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Another Way to Book Business Class — Reader Success Story

Dec. 10, 2018
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4 min read
2048px-BR852_-_EVA_AIR_-_Royal_Laurel_Class_(11203031204)
Another Way to Book Business Class — Reader Success Story
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Today I want to share a story from TPG reader Alex, who used an upgrade award to help a family member:

My mother-in-law is an avid traveler but has never flown in business class. She immigrated to the US from Taiwan in the 1980s, and I think flying at the front of the plane seems out of reach to her. Knowing that she travels to Taiwan at least once a year, I thought it would be a great gift if I could use my Chase Ultimate Rewards points to let her experience this level of luxury at least once.

She had already booked a round-trip economy flight aboard EVA Air from New York-JFK to Taipei (TPE). I had read online that Star Alliance flights could be upgraded using United MileagePlus miles. However, the fare she booked wasn't directly upgradeable, and United's upgrade search engine can only search availability with an upgradeable ticket. I called EVA to inquire about availability in Z class (EVA's upgradeable business class fare) on my mother-in-law's dates. The agent I spoke with told me there was one seat in Z class left on her return flight in late May, but he thought it was only available for EVA's own frequent flyers.

Knowing that a purchased fare is 100% refundable if canceled within 24 hours, I decided to check on the availability myself. I bought a ticket in B class (the cheapest fare eligible for an upgrade) and went onto United's upgrade search engine. Lo and behold, there was upgrade availability for 30,000 United miles. I immediately called EVA, canceled my purchased ticket and upgraded my mother-in-law's ticket from S class to B class for $300. After transferring 30,000 Ultimate Rewards points to United, I then used upgraded her B class ticket to EVA's Royal Laurel Business Class!

In the end, the total out-of-pocket cost was $700 ($400 for the original economy ticket and $300 for the upgrade to B Class). But because the business class ticket was going for $4,700, the redemption value of the 30,000 points was 13.3 cents apiece! More importantly, my mother-in-law will, for the first time, get to experience something that she always thought was unattainable!

You can get excellent value from your points and miles by using them to book first and business class flights, but that's not the only way to fly up front at a discount. Upgrade awards can be a more efficient way to redeem, because the initial outlay to buy an economy ticket is offset by lower mileage requirements. United charges 80,000 miles one-way for a Star Alliance business class award from New York to Taiwan, so the $700 out-of-pocket cost saved Alex 50,000 miles. That would have been a fair trade-off if Alex already had United miles on hand, but since he was transferring more valuable Ultimate Rewards points, the mileage upgrade was the better deal.

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As Alex's story indicates, not all fare classes are upgradeable, and you may not be able to upgrade with miles if you purchase a heavily discounted economy ticket. If you're planning to book an upgrade award, make sure to research which fares are eligible ahead of time, and whether a cash co-pay applies. You should also verify that upgrade award space is available before you buy — award availability in the cabin you're trying to upgrade to is a good sign, but not a guarantee. For more details, check out this two-part guide to upgrading flights on international carriers by Senior Editor Nick Ewen.

I love this story and I want to hear more like it! In appreciation for sharing this experience (and for allowing me to post it online), I’m sending Alex a $200 airline gift card to enjoy on future travels, and I’d like to do the same for you. Please email your own award travel success stories to info@thepointsguy.com; be sure to include details about how you earned and redeemed your rewards, and put “Reader Success Story” in the subject line. Feel free to also submit your most woeful travel mistakes, or to contribute to our new award redemption series. If your story is published in either case, I’ll send you a gift to jump-start your next adventure.

Safe and happy travels to all, and I look forward to hearing from you!

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.