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Should I Fly Business Class to Europe or on the Way Back?

June 26, 2016
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3 min read
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Should I Fly Business Class to Europe or on the Way Back?
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TPG reader Ali emailed me to ask about transatlantic flights:

“I'm planning to fly from Miami to Madrid with my wife and three young children. I have enough miles to fly business class in one direction; would you recommend we do that on the way to Europe or on the way back?”

I try to fly in business and first class as much as possible — not only because I'm tall and can't fit comfortably in smaller seats, but also because I find premium flight service really augments my travel experience. However, even if you score a great deal or book a discounted award, you only have so many dollars and miles to spend. Deciding when to fly up front and when you should just stick to economy is an important part of maximizing your travel.

Generally speaking, there are two major differences between eastbound and westbound transatlantic flights. First, flights to Europe tend to travel overnight, while flights back to the US travel with the daylight. Depending on your normal bedtime, you may find it easier to sleep on the outbound leg. Second, westbound flights are a little longer due to headwinds, so you get more time on the plane (for better or worse).

For Ali, I'd say picking between the two boils down to what you want to get out of the experience. If the goal is for everyone to sleep more comfortably, then you should book business class on the way to Madrid. The extra room should help your family arrive feeling more rested and ready for adventure. On the other hand, if your goal is for the family to enjoy a more luxurious flight, then you should book business class on the way back to Miami. You'll be awake to appreciate it, and you'll get an extra hour or so in the air.

If you need to be fully rested, go for business class on the way to Europe.

There are three nonstop options between Miami and Madrid. Iberia flies an A330-300 with a 1-2-1 configuration in business class. These seats have 78 inches of pitch and lie fully flat, and the service is pretty good in my experience. American flies an older 777-200 with a 2-3-2 configuration in business class. These seats are angle-flat and have only 60 inches of pitch, so they aren't quite as comfortable as the fully flat seats on the retrofitted aircraft. However, the seating arrangement might be more amenable to a family with young children.

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The last nonstop flight is on Air Europa, and it's clearly inferior to the other two. That may be your only option if you're booking with miles through a SkyTeam partner, but if that's the case, just pay cash and save your miles for another time.

For more on flying business class to, from and around Europe, check out these posts:

If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.

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  • Intro Offer

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

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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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.