The Short Version
That $15,000 Emirates first class seat? Savvy travelers regularly book it for 100,000 Alaska miles + $75 in taxes. Here’s exactly how the points game works – and how you can do it too.
Every week, travelers share screenshots on social media of $15,000-$30,000 first class bookings. What they often don’t show: many of them didn’t pay cash.
The truth is, the points and miles game has never been more accessible. With the right strategy, travelers routinely fly the world’s best first class cabins for a fraction of the retail price – sometimes as low as $300 out of pocket.
Here’s the complete playbook based on what experienced points travelers recommend.
How the Points Game Works
Airlines have loyalty programs. These programs let you earn miles by:
- Flying with the airline
- Using co-branded credit cards
- Transferring points from bank programs (Chase, Amex, etc.)
But here’s the key insight: different programs have wildly different award charts. The same Emirates first class seat might cost 180,000 miles through Emirates, but only 100,000 through Alaska Airlines.
The Best Programs for First Class
| Program | Best For | Sweet Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Mileage Plan | Emirates, Japan Airlines, Cathay | 100K miles US-Dubai |
| ANA Mileage Club | Star Alliance (Lufthansa, Singapore) | 55-88K miles to Asia |
| Virgin Atlantic | ANA (Japan), Delta partner | 60K miles US-Japan |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Star Alliance, EVA Air | 75K miles US-Asia |
Step-by-Step: How Travelers Book Emirates First for Under $300
Step 1: Earn Transferable Points
Most points enthusiasts use cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold. Both earn transferable points that can move to multiple airline programs.
New card sign-up bonuses often range from 60,000-100,000 points. Two or three cards can accumulate enough for a first class award in 3-6 months.
Step 2: Find Award Availability
First class award seats are limited. Points experts recommend these tools:
- ExpertFlyer: Alerts when award space opens
- Point.me: Searches multiple programs at once
- Airline websites: Direct searches (Alaska, ANA, etc.)
Step 3: Transfer Points
Once award availability is found, travelers transfer points to the program with the best rate. For example, transferring 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Alaska Mileage Plan (3:1 ratio = 33,333 miles + 5,000 bonus) can be combined with existing miles.
Step 4: Book & Pay Taxes
Total out-of-pocket for many Emirates first class redemptions: $75-150 in taxes and fees. The $15,000 seat becomes accessible for a fraction of the price.
The Best First Class Awards Right Now
Alaska Miles: 100,000 one-way | JAL Miles: 120,000 one-way
Best for: Shower experience, Game Changer suites
Virgin Atlantic: 60,000-120,000 miles | ANA Mileage Club: 75,000-105,000
Best for: Japanese service, food, value
KrisFlyer: 80,000-130,000 miles | Partner programs vary
Best for: Double bed, space, service
Aeroplan: 70,000-90,000 miles | ANA: 88,000 miles
Best for: First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, new Allegris product
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking through the wrong program: The same flight can cost 2x more miles in one program vs. another
- Not checking partner availability: Emirates might show no space on their site, but Alaska shows it
- Ignoring fuel surcharges: Some programs (like British Airways) add $500+ in fees
- Waiting too long: First class award seats open 330-355 days out and go fast
How Long Does It Take?
Starting from zero, here’s a realistic timeline most points bloggers cite:
- Month 1-3: Open 2-3 cards, earn sign-up bonuses (150,000-250,000 points)
- Month 3-6: Regular spending adds 20,000-50,000 more points
- Month 6+: Enough points accumulated for first class
The key is patience. Award space opens sporadically, and the best deals go quickly. Set alerts and be flexible on dates.
Is It Really Free?
Technically, no. Travelers are paying with the time spent learning the system, the opportunity cost of holding airline miles, and (in some cases) annual fees on premium cards.
But compared to paying $15,000-$30,000 cash? It’s as close to free as luxury travel gets.
Quick Start Checklist:
- Open one transferable points card (Chase Sapphire or Amex)
- Hit the minimum spend for sign-up bonus
- Create accounts with Alaska, ANA, and Virgin Atlantic
- Use ExpertFlyer or Point.me to search award space
- Book 330 days out for best availability
Leave a Reply