Ever dreamt of sipping champagne at 35,000 feet, stretching out in a lie-flat seat, and being pampered with gourmet meals—all without paying thousands of dollars? You’re not alone. The truth is, you don’t need to be a millionaire to fly in luxury. With the right strategies, you can learn how to fly first class using points and upgrade your travel game without blowing your budget.
In this comprehensive 2025 guide, we’ll break down how to fly first class using points from start to finish. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone looking to maximize your current rewards, this post is packed with practical tips, card recommendations, airline secrets, and tools to help you fly better for less.
Why Fly First Class with Points?
Let’s be real—first class tickets can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000+ round-trip. But the value of flying first class using points isn’t just about saving money. It’s about:
✈️ Access to airport lounges
🛏️ Lie-flat seats on long-haul flights
🧑🍳 Gourmet food and premium drinks
🧘♂️ Priority boarding and check-in
🎁 Extra baggage allowance
🛬 A truly stress-free travel experience
If you want to arrive at your destination refreshed and relaxed, there’s no better way to fly.
Step 1: Choose the Right Travel Rewards Credit Card
The first—and arguably most important—step in learning how to fly first class using points is selecting the right credit card. The best cards offer large sign-up bonuses, flexible redemption options, and valuable transfer partners.
🔑 Top Travel Cards for 2025:
| Card | Sign-Up Bonus | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | 60,000 points | $95 | Beginners & flexible points |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 60,000 points | $550 | Frequent travelers & premium perks |
| American Express Platinum® | 100,000+ points | $695 | First-class travelers & lounge access |
| Capital One Venture X® | 75,000 points | $395 | Flat-rate rewards & global lounges |
💡 Hack: Apply for cards when bonuses are 75,000+ points for the best first-class redemption potential.
Step 2: Understand Airline Alliances and Transfer Partners
Airlines are part of global alliances, meaning you can earn or redeem points with one airline and fly with another.
The 3 Major Alliances:
Star Alliance – Includes United, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Lufthansa, etc.
Oneworld – Includes American Airlines, Qatar Airways, British Airways, etc.
SkyTeam – Includes Delta, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, etc.
For example, you can use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to transfer to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, which offers amazing first-class seats on long-haul routes.
Step 3: Learn the Value of Your Points
Not all points are created equal. Some points are worth more when transferred to airline partners rather than redeemed through a travel portal.
| Program | Avg Point Value | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | 1.5¢ – 2.0¢ | Airline transfers, first class flights |
| Amex Membership Rewards | 1.7¢ – 2.2¢ | Airline transfers like ANA, Emirates |
| Capital One Miles | 1.4¢ – 1.8¢ | Flights via partners or booking portal |
| Citi ThankYou Points | 1.3¢ – 1.7¢ | Transfer to Turkish Airlines, Avianca |
🔥 Real Example:
Emirates First Class from JFK to Dubai costs ~$10,000 cash
Use 136,250 Amex points via Emirates Skywards
Value: Over 7.3 cents per point
Step 4: Accumulate Points Fast
Aside from sign-up bonuses, here are quick ways to earn more points fast:
💳 Use your travel card for everyday purchases (especially dining, travel, and groceries)
🛍️ Use shopping portals (like Rakuten or airline portals) for bonus points
✈️ Book flights and hotels through your card’s travel portal
🧾 Pay bills (rent, insurance) via platforms like Plastiq using your credit card
👨👩👧👦 Add authorized users for extra spending power
💼 Refer friends to the same credit card for referral bonuses
Pro Tip: Stack your spending with category bonuses like 5x on travel or dining.
Step 5: Transfer Points to Airlines for Maximum Value
Once you’ve earned enough points, it’s time to transfer them to airline partners. This gives you the highest return on value, especially for international first class.
Chase Transfer Partners (Top Picks):
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Emirates Skywards
United MileagePlus
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Amex Transfer Partners (Best for First Class):
ANA Mileage Club (Amazing for roundtrip first class to Asia)
Emirates Skywards
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Aeroplan (Air Canada)
⚠️ Once you transfer, you can’t reverse the transaction, so confirm award availability first!
Step 6: Search for First Class Award Availability
Finding first-class award seats takes patience and flexibility.
Tools to Use:
SeatSpy – Tracks premium cabin availability
ExpertFlyer – Premium tool for alerts and open seats
Point.me – User-friendly search for award flights
Airline Websites – Always double-check on the carrier’s site before transferring
Best Airlines with Top First-Class Cabins:
| Airline | Experience Highlights |
|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines Suites | Private room, full bed, champagne |
| Emirates First Class | Onboard shower, fine dining, bar lounge |
| ANA First Class | Spacious “THE Suite”, incredible service |
| Qatar Airways First | Lounge access, caviar service, flatbeds |
Step 7: Book the Flight (Timing is Key)
First-class seats are limited and often released 330–355 days in advance, though some airlines open award seats 2–4 weeks before departure for last-minute flyers.
Booking Tips:
Be flexible with dates and airports
Look for mid-week travel (Tuesday & Wednesday departures)
Book one-way first class and another leg in business to stretch points
Don’t forget about fuel surcharges—British Airways and Emirates sometimes add these
Step 8: Enjoy VIP Perks at the Airport
When you learn how to fly first class using points, you’re not just getting a better seat—you’re getting the full VIP experience.
First Class Airport Perks:
Private check-in areas
Priority security lines
Access to first class or flagship lounges
Priority boarding and baggage delivery
With the Amex Platinum, for example, you also get access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Clubs.
Step 9: Upgrade Instead of Booking First Class
If you already booked a flight in economy or business, use your points to upgrade:
Examples:
United Airlines: Use MileagePlus miles to upgrade to Polaris First
American Airlines: Use AAdvantage miles + cash to upgrade
Emirates: Skywards miles allow upgrades from economy to business or first
Upgrades are often cheaper in points than booking outright, especially on low-demand routes.
Step 10: Don’t Forget About Transfer Bonuses
Sometimes, card issuers run limited-time transfer bonuses (10%–50%) to specific airline partners.
Example:
Amex → British Airways Avios (30% bonus)
Chase → Air France Flying Blue (25% bonus)
This can dramatically reduce the number of points you need to fly first class.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
❌ Waiting too long to book premium award seats
❌ Not checking surcharges before booking
❌ Transferring points before confirming availability
❌ Ignoring transfer bonuses
❌ Letting your points expire (set reminders!)
Final Thoughts: Fly First Class Without First-Class Prices
Flying first class doesn’t have to be a fantasy. With smart planning, the right credit cards, and a solid understanding of points, you can unlock five-star travel for a fraction of the price.
Now that you know exactly how to fly first class using points, it’s time to start stacking miles, searching deals, and treating yourself to the luxury you deserve.