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7 amazing first-class seats you can book with points and miles
Ben Smithson is a senior writer for TPG and is based in London. Originally from Australia and a qualified lawyer with a financial services background, he has almost a decade of experience writing about a broad range of travel and loyalty topics.
Andrew Kunesh is TPG's Points & Miles editor. He has been active in the points and miles space since 2014, using them to travel far and wide around the world. He is originally from Chicago but moved to New York City after graduating from DePaul University. His work is featured on Credit Karma, UpgradedPoints, ValuePenguin and various other travel and finance publications. He currently holds Delta Diamond Medallion and Marriott Titanium status, and 20+ credit cards that each have a special place in Andrew's wallet.
also contributed to this story
December 25, 2025 • 10 min read
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Quick summary
Several airlines continue to offer true international first-class experiences bookable with points and miles, including Emirates, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, American Airlines and Etihad Airways.
Award availability for these premium cabins is often limited, requiring flexibility with travel dates and sometimes last-minute booking, especially for Lufthansa.
Booking methods and transfer ratios vary by airline loyalty program, with some routes incurring significant taxes and fees in addition to points or miles.
Certain airlines restrict first-class award bookings to elite members or have dynamic pricing, impacting overall value and accessibility.
What to consider
Some programs only release first-class awards to partners close to departure or restrict access to elite status holders.
Taxes and fees can exceed $900 one-way on select routes, so total out-of-pocket costs may be high.
Transfer ratios and partner options differ by loyalty program, so confirm details before moving points or miles.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of the best booking strategies, transfer partners and specific routes for maximizing first-class redemptions with points and miles.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
If you're preparing for the ultimate points and miles redemption in 2026, a few airlines still offer genuine international first-class experiences.
One of the most luxurious and premium products in the sky is Emirates, an iconic first-class product. On board its retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, you'll find that its first-class product effectively gives you a full room on the plane. Details include a huge lie-flat seat, a large entertainment screen and an en suite minibar with refreshments. Plus, you'll be treated to delicious inflight food and excellent service.
The older Airbus A380 product, which serves many U.S. routes, is also excellent and comes with the added bonus of onboard showers and an onboard bar.
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
Until recently, the easiest way to book Emirates first class with points and miles was through the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Unfortunately, at the time of publication, there were no Emirates first-class award seats showing as available through Qantas Frequent Flyer except for flights to and from Australia. There was also no availability showing through Air Canada's Aeroplan program, although this was not an ideal way to book, as Aeroplan rates are priced dynamically, resulting in high costs.
First-class awards are available through Emirates Skywards; however, the program recently introduced a restriction that these awards could only be booked by Silver, Gold and Platinum elite members of the program.
If you hold Skywards status, you can then redeem 163,500 Emirates Skywards miles for a one-way first-class ticket from Midwest and East Coast airports to Dubai International Airport (DXB) and 186,000 miles for a one-way ticket to DXB from West Coast airports. Taxes and fees are also high, at over $900 per one-way flight, per passenger.
Emirates also operates fifth-freedom routes between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Athens International Airport (ATH) in Greece and between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). First-class seats will set you back at least 102,000 miles one-way on these flights, plus taxes and fees — though you can also upgrade paid or award tickets in lower classes.
Japan Airlines operates flights to multiple U.S. cities and offers a first-class cabin on select flights, although availability can be limited. Using a third-party tool like Seats.aero is a great way to quickly find available seats. While the airline operates a solid older product on its Boeing 777 aircraft, if possible, aim for the airline's spectacular new Airbus A350 product.
One of the best ways to book Japan Airlines' first-class cabin is through the American Airlines AAdvantage program. A one-way flight from the U.S. to Japan costs just 80,000 miles, plus nominal taxes and fees as little as $5.60.
American Airlines miles can be earned with an American Airlines credit card or by transferring points from the Citi ThankYou Rewards program at a 1:1 rate or the Marriott Bonvoy program at a 3:1 rate.
Singapore Airlines first class
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Singapore Airlines' first-class cabin is one of the most well-known first-class products in the sky. The Airbus A380 Suites product features a single bed and a seat, giving you a full bedroom in the sky. Plus, you'll be treated to excellent food, drinks and inflight service, as well as access to The Private Room first-class lounge at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
Aside from the renowned suite product, Singapore Airlines also features an excellent standard first-class product. From the U.S., these planes operate routes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) and from JFK to Frankfurt Airport (FRA). As you'd expect, you can continue on to Singapore if you'd like.
Singapore Airlines is a Star Alliance member but generally restricts premium cabin award space to its Singapore KrisFlyer loyalty program. From the U.S., you'll find the best pricing from JFK to FRA. This ticket costs 106,500 miles one-way for a capacity-controlled Saver award, which is a solid deal considering paid flights are usually more than $5,000.
You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Citi ThankYou Rewards points at a 1:1 rate, as well as Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio (with a bonus of 5,000 KrisFlyer miles for every 60,000 points transferred).
Lufthansa first class
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
Although it isn't the most modern product, Lufthansa's classic first-class product remains one of the best ways to fly between the U.S. and Europe, especially when you can experience the uberluxurious first-class terminal in Frankfurt and sit in the nose of the Queen of the Skies, the iconic Boeing 747.
You'll generally get the best deal when booking with Air Canada's Aeroplan program. A one-way Lufthansa first-class flight from the U.S. to Europe will cost between 90,000 and 100,000 points, plus minimal taxes and fees, depending on the flight length.
Lufthansa only opens first-class award space to partners a few days before the departure date. You'll have to book at the last minute if you don't have Lufthansa Miles & More miles (which charges more miles and tacks on higher surcharges for awards).
You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points, Bilt Rewards points, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Citi ThankYou Rewards points to Aeroplan all at a 1:1 rate, as well as Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio (with a bonus of 5,000 Aeroplan points for every 60,000 points transferred).
British Airways first class
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
British Airways offers first class on a number of its routes. It's not as luxurious as other first-class products on this list, but it's a great way to fly transatlantic in luxury. Additionally, the airline will introduce a new first-class seat for select aircraft.
A British Airways first-class seat from JFK to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) will set you back as little as 68,000 British Airways Club Avios. However, you can expect to pay around $1,220 in taxes, fees and surcharges one-way — and the British Airways Club program's handy Reward Flight Savers (where you can opt to pay more Avios for less cash) is unfortunately not offered on first-class redemptions.
Meanwhile, you can book the same flight for 100,000 Cathay Pacific Cathay miles and approximately $223 in taxes and fees. So, do the math, as these flights will likely be a much better deal through Cathay Pacific.
You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points, Bilt Rewards points, Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards points to Cathay Pacific, all at a 1:1 rate, and Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio (with a bonus of 5,000 Cathay miles for every 60,000 points transferred).
American Airlines first class
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
American Airlines is the only U.S. airline that still offers an international first-class product. You'll find its Flagship First product on four-cabin international routes like Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to LHR; Miami International Airport (MIA) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) and Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and JFK to EZE.
You can expect upgraded lounge access, seats and service in Flagship First.
However, American does have plans to retire this product soon, so time is running out to experience it.
You'll generally want to book with American Airlines AAdvantage to fly Flagship First, where these long-haul flights start from 81,000 AAdvantage miles.
Finally, we have Etihad Airways' first class. Although Etihad’s U.S. routes no longer feature the ultraluxurious Airbus A380 product, the carrier currently operates first class from JFK to Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi on a Boeing 787-9, featuring Etihad’s older yet still excellent enclosed suite with attentive service and top-tier on-demand dining — a long-haul indulgence for those with the miles to spare.
The best way to book this flight is through Etihad Guest, the airline’s own loyalty program. A one-way first-class ticket between JFK and AUH typically costs at least 160,000 Etihad Guest miles, plus approximately $544 in taxes and fees. Award pricing is dynamic, so the exact number of miles required can vary depending on the date and demand.
You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points, Bilt Rewards points, Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards points to Etihad Guest, all at a 1:1 rate, and Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio (with a bonus of 5,000 Etihad Guest miles for every 60,000 points transferred).
Flying international first class is rare, but it remains achievable with points and miles. Programs such as Emirates Skywards, Singapore KrisFlyer and American Airlines AAdvantage open the door to suites, fine dining and exceptional service.
Availability can be limited and fees high, so flexibility matters. Strategically transferring points and miles, booking close-in flights with airlines like Lufthansa and confirming partner ratios before transferring points and miles can turn your points and miles into an unforgettable luxury travel experience.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
