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Finnair now guarantees minimum award seats for flights — what this means for travelers
Ben Smithson
Senior writer
Ben Smithson is a travel loyalty expert based in London.
Nov. 03, 2023
•
3 min read
Finnair now guarantees minimum award seats for flights — what this means for travelers
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If you've ever wanted to redeem points and miles to fly Finnair, there has never been a better time.
Following moves from British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, Finnair now guarantees a minimum number of award seats will be available for booking with Finnair Plus points or partner points, such as American Airlines AAdvantage miles or British Airways Avios.
Finnair guarantees a minimum amount of award seats for flights
According to the Finnair website, the airline will offer at least eight award seats on long-haul flights operating between Europe and Asia, North America and Dubai. Finnair will offer the following award seats on these long-haul flights:
- Two seats in business class
- Two seats in premium economy
- Four seats in economy
On short-haul flights within Europe — when there is no premium economy cabin — four economy and two business-class seats are the new minimum guarantee. If you are looking to book Finnair with points, the increased number of award seats are currently available for booking on flights departing on or after Feb. 1, 2024.
Also, keep in mind that award seats will not always be available on every flight at all times. This 2024 change excludes flights in which Finnair partners have reserved the majority of seats, flights to and from Doha, Qatar, and flights that do not depart or arrive at Helsinki Airport (HEL).
While Finnair transatlantic award availability has never been as easy to come by as its Oneworld partner British Airways (with its frustrating surcharges), you may find Finnair award space is much more plentiful than before, especially if you are looking to book 11 to 12 months in advance when the award seats may still be available.
Previously, the airline made no minimum guarantees, so award seats were harder to find when looking to book Finnair with points.
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Finnair operates from the following U.S. airports to Helsinki Airport:
- Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Related: Comparing the Finnair premium economy flight experience on the A330 versus the A350
You can connect through Finnair's excellent Helsinki hub to a range of European destinations, including Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, Spain, France and Asia.
American Airlines charges the following AAdvantage miles per person for Finnair-operated services from the U.S. to anywhere in Europe:
- 30,000 miles each way in economy
- 40,000 miles each way in premium economy
- 57,500 miles each way in business class
Depending on the distance, British Airways charges the following Avios per person for transatlantic flights on Finnair:
- 25,750 to 31,000 Avios each way in economy
- 62,000 to 77,250 Avios each way in premium economy
- 92,750 to 103,000 Avios each way in business class
British Airways also imposes massive surcharges on Finnair redemptions from the U.S.
So, if you have transferable points and are looking to sit in a premium cabin, using AAdvantage miles to book Finnair flights will be a better deal.
Finnair Plus will adopt Avios as its points-earning currency in late January 2024.
Featured image by KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.