and some routes to Hawaii.Seats, or paid or complimentary Delta Premium EconomyLite seats (Comfort+). For more click here. The Nub: Elite status is increasingly meaningless on Delta.Losers: Elite members that You have to pay up, no matter what. That said, we do likefly on lowest economy fares. Ridiculous: Elimination of Award Charts Delta for low domestic First Class published fares—moreThe hardest hit are elites SkyMiles members are now flying blind, as the carrier eliminated its here on page 1—which oughtwho upgrade from the lowest mileage award-cost charts, making planning a guessing game. Not to be considered first, beforeeconomy fare to domestic having a price list makes it very difficult to evaluate the airline’s playing elite upgradeFirst or even to just a better value proposition and disguises program devaluations—two roulette.economy seat. In the name things the airline now prizes. New One-Way Awardsof rebranding, Delta is Delta and US Airways weredisguising the real hustle, If you ever needed evidence this program is sinking, and fast, here the only U.S. airlines thatpushing elites to pay a you have it. didn’t offer them, so you hadhigher economy fare in order to be lucky to find awardto receive their hard-earned As always: Reconsider your Elite-Status Mindset before it’s too late. space round-trip. Deltaelite benefits. That’s Delta Some may get tired of hearing me say that, but Loyalty-Free Agents now offers one-way awardsloyalty now. weather these program devaluations well and can take advantage at half the cost. Until this of the new benefits at the same time, lock-in free.For example, on the Los I know mindsets are hard to change, but given that Delta values change took effect I rarelyAngeles-Detroit route, miles in its new domestic “Pay with Miles to Upgrade” program at thought about usingDelta’s basic economy fare 1¢ each, it’s not hard to imagine a day very soon when that’s all SkyMiles. More on the(booking class E) is $401. miles are worth, whether you are redeeming miles for a toaster importance of one-wayMedallion members don’t oven or flight. Chasing a few-percent discount is a waste of time. awards and how they canreceive complimentary Stay diversified. Boost Your Options 72,900%+upgrades to First Class, here on page 2.Preferred Seats, or DeltaComfort+. The main cabin economy fare is $441, so Delta Winners: Delta Skymiles members + Multi-Airline Currencynow makes elites pay $40 more to get their benefits. Yes, not strategists.a big difference, but the rule and new fare restriction behind Those with MACs in their diversified portfolio can now thinkit is—and no-doubt the disparity will grow over time—like about using Delta SkyMiles, especially when Delta has theinternational M fares did. best routing, as Amex Rewards and Starpoints can beThat said, the elite upgrade line will be cut so the odds of transferred into SkyMiles.getting an upgrade just skyrocketed for those willing toroll the dice on elite upgrades. (continued on page 5)Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc. 4

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E WBENNETT(continued from page 4) Reflections on Delta’s SkyMiles Soap OperaEarning Miles in 2015 another when you went to book the award. Now the awardDelta introduced earning miles and MQM’s based on the fare calendar shows five weeks of availability at a time, and itpaid and elite status—the higher your fare and the higher seems to be accurate.your elite status, the more you earn. More on that here. Earning MQD’sWinners: SkyMiles members who buy high-priced premium Delta elites can now earn MQD’s with partner airlines andtickets. elites will receive retroactive MQD credit on eligible partner flights dating back to the beginning of theLosers: SkyMiles members who buy low-priced economy qualification year, Jan. 1, 2015. More on that here.or First Class tickets. Winners: SkyMiles members.Delta is becoming a two-class society, rich and poor, forSkyMiles members: Either pay full-fare for Business or First It’s about time. Why even have partnerships with otherClass and earn enough miles for another free ticket, or book airlines if your elites can only fly on Delta in order to earncheap EasyUp strategy fares and earn very few miles. MQD’s?Instead of taking a big hit on the miles you earn, consider (continued from page 3)crediting miles to Delta’s partners, like Air France andAlaska. Why? One quick example: If you purchase an Seven Reasons to Consider BAEasyUp Business Class fare between Los Angeles andMadrid ($1,600), Delta will only credit you with 8,000 miles #5 Mileage Upgrades Still Net a Hefty Discount: 30%whereas Air France and Alaska will give you 15,675 miles. to 60% While mileage upgrades are taking a big hit in the(See FCF’s newsroom for great Delta international and devaluation, up to 100% (frankly, these were extraordinarilydomestic fares.) generous), the new upgrade tool will still be competitive.More Online Partner Booking Options Because BA does not require cash co-pays with upgrades,Delta is expanding the number of airline partners that display the cash outlay can be less than the cost of using Americanavailability online and can be booked online as well. or United miles to upgrade. That’s often the case when BA’s Premium Economy fares are less than $1,000 (typicallyWinners: SkyMiles members + MAC Strategists. shoulder-and off-season) and when Business Class fares are low (holiday and during flash EasyUp sales).More partners online is great—I dread being on hold and thennot getting a good agent. This change empowers the traveler #6 Decent Availability: Business and First Class: Onwho can be creative, flying different routes, airlines, and many routes, BA availability is more than that of most otherdates. Online partners now include AeroMexico, Air France, carriers—sometimes it even amounts to being quite generous.Alaska, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Special survey report on page 3.Southern, Garuda Indonesia, GOL, KLM, Korean, VirginAtlantic, and Virgin Australia. #7 First Class Awards Still Save Up 27% When Compared to Others: BA awards will jump to 160,000 (East) to 200,000Mileage Award Calendar (West) round-trip between London and the U.S. That’s onlyDelta has made huge improvements to its online award 22% to 37% more than with AA and up to 27% less thanmileage calendar, which now shows five weeks of availability United charges for its partner flights.at a time. One consideration, however: BA’s cost is less than flights onWinners: SkyMiles members + MAC Strategists. United partners with United miles. Offset the other increases through Amex bonuses (and think twice about using UnitedDelta had the worst online calendar. The information was miles for partner flights).often contradictory, with one rate on the calendar and then 5Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc.

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E W BENNETTThe TransconnoisseurMore Transcon Routes Get Flatbed Seats United: How to Save Up to 51% on Los Angeles, and San Francisco; and Montreal to Vancouver. Business Class Using Miles For more on Air Canada’s Transcon service go here.From July 2 to Aug. 17 United will fly its Transcon aircraft, Free Award Tickets: One of the best ways to get AirB757 p.s. Premium Service, on Los Angeles-Boston. For more Canada’s Transcon round-trip in Business Class is by usingon United’s Transcon service go here on page 12. miles for an award ticket. Air Canada charges 50,000 miles (see page 10 for getting AC miles). One stopover is allowedMileage Upgrade Awards: Our research revealed that on trips within Canada or to the U.S.; so you could get twoUnited offers many more upgrade seats than free award cites for the price of one. Cost is $1,250 if purchased fromseats—the latter are scarce. Upgrade availability is good, Amex Rewards in the U.S. Miles take up to one day to post.meaning there’s at least two seats 12 days in July—in both Canadian Amex cardholders can buy up to 25% of the pointsdirections and six days in August. required for an award at the time of booking, at 3¢ each.Award Availability Comparison: Compare that to the carrier’s lowest Business Class fare onUpgrade vs. Free Tickets: Los Angeles - Boston Los Angeles-Toronto at $2,596—or $1,346 (52%) less. Add in the good free-award availability (see chart below).Travel # of Days With # of Days With Difference in # of DaysMonth Upgrade Free Award Available Between Free Availability Availability Tickets & Upgrades July 12 1 1,200% Survey of Transcon Award Availability:August 6 1 600% Air Canada Flatbed Business Class Seat*Based on two passengers. From / To To / FromUnited allows upgrades to Business Class (40,000 miles Route Handful Hopeful Hooray Handful Hopeful Hoorayround-trip, see page 10 for getting UA miles) on anyeconomy fare. Fares usually starting at about $532 (fare basis Toronto - June, April, April,code TAA07AHN), plus a co-pay of $150 round-trip. Calgary July, Aug., Oct. Dec. Nov., Sept., Nov., Oct., Jan., Jan., Feb. Dec. Feb.Published First Class fares range from $1,393 to $2,500+ May toround-trip. Feb., July, Toronto - June, Aug., Aug., Los July, Aug., Oct., Sept., Sept. Oct. Sept., Dec., Feb. AngelesGood Connections: Don’t live in Los Angeles or Boston? Nov. to Jan.You can still take advantage of United’s new seats by using Feb.this Transcon route as your “bridge.” For example, if you’reflying Boston-Monterey-Boston, connect at LAX for the Toronto - May to Oct., Sept., Oct., Dec. Nov.,Transcon rather than flying via San Francisco. This will net San Aug., Nov., Dec. to Dec. Jan., Feb.you a huge, In-Class Seat Upgrade. Sept. Dec. Francisco Feb., Jan., Feb. July, July to July to Toronto - May, Aug., Nov., Feb., July Vancouver June Nov., Sept., June to Nov., Dec. Oct.,Elites can request an upgrade on this flight, which is norm­ ally Jan., Feb. Jan, Feb.not possible on p.s. Premium Service LAX/SFO-JFK. Montreal - Oct. Dec. to Nov. Oct. Nov. to Air Canada: How to Save Up to 52% on Vancouver Feb. Feb. Business Class Using Miles *See page 14 for ‘availability definitions’. Months in black at least one seat available;Air Canada now offers four international aircraft on Transcon in blue at least two seats.routes: B787, B777, B767, and A330, all of which haveflatbed Business Class seats: Toronto to Calgary, Vancouver, Booking Through Air Canada’s PartnersCopyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc. Singapore Miles: Brings cost down to 40,000 for the routes above. Transfer 35,000 Starpoints or 40,000 Amex, Chase, or Citi ThankYou points. See page 10 for more. 6

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E WBENNETTThe Suite SpotHow to Save Up to 84% On Asiana’s A380 First Class Suite to AsiaThe Suites: Twelve cabins, each with sliding privacy doors, Transfer Starwood Points to Asiana: 130,000. Our last82-inch long flat-bed, 32-inch-wide TV screen, companion transfer took 7 days to post. See page 10 for more.seat, mini-bar and closet. Cost With Other Star Alliance PartnersConcierge Service: Personal escort for check-in,immigration, security, and walk to First Class lounge. All Nippon Miles: Brings the First Class suite down to 140,000 miles. Transfer 115,000 Starpoints or 140,000 AmexExperience the suite in more detail here: Reward points to ANA. Award space is often similar as Asiana’s own space. No Miles? No Problem With the Buy Miles to Fly In Style Strategy Purchase Amex Rewards Points: They cost 2.5¢ each and you can buy up to 500,000 points annually. Transfer them to ANA and a First Class award costs $3,500 round-trip, plus taxes (about $365) for a ticket that otherwise goes for as much as $18,292, a savings of up to $14,427 (79%). Asiana’s First Class Suite Purchase LifeMiles: This might be your best bet if you don’t have access to Amex or Starwood points. LifeMiles is a big Routes to/from U.S. and Asia with A380 miles seller; it charges 180,000 miles for an Asiana First First Class Suites Class Suite. Through this program and using FCF’s strategy outlined in the December 2013 report here on page 1, youTo/From Seoul: New York and Los Angeles. See link for up- can book Los Angeles-Seoul for $2,961 including taxesto-date A380 routes with the First Class suite beyond Seoul. (a $12,613 / 81% savings), when you buy miles at half off. Last sale was in December 2014.Your North American Departure City Not Listed Above?You can connect from all over the U.S. and Canada to If you don’t buy miles when on sale, you can still get theLAX and JFK. Suite for $4,149 (if you use the “buy-down miles” strategy when making a booking, which simply increases the cashNot Flying To/From Seoul? Remember that Asiana serves to reduce the number of miles; more here on page 5), for acities all over Asia, Africa, and Europe. More miles required; potential savings of up to $15,331 (84%). Award spacecost depends on region. Asiana destinations here. is often similar as Asiana’s own space. High Fares Equal Great Mileage Opportunity Survey of A380 First Class Suite Award Availability on Asiana to SeoulNormal Lowest Airfare: $9,070 round-trip to Seoul fromNew York and up to $18,292 with fewer restrictions—from U.S. Availability To Seoul Availability From SeoulLos Angeles, $10,870 to $15,574. Departure Handful Hopeful Hooray Handful Hopeful HoorayLowest Conventional Award Cost: Asiana Club charges City160,000 miles. Los Angeles April Dec. Nov., Nov. to Jan., Feb. Feb. New York July Oct. Aug., July, Sept. Oct. Sept. Aug. *See page 14 for ‘availability definitions’.Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc. 7

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E WBENNETTThe Route ScoutNew Upgrade Opportunities—For Up to Four PassengersNew routes, additional flights, new seats, and aircraft Air France—Business Class (From West Coast)changes can spell opportunity at times. We’ve cherry-pickedthe best—and have discovered at least four seats available New Flight Opportunity: A second San Francisco-Parisbetween the U.S. and Europe and between the Middle East flight starts June 2 and ends Oct. 4.and the U.S. Connection To/From San Francisco: Easily from all over Time to Burn the West Coast, such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Amex, Chase, Citi, & Starwood Points Seattle, Phoenix or Portland.& American, Air France, Emirates, or Etihad Miles Fly To/From Beyond Paris: Use the long-haul flight to getAmerican—Business Class beyond Paris to other cities in Europe, the Middle East or beyond. Explore destinations here.New Seat Opportunity: New York-Manchester B767 withnew, flat-bed Business Class seats started service March 28. Air France Miles: 125,000. Search space here.Connections To/From New York: Easily from many cities in Amex and Citi Points Transfer: 125,000.the Midwest, South, and East. Starwood Transfer: 100,000.Fly To/From Beyond Manchester: Use the long-haul flight Amex Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point; get a Businessto go all over Europe and beyond. Explore destinations here. Class ticket for $3,125 (plus $1,019 in taxes) through the Buy Miles to Fly in Style strategy—a seat that can otherwiseAmerican Miles: 100,000. Search availability here. cost $11,845 with no advance purchase, a savings of up toStarwood Transfer to American: 80,000. $7,701 (65%).Survey of Availability: American Survey of Availability: Air FranceNew York - Manchester Business Class San Francisco - Paris Business ClassAvailability To Manchester Availability From Manchester Availability To Paris Availability From ParisHandful Hopeful Hooray Handful Hopeful Hooray Handful Hopeful Hooray Handful Hopeful HoorayAug., July, Sept., July, Sept. June, Oct., Aug., Aug., Nov., Oct. June to Sept., July, July, June, Aug. Oct. Oct., Nov. Dec. Nov. Sept. Dec., June to Oct., Nov. Dec. to Oct.*See page 14 for ‘availability definitions’. Months in black at least one seat Jan Dec.available; in blue at least two seats. *See page 14 for ‘availability definitions’. Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats; in green at least four seats.Booking through American’s Partners Booking through Air France PartnersBritish Airways Miles: 80,000 (through April 27). Transfer With Alaska Miles: If you take advantage of Alaska AirlinesAmex or Chase Points to BA. current buy-miles bonus of up to 40%, San Francisco-Paris in Business Class costs $2,689 (plus $1,019 in taxes)—versus aStarpoints Transferred to BA: 65,000. fare starting at $5,721 (and could be up to $11,845 with fewer restrictions), a savings of at least $2,013 (35%).Japan Airlines Miles: 63,000.Starpoints Transferred to JAL: 53,000 (less than many With Japan Airlines Miles Even Better: 80,000.airlines charge for economy class).Buy Miles to Fly in Style: At 2.5¢ with Amex and Starwood Points-to-Japan Airlines Miles Best: 65,000.transferred to BA, the net cost is $2,000 plus about $1,126in taxes—resulting in a savings of $3,396 (52%) compared (continued on page 9)to the lowest published fare of $6,522 with no advance.Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc. 8

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E W BENNETT(continued from page 8) New Upgrade OpportunitiesEmirates—First Class Suite and Business Class Etihad—First Class Suite & Business ClassSecond Flight Opportunity: On July 7 Seattle-Dubai gets a New Aircraft and Seat Opportunity: Washington D.C.-second flight using a B777-200LR. Abu Dhabi on a B787-9 Dreamliner started March 15.Fly To/From Beyond Dubai: Use the long-haul flight to Fly To/From Beyond Abu Dhabi: Use the long-haul flight tomake connections in the Middle East or to get to Africa, Asia, get to other destinations in the Middle East or to Africa, Asia,or the South Pacific. Explore destinations here. or the South Pacific. Explore destinations here.Emirates Miles: 165,000 for Business and 247,500 for Etihad Miles: 182,222 for Business and 228,888 for FirstFirst Class (plus about $1,537 in taxes). Search here. Class, plus about $86 in taxes. Search availability here.Amex Points Transfer To Emirates: 165,000 for Business and Citi Points Transfer: 183,000 for Business and 229,000 for247,500 for First Class. First Class.Amex Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point; get a First Starwood Transfer: 148,000 for Business and 184,000 forClass ticket for $6,200 through the Buy Miles to Fly in Style First Class.strategy—a seat that can otherwise cost $30,485 on theSeattle-Dubai route, a savings of $22,748 (75%). Survey of Award Availability: Etihad Washington D.C. - Abu DhabiStarwood Transfer: 135,000 for Business and 200,000 forFirst Class. Availability To Abu Dhabi Availability From Abu Dhabi Class Handful Hopeful Hooray Handful Hopeful HooraySurvey of Emirates Award Availability: April, April, May to May, June to Jan., Business Feb. June Jan., July Feb., April June toDeparture Availability To Dubai Availability From Dubai to Jan. Jan. City Hopeful Hooray Class Hopeful Hooray May, Business Aug., July, Sept. Oct., Nov., First April, June, Dec. to Nov., Dec., Jan., May, April, Sept. April, Sept. Jan., Feb. Dec. July, Aug. to Nov., July April to Jan., Feb. Sept.Seattle Oct. to Feb. Jan to Nov., Sept. to Jan. First Feb. Nov., Jan. to Sept. *See page 14 for ‘availability definitions’. Months in black at least one seat Feb. available; in blue at least two seats. *See page 14 for ‘availability definitions’. Months in black at least one seat Booking Through Etihad’s Partners available; in blue at least two seats. American Miles: First Class is 180,000 from any U.S. city; Booking through Emirates Partners with the Starwood bonus the ticket costs 145,000. BusinessWith Japan Airlines Miles: Better: 100,000 in Business Class is 135,000; transfer 110,000 Starpoints.Class, 155,000 in First Class for both routes. All Nippon Miles: Brings First Class down to 160,000 andStarwood Points-to-Japan Airlines Miles: Best: 80,000 in Business to 105,000. Transfer 85,000 to 130,000 Starpoints orBusiness Class, 120,000 in First Class. 105,000 to 160,000 Amex points to ANA.Buy Alaska Miles: If you took advantage of the current 40% Buy Miles to Fly in Style: At 2.5¢ with Amex andmiles-purchase bonus, then flights to Dubai in Business Class transferred to All Nippon, the net cost is $2,625 plus aboutcost $3,132—$11,992, a savings of $8,860 (74%). $500 in taxes for Business Class—resulting in a savings of $4,236 (57%) compared to the lowest fare of $7,361.Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc. 9

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E WBENNETTLow-Cost Upgrading 101No Miles? No Points? No Problem. (Part 3)How the major Star Alliance airlines rate for the person who has few or no miles,but wants to get in the upgrade game overnight.This is part three of FCF’s five-part series grading the transaction time. While this is a detail to keep in mind,mileage programs of the three major alliances, based on it is not part of the grade, as it is a separate issue from thehow easy they make it for the novice or the person with no number of miles you can accumulate easily through credit-or not enough miles to get into the game through mileage- card purchases.purchase or mileage-transfer opportunities. (You mileagevets will also find this useful.) In short, we’re grading The Gradescarriers on the ease of getting miles, which FCF calls theRapid Miles Accumulation Rating. Air Canada / Aeroplan: B+ It has one tough hurdle for buying miles direct: You have toIn January FCF rated SkyTeam and in Febuary oneworld have 50% of the miles needed for a ticket in your account—airlines. This month Star Alliance is up; next we’ll rate non- and then you can only buy the miles needed for the ticket. OnAlliance carriers and last will be a recap of the carriers that the upside, Air Canada is an Amex Rewards transfer partnerare best at offering easy mileage access, the A list. (500,000-point annual buying limit) and a Starwood partner (20,000-point purchase limit, but a 25% bonus when 20,000The grades awarded—A through F, just like in grammar miles are transferred).school—are based on the breadth of Mileage PurchaseOpportunities an airline offers. There are two criteria: All Nippon Airways / ANA Mileage Club: B Does not sell miles, but has two credit-card transfer partners,A) The airline’s annual mileage-purchase limit and the price Amex Rewards and Starwood, so the point-purchasewhen miles go on sale and opportunities are good.B) The number of points that can be purchased annually from Asiana Airlines / Asiana Club: D-the carrier’s credit-card transfer partners. Does not sell miles and has only one transfer partner, Starwood.The more ways to purchase miles, either through the airlineor credit-card partners, and the higher the purchase limit, the Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Lot, Lufthansa, andbetter the grade. SWISS / Miles & More: D- None of these airlines sell miles (all part of the same mileageAnd the better the grade, the more opportunities for those program) and they only have Starwood as a partner.who have few or no miles and want to pursue aggressive,low-cost upgrade strategies, which are not possible if you Avianca / LifeMiles: B-don’t have or can’t get the miles quickly. High purchase limit (150,000 miles) and as low as 1.65¢ when on sale. Plus it has a second option for buying milesAlso included in the chart on page 11 is the Transaction which is offered when booking an award through the “buy-Completion Time, meaning the time between initiating a down miles for more money” choice, which is another waymileage purchase or transfer and receipt of the miles in your to purchase another 150,000+ miles, for as low as 1.4¢. Foraccount. This ranges from instantly, which means low or zero more on working the Aviaca opportunities see page 1.risk of losing a seat, to 7+ days. EVA Air / Infinity MileageLands: C-Why is the Transaction Completion Time a factor? Does not sell miles and has only one transfer partner, CitiBecause most airlines won’t hold a seat unless the miles are ThankYou (100,000-point annual buying limit).in your account, and that free mileage seat may vanish during (continued on page 11)Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc. 10

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E WBENNETT(continued from page 10) No Miles? No Points? No Problem.Singapore Airlines / KrisFlyer: A- THAI Airways / Royal Orchid Plus: CTo buy miles you have to have 50% of the miles needed for a Purchase limit of 30,000 miles per award. Two transferticket in your account—and then you can only buy the miles partners, Citi ThankYou and Starwood.needed for the ticket. On the upside, SQ has four credit-cardtransfer partners, three of which sell points: Amex Rewards, United Airlines / MileagePlus: C+Citi ThankYou, Starwood, and Chase Ultimate Rewards. High purchase limit (150,000 miles) and as low as 2.2¢ when on sale. But only one transfer partner, Chase, which does not sell points.Star Alliance Rapid Miles Accumulation Ratings Airline(s) / Accumulation Method Annual Purchase Normal Purchase Sale Purchase Opportunity Transaction Loyalty Program Direct Purchase Limit Price Price Rating* Completion B+ Air Canada / Amex Transfer or Purchase Top off up to 50%: only enough to get Time*** Aeroplan the miles needed for the ticket. B D- N/A All Nippon / 500,000 2.5¢ N/A D- ANA Mileage Club B- Instant Starpoint Transfer or Purchase 20,000** 2.8¢ 2.1¢ C- 2+ days Asiana / Asiana Club Does not sell miles directly A- — Austrian, Brussels, LOT, InstantLufthansa, SWISS / Miles & More Amex Transfer or Purchase 500,000 2.5¢ N/A 5+ days Avianca / LifeMiles EVA Air / Starpoint Transfer or Purchase 20,000** 2.8¢ 2.1¢ — Infinitiy MileageLands 5+ days Does not sell miles directly Singapore / — KrisFlyer Starpoint Transfer or Purchase 20,000** 2.8¢ 2.1¢ 7+ days Instant Does not sell miles directly — Starpoint Transfer or Purchase 20,000** 2.8¢ 2.1¢ Instant Direct Purchase 150,000 3.3¢ 1.65¢ N/A Does not sell miles directly 2 to 4 days ThankYou Transfer or Purchase 100,000 2.5¢ N/A 3 days Direct Purchase Top off up to 50%: only enough to get 1 day the miles needed for the ticket. Chase Transfer Does not sell points ThankYou Transfer or Purchase 100,000 2.5¢ N/A Amex Transfer or Purchase 500,000 2.5¢ N/A Starpoint Transfer or Purchase 20,000** 2.8¢ 2.1¢ 4 days Thai Airways / Direct Purchase 30,000 4¢ N/A 2 hoursRoyal Orchid Plus ThankYou Transfer or Purchase 100,000 2.5¢ N/A C 2 days Starpoint Transfer or Purchase 20,000** 2.8¢ 2.1¢ N/A United / Direct Purchase 150,000 3.5¢ 2.2¢ InstantMileagePlus Chase Transfer Does not sell points C+ Instant*Access to buying miles via a credit card transfer partner or directly from the airline. **Based on 25,000 miles which includes the 25% bonus for every 20,000 transferred.***Transaction times can vary; the times listed were based on FCF’s lab results.Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc. 11

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E W BENNETT(continued from page 1) Surpass First Class Comes to the U.S.Not only are these two airlines offering top rated service, but From Outside the U.S., Published Fares Are Slashedboth partner with Multi-Airline Credit Cards (MACs). Moreon MACs here on page 2. Surpass First Class Connects Australia & U.S.: With the addition of the New York route, you can fly Surpass First How Do You Feel About U.S. Carrier’s Class on all four flight segments to the South Pacific, Outcry about Emirates and Etihad? although layovers would be long (10 hours flying east; an overnight (about 21 hours) flying west). An interesting Much has been published on this topic. We lean a bit towards the alternative: Fly Etihad’s B777 on one of the four segments, Business Travel Coalition’s perspective, which you can read about Sydney-Abu Dhabi, because the layover to the U.S. flight is here and here. only 3.6 hours. Think Beyond the Middle East Surpass First Class Fare Disparity and Start Abroad StrategyWhile the Middle East is not a major destination for manyU.S. flyers, it is an increasingly significant hub, a way to get FROM New York To: To New York FROM: Start Abroadto Africa, Asia, India, and the South Pacific in comfort—and Savingsoftentimes at a very good price. Bangkok $14,709 Bangkok $5,514 $9,195 / 62% From the U.S., Published Fares Cost Up to 167% More Than on the Reverse Route Colombo $16,468 Colombo $5,620 $10,848 / 66%There are many ways to book the Surpass First Class Delhi $14,119 Delhi $6,381 $7,738 / 55%Apartment: published fares, using Etihad miles, or miles witha partner carrier, including American and Japan Airlines.Published Fares: Etihad is looking for top dollar from Seoul $11,988 Seoul $7,409 $4,579 / 38%Americans, with fares 167% more than on the inverse routes.Etihad’s A380 Surpass First Class Fares Sydney $26,721 Sydney $10,001 $16,720 / 62%From New York To: Fare Per / Person Fare Type *All fares are round-trip.Abu Dhabi $19,561 Lowest advance-purchase If you live in the South Pacific, great. If you live in the U.S., $15,578 IAP 2-for-1* (save 20%) and travel to the South Pacific very often, consider starting travel in Sydney. Delhi $14,118 Points beyond Abu Dhabi toKuwait** $12,732 lower (published) fare routes Likewise, if you travel abroad very often, considerSingapore $12,363 booking flights FROM your destination (an update on that coming next month). Delhi $11,345 IAP 2-for-1 combined withKuwait** $10,169 points-beyond Abu Dhabi Booking With Miles & PointsSingapore $9,920 to lower-fare routes At press time Etihad had almost no Surpass First Class (save 42% to 49%) mileage seats available, but based on past data this should change over the coming months. (Keep an eye on FCF’s*American Express International Airline Program: Available to Platinum and special Sweet Redeem reports. For example, see our March 12Centurion cardholders; offers a free ticket for each full-fare ticket purchased. alert survey of Business Class on Etihad’s New York route—**Flight from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait is in Business Class. which was wide open during January.)Fares for The Residence start at a cool $32,029 one-way and There are three different mileage options to be aware of, so$64,086 round-trip. you can be ready when award space opens up.Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc. (continued on page 13) 12

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E W BENNETT(continued from page 12) Surpass First Class Comes to the U.S.Booking Surpass First Class With Miles: Booking Emirates A380 New York - MilanNew York - Abu Dhabi (R/T) With Miles & Points (R/T)Using Miles Miles Transfer Method Transaction Using TransactionWith: Cost (if you don’t have Etihad miles) Completion Miles Class Cost Miles Transfer Method Completion With Time* Time*Etihad 222,006 Citi ThankYou 9 days Business 90,000 Amex Rewards Instant First 135,000 3 days Starwood (cuts cost to 180,000 6 days Starwood (cuts cost to 75,000 Instant points with transfer bonus) points with transfer bonus) 3 days Instant Amex Rewards 6 days Emirates Amex Rewards 6 days Starwood (cuts cost to 115,000) 2 daysAll Nippon 140,000 Starwood (cuts cost to 110,000)American 180,000 Starwood (cuts cost to 145,000)*Approximation: based on recent lab tests. Japan Business 65,000 Starwood (cuts cost to 55,000 Airlines Emirates A380 Between Europe & U.S. First 100,000 to 80,000)Service starts June 1 on the airlines existing New York-Milan *Approximation: based on recent lab tests.route (currently using a B777) with the First Class Suites andan upgraded Business Class seat. Neither First or Business But Are There Any Seats?Class is inexpensive, and yes, there are many ways to bookit: published fares, 2-for-1s, using Emirate miles or Japan Emirates is not so stingy with First and Business ClassAirlines miles (transfer from Starwood). mileage award availability (see chart below), and at times Japan Airlines award space for Emirates flights is close to the airlines own.Emirates A380 Published & Survey of Award Availability:2-for-1 First Class Fares: New York - Milan Emirates New York - MilanPer / Person Fare Type Availability To Milan Availability From Milan$6,909 Lowest advance-purchase published fare* Class Handful Hooray Handful Hooray$4,284 IAP 2-for-1 (save 38%) ** Business Feb. June to Jan., June Feb. June to Jan., June to Nov., Jan. to Nov., Jan.*4-day advance only. **More on Amex International Airline Program here. Published Business Class Fares First June to Oct. June to Oct.Spring and summer Business Class fare promotions go for *See page 14 for ‘availability definitions’. Months in black at least one seat$3,119 round-trip, a savings of $1,421 (31%). Booking available; in blue at least two seats; in green at least four seats.deadline is April 14 and fare is valid for travel through Aug.31. Fourteen-day advance-purchase required (fare basis code: More Etihad and Emirates New Routes,OCMPRUS1). Aircraft, and Sweet RedeemsWait for EasyUp Fares? On March 23 Emirates offered a Etihad B787 Dreamliner: See FCF’s Route Scout on page$1,897 round-trip Business Class fare (more in FCF Alert 7 for new upgrade opportunities for First and Business Classhere), a savings of $2,578 (58%) when compared to the travel Washington, DC-Abu Dhabi.regular fare of $4,540. Emirates Orlando-Dubai: Service starts Sept. 1 and is Booking Emirates with Miles or Points Emirates 10th U.S. route. At press time Emirates did not have mileage cost or free award availability. Stay tune for updatesEmirates doesn’t belong to a major airline alliance, but is a via FCF’s newsroom or the May issue.member of both the Amex and Starwood “points alliance,”which makes these top rated seats very accessible. Emirates Adds Second Flight Seattle-Dubai: See FCF’s Route Scout on page 6 for new upgrade opportunities for First and Business Class travel for second flight on Seattle-Dubai using a B777-200LR, starting on July 7.Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc. 13

F i r s t C l a s s F l y e rM A T T H E W BENNETTThe FCF Worldwide Mileage-Seat LocatorWhen Spending Miles Is Relatively EasyAirline / Departure Availability Return AvailabilityMileageProgram Route Class Handful Hopeful Hooray Handful Hopeful Hooray June Montreal - London Business April, Sept. June, Aug. Oct. to Feb. April, Oct. Aug., Sept., Nov. Toronto - Beijing Business Dec. July, Nov., to Feb. Toronto - Shanghai Business Jan.Air Canada / June, Nov., Jan. July to Sept., Feb. Aug. June, Sept. Oct., Dec., Feb. Aeroplan Nov. June to Feb. June, July, Sept., Oct. to Dec., Jan. Feb. Dallas - Frankfurt Business Oct. Dec. Nov., Jan. Feb. Dec., Jan., Feb. New York - Barcelona Business July Nov. to Feb.American / Raleigh Durham - London Aug. Nov. Dec. to Feb.AAdvantage First Detroit - Seoul Business Aug., Sept., Nov. Dec. Jan., Feb. Sept. Dec., Feb. Aug. Nov. to Feb. Aug., Sept., Jan. Nov. Delta / Los Angeles - London Business Nov. to Feb.SkyMiles New York - Milan Business Dec. Jan., Feb. Dec. to Feb. Chicago - São Paulo First July April to June, Aug. May, June, Aug., April, July, Sept. to Feb. Jan. to Dec., Feb. United / Houston - Santiago Business Oct., Jan. July, Nov. April to June, Aug., Nov. Oct., Dec., Jan. April to Sept.,MileagePlus Sept., Dec., Feb. Feb. Washington, DC - London Business Dec. Jan. April, Feb. April, Dec. to Feb.Major Credit Cards and Their Airline Point-Transfer Partners FIRST CLASS FLYERAmex Membership Rewards: Air Canada, Delta. Starwood: Air Canada, American, Delta, United, and US Airways. 2511 Garden Road,Chase Ultimate Rewards: United. Suite B-150Handful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the Monterey, CA 93940months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible. www.firstclassflyer.comHopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during themonths indicated. PUBLISHERHooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during Matthew J. Bennettthe months indicated. MANAGING EDITOR Ellen DootsonWhen more than two consecutive months are indicated, it includes the entire last month. Thus, Jan. to April CONSULTING EDITORmeans “through April.” Gary Walther DESIGNER PUBLICATION GROUND RULES Phillip T. Ben CIRCULATION MANAGER Everybody knows how frequently airfares change: Some estimates claim that there are up to 500,000 fare changes Judy Pinney daily. Because that’s a few too many for FCF to keep up with, we cannot guarantee that all fares discussed will be available when you make a booking. Also, for the sake of a quick and easy “executive summary” format, all fare EDITORIAL CONTACT rules and restrictions can’t possibly be included. Fares quoted usually include approximated taxes. Please send your questions, comments, and suggestions to:Subscribe to FIRST CLASS FLYER today. Call (888) 980-9922 or fax form to (831) 644-9991 First Class Flyer 2511 Garden Road, Suite B-150RATES: Name State Monterey, CA 93940 1 Year (12 issues) $197 Address Fax Phone (831) 644-9990 2 Year (24 issues) $387 City [email protected] Phone DELIVERY OPTIONS: Zip © Copyright 1996-2015 Email Email Exp. Date Print (add $50/year) First Class Flyer, Inc. All rights reserved. Credit Card No. Reproducing in any form in whole or in part is a violation of federal copyright law and is strictly prohibited. 14Copyright ©2015 First Class Flyer, Inc.