The Best Business-Class Seats to Book Using Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Quick summary
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Chase Ultimate Rewards points are some of the most popular and most valued points among frequent and infrequent travelers alike — and for good reason. These points can be used in the Chase travel portal to book flights and hotels or can be transferred to one of nine airline partners or four hotel partners.
Whatever your travel needs, Chase Ultimate Rewards points — earned with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card — should be a staple in your points and miles collection. Today, we're going to discuss some of the best business-class seats you can book using your Ultimate Rewards points. There are plenty more than what we'll cover today, but these are some of our favorites and should inspire you to take to the skies in a comfortable lie-flat business class seat.
1. Air France
Flying business class on Air France can be a real treat if you're on a Boeing 777-300 or 787-9. The business-class cabin utilizes a reverse-herringbone 1-2-1 layout which ensures each passenger has direct aisle access and plenty of privacy.
Window seats are ideal for solo travelers as you won't have anyone sitting next to you and the seat is angled toward the window for maximum privacy. If you're traveling with someone, the middle section is ideal as the seats are angled toward each other, which makes conversation easier.
Regardless of seat choice, you'll enjoy a comfortable lie-flat seat so you can rest comfortably on long-haul journeys. Air France also provides business-class passengers with socks and slippers as well as an amenity kit complete with eyeshades, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, chapstick and more so you can be fresh upon arrival.
You can expect a very nice multi-course meal that includes an amuse bouche, salad, main course, cheese course and dessert complete with your choice of wine, champagne or one of several other drink choices.
Cost with Ultimate Rewards points: You can book a one-way business-class award to Europe for as few as 57,500 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles. Flying Blue also runs monthly Promo Awards that reduce the mileage cost by 25% and sometimes include US destinations. Taxes and fees run about 200 euros (~$247) each way.
2. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
ANA has a great reputation, and its business-class product is one of the big reasons why. If you find yourself on a Boeing 787-9 or 777-300, the business-class cabin will have a staggered 1-2-1 layout with each seat facing directly forward.
As with other top business-class products, you'll have direct aisle access and a lie-flat seat. ANA does take things a step further by providing a mattress pad — it's thin, but the thought counts for something. Seats with the larger armrest/table on the aisle side will provide the most privacy.
Where ANA really shines is its in-flight crew. You will almost always find that crewmembers are happy to help and provide recommendations for food and drinks.Speaking of food and drink, ANA provides business-class passengers with a choice of a western meal or a more traditional Japanese meal as well as a couple options for sake.
Cost with Ultimate Rewards points: You can transfer your UR points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and book a round-trip award to Tokyo for 90,000 miles from the western US and 95,000 miles from the eastern and central US, plus about $169. Connections will require more miles, so your best bet is to book nonstop awards. If you only need a one-way ticket on ANA, you can also transfer Ultimate Rewards points to your United MileagePlus account. A one-way business class award will cost you 80,000 United MileagePlus miles and $5.60 in taxes and fees.
3. EVA Air
Too often forgotten, Taiwanese carrier EVA Air has one of the best business-class products on the market. As with Air France, EVA Air has a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone business class cabin layout.
You can, of course, expect amazing service throughout your flight, but EVA Air really excels at the little things. Many airlines offer champagne to business-class passengers, but EVA Air takes things a step further by offering Krug or Veuve Clicquot La Grand Dame. Having a great meal is already reason enough to fly EVA Air, but such great champagne makes the experience that little bit better.
You will receive a Rimowa amenity kit — a favorite among travelers — complete with all the necessary toiletries. On top of that, you'll receive a comfortable pair of pajamas so you can lounge and/or sleep comfortably on your flight — meanwhile, airlines such as Etihad Airways have cut pajamas from business class.
Cost with Ultimate Rewards points: EVA Air flies out of several US airports, including Houston, Los Angeles and New York. You can transfer 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to fellow Star Alliance carrier United to book a one-way business-class award. Expect to pay just $5.60 one-way in taxes and fees when booking through United.
4. Korean Air
If you want to try Korean Air's best business-class seat, you'll want to find a flight fitted with Apex Suites. Korean Air offers this Apex Suites on its Boeing 747-8s, 787s and some 777s.
With Apex Suites, every seat has direct aisle access even though the cabin is arranged in a 2-2-2 layout. If you're on the upper deck of the 747-8, the layout is a simple 2-2. This makes every seat in business class perfect for those with traveling a companion.
A window seat is perfect for solo travelers. While there is a seat for a companion, solo travelers can put up the divider. What's clever about the window seat in the Apex Suites layout is that you will both be away from the aisle and have direct aisle access.
If you're traveling with friends and family, Korean Air business class might be perfect for you. Unfortunately, though, we've seen much less award availability lately.
Cost with Ultimate Rewards points: You can book a one-way business-class award to South Korea, Japan, China and Northeast Asia for 62,500 Korean Air SkyPass miles during off-peak dates and roughly $78-$210 in taxes and fees depending on the route. Keep in mind: A one-way business-class award will be 92,500 Korean Air SkyPass miles during peak dates with the same taxes and fees.
5. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines has been in the news a lot lately with the launch of its new Suites Class on the Airbus A380. In all the excitement, you might have missed how amazing its new business-class product looks — also on the A380.
The old Suites Class was an industry leader with its double bed in the sky. Well, the airline's taken things to a new level, as you can now enjoy a double bed with your loved one in the middle section of business class.
While the new seats are only on the A380, there's still plenty to love about business class on Singapore Airlines regardless of aircraft. You can take advantage of the famous "Book the Cook" service by pre-ordering your meals online before your flight—the lobster Thermidor comes highly recommended.
Singapore also sets itself apart with fantastic crews that bring a level of service rarely matched. You can expect friendly and prompt service from start to finish.
One of the tough parts about booking business class with Singapore Airlines is that only Singapore KrisFlyer miles can be used. Fortunately, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to KrisFlyer — as well as Amex Membership Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Points and SPG Starpoints.
Singapore Airlines operates several flights to and from the US. Here are some of your booking options:
| Route | Miles Required | Taxes and Fees |
|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) - Frankfurt (FRA) | 65,000 KrisFlyer miles | $23.90 |
| New York (JFK) - Singapore (SIN) | 92,000 KrisFlyer miles | $50.01 |
| Houston (IAH) - Manchester (MAN) | 65,000 KrisFlyer miles | $23.90 |
| San Francisco (SFO) - Hong Kong (HKG) | 82,000 KrisFlyer miles | $23.90 |
| Los Angeles (LAX) - Tokyo (NRT) | 85,000 KrisFlyer miles | $23.90 |
If you need to add a connection on a Star Alliance partner, your award will be governed by Singapore Airlines Star Alliance award chart and the miles required will be different.
Bottom Line
Wherever you're going, Chase Ultimate Rewards can help you book a great business-class experience. As Ultimate Rewards points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to each of these partners — and all other airline and hotel partners — it's a simple exercise to figure out how many points are needed for your booking.
All that's left is to figure out where you want to go and which one of these great business-class options you want to try first!