Video Sunday Reader Question: Is Redeeming for Intra-European Business Class Worth It?
TPG reader Erika writes:
"I am using American miles for my big summer trip, but since they don't allow stopovers I have to arrange my own intra-European flights. Is it worth it to use miles for intra-European flights and if so, would you spring for business class?"
With all things miles and points, it really depends on your situation: How many miles do you have? How much cash do you have? Do you mind flying low-cost carriers?
I've been in Europe a good amount this past year and I have used miles to get around and avoid high airfares. I don't mind low-cost carriers, but if you book last-minute, often these carriers are anything but inexpensive (plus you get dinged with tons of add-on fees).
Redeeming for business class sometimes only takes a nominal amount of miles and in turn you get better service, lounge access, priority security, priority boarding, decent meals and an overall nicer experience. That being said, the seats are the same exact as coach, except with a seat in the middle blocked off. If you are expecting even an old-schools style recliner seat, you will be sorely disappointed. But while the seats are lackluster, the service is generally better and you can expect full meals even on short flights.
In general, I probably wouldn't redeem for business class for short flights, though I have in the past out due to availability when coach wasn't available, and I didn't feel too guilty about it because it tends not to be too much of a mileage increase. As I always say the best redemptions are the ones you get the most value out of.
Intra-Europe business class seats make TPG sad.
Air Canada: Aeroplan does not price one-way awards at half the price and they split Europe into two zones, Europe 1: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain (incl. Balearic Islands; excl. Canary Islands), Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain; and Europe 2: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Romania, Russia (Western), Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine.
Economy awards within Europe 1 are 20,000 miles roundtrip for economy and 30,000 miles for business. From Europe 1 to Europe 2 and within Europe 2 awards cost 30,000 for roundtrip economy and 45,000 for business. Note: Aeroplan adds on fuel surcharges to European Star Alliance carriers Adria, TAP Portugal, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, bmi and LOT Polish Airlines.
A sample Madrid to Frankfurt roundtrip would cost 20,000 miles plus a $185 ($114 of which is a fuel surcharge).
Positive note: While one-ways are not cheap, Aeroplan does allow two stopovers on awards, so you can really stretch these awards to visit multiple cities.
American: 10,000 miles one-way coach, 20,000 miles one-way business class. Minimal fees, but depends on the carrier. There is a $75 fee if the award is booked within 21 days, waived for elites.
A recent Paris to Budapest on Malev (when they were still around!) cost me 20,000 miles roundtrip in economy and $46 in fees.
A sample British Airways flight from London to Budapest in business class is 40,000 miles and $173 in fees.
British Airways: Distance-based awards, but business is always twice as much as coach. Use the Avios calculator to see how many Avios are needed on your flight. For example, a Madrid to Paris flight would be 7,500 Avios in economy and 15,000 in coach.
I recently booked that trip on Iberia using Avios for 15,000 in business class one-way and $26 in fees. No last-minute ticketing fees.
Delta: Prices one-way awards as roundtrips, 25,000 for economy and 45,000 miles for business. All partner awards price at these "low levels." Delta adds on a foreign origination surcharge to all trips that begin in Europe - expect it to be around $100-$150 extra in fees for trips within Europe and even more when flying Europe to other continents.
A sample Paris to Madrid roundtrip would cost 25,000 miles and $162. See below - the same exact trip using Flying Blue (another Amex transfer partner) would cost 25,000 and $59 and Flying Blue prices one-way awards at half the miles.
Note: Delta does allow a stopover and open jaw on awards, so you can maximize that and hit multiple cities on a single award.
Delta's dopey "foreign origination" surcharge...a fee for the sake of being a fee.
Flying Blue: Zone based between Europe 1/2/3. Within 1 is 12,500 one way for economy and a staggering 37,500 miles one-way for business class. Use this calculator to see how many miles needed for your trip (note: business class is never really a good deal unless you can snag a 1/2 priced Promo Award).
A sample Paris to Madrid roundtrip in coach comes to 25,000 miles and $59.
United: 12,500 miles one-way for economy, 20,000 for business. $75 fee for booking an award within 21 days of departure. Discounted/waived for elites. I recently booked a London to Copenhagen business class award for 20,000 miles and $77 in fees.
[card card-name='Ink Plus® Business Credit Card' card-id='22129636' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees