Lufthansa First Class to Europe for 40,000 Points + $311
June 3, 2015
Updated June 3: The Asiana miles showed up today, meaning the transfer took 14 days. My last transfer in September 2014 took 17 days. In the interim, I've decided not to book Lufthansa First Class from Europe to the United States in June, but the Asiana award chart is so good that I don't mind have 60,000 points on hand. That's almost enough for Business Class one way USA to Argentina (35k) + First Class USA to Hawaii (27.5k).
You can book Lufthansa First Class for 50,000 Asiana Club miles--40,000 Starpoints--one way.
United,Asiana,Aeroplan,Ethiopian
Great Award Space West Coast to Europe in Economy and Business Class
May 26, 2015
Ethiopian Airlines will begin flying Los Angeles to Dublin to Addis Ababa on June 18, 2015 with a 787 Dreamliner. Ethiopian will have fifth freedom rights, meaning you will be able to fly any single segment of the flight, including Los Angeles to Dublin.
Source: gcmap.comNormally direct award space from the West Coast to Europe is tough to find.
Best Of,Asiana,Lufthansa,Cuba,Avianca,Singapore,Copa,AAdvantage
Anatomy of an Award: Flights to Cuba with Miles
March 24, 2015
I just booked myself a trip to Cuba with miles. One direction I am flying on a single award from the United States to Cuba. On the return, I am flying two awards: Cuba to Colombia and Colombia to the United States.
I used American Airlines, Asiana, and Lufthansa miles, all of which are easily available to Americans.
Can Americans Travel to Cuba?
Here is the State Department's page on visiting Cuba.
I am going to travel to Cuba on a general license as a journalist.
Fantastic Asiana Award Space Disappears From United.com, Here’s How to Still Book It
February 9, 2015
Asiana Airlines is a member of Star Alliance--United's alliance--based in Seoul, South Korea. I flew Asiana First Class on its A380 last year and was very impressed.
Business Class on the Asiana A380
Since Asiana is a member of Star Alliance, all the award space it releases is bookable with United miles. Until recently the award space showed up on searches of united.com also. For whatever reason, Asiana award space no longer displays on united.com.
Asiana Sweet Spots: Lufthansa First Class for 50,000 Miles
October 7, 2014
Asiana has the best award chart in the Star Alliance. That means that you can book any of the 27 Star Alliance airlines, including United, for fewer miles on many routes with Asiana miles than with better known programs like United, Lufthansa, LifeMiles, Singapore, and Air Canada.
Asiana is a 1:1 transfer partner of Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints.
Asiana Miles Might Be The Cheapest Miles to Hawaii, South America
October 3, 2014
How long does it take to transfer Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints to Asiana Club Miles?
An astounding 17 days.
Why would you want to transfer Starpoints to Asiana Miles?
Starpoints transfer 1:1 to Asiana miles. As with all 1:1 Starpoints transfers, you get 5,000 bonus miles for every 20,000 points transferred.
Asiana has an incredible award chart.
Trip Report: Seoul to Los Angeles in Asiana First Class A380
September 18, 2014
I just arrived in Los Angeles after 10 hours flying Asiana First Class on its brand new A380. I booked my seat last month for 70,000 United miles (at pre-devaluation prices using this trick.)
This is a really important trip report because Asiana First Class is a true luxury product that is extremely easy to book with miles!
Champagne wishes & caviar realities in Asiana FirstAward space on the Asiana A380 is wide open in Business Class and First Class between Los Angeles and Seoul, especially at the last minute.
How Rich Would I Need to Be to Buy First Class
September 17, 2014
I'm sitting in the Asiana First Class Lounge in Seoul, about to fly one of the newest and hopefully best First Class products in the world on the Asiana A380.
First Class Suite on Asiana A380I booked the ticket for 70,000 United miles and around $150 all in because you can still book awards at the old pre-devaluation United award prices.
On a whim, I checked the cash price for the ticket.
How Much Does Award Space Change Day to Day?
August 22, 2014
If award space isn't available on a flight you want, keep checking. Award space changes all the time. This is a truism, but I have never tracked one route and flight for a few days to show exactly how true the truism is until now.
I've tracked First Class availability on the brand new Asiana A380 this month and next for the past few days. There were changes every day.
Enclosed Suite for First Class on Asiana A380I started tracking the award space for selfish reasons.
Asiana,United,A380,LifeMiles,Award Booking
Incredible Asiana First Class on A380 Flying to US
August 19, 2014
Asiana has started flying an A380 between Seoul-Incheon and Los Angeles. The daily flight includes fully enclosed suites in First Class and fully flat beds in Business Class.
First Class on Asiana A380Asiana is a member of the Star Alliance, so Asiana flights are bookable with United miles and Avianca LifeMiles without fuel surcharges.
Business Class on Asiana A380Award space is wide open in summer 2015 on the route in all cabins.