Wide Open Lie Flat Business Class Award Space To Europe For Just 35,000 Miles
There has been abundant business class award space available this winter between the U.S. and Europe on Star Alliance member TAP Air Portugal from various cities including New York JFK, Newark, Boston, Washington Dulles, Miami, and Chicago (as well as from Toronto and Montreal). Some flights have up to 9 business class award seats available.
You can travel to and from Lisbon and connect to numerous destinations from there. Additionally, there is a direct flight from Newark to Porto. It’s convenient to know that you can transfer points from American Express, Chase, Capital One, and Bilt to Air Canada Aeroplan to book these flights online. The cost for Chicago to Lisbon is 60,000 points each way (additional connecting flights may increase the distance and mileage cost).
However, FindFlightsForMe has discovered an even better deal. Avianca LifeMiles is currently pricing New York JFK to Lisbon at just 35,000 miles one-way in business class plus $28 in taxes and fees. Points from American Express, Citibank, Capital One, and Bilt can be transferred to LifeMiles.
LifeMiles also offers miles for sale as low as 1.3 cents each with promotions, making it possible to purchase these one-way flights for less than $500. In business class!
This discounted pricing is only available in one direction, as the return trip is at the regular price (63,000 LifeMiles or, once again, 60,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points). However, LifeMiles has slightly less flexibility compared to other programs, with a $150 change fee and $200 fee for cancelling and redepositing miles.
I believe this pricing is not a mistake but rather a result of LifeMiles strategically managing their pricing. They purposely do not show availability for some awards that other Star Alliance frequent flyer programs offer. When an award exceeds their pricing threshold, LifeMiles restricts bookings for it. On the flip side, they occasionally lower their pricing below standard award chart rates intentionally.
