AA 25K coachMany of us love to collect airline miles—but we also know that when it comes time to use them, it can be a real challenge, especially if you want to use Saver Awards (awards costing the lowest number of points/miles). Sometimes, airlines require members to use twice the number of points/miles and when that happens, don’t just look at getting a coach ticket. Instead, broaden your search and look at business/First class award space because often times, those seats will be the same price.

AA 25K FirstFor example, I was looking to use miles to get Natalie a ticket from New York’s JFK airport to Toronto, as the ticket prices on March 16 (the date she’ll be flying) are astronomical: $760 for a one-way, one-hour non-stop flight. She could make a stop, but even those flights are $500 and flying from a nearby airport like LGA or EWR isn’t much cheaper. So I decided to use miles. American had availability but only for double the Saver Award amount—25,000 points instead of the usual 12,500 (and $2.50)—but luckily I noticed that they were charging the same amount for a First class ticket so now Natalie gets to sit up front and I don’t feel like I got ripped off…as badly.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________

Tried this tip? Let me know in the comments!
Want to see more tips? Click here for all 119!

Want even more travel tips? Subscribe to the Daily Travel Tip newsletter! All you have to do is sign up for the weekly newsletter by filling in your email address and checking the Daily Travel Tip box in the top-right corner of the homepage.

If you already subscribe to the newsletter, fill in your email and check the Daily Travel Tip box in the same top-right corner of the homepage and you’ll receive an email with a link to update your JohnnyJet.com preferences. On that page, just click the Daily Travel Tip box and Update Profile and you’ll have Johnny’s best tips, straight to your inbox each day. And don’t worry—it’s easier than it sounds!

1 Comment On "Travel Tip of the Day: Don't Just Look at Coach"
  1. Richard Choate (@fireski2003)|

    How do you find out if the airline is offering upgrades prior to your flight? Is it offered just for an individual flight or is a wide open offer. I struggle just to get an emergency row seat.

    Read more: https://johnnyjet.com/2014/03/travel-tip-of-the-day-when-first-class-is-cheaper-than-coach/#ixzz2vwrT0El3

Leave a Reply

Required fields are marked *

Recent posts