Exploring Last-Minute First-Class Travel to Europe
As the summer travel season continues, there's still an opportunity to book a last-minute trip to Europe. British Airways has recently released a significant amount of first-class award availability to London for travel over the next month. This is an ideal time to consider a luxurious journey across the Atlantic.
British Airways' first-class passengers can enjoy several premium amenities. These include lounge access at select airports, multicourse gourmet meals from the award-winning caterer Do & Co, deluxe bedding from The White Company, and fine Champagnes and wines. While the surcharges associated with these flights are fairly steep and unavoidable, they are justified by the exceptional experience offered.
This option is particularly appealing during peak travel periods, as it allows travelers to arrive in London refreshed and ready to explore the city. For those looking to make a bucket-list luxury experience a reality, this is a great way to do so.
Understanding the Deal
The deal involves flights from various U.S. airports, including Dulles International Airport (IAD), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and Miami International Airport (MIA) to Heathrow Airport (LHR).
There are two primary ways to book this flight: through the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan or the British Airways Club. The cost ranges from 67,500 Alaska Mileage Plan miles plus $996 in taxes and fees, or from 68,000 British Airways Avios plus $1,259 in taxes and fees, depending on the routing. The retail price starts at around $12,800 each way.
Evaluating the Value
Although the carrier-imposed surcharges are high, the value of redeeming points and miles is still substantial. At 17 cents apiece, this deal offers excellent value. Considering the valuation of Mileage Plan miles at 1.5 cents each and Avios at 1.4 cents each, this is a strong proposition for frequent travelers.
Finding and Booking the Deal
To find and book the deal, tools like Seats.aero can be used to quickly identify award availability between the U.S. and London. This tool simplifies the process of finding available dates and routes. The cheapest route found was from EWR, JFK, or BOS to LHR.
Booking through the Mileage Plan requires 67,500 miles plus $996 in added taxes, fees, and surcharges. However, since Alaska miles can be challenging to earn due to the program's limited direct transfer partners, booking via Avios through British Airways Club might be more convenient. This would require 68,000 Avios plus approximately $1,259 in British pounds.
Earning Points and Miles
British Airways is a transfer partner of several credit card programs, making Avios one of the easiest currencies to earn. Some cards that offer Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles or allow transferring points to British Airways Club include:
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card: Earn 50,000 bonus miles plus "buy one ticket, get one for just the taxes and fees" ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Final Thoughts
If you've ever dreamed of experiencing international first-class travel across the Atlantic, now is the perfect time to treat yourself to British Airways first class. While surcharges will apply, the savings from redeeming Alaska miles or British Airways Avios can be substantial compared to cash tickets that cost over $10,000. With excellent availability from numerous U.S. airports over the next month, there's no better time to plan a last-minute getaway.
Continue planning your vacation to London and explore the best ways to travel using points and miles. Consider an ultimate 3-day itinerary for visiting London with kids or discover how to redeem British Airways Avios for flights to Hawaii or island hopping in the Caribbean. Don't forget to check out 29 of the best cheap (or absolutely free) things to do in London.
