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| Flying to Paris on Air France |
| by Brian Kelly |
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I just got back from a long weekend trip to Paris and had a pretty exceptional experience flying Air France from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and then back from CDG to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Both flights were on the 777-300 in business class. While it isn’t the new swanky “suite,” I find Air France business class to be extremely spacious (with a large footwell) — even for my 6-foot, 7-inch frame.
The food on Air France
The food and service were impeccable (I highly recommend the duck lasagna and 2019 Chablis La Sereine), and the flight attendants could not have been sweeter to Dean (who just turned 8 months old and has been to seven countries!). Compared to the major U.S. airlines operating flights to Paris (and budget business carrier La Compagnie), Air France is hands down the best way to fly to Paris and one of the top business classes across the Atlantic. The lounge in Paris is excellent, with saunas, a Clarins spa, huge shower suites and a relaxation room. While Charles de Gaulle Airport isn’t the greatest airport for immigration or transfers, they do let families with children under 12 go through expedited immigration.
Tip: I departed Paris on the 7:30 p.m. flight to Newark (EWR), and security and immigration were empty. Apparently, the later in the day, the shorter the lines get for everything.
How to earn and redeem Flying Blue miles
There is a 30% transfer bonus from Citi ThankYou Rewards to Flying Blue that ends today, June 17. Air France also runs Promo Rewards monthly, which can make travel to Europe very affordable.
If you’re looking for a credit card that helps you earn transferable points, check out the best elevated card offers for June and our ultimate guide to earning miles with Flying Blue.
Plus, I have to give extra points because Air France’s loyalty program Flying Blue offers incredible value — I’ve written about it many times in this newsletter, but I was able to score both 55,000- and 70,000-mile one-way business-class tickets to and from Europe on multiple dates this summer. Most U.S. airlines are now charging 300,000 miles each way for business class to Europe.
Tips for Paris
Upon arriving in Paris, we left CDG at 10:15 a.m., and it took us nearly two hours in a car to get to our hotel.
Paris is getting ready for the 2024 Olympics and many streets are closed. Ubers don’t have access to many taxi lanes, so I recommend using taxis or the G7 app, or for luxury Mercedes S-Class and Viano vans, I love Wheely. You can get a 20% discount on your first journey using this booking link or install the app and enter my code: H6U8L.
Hotels that confirm early arrival
I stayed the Hoxton Paris, which is part of a hot new chain that is expanding around the world. What made me want to try it was that it offers a Flexy Time option, which allows anyone who books directly to confirm early check-in as long as you book more than 72 hours in advance. The normal check-in time is 2 p.m., which I also find to be very reasonable. This perk is invaluable when traveling with a jet-lagged little one — being able to get him bathed, changed and down for a much-needed nap was key. I simply can’t do the jet-lagged waiting around for your room to be ready!
Other hotel brands that have early check-in policies:- Peninsula Hotels has a program called Peninsula Time outlined on its website. Peninsula Time “allows for a fully flexible check-in and check-out experience. With Peninsula Time, guests can arrange to have their room ready as early as 6:00 a.m. on their arrival date and check out as late as 10:00 p.m. on their departure date at no extra charge when they book directly or with their preferred travel advisor.”
- IHG One Rewards makes it an explicit benefit for Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite guests (subject to availability).
- World of Hyatt has a fairly robust system for reserving an early check-in or late checkout at Hyatt Place hotels. Depending on your status, it may cost you, but it’s a good bargain. Members without elite status or with Discoverist status can reserve a 9 a.m. check-in for $10. It’s a free benefit for Explorist and Globalist members.
- Marriott Bonvoy lets Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite members take advantage of the Your24 benefit, which allows you to pick your check-in and checkout time. Note that it is up to the discretion of the hotel to approve in advance, and my request has been rejected more often than not.
- American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts offers 12 p.m. check-in when available, along with other perks. American Express card members with a Platinum- or Centurion-branded card, including The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, can book select hotels through Amex Travel.
Here’s our post for other tips on how to confirm an early check-in.
Paris restaurants
As for restaurants in Paris, I highly recommend the French brasserie Gallopin, which opened in 1876. It was mostly Parisians dining on epic French staples. We sat in the back courtyard, which was perfect on a warm Parisian evening.
For a chic rooftop Asian-fusion experience with amazing Eiffel Tower views, visit Mun.
For iconic views and a Michelin-starred tasting menu, head to The Jules Verne, which is in the Eiffel Tower. We had a four-hour, seven-course lunch, which was one of the best meals I’ve ever had (when you consider the wow factor of the dining room). It was 185 euros well spent.
Tip: Book with American Express Concierge to get in, as it has a relationship with the restaurant.
To see more of what I did in Paris, check out my pinned Instagram story.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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