Travel First Class (Without Paying for It) with Amex Platinum

For many travelers, international first class is the epitome of luxury travel – and it usually comes with a sky-high price. However, with the right strategy, your American Express Platinum Card can be the golden ticket to these experiences without paying full price in cash.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to earn and leverage Amex Membership Rewards points (earned with the Platinum) to book international first class flights at a fraction of their retail cost. Let’s get started on turning those hard-earned Amex points into a truly first-class adventure!

Step 1: Earning a Treasure Trove of Membership Rewards Points

Booking first class with points starts with earning enough points. The Amex Platinum Card is a powerhouse for accumulating Membership Rewards (MR), especially with its hefty welcome bonuses and travel spend rewards.

New Platinum cardholders in 2025 can often snag welcome offers of 100,000+ points (some targeted offers are even higher, up to 175,000 points with a high spend requirement). This sign-up windfall alone can put you well on your way to a first class redemption.

But the earning shouldn’t stop there:

Use your Platinum for what it’s best at – travel. The card earns 5X MR points on airfare booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500K of flights per year). If you’re a frequent flyer for work or leisure, those paid flights will rack up points fast. (For comparison, the Platinum’s everyday earn rate is 1X on most purchases, so shift non-travel spend to other MR cards like the Amex Gold or Blue Business Plus for better bonuses.)

Additionally, the Platinum gives 5X on prepaid hotels booked with Amex, useful if you’re not using hotel points. Every $1,000 in airfare spend equals 5,000 MR points – a valuable haul.

The Platinum is just one part of Amex’s MR family. If you have complementary cards (e.g. Amex Gold for 4X on dining and groceries, or Blue Business Plus for 2X on all spend), pool those points together.

Amex automatically combines all your MR points across cards, making it easier to reach the six-figure balances needed for first class awards. Don’t forget authorized users – you can add family members to your Platinum (for a fee) or hold no-annual-fee MR cards, so their spending contributes to your point balance too.

Take Advantage of Amex Incentives. Amex regularly offers promotions to boost your earning. For instance, the Rakuten shopping portal lets you opt for MR points instead of cash back when you shop online, effectively turning retail spending into points with bonus rates.

Similarly, keep an eye on Amex Offers in your account – some deals grant extra MR points per dollar at specific merchants. Even referrals pay off: referring a friend to an Amex card can yield 10,000–30,000+ MR points per successful referral (just ensure your friend gets a good offer too!).

And if you’re targeted for an Amex “Pay Over Time” bonus – often 10,000+ points just for enrolling – take it (then still pay in full to avoid interest). All these avenues can top up your balance without extra travel spend.

To secure a first class seat, you might need anywhere from ~70,000 to 150,000 points per direction depending on the airline (more on specific pricing later). If you’re starting from zero, consider that a Platinum welcome bonus plus one year of disciplined spending in 5X categories could net ~150,000+ points – enough for one amazing long-haul first class ticket. Some travelers even stagger multiple Amex card bonuses (e.g. Platinum + Gold) to build a war chest of points.

Tip: Don’t forget transfer bonuses: Amex frequently runs promos that give extra airline miles when converting MR points. For example, Amex has offered 25–30% bonuses to programs like Virgin Atlantic or British Airways Avios.

Timing a transfer during a 30% bonus effectively makes your points 30% more valuable – often the difference between flying business class and first class. We’ll talk about not transferring speculatively later, but knowing about bonuses can help you plan.

With a sizable pile of Membership Rewards earned through these strategies, you’ll be ready for the fun part: redeeming them for opulent first class flights.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Transfer Partner – First Class Sweet Spots

American Express Membership Rewards has an arsenal of airline transfer partners (20+ airlines as of 2025), spanning all three major alliances (Star Alliance, Oneworld, SkyTeam) and several independent carriers. Not all partners offer equal value for first class awards, though.

This is where you need to zero in on “sweet spots” – those magical redemptions where relatively few points unlock an outsized experience. Below, we’ll highlight the best-value partner programs for international first class travel, along with real examples:

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (All Nippon Airways First Class)

This is a legendary sweet spot for flying ANA (Japan’s All Nippon Airways) in first class. Virgin Atlantic isn’t in Star Alliance, but they partner with ANA to offer unbeatable rates. First class between the U.S. and Japan costs 72,500–85,000 Virgin points one-way (lower end for West Coast departures, higher for East Coast/Europe).

That means for ~145,000–170,000 points you can book a round-trip first class ticket that would normally cost $20,000+ cash. For example, one could fly round-trip New York to Tokyo in ANA’s sumptuous “The Suite” first class for ~170k Virgin points + taxes – an extraordinary deal. Even better, Virgin allows one-way awards at half the round-trip price, so you can mix and match cabins or open-jaw (e.g. fly to Japan in first, back in business to save points). Caveats: You’ll need to call Virgin to book ANA awards, as they can’t be booked online, but agents are very competent.

Also, award availability is the tough part – ANA often releases only 1 first class seat per flight (sometimes none). Seats are typically loaded into partner inventory when the schedule opens (355 days out) and get snapped up fast, or sporadically closer in. Flexibility and using tools like Seats.aero’s ANA first class finder are key.

Finally, note that Virgin passes on ANA’s fuel surcharges, which can be a few hundred dollars – still reasonable given the $20K ticket you’re scoring. Success story: Many points enthusiasts have leveraged this deal – e.g. in late 2024 a traveler transferred 120,000 MR points (with a 30% transfer bonus, yielding ~156k Virgin points) and booked ANA first class from New York to Tokyo for two people, a trip worth over $40,000, just by paying a few hundred in fees and planning 10 months ahead!

Air Canada Aeroplan (Star Alliance First Class, e.g. Lufthansa & Etihad)

Aeroplan (a 1:1 Amex partner) has become a superstar program for booking Star Alliance and partner first class tickets. It uses a hybrid distance-based award chart. For instance, under the “Atlantic zone” pricing, first class flights from North America to Europe cost 90,000 points (if <4,000 miles) or 100,000 points (4,001+ miles) one-way.

In practice, that means New York to Frankfurt on Lufthansa First Class prices at 90k Aeroplan points, while a longer route like Los Angeles to Frankfurt is 100k.

Taxes and fees are mild – roughly $50 outbound from the US, or under $200 coming from Europe (Aeroplan does not add fuel surcharges on awards). Critically, Aeroplan has access to every Lufthansa first class award seat when it’s released, and they partner with Etihad Airways as well, allowing you to book the famed Etihad First Class “Apartment” or new 787 First via Aeroplan points.

For example, 90k Aeroplan points can fly you Washington D.C. (IAD) to Abu Dhabi in Etihad First Class – no surcharges, and far fewer points than Etihad’s own program would charge. Even a shorter hop like London to Abu Dhabi is just 65k in first class, a steal for 7 hours of luxury.

Aeroplan’s strength is its multitude of partners (over 40 airlines), which means you can also connect routes (with a small 5k point surcharge to add a stopover if desired). Success story: A Points Guy contributor recently redeemed 100,000 Aeroplan points for a Lufthansa First Class flight from Frankfurt to Houston, a ticket worth ~$11,000.

He achieved a redemption value of ~11 cents per point – an incredible return, considering TPG’s valuation of Aeroplan points is ~1.4 cents. He used tools to find award space a few days before departure and savored an experience (including Lufthansa’s private First Class Terminal in Frankfurt) that he never would have paid cash for.

This example shows how Aeroplan unlocks aspirational flights at a tiny fraction of the retail cost. Tips: Aeroplan allows one-way bookings (unlike some programs that require round-trip) and you can book online. Because first class award space on airlines like Lufthansa only opens within 14 days of travel, a savvy tactic is to have your Aeroplan account pre-loaded with points (transfer in advance, or earn via an Aeroplan credit card) so you can grab seats instantly when they appear.

Award seats can literally vanish in minutes due to competition. If you see availability, book first and figure out logistics later (Aeroplan charges only ~$150 if you need to cancel). Also use the Aeroplan mobile app for speed – it’s one of the quickest ways to confirm an award once you spot it.

Avianca LifeMiles (Star Alliance, e.g. Lufthansa First)

LifeMiles is another 1:1 Amex transfer partner that shines for Star Alliance awards, often with slightly lower mileage prices than Aeroplan – and no surcharges at all.

For example, LifeMiles charges 87,000 miles for a one-way First Class flight from the US to Europe on Lufthansa. That means LAX–FRA in Lufthansa First would be 87k LifeMiles + ≈$40 in taxes, which is phenomenal value (Upgraded Points calls this “a stunning redemption”).

LifeMiles can be quirky – their website might not show every partner seat, and complex itineraries or mixed classes sometimes confuse the system. But if you find the award you want available, it’s hard to beat the price.

LifeMiles doesn’t impose “close-in” booking fees and doesn’t inflate the cost if booking last minute, so it’s perfect for snapping up seats like Lufthansa First within that 1–2 week window.

Keep an eye out for LifeMiles sales or transfer bonuses as well – occasionally you might get even better value. The downside is no holds or flexible change policies (once you book, changes can be difficult or costly). So use LifeMiles when you’re sure of your plans and see the award seat available to book online.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (Singapore First/Suites and Star Alliance)

Singapore Airlines operates one of the world’s top first class products: the Singapore Suites (double bed in the sky, anyone?). They only make those first class seats available to their own KrisFlyer members, not to most partner programs.

The Amex Platinum lets you transfer to KrisFlyer 1:1, unlocking these exclusive awards. It’s not cheap, but it can be worth it for a special trip. For instance, a New York (JFK) to Frankfurt to Singapore itinerary in the Suites could run around 132,000 KrisFlyer miles one-way (this was the price for JFK–FRA–SIN in suites class as of early 2025).

JFK–Frankfurt alone (a popular route operated by an A380 with suites) is roughly 86,000 miles one-way in first. While that’s a lot of points, consider the cash price of the Singapore Suites often exceeds $8,000 one-way – making points a far more attainable currency.

KrisFlyer miles can also be used on partner airlines (being in Star Alliance), but often other programs like Aeroplan or LifeMiles have better rates for those partners. Focus on KrisFlyer mainly for Singapore’s own flights or if you’re topping off a specific redemption.

One bright side: transfers from Amex to KrisFlyer are usually instant, and Singapore releases award seats 355 days out – so you can plan far ahead. Note: KrisFlyer miles have a hard expiry (36 months from accrual, regardless of activity), so only transfer when you have a near-term plan to use them – don’t hoard KrisFlyer miles long-term.

British Airways Avios (Oneworld First Class, e.g. JAL & Cathay Pacific)

Amex MR transfers 1:1 to British Airways Avios, which is a gateway to Oneworld airlines. Avios uses a distance-based award chart, great for certain routes and not so great for others.

For example, British Airways First Class from Chicago to London can be as low as 68,000 Avios off-peak (80k peak) one-way. However, BA adds huge fuel surcharges – often $700–$1,000 on that route – which severely dampens the value.

A better use of Avios for first class is to redeem on partners with lower surcharges. Two prime opportunities in 2025: Japan Airlines (JAL) first class, and Cathay Pacific first class. You can use BA Avios to book JAL’s exquisite first class from the U.S. to Tokyo.

For instance, Los Angeles to Tokyo on JAL first class runs about ~103,000 Avios one-way (off-peak) plus around $100–$200 in fees (JAL has much lower surcharges than BA).

Considering JAL’s cash price is easily $12k+, that’s good value. Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific first class (e.g. New York or LA to Hong Kong) can be booked via Cathay’s own Asia Miles program or via Avios (since Cathay is a partner).

Asia Miles charges 110,000 miles one-way for Cathay first class from the U.S., and Avios would be in a similar ballpark (Avios might require a connection via Hong Kong anyway). The advantage of Asia Miles is potentially two stopovers on a round-trip award, but that’s beyond our first-class focus.

The key is that Cathay and JAL don’t levy obscene surcharges – so your out-of-pocket remains low. Note: Avios is a very flexible currency now – you can transfer Avios between BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. For example, you might move your Avios to Qatar Privilege Club to book Qatar Airways first class (available on their A380 flights like Doha to Paris or London).

Qatar first class isn’t as ultra-lux as some others, but it’s a great way to use Avios if you want a Gulf carrier experience with a doable points price (e.g. ~75k Avios Doha–Paris) and modest fees.

Also, Qatar’s business class Qsuites can be booked with Avios, though that’s business, not first. As always with Avios, short flights are fantastic (e.g. 4,750 Avios for <650-mile hops within Europe), but for first class focus on those marquee long-hauls where the experience is worth the cost in points.

Emirates Skywards (Emirates First Class)

Emirates is not in an alliance, but Amex MR transfers 1:1 to Emirates’ Skywards program, opening up the chance to fly the Emirates A380 First Class – shower spa and all.

The bad news: Emirates awards require a lot of miles and hefty surcharges. A one-way first class award from the U.S. to Dubai can cost 136,000 Skywards miles + $800 in fees (for East Coast departures) and even more from West Coast. That’s steep.

However, there are “sweet spot” routes to consider: Emirates fifth-freedom flights like New York (JFK) to Milan or Newark to Athens are much cheaper. These mid-length flights can be had for around 85,000 Skywards miles one-way in first and have much lower surcharges (~$100).

In fact, one of the best values is Dubai to Europe: as of 2025, you can fly Emirates First Class from Dubai to cities like Milan, Athens, London, etc., for 85,000 miles + fees.

This is a sweet spot highlighted in many reviews – by comparison, flying all the way from the U.S. to Dubai is more like 150k miles. So, some travelers “position” themselves in Europe to start an Emirates first class journey, or do an open-jaw (e.g. US–Europe in business class, then Emirates F Europe–Dubai for the bling factor).

Important: Emirates has a quirk – as of late 2023, *Skywards members must have at least Silver status to redeem for first class awards on many routes.

This means if you open a brand new Skywards account (Blue tier) and transfer in points, you might be blocked from booking first class seats online unless you have elite status. A workaround is transferring your MR points to a partner like Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1 from Amex), since Qantas points can be used to book Emirates first class and they don’t have the same restriction.

Alternatively, some routes (especially those fifth-freedom routes) may still be bookable as a Blue member, or you can call Emirates to ticket (agents sometimes can override or you could upgrade your account if you’ve flown Emirates before). The situation can evolve, so do a quick check or call before transferring 100k+ points in.

Success story: One avid traveler recounts using 85,000 Skywards miles (transferred from Amex) to fly Emirates First from Dubai to Milan. While availability was scarce, with diligent searching he nabbed a seat on the new 777 first class (fully enclosed suite) – something that paid customers in business class envy.

He paid under $200 in taxes, enjoyed caviar and showers at 40,000 feet, and saved thousands versus a paid ticket. Tip: Emirates often releases 1–2 first class seats when the booking window opens (~11-12 months out) and sometimes more close-in if cabins are empty.

If you plan to redeem Skywards, either book super early or be ready to jump within a week of departure. And remember, Emirates charges no change/cancel fees on awards – so you have flexibility if plans change (you get all your miles and fees refunded).

Etihad Guest (Niche Partner Redemptions, e.g. American Airlines First)

Etihad’s own first class (the Apartments on A380, or new 787 First Suites) can be booked via Aeroplan as mentioned, but you can also transfer MR to Etihad Guest (1:1) to exploit some interesting partner awards. Etihad Guest has a partner award chart for American Airlines, for example, that can be very useful.

A one-way AA First Class (three-cabin First on AA’s 777-300ER or A321T transcon) between the US and Europe is 62,500 Etihad miles, and AA business class to deep South America can be 50,000 Etihad miles. The mighty travels blog noted 50k MR → Etihad Guest = AA business class to South America, which undercuts what AA itself would charge.

If AA still operates first class on some routes (like New York–London), Etihad miles could be a cheaper way to book it than using AA miles. Availability, of course, is the challenge – AA has to have saver awards. Etihad Guest also partners with smaller airlines (like Royal Air Maroc, Gulf Air) which have first class cabins and sometimes generous award pricing.

The downside is dealing with Etihad Guest’s call center for partner bookings, and the program’s own first class award chart for Etihad flights isn’t as competitive as Aeroplan’s. But it’s a tool in your toolbox for specific situations.

Other Notable Mentions

Qantas Frequent Flyer (Amex 1:1) can book Oneworld flights and has a distance-based chart; it’s particularly noted for booking El Al first class (as Qantas partners with El Al) or certain Emirates routes. Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios) we covered under Avios – since it’s essentially the same Avios currency now. Ana Mileage Club (Amex 1:1) is worth a mention: ANA’s own program has phenomenal round-trip awards (e.g. ANA First Class round-trip USA to Japan ~150,000 miles in low season) and allows a stopover.

The catch is you must book round-trip, and ANA passes on surcharges. But if you’re traveling with a companion, ANA often lets you book two first class seats at the saver level (when available) whereas partner allotment might be just one seat.

So if you have a huge stash of MR and want a round-trip for two in first, transferring to ANA Mileage Club could make sense. Just be mindful of their stricter rules and the fact points transfers to ANA aren’t instant (can take 2–3 days), during which award space could vanish.

Comparison Table – Examples of First Class Sweet Spots (Amex Transfer Partners):

Etihad First via Aeroplan is 130k; via Etihad Guest, AA First USA–London is ~62.5k (saver).

This table isn’t exhaustive, but it highlights how some programs let you book a $8,000–$15,000 first class flight for under 100k points and minimal cash – the essence of “not paying full price.” Each program has its quirks and best uses, which is why knowing multiple transfer partners is so valuable.

The Amex Platinum’s real strength is flexibility: you’re not locked into one airline program. You can assess where the award space is and which partner offers the best deal, then deploy your points accordingly.

Step 3: Finding and Booking Award Seats (Hunting the Unicorns)

All the points in the world won’t help if you can’t find award availability in first class. These premium cabin seats are few in number and high in demand. Here’s how to increase your odds and navigate the search-and-book process with a critical, practical eye:

1. Plan Ahead… and Be Ready Last-Minute: It sounds paradoxical, but two of the best times to find first class awards are right when the booking window opens (about 330-355 days out), or in the last few days/weeks before departure. Some airlines (like Emirates, Qatar, Qantas) may release 1–2 first class award seats as soon as scheduling opens – if you can lock those in, great. On the flip side, airlines like Lufthansa and ANA only release first class seats to partners closer to departure (Lufthansa famously ~14 days out, often day-of for more seats). If you’re flexible and a bit adventurous, stalking last-minute openings can pay off. For instance, one expert points blogger snagged 2 Emirates 777 “new First” seats from Washington to Dubai within two weeks of departure when he saw the cabin was completely unsold – a rarity that he capitalized on. Booking so late isn’t for everyone, but it’s often how people access unicorn seats like Lufthansa First or multiple Emirates seats together.
2. Use the Right Search Tools: Not every airline website shows every partner. Become familiar with alliance search sites:
   • Star Alliance: Use Air Canada’s Aeroplan site or United.com to search availability on Star Alliance carriers (ANA, Lufthansa, Swiss, etc.). These sites show partner awards online. If you find a seat on United’s site, you can then book via Aeroplan or LifeMiles by inputting the same flight details. (Tip: If United.com shows a Lufthansa First seat within 15 days, Aeroplan should have access too – but LifeMiles might not show it. In that case, try calling LifeMiles or just use Aeroplan.)
   • Oneworld: Use British Airways’ website or Qantas’s site to search Cathay Pacific, JAL, Qatar, etc. BA’s search is clunky but it lists partners. Qantas’s site (free to create an account) has a nice calendar view for oneworld awards. For Cathay Pacific specifically, sometimes Alaska Airlines’ site can show Cathay availability as well.
   • Emirates & Etihad: For Emirates, search on Emirates’s own website (make sure to tick “Classic Rewards” and search flexible dates). They even allow a week’s view. Emirates award space can also be found via Seats.aero’s Emirates tool which scans for you. For Etihad, search on Etihad Guest site for their own flights, but for booking via Aeroplan you’d rely on Aeroplan’s site showing Etihad space (or try searching on ExpertFlyer if you’re a subscriber).
   • Specialized tools: Seats.aero (free & paid tiers) is excellent for scanning hard-to-find first class awards. It has a specific ANA First Class finder and Emirates First Class finder, among others. You can quickly see which dates have seats. ExpertFlyer (a paid subscription) allows setting alerts for award space for certain programs (e.g. you can set it to alert if a Lufthansa First seat opens up). However, note that some airlines block their first class from ExpertFlyer alerts (e.g. Emirates doesn’t show, and Lufthansa first alerts can be hit-or-miss). Still, many swear by ExpertFlyer for monitoring. Even a casual tool like Google Flights can indirectly hint at award space: e.g. if you see only 1 seat left for sale in first, maybe none will go to awards; but if 8 seats are empty for next week, chances improve.
3. Strategies for Tough Seats: Certain first class products are notoriously hard to book:
   • Lufthansa First Class – Only opens to partners ~14 days out (often ~7 days or less). Expect to book very last-minute. Many people build a “Plan B” (like a business class booking) and upgrade if first opens. Having Aeroplan points ready (since they have access to all LH seats) is key. Also, flights departing from Germany have higher taxes, so consider booking into Germany instead for fewer fees. And if you’re going through Frankfurt, plan time to enjoy the First Class Terminal – a bucket-list ground experience!
   • ANA First Class – Opens schedule 355 days out, but only 1 seat per flight if at all. If you need 2 seats, consider booking with ANA Mileage Club (they sometimes give 2 on their own flights to their members). Otherwise, using Virgin Atlantic miles, you’re limited to the one seat at a time. If you’re set on ANA, be flexible with dates and even airports (e.g. try SFO or IAD, not just LAX/NYC). Sometimes one seat might pop up later; some have had luck calling Virgin to waitlist or checking periodically if a second seat appears.
   • Swiss First Class – Unfortunately, Swiss Air Lines restricts first class awards to their own elite members. No partner (even Aeroplan) can book Swiss First unless you have Miles & More elite status. So cross Swiss off your list unless you earn status or consider paying cash (or using a ton of Marriott points to Miles & More, but that’s usually not worth it).
   • Air France La Première – Similarly, Air France only allows its top elites to redeem miles for first class. You cannot use Amex points to book Air France first unless you know a work-around (like finding a super expensive Flying Blue “La Première ticket award” that’s sometimes briefly sold to non-elites at obscene mileage prices – generally not practical). In short, don’t chase Air France first with points; consider business class or another airline.
   • Emirates First Class – Availability can be inconsistent. Some routes (New York–Milan, US–Dubai) might show space 300 days out; others none at all. Emirates often opens more seats close-in if cabins are empty. So either book at T-11 months or be ready to pounce in the last month. Also remember the Skywards status requirement; you might need to call to book if the website blocks you as a base member. An alternative is using Qantas points: check Qantas’s site for Emirates award space – it sometimes shows seats that Emirates’s own site doesn’t show to non-elites. If you see it on Qantas, you could transfer MR to Qantas and book immediately.
4. Hold or Transfer? A critical tactical question: do you transfer points to the airline program before you find a seat, or only when you’re ready to book? As a rule, do not speculatively transfer your Amex points to an airline without specific award space in mind – transfers are one-way and you can’t get MR points back once moved. That said, if you find a seat, you often need to act fast:
   • Some programs (like Virgin Atlantic) allow you to hold award bookings. Virgin will hold an award for ~24 hours if you call, giving you time to transfer MR points in. Use this to your advantage: find ANA space, call Virgin to place it on hold, then do the Amex transfer. The points should post almost instantly in many cases (Amex-to-Virgin is usually instant), and then you ticket. This greatly reduces risk.
   • Aeroplan does not hold awards; you must have points in account to book. This is why the earlier advice to have some points ready in Aeroplan is given. If you suddenly see Lufthansa first seats, any transfer (Amex to Aeroplan is near-instant as well, thankfully) should be done ASAP and you book online. It’s possible the space disappears in the interim – you have to balance that risk. Some people pre-transfer speculative points during a transfer bonus or when they anticipate a specific trip, but remember points sitting in Aeroplan could devalue or expire if inactive (Aeroplan points expire after 18 months of no activity, but any account activity resets it).
   • For programs like LifeMiles, which sometimes has delays or wonky availability, if you see a seat and have zero LifeMiles, you have to decide whether to transfer MR and hope it’s still there. LifeMiles transfers are usually instant too, but their site could error. A trick: LifeMiles sells miles cheaply during promos – occasionally it’s worth buying a small chunk if you’re short, to nab a seat without waiting for a transfer. Generally though, Amex’s array of instant (or near-instant) transfers – to Aeroplan, BA, Virgin, Emirates, etc. – means you can often move points when you need them. Just be mindful of the transfer ratio (all these are 1:1 except a couple like Aeromexico 1:1.6, which we didn’t focus on).
5. Flexibility and Alternatives: If you don’t find the award you want, consider alternatives. Can you fly from a different airport or to a different hub and then connect (even on a separate ticket)? For example, if Paris to Tokyo first class on JAL isn’t open, maybe London to Tokyo is – you could use a separate positioning flight to London. Or break the trip into two awards: e.g. U.S. to Europe in business class (easy to find), then Europe to Asia in first class (harder, but at least you’ve solved half). This is a common strategy to get some first class experience if not all legs are available in first. For instance, a traveler wanting to go to India might find New York to London in Virgin Atlantic business (35k points) and then London to Dubai to Mumbai in Emirates First (85k + 60k) – mixing and matching to taste. Itineraries like this can be stitched together with separate tickets; just leave enough layover time.
6. Booking Process Tips: Once you’ve found seats and ensured you have the points in the right account, booking is usually straightforward online (Aeroplan, BA, etc.) or via phone for programs that require it (Virgin Atlantic for partners, Etihad Guest for AA, etc.). When booking by phone, always confirm any fees or phone booking charges. Most agents waive phone fees if something couldn’t be done online. Take note of your confirmation number and e-ticket. If you book far ahead, periodically check if the airline changed the schedule or aircraft (e.g. if Emirates swaps a 777 for an Airbus, your seat might be reassigned). Usually you’re fine, but it’s good to monitor.

Finally, enjoy the booking victory when it happens. The day you successfully redeem points for a first class seat – especially if it’s your first time – is immensely satisfying. But we’re not done yet; let’s make sure your dream redemption doesn’t turn into a nightmare by covering a few pitfalls to avoid.

Step 4: Avoiding Common Pitfalls (Tips to Safeguard Your First Class Adventure)

Booking first class with points can feel like a game – and like any game, there are “gotchas” to watch out for. Here’s a critical look at common pitfalls and how to avoid them, so you can savor the journey without unpleasant surprises:

Pitfall: Transferring Points to the Wrong Program or at the Wrong Time. Once you send MR points to an airline, you generally cannot undo it. A classic mistake is transferring a huge chunk of points to an airline “just in case,” only to have that program devalue or the award space never materialize. Avoidance: Do your research first.

Confirm the airline partner has the award you want available to book (or has a high likelihood of becoming available). Use holds if possible (e.g. Virgin Atlantic) to lock in awards before transferring. And double-check you’re transferring to the correct program (sounds silly, but some programs have similar names or multiple flavors of Avios, etc.).

If a transfer takes time (some like ANA can take 48+ hours), factor that in – you might lose the seat in the interim, so maybe choose a different approach or accept the risk.

Pitfall: Ignoring Surcharges & Fees. Not all “free” award tickets are free of cost. Many first class redemptions involve fuel surcharges, hefty taxes, or booking fees. For example, someone who excitedly transfers MR to BA Avios for a British Airways First ticket may be shocked by the $1,800 in surcharges for a round-trip.

Similarly, certain airports (London, I’m looking at you) tack on high departure taxes in premium cabins. Avoidance: Always price out the award fully before committing. Most airline websites will show the taxes/fees due before you confirm payment.

If booking by phone, ask the agent for the total fees. If the cash component is exorbitant, consider alternatives (e.g. flying out of a different country to avoid UK APD, or using a different program that doesn’t levy fuel surcharges for that flight). Programs like Aeroplan, LifeMiles, and many US carriers charge only minimal fees; by contrast, European programs like BA or Lufthansa’s Miles & More can add huge fees.

There’s often a trade-off: you pay more points or more cash. Decide what you value more and choose accordingly. Pro tip: Some surcharges are avoidable by choosing specific routes – as noted, Emirates charges <$100 in fees on their flights from New York to Milan, but $800+ from New York to Dubai. Do a little homework on fees or consult resources (e.g. “Avios sweet spots” guides) to know where the fee mines are hidden.

Pitfall: Overlooking Program Rules (Expirations, Round-Trip Requirements, etc.). Each frequent flyer program has fine print that can trip you up. Examples: ANA requires round-trip award bookings with their miles – no one-ways. If you transferred 120k MR to ANA expecting to book one-way first class, you’d be stuck until you have enough for round-trip.

Others like Asia Miles and KrisFlyer have hard expiration (miles vanish after 3 years regardless of activity). If you park your points there and forget, you could lose them. Avoidance: Learn the basic rules of the program you’re using. A quick glance at terms or a trusted blog’s guide can save grief. Know if you can book one-way, what the change/cancel fees are, and mileage expiration policies.

If a program’s miles expire (KrisFlyer, Asia Miles, LifeMiles after 12 months inactivity, etc.), plan accordingly – don’t transfer way more than you’ll use in the near term.

Also be aware of quirks like “no mixing cabins” rules (some airlines charge you entirely at the highest cabin rate if any segment is first class – you might as well ensure all segments are first or book separately).

Pitfall: Availability Droughts & Schedule Changes. You might transfer points with a certain flight in mind, only to have that award space disappear or the airline change the schedule/aircraft.

This is particularly relevant if booking far ahead. Airlines can and do cancel flights or swap planes (maybe the first class cabin is removed). Avoidance: Have a backup plan. If your first choice vanishes, can you use those miles on a different route or partner? (Choose versatile programs when possible – e.g. Aeroplan can be used on many partners globally, giving you options if Plan A fails.)

If an airline changes aircraft and you lose your first class seat, you can often call and ask for reaccommodation on another flight or partner. Persistence helps – airlines want to keep customers happy, especially in first class.

Additionally, consider booking two one-ways with points instead of a round-trip; it gives more flexibility if one direction’s plans change. Always monitor your reservations periodically for any changes so you can react promptly.

Pitfall: Assuming “Free = Easy”. It’s worth noting the obvious: booking these first class awards requires work – planning, searching, maybe calling foreign call centers at odd hours.

Some people dive in expecting an instant, seamless experience and get frustrated. The process can have hiccups (website errors, phone agents who aren’t knowledgeable about partner awards, etc.). Avoidance: Approach with patience and a problem-solving mindset.

If a website isn’t showing what you need, try another browser or the mobile app (for example, Emirates website might error if you have exactly the needed miles; the workaround was to use their app).

If an agent says “no availability,” hang up and call again (the next agent might find it). This is part of the game – and the payoff can be huge, so it’s often worth a little hassle.

Pitfall: Not Maximizing the Experience. This is less about points and more about the trip itself. If you’ve gone through all this to fly first class, don’t accidentally miss out on included perks! Examples: Lufthansa First Class comes with access to the exclusive First Class Terminal in Frankfurt – but only if you’re departing Frankfurt in LH First.

If you flew Munich-Frankfurt in business then connected to LH First to the US, you can still use it (they’ll drive you to your plane), but if you flew into Frankfurt and are connecting onwards, you might not have access unless you plan a long layover and exit security to use it.

Research the ground experience: airline escorts, special lounges, spa treatments (Thai Airways First gives free spa massage in BKK, for instance). Avoidance: Read trip reports or guides on the first class product you booked – know what’s included and how to get it.

Something simple like asking for an onboard shower appointment (Emirates A380) or caviar second helpings can be the cherry on top that novice flyers might shy away from. You earned this, so indulge intelligently!

Bonus Pitfall: Post-Redemption Dilution. One might ask, is there any downside to flying first class on points? Only that you might get hooked and find it hard to go back to economy! On a serious note, be mindful of loyalty program devaluations over time.

The sweet spots we’ve discussed are current as of 2025 – but award charts can change with little notice. Grabbing those dream flights sooner rather than later can ensure you lock in value.

We recently saw Virgin Atlantic devalue the ANA first class award (it used to be 110k round-trip, now 145k+). LifeMiles could change rates tomorrow. Use your points while these opportunities exist; don’t hoard too long.

By being aware of these issues, you can critically navigate around them and ensure your journey to first class is as smooth as the flight itself.

Conclusion

Booking international first class flights with Amex Platinum points is part art, part science, and 100% thrilling when it all comes together. We began this journey with a story – the idea of you relaxing in a luxury cabin, having paid only a fraction of the sticker price. By now, you’ve seen how that story can become reality.

Opportunities for award travel are as rich as ever, and continuously evolve. Always stay updated on the latest transfer partner news (new partnerships or bonuses) and award chart changes.

The good news is your Amex Platinum card keeps you well-positioned, with its wide array of transfer options across Star Alliance, Oneworld, and independent carriers.

Bon voyage, and cheers to flying first class without paying full fare – truly one of the sweetest feelings in travel!