Originally Posted by
guv1976
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
"So you're saying that the best option could be to get a cheap European flight to another airport and then get on one of these business class sale flights to elsewhere?"
While that might work, what I was suggesting was that you buy miles when they are on sale, and redeem them for award travel departing from somewhere outside the UK to avoid the APD and PSC.
You can fly between Europe and the Middle East on EY or QR for 30K AA miles one way in Business, or 40K AA miles one way in First. You can fly DUB/SNN-BOS for 25K BA Avios one way in Business on EI (with minimal surcharges). You can fly DUS/TXL-JFK one way in Business on AB for 40K Avios one way (with no surcharges).
Currently, US miles are only redeemable for roundtrip award travel; you'd have to consult the US Airways award chart to find US' redemption rates.
Would AB exTXL/DUS be the same type of business class experience as a middle east carrier, CX, etc.? I would assume not.
If BA flights are being considered, OP should check seat maps to see the configurations. Also, nonelites are charged a big fee by BA to reserve a business class seat in advance.
On UA, some aircraft have 2-4-2 seating, while carriers like AF, MH, and KE do 2-3-2 on some aircraft. To me, this is not acceptable for business class.
In fact, having all seat withs direct aisle access is a big advantage for long haul. Genuine flat beds (not angled lie flat seats) cn also make a big difference.