Long Haul Business Class for under $2K (Long Post)

[sneradog]

 

Despite United's devaluation, I am hoping to tack another 120,000+ miles onto my account in the next few months via Ink cards for 2 separate businesses (unfortunately, I just got one about a month ago that only had a 50,000 point bonus).

 

If you got your Ink within the last 90 days, send Chase a Secure Message and ask for them to bump up the bonus to 60,000 from your current 50,000. Chase has a policy that when asked, they will match the bonus on a previously issued card to the most current one, but only if they approved that card to longer than 90 days prior.

[joeaf]

Always better to fly 1st back. I find it helps with the 'PPD' (Post Pattaya Depression). On the way tp BKK, you're excited as shit and Biz is good enough.

 

 

 Flying first is a great way start to your trip. Then on the way back Biz class will do, as you are just going home and you can think of all the  great memories. 

 

You also need to factor in the 1st class lounge experience in addition to what you get in the air, so it depends on what airline you are flying in 1^st and Biz and what airport you are leaving from.  For example, the Thai first class lounge at Suvarnabhumi is their flagship lounge and departing in 1^st entitles you several perks which I never experienced before, i.e. sit down check-in, buggy ride to lounge, 1 hr free massage, and the Thai lounge experience.  See the attached video by Don Rallis showing these services. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgQrQtfBoF0

 

You want to allow enough time for the lounge experience.  According to the 2013Skytrax awards, the Lufthansa F lounge in Frankfurt was the #1 first class lounge and Thai was #6, but my 5 hr lounge experience at Suvarnabhumi went by real fast and was great.  If you arrive by Thai in first class, you will miss the Thai lounge experience.

[Luv2Phuket]

If you got your Ink within the last 90 days, send Chase a Secure Message and ask for them to bump up the bonus to 60,000 from your current 50,000. Chase has a policy that when asked, they will match the bonus on a previously issued card to the most current one, but only if they approved that card to longer than 90 days prior.

 

Thanks for the tip -- I'll try that!

[Luv2Phuket]

US Air is again offering a 100% purchase bonus.  Offer is tiered, so you have to purchase at least 30,000 miles to get the 100% bonus.  Works out to roughly 1.88 cents per mile if you buy 50,000 miles & get 50,000 mile bonus.  Here are the details:  http://boardingarea.com/onemileatatime/2014/05/03/us-airways-100-buy-miles-bonus-back/

 

Combine it with the bonus from the US Air credit card (details: http://boardingarea.com/onemileatatime/2014/05/01/us-airways-40000-mile-sign-bonus/ ) and you're easily looking at enough miles (120,000) for RT business class ticket on Cathay for roughly $1700, all in.

 

Math:

You buy 40,000 miles (netting 40,000 mile bonus) for $1400 (+ about $150 in taxes and fees).  That's 80,000 miles.  

The credit card carries an $89 annual fees and nets you the 40,000 miles after your first purchase

80,000 + 40,000 = the 120,000 needed for a RT business class ticket.

 

Caveat:  Your US Air account must be open for at least 12 days prior to purchase to get the 100% bonus (but deal runs thru May 25, so plenty of time)

 

Given the war chest of US Air miles that I have, the fact that my next 3 tickets to BKK are already booked & ticketed and the risk of a potential devaluation, I do not plan to speculatively buy at this point; however, it is a great deal for someone who wants to book a business class ticket in the near future.

 

I'm still kicking myself for passing on the last "transfer" bonus, which worked out to 1.1 cents/miles.  I'm holding out for it to come back and will participate at that rate from now on.

 

 

(Sorry - first post had ALL kinds of mathematical errors, so had to re-work it!)

Edited May 3, 2014 by footypjman

[Little Evil]

US Air is again offering a 100% purchase bonus.  Offer is tiered, so you have to purchase at least 30,000 miles to get the 100% bonus.  Works out to roughly 1.88 cents per mile if you buy 50,000 miles & get 50,000 mile bonus.  Here are the details:  http://boardingarea.com/onemileatatime/2014/05/03/us-airways-100-buy-miles-bonus-back/

 

Combine it with the bonus from the US Air credit card (details: http://boardingarea.com/onemileatatime/2014/05/01/us-airways-40000-mile-sign-bonus/ ) and you're easily looking at enough miles (120,000) for RT business class ticket on Cathay for roughly $1700, all in.

 

Math:

You buy 40,000 miles (netting 40,000 mile bonus) for $1400 (+ about $150 in taxes and fees).  That's 80,000 miles.  

The credit card carries an $89 annual fees and nets you the 40,000 miles after your first purchase

80,000 + 40,000 = the 120,000 needed for a RT business class ticket.

 

Caveat:  Your US Air account must be open for at least 12 days prior to purchase to get the 100% bonus (but deal runs thru May 25, so plenty of time)

 

Given the war chest of US Air miles that I have, the fact that my next 3 tickets to BKK are already booked & ticketed and the risk of a potential devaluation, I do not plan to speculatively buy at this point; however, it is a great deal for someone who wants to book a business class ticket in the near future.

 

I'm still kicking myself for passing on the last "transfer" bonus, which worked out to 1.1 cents/miles.  I'm holding out for it to come back and will participate at that rate from now on.

 

 

(Sorry - first post had ALL kinds of mathematical errors, so had to re-work it!)

 

Thanks for the notice.  I recall last fall that I was worried that we'd never see the 100% match again with the merger. Meanwhile, they've had at least 3 promotions this year so far (lost count), with at least 2 of those being after the merger was official. I keep on worrying about dropping coin on miles, then getting shafted with a devaluation. Although, I think the last chart that was released should  be in place for a while, so maybe I'll bite on this one.  I'm back down to 60k after my last booking, so I need to re-up again.  

[fatjack1]

Footypjman

 

Dude, if you are this well informed on investing could you drop a stock hint.  

 

Dayum you really keep on top of this stuff.  Thanks for the data.  I'm getting onto Chase now to see if I can get that 60K with the business card.  I can always use it in the next month on several expenses I am going to have that add up to way more than $5000.  Like wood floor installation and stem cell injections in my knees.  (ouch).

 

OK, I just went online to apply for a Chase Ink card.  It asks for a lot of information regarding a business.  I'm retired and do not own a business.  Making me kinda nervous I'm going to get a call from the IRS if I fill in nonsense stuff in the fields.  

Edited May 5, 2014 by fatjack1

[Luv2Phuket]

Footypjman

 

Dude, if you are this well informed on investing could you drop a stock hint.  

 

Dayum you really keep on top of this stuff.  Thanks for the data.  I'm getting onto Chase now to see if I can get that 60K with the business card.  I can always use it in the next month on several expenses I am going to have that add up to way more than $5000.  Like wood floor installation and stem cell injections in my knees.  (ouch).

 

OK, I just went online to apply for a Chase Ink card.  It asks for a lot of information regarding a business.  I'm retired and do not own a business.  Making me kinda nervous I'm going to get a call from the IRS if I fill in nonsense stuff in the fields.  

 

Use your social (no Tax I.D. for company) and say you're setting up a consulting business (but don't mention that the consulting business will surely draw ZERO income in the next year!  LOL) 

 

If you sell anything on eBay, that could be considered a side business (or hobby).  

 

....and I WISH I knew half as much about stocks as I do this damn miles game (and I'm FAR from an expert on it!  55555)

[fatjack1]

I applied for an Ink Bold card.  The email back says I won'g know for 30 days.  We'll see.  Wish I had it now since I have some rather large expenses popping in the next WEEk.  Like paying the contractor to replace my wood floors - $8250  KACHING.    getting stem cell injections in my knees - $2500 KACHING.   Treating the house for termites  $1500 - KACHING.

 

Hope I have expenses to cover the $5000 in the first 3 months before mid July when I leave for Pattaya.  Going to be close if I don't get that card soon.

[Little Evil]

I applied for an Ink Bold card.  The email back says I won'g know for 30 days.  We'll see.  Wish I had it now since I have some rather large expenses popping in the next WEEk.  Like paying the contractor to replace my wood floors - $8250  KACHING.    getting stem cell injections in my knees - $2500 KACHING.   Treating the house for termites  $1500 - KACHING.

 

Hope I have expenses to cover the $5000 in the first 3 months before mid July when I leave for Pattaya.  Going to be close if I don't get that card soon.

 

One additional tip: Some cards have point multipliers for certain categories. I believe Ink Bold has a 5X for office supply stores. I haven't read the fine print (could require in-store, maybe not), but you can leverage that in some instances. In one crazy example, say you wanted laminate flooring in a room. Staples.com sells laminate flooring on their website. Ask the contractor if you can buy the material yourself and also pay him via credit card for his labor and misc supplies. Get 1X points for his labor and 5X points for the materials. Of course, you'd have to do the math to ensure it makes sense. Is 5X points a better deal than any contractor discounts he might get on supplies? Also, the fine print can be a killer, so make sure that complies if attempting something like that or potentially be out of the 5X deal. in a reverse scenario, I sometimes buy stuff from Homedepot.com even though there's a store less than a mile from where I work. One of my cards allows for bonus points on the website, but not in the store. I buy online and request a store pickup. They bring the product to a counter and I just pick it up with a receipt just like I would if I went to the store. 

[Little Evil]

AA has a bonus match right now on miles, although it pales in comparison with the US Airways' 100%, as the most you can get on AA is 18k on a 60k purchase. The upshot is that they are running this in tandem to a 500k miles lottery. Free to enter. Worth a shot if no purchase is necessary (well, you're still paying for entry with your user info):

 

https://promo.aa.com/promos/promos.cfm?s=519255&src=%5bsource_id

[Luv2Phuket]

I applied for an Ink Bold card.  The email back says I won'g know for 30 days.  We'll see.  Wish I had it now since I have some rather large expenses popping in the next WEEk.  Like paying the contractor to replace my wood floors - $8250  KACHING.    getting stem cell injections in my knees - $2500 KACHING.   Treating the house for termites  $1500 - KACHING.

 

Hope I have expenses to cover the $5000 in the first 3 months before mid July when I leave for Pattaya.  Going to be close if I don't get that card soon.

 

I would call the "reconsideration line" and walk through why you want/need a business card (separate expenses for this new business venture of yours for which you submitted the application).  You may be able to shift some credit over from a personal Chase card, if need be.

 

I always refer to this blog from about 3 years ago and it usually works like a charm:  http://millionmilesecrets.com/2011/08/15/credit-card-reconsideration/

 

I would definitely call -- I think they're being over-run with applications, as the increase to 60,000 points only happens once or twice a year

[Luv2Phuket]

One additional tip: Some cards have point multipliers for certain categories. I believe Ink Bold has a 5X for office supply stores. I haven't read the fine print (could require in-store, maybe not), but you can leverage that in some instances. In one crazy example, say you wanted laminate flooring in a room. Staples.com sells laminate flooring on their website. Ask the contractor if you can buy the material yourself and also pay him via credit card for his labor and misc supplies. Get 1X points for his labor and 5X points for the materials. Of course, you'd have to do the math to ensure it makes sense. Is 5X points a better deal than any contractor discounts he might get on supplies? Also, the fine print can be a killer, so make sure that complies if attempting something like that or potentially be out of the 5X deal. in a reverse scenario, I sometimes buy stuff from Homedepot.com even though there's a store less than a mile from where I work. One of my cards allows for bonus points on the website, but not in the store. I buy online and request a store pickup. They bring the product to a counter and I just pick it up with a receipt just like I would if I went to the store. 

 

Biggest mistake I make -- and unfortunately I do it too often -- is buying something online without linking to the retailer's website via an airline's "mall," which scores some nice bonus miles.

[bouncewithme]

How do you link online purchases to the airline mall?

[Luv2Phuket]

How do you link online purchases to the airline mall?

 

You go the airline mall first, then connect via their link to whatever online site you plan to purchase from.

 

On the rare occasions that I remember to do it, I check AA, United, US Air, etc. to see who gives the most miles for purchases from the merchant.  Each airline runs promos each month, so checking around can net you more miles.

[navidnavid]

Excellent posts all around, especially Footy.

 

Great idea to purchase Dividend Miles then apply for card and net 40k after 1st purchase. I may indeed use that strategy.

 

I sent Chase and SM and called, to match the 60k promotion with the Ink- I got it last month. No worries, the rep said just call back after I hit 5k min spend to make sure the note in the system has been acted upon. ( sounds sketchy, but Chase has the best customer support in the nation, there is always action).  

 

I have 110 AA miles i'm about to redeem a F/J class RT LAX-> BKK Cathay Pacific.    I will have to purchase ~$350 worth of miles to complete the ticket. So in essence I am hopeful I will be able to book an itinerary from LAX to BKK in F and J class for $350, lol. It is amazing. 

 

No longer tied down by work so I can really go wherever the fuck I want to go now, and with Miles I will be in Asia much more. 

 

Nothing beats arriving to BKK in thai airways first class.

 

I once brought a sexy FL from a nightclub in BKK with me to check in for my Thai Airways flight out of Swampy. She hung around for a few days without asking for money. She had fresh fruit on arrival every time and was a pleasure to have around. Anyways she took notice to the Royal treatment you get by Thai Airways/immigration staff in BKK. Hell, I was walking on ORchids on my way through immigration...hah (joke, + if you've flown Thai First you'll get the orchid reference). HAR HAR  

 

BTW that chick from BKK was so cool she would have prolly given me a BJ or let me fuck her one last time in the airport bathroom, she would probably have a sexy grin and say " up to you". I fucking love that. "ITS UP TO YOU". I swear every time I land in asia I get my man card stamped on arrival. 

 

Don't want to go off topic, but anyone here had your girl take care of you in Swampy before or an airport before?

 

In closing I don't know if this offer was posted in this thread, but Citi is offering an AA miles card up to 100k POINTS! And that's not including the points you will accrue from the minimum spend of I believe, $10k within 3 months. followed is a link to the landing page:

 

https://creditcards.citicards.com/usc/Travel/AA/2013/q3/Exec/GA/default.htm?BT_TX=1&ProspectID=8289431BF5BC49478648B92A43DF07A8

Edited May 9, 2014 by navidnavid

[navidnavid]

Etihad Airways new Residence Class. The 3 Gulf carriers ( Emirates, Etihad, Qatar) are in a healthy competition, their first class products are out of this world,

 

Edited May 9, 2014 by navidnavid

[Little Evil]

You go the airline mall first, then connect via their link to whatever online site you plan to purchase from.

 

On the rare occasions that I remember to do it, I check AA, United, US Air, etc. to see who gives the most miles for purchases from the merchant.  Each airline runs promos each month, so checking around can net you more miles.

 

It seems that not all promotions are listed via the US Airways portal. Just went online today looking for flowers for an event. I could have sworn I saw FTC and/or 1800 Flowers on there a while back. Couldn't find them in the list through the shopping portal. I went to Google and search there. Found a whole separate page for flower promotions under their website in an entirely different section ("Gifts"). Had a few options for 10X places, and even one 25X for mother's day stuff. 

[Luv2Phuket]

Etihad Airways new Residence Class. The 3 Gulf carriers ( Emirates, Etihad, Qatar) are in a healthy competition, their first class products are out of this world,

 

 

Some bloggers have checked, and the Residence IS bookable with miles.....of course, it's going for OVER 2.3 MILLION miles....plus cash! To put it into perspective, it's something like 43 TIMES the miles required for a first class ticket on a "saver" plan.

[Short]

How do you convert priorityclub points to AA points?

 

The Priority club has an annual fee of $49 but it includes a free night.  Iv'e yet to lose on that deal.

 

 citibank cards will rebate 10% of miles used.  That's 11.5k points back on a business AA ticket for the annual fee of $95.

 

 

ORD to BKK on Cathay Pacific R/T is a total of 34 hours in the air.  To go from bus to 1st is an additional 25k points.   Compare that to paying 25k points for an average 3 hour 1st (really less than prem econ) one way ticket in the US.  Lesson: Don't waste miles on regional flights to see grandma.

 

Cathay Pacific 1st class starts with the stewardess escorting you to your seat instead of pointing you to the back of the plane.

I had declined a comforter, but while I was in the toilet the stewardess placed a sleeping mat on top of my bed and added the comforter (which I pushed out of the way because I like cold rooms (see visions of shivering Thai women))

 

To the OP, I can't believe it took me so long to find this thread.   Thanks for starting it and wish I had found it sooner.

[Luv2Phuket]

How do you convert priorityclub points to AA points?

 

The Priority club has an annual fee of $49 but it includes a free night.  Iv'e yet to lose on that deal.

 

 citibank cards will rebate 10% of miles used.  That's 11.5k points back on a business AA ticket for the annual fee of $95.

 

 

ORD to BKK on Cathay Pacific R/T is a total of 34 hours in the air.  To go from bus to 1st is an additional 25k points.   Compare that to paying 25k points for an average 3 hour 1st (really less than prem econ) one way ticket in the US.  Lesson: Don't waste miles on regional flights to see grandma.

 

Cathay Pacific 1st class starts with the stewardess escorting you to your seat instead of pointing you to the back of the plane.

I had declined a comforter, but while I was in the toilet the stewardess placed a sleeping mat on top of my bed and added the comforter (which I pushed out of the way because I like cold rooms (see visions of shivering Thai women))

 

To the OP, I can't believe it took me so long to find this thread.   Thanks for starting it and wish I had found it sooner.

 

On IHG's website, they have an option to transfer, but it may just be via Points.com, given the horrendous rate.

 

You can convert 10,000 IHG points into just 2,000 AA miles (so 5 points per mile).  Compare that to Starwood, which gives you 25,000 AA miles for only 20,000 SWP points.

 

To me, that rate is just too bad to do the conversion, but if the miles are needed in order to book a flight, I guess it could be worth it.

 

 

Couldn't agree more re use of points/miles.  

 

I load up my accounts for long haul, premium service flights.  I know many will say "I'd rather have 2 free economy flights to BKK than 1 in business class" (I started a thread on this very point and it was split about 50/50),  but, once you've experienced business on such a long flight, you see why it's well worth the miles.  THEN you notice the relatively small incremental increase using AA miles on oneworld to bump up to first class, you end up in one of those massive Cathay seats that converts to bed and you're ruined from EVER flying coach again!  555555

 

It was a very sad day for me when United devalued it miles and made first class on Star Alliance absurdly "expensive."

[fatjack1]

Some bloggers have checked, and the Residence IS bookable with miles.....of course, it's going for OVER 2.3 MILLION miles....plus cash! To put it into perspective, it's something like 43 TIMES the miles required for a first class ticket on a "saver" plan.

 

That is pretty cool.  But I have to say I am not in the wealth level that I will pay for that.  I'm plenty happy with the EVA Royal whatever it is.  I mean if it was a 40% cost upgrade maybe.  But those prices are obscene.

[Short]

"On IHG's website, they have an option to transfer, but it may just be via Points.com, given the horrendous rate.

 

You can convert 10,000 IHG points into just 2,000 AA miles (so 5 points per mile).  Compare that to Starwood, which gives you 25,000 AA miles for only 20,000 SWP points.

 

To me, that rate is just too bad to do the conversion, but if the miles are needed in order to book a flight, I guess it could be worth it.

 

 

Couldn't agree more re use of points/miles.  

 

I load up my accounts for long haul, premium service flights.  I know many will say "I'd rather have 2 free economy flights to BKK than 1 in business class" (I started a thread on this very point and it was split about 50/50),  but, once you've experienced business on such a long flight, you see why it's well worth the miles.  THEN you notice the relatively small incremental increase using AA miles on oneworld to bump up to first class, you end up in one of those massive Cathay seats that converts to bed and you're ruined from EVER flying coach again!  555555

 

It was a very sad day for me when United devalued it miles and made first class on Star Alliance absurdly "expensive."  "

 

 

Crossing over the north pole the auto navigation system made corrections about every 30 seconds.  The problem was that in 1st I could feel it and could also feel the control system was under damped.   So about every 30 seconds I was jerked then shaken.   Hand I not known what It was I probably wouldn't have noticed it but it was kind of like a tire with radial pull.   You don't notice it until you have been on an interstate 2 hours and then the next 2 hours wear you out compensating for it.

 

The last 2 hour leg of the flight was originally scheduled with a regional plane with only business class but got swapped at the last minute with a 777.  Recognizing that I was on a 1st class ticket, the staff offered to move me to 1st after I had settled in in business.   I decided to stay in business because I had already settled in for a flight that was only 2 hours and I wanted to see if I felt the auto navigation problem in business.  I did not.

Edited May 11, 2014 by Short

[Little Evil]

Hey guys. This is a bit off topic, but I think the people following this thread will know the answer. I booked a trip on US Airways Dividend Miles months ago that was supposed to leave this Saturday. Just my luck, but things are rapidly falling apart at work since two people unexpectedly left. Looks like I'm going to have to make a last minute cancellation. I'm on Air Canada for one leg, EVA Air for four legs, and US Airways on the final return leg. Does anyone know my best options for cancellation? I'm I completely screwed? I already accepted the fact that the ticketing fee, surcharges, and PointsPros booking fees are lost, but any way I can get a refund on my miles (120k)?

[sneradog]

Of course you can. You just have to pay the rede posit/ cancellation fee ( if I recall correctly usd 150), but you will get back not just all the miles, but also the taxes you paid on the ticket ( but not the ticketing fee).

[Little Evil]

You're absolutely right. It was rather painless. I took a $150. hit, but got almost $50. back in taxes. Miles are back in my account already. Now for the hotel I booked.....I have a feeling I won't be so lucky.