Best Usage of FF Miles

If I had unlimited miles to burn, and wasn't worried about spending them, then it's a no-brainer: fly up front. In business class you're going to be a lot more comfortable than you would be in coach, so an extra stop and a plane change would be a small price to pay for that. While I generally prefer a non-stop, or prefer to limit the duration of a flight, I'd gladly take a (somewhat) longer flight with an extra stop if it meant being significantly more comfortable en route. And a stop en route may actually help, since you get a chance to get out and strecth your legs a bit between the flights.

If it were me, I'd go for the business class flights. But I'm a miser with my miles, so it's a different calculus for me.

In your situation....business class, no doubt. And I'd check with partner airlines to see who offers the best business class!

Absolutely fly up front. The space is so much better. Food is generally good too, which is a shock to the system these days. With American you get your own DVD player.

Pam

I vote for business class too, even with the change. We just returned from our first trip to Europe and flew business class (Club World) with British Airways. What a wonderful experience, especially the fully reclined sleeper beds and all the amenities that go along with it. It cost us almost all our miles to do, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Not sure which airline you are flying on, but with BA we also got free access to all their lounges in YVR, LHR and TXL (we connections both ways in London). Flying into London on BA if that's your final destination, you can use their Arrivals Lounge to get cleaned up and relaxed before heading into town.

The other "perk" we had with Club World was the Fast Track lanes at the airports so we didn't have to worry about long lines at check in or security. Very nice.

Have a great trip!

Thanks. I was leaning towards business since I've flown up front domestically and know of the perks. (that was before many of my flights were converted to RJ's.)

I'm flying AA and thought I could us those miles on BA but the website doesn't let me. I guess I'll have to call.

AA is changing all their business class seats to lay flats. I flew AA up front on my first trip to Europe and can tell you even with out the fully layflat seats I got 5hrs of sleep and was up and ready to go when I got to Paris. This last trip, I was in back and got only 2hrs of broken sleep and was wiped out when I got there. I would take the layover and fly up front. No brainer for me.

I think the best payback for FF is business class. Just look at the price per point.

Don't forget that the US leg of the trip will be 1st class. This is a no-brainer as far as I am concerned.

Sadly, the first leg of the trip will be on an RJ--cramped one class cabin.

definitely do business class! i am in the same position as you, and while i don't have a ton of miles, i do have 100,000 - thanks to a year of traveling for work. instead of using it for two coach tickets to europe i opted for one business class ticket on NWA. i have to say i am totally looking forward to the flight. i also get use of the VIP lounge. and also, i am not flying direct - the first flight is an hour and a half with a two hour layover.

i actually choose this flight versus a direct one because the business class seats in the direct flight weren't as nice as the one i'm taking.

do the business class and actually enjoy the flight.

If you can manage to get business, do it. I just used my FF miles for our next trip in 09. I had to keep calling to get the flight I wanted, and used a partner airline...better routing.

We do have to fly coach for one leg on the way home, but business over the water, so I'm happy.

Use the miles for Business, don't sit in back if you have the miles, and can use them for business!

Well, I guess it's unanimous....business class wins over coach.

Now, should I splurge another 35000 miles and go First class???? :) (Just kidding)

i thought you were talking about first class! i wondered why the upgrade was only 35,000 and not more than that. hey, if you can swing it, definitely upgrade to first class or as NWA calls it world business class.

i don't know what the difference is between coach and as you called it 'business class'. if it's not a significant difference, maybe just go coach or go all the way to first class.

Hi Frank!
I'd be inclined to go coach so I could go direct--it's time consuming and a hassle to change planes--maybe a first-class ticket will get you a direct flight. In that case, I'd go first class!

Some airlines fly two class of planes overseas and some fly three.

My airline flies three. Coach, Business, First.

Business is way better than coach. And First is slightly better than Coach.

(For the airlines that fly 2 classes, they call it "business" so that executives will have an easier time getting approval from their companies. It sounds better than saying you're traveling first class)

The reality is that neither business nor first will get me a direct flight. First gives me a couple of better change options but not much.

I'll stick to business and use the extra miles on another flight. For me it's mostly larger seats and more entertainment as I have trouble sleeping on planes.

The reason you cannot get BA flights is because of the rules of the AA program. You cannot fly TATL on BA - you can on AA and then connect in London onto BA.

One thing I always do when redeeming frequent flyer tickets is to use the stopover and open jaw features. This lets you see places you would not otherwise get a chance to see. All of this is dependent on the time you have and your inclination. I love to stop enroute even if it is for less than 24 hours (which doesn't count as a stop over) provided the place has good transportation into town. Places like NRT, KIX etc. don't fall into this category since it is so expensive and takes quite a bit of time to get into town.
TATL = Transatlantic

I wonder how much will change now the AA/BA/IB have signed a "cooperation" agreement (still to be okayed by the U.S.) I believe flights will become interchangable.

I too am hoping that the flights are interchangeable so as to take the direct BA flights rather than trying to get to DFW or ORD.