The 4 flights I can't wait to book this year after a vaccine
In 2019, I managed to fly well over 200,000 miles, including trips to Australia, Asia, a handful of cities in Europe, and Cape Town, South Africa — twice.
As you might expect, 2020 looked entirely different. I still managed to work in a few long-haul trips, including a January hop in Lufthansa first class and a mid-pandemic flight in Emirates' latest suite, but I largely spent this year close to home, focused on socially distanced road trips and dreaming up bigger adventures for 2021.
It's those dream flights I'm most excited about for next year. Depending on where I fall in the vaccine queue, I may not be able to experience them all, but I'm certainly hoping to try! Here's what's on my list for 2021:
ANA The Suite first class
I've been kicking myself for not getting onboard before the pandemic. ANA began flying its much-improved premium cabins between Tokyo and New York (JFK) last November, and while we've had a chance to fly the carrier's new The Room business class, we haven't yet reviewed the carrier's new first class, which, like business class, looks like a big step up.
How I'll book: There are some fantastic redemption options, especially if you're looking to book round-trip. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers a truly remarkable rate of 120,000 miles round-trip, with 1:1 transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards, as outlined here. I'm sitting on a pile of United miles, though, so I'll probably end up taking the plunge and burn 121,000 miles each way via MileagePlus.
Singapore's latest A380 suite
In a way, I've already experienced Singapore's latest product — I served as TPG's cameraman onboard the airline's Sydney (SYD)-Singapore (SIN) flight, shortly after the new aircraft's launch. Still, that's not nearly as much fun as getting to experience the product as a passenger — ideally, with my girlfriend in the very next suite. It's not yet clear when the airline's suite will return to the skies, but I'm hoping to have a chance to fly it sometime in 2021.
How I'll book: While you can't yet fly it from New York, Singapore previously offered its latest product on the roughly four-hour flight between SIN and Hong Kong (HKG). It's available to book on that route beginning in November 2021, with one-way pricing starting around $2,300. Saver awards are available through Singapore's KrisFlyer program, however, priced at a far more reasonable 40,500 miles each way, worth about $527, based on TPG's valuations. There are plenty of great transfer options with KrisFlyer, too.
El Al 787-9 Dreamliner business class
This may seem like an unusual pick when compared with the high-flying options above, but I'm planning to attend a wedding in Israel later in 2021, and I've been dreaming up some interesting options to get there. El Al flies its latest plane, the 787-9 Dreamliner, between the New York area and Tel Aviv (TLV) up to four times a day.
How I'll book: Cash fares a bit too steep at the moment — at roughly $3,700 round-trip — and there isn't any award availability for the dates I need. I'll use ExpertFlyer to keep an eye on award space, though, and if something does open up, I should be able to book via Qantas for 90,000 points.
United 787-9 Dreamliner to Johannesburg
I'm already well acquainted with United's Polaris business class, and while I'm sure I'll end up flying it somewhere in 2021, since I have a bunch of PlusPoints to use up — letting me book economy and confirm a seat in biz — I'm hoping to join United's inaugural flight from Newark (EWR) to Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB) on March 27, 2021.
How I'll book: Awards are especially easy to come by on this new route, priced starting at just 70,000 MileagePlus miles each way. United's requiring 158,000 miles for the inaugural flight, though, so I'll likely end up booking a paid economy ticket for $1,159 in "W" class and redeem 80 PlusPoints to move to business class on both legs.
Bottom line
There are many more flights on my wishlist, but, realizing I'm not very high on the list for a vaccine and that it'll take some time for the world to open back up, I wanted to keep things realistic for next year.
If I'm adding some reach goals to my list, I'd also love to lock in my first flights in Etihad's A380 Residence and Air France La Première, along with another round-trip in my favorite product so far, Emirates' 777-300ER suite.
I also have United's Island Hopper at the top of my overall wishlist, but that doesn't seem entirely feasible for 2021 — at least if I'm hoping to spend a few nights at several of the stops, which would be ideal.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.