Advice for booking premium class tickets from SFO - BLQ
Dec 5, 2017, 3:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 76
Advice for booking premium class tickets from SFO - BLQ
I'm not sure where to post this query. I need advice re:
1) how to figure out which airlines to "prioritize" when assessing the many airlines that fly from SFO/SJC in California to BLQ in Italy. American, British Airways, Lufthansa, etc. are all listed in my preliminary searches so far. On our first family long haul flight to Asia, I picked an American airline (United) over the Asian airlines I hadn't heard of before and learned later from friends that EVA would have been a better choice than United. I also learned Singapore Air is supposedly incredible. I don't want to make that mistake again but don't know where to research that here.
2) how to maximize value when booking 4 premium class seats (ideally Business class but minimum Premium Economy) when I figure I'll have about 250K Chase Reward Points to use (we're already over 200K now and this is a September 2018 trip). I assume we book in cash and then use miles to upgrade? I did that for our United trip to Asia and got Business class for the 4 of us for about 240K miles and $2400 cash (30K miles plus $300/passenger each way). Totally worth it to me as that was a painful nearly 14 hour flight!
Thanks in advance.
1) how to figure out which airlines to "prioritize" when assessing the many airlines that fly from SFO/SJC in California to BLQ in Italy. American, British Airways, Lufthansa, etc. are all listed in my preliminary searches so far. On our first family long haul flight to Asia, I picked an American airline (United) over the Asian airlines I hadn't heard of before and learned later from friends that EVA would have been a better choice than United. I also learned Singapore Air is supposedly incredible. I don't want to make that mistake again but don't know where to research that here.
2) how to maximize value when booking 4 premium class seats (ideally Business class but minimum Premium Economy) when I figure I'll have about 250K Chase Reward Points to use (we're already over 200K now and this is a September 2018 trip). I assume we book in cash and then use miles to upgrade? I did that for our United trip to Asia and got Business class for the 4 of us for about 240K miles and $2400 cash (30K miles plus $300/passenger each way). Totally worth it to me as that was a painful nearly 14 hour flight!
Thanks in advance.
Dec 5, 2017, 7:00 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,010
Advice for booking premium class tickets from SFO - BLQ
I'm not sure where to post this query. I need advice re:
1) how to figure out which airlines to "prioritize" when assessing the many airlines that fly from SFO/SJC in California to BLQ in Italy.
American, British Airways, Lufthansa, etc. are all listed in my preliminary searches so far.
On our first family long haul flight to Asia, I picked an American airline (United) over the Asian airlines I hadn't heard of before and learned later from friends that EVA would have been a better choice than United. I also learned Singapore Air is supposedly incredible.
I don't want to make that mistake again but don't know where to research that here.
2) how to maximize value when booking 4 premium class seats (ideally Business class but minimum Premium Economy) when I figure I'll have about 250K Chase Reward Points to use (we're already over 200K now and this is a September 2018 trip).
I assume we book in cash and then use miles to upgrade? I did that for our United trip to Asia and got Business class for the 4 of us for about 240K miles and $2400 cash (30K miles plus $300/passenger each way). Totally worth it to me as that was a painful nearly 14 hour flight!
I'm not sure where to post this query. I need advice re:
1) how to figure out which airlines to "prioritize" when assessing the many airlines that fly from SFO/SJC in California to BLQ in Italy.
American, British Airways, Lufthansa, etc. are all listed in my preliminary searches so far.
On our first family long haul flight to Asia, I picked an American airline (United) over the Asian airlines I hadn't heard of before and learned later from friends that EVA would have been a better choice than United. I also learned Singapore Air is supposedly incredible.
I don't want to make that mistake again but don't know where to research that here.
2) how to maximize value when booking 4 premium class seats (ideally Business class but minimum Premium Economy) when I figure I'll have about 250K Chase Reward Points to use (we're already over 200K now and this is a September 2018 trip).
I assume we book in cash and then use miles to upgrade? I did that for our United trip to Asia and got Business class for the 4 of us for about 240K miles and $2400 cash (30K miles plus $300/passenger each way). Totally worth it to me as that was a painful nearly 14 hour flight!
Premium awards USA Eu are very hard to get. 4 on the same flight is going to many times harder (probably will not happen).
For 4 premium cabin awards in Sept 2018 you need to start looking & booking today. You will not find 4 premium awards in Aug 2018.
Route map. A flight to Bologna airport will/may restrict your options-choices. Just look for any flight to Italy or adjacent country and then take a train.
Consider these http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...e-reviews.html
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Dec 5, 2017 at 7:12 pm
Dec 5, 2017, 10:34 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 76
Thanks for your input, Mwenenzi. Note that I wasn't being brave--more naive--as this is our first trip to Europe. As I said, "I assume we book in cash and then use miles to upgrade?" The question was because it worked well with our recent trip to Asia, but now I learn from you that like we lucked out with a US carrier. Instead of paying over $25,000 cash for 4 J class tickets (yes, those seats on the old United 747 before they were retired them were over $6,000 each), we paid about $4400 and 240K miles total. That was worthwhile to us (especially since 100K miles came from the Chase Sapphire Reserve sign-up promotion).
If it's highly unlikely for me to use miles to upgrade 4 passengers to J class on a European carrier like British Airways or Lufthansa, is it still possible to try this with American Air instead? Or is it all European flights?
Also, is American as "bad" as United or is it equivalent to BA and Lufthansa? Or is there some forum for asking for advice re: which airline? I see there are specific fora for individual airlines, but did not see one to request advice when comparing airline options.
I found J class is over $4K per passenger for cash, compared to $1600 for premium economy, on BA. SFO to LHW is "only" 10 hours but I may still decide to pay for the upgrade so we arrive feeling somewhat human rather than exhausted and cranky. We are traveling the last week of September so I'm hoping it will be less crowded as I believe every public school system is in session by then. Our kids' school has a Fall break that week.
Thank you, but no, I do not want to schlep my luggage from the airport to the train station and get on a train after 12+ hours of travel (even if it's only 1-2 hours by train). At the end of the day, I want the best value I can get but I don't want to travel any longer than necessary. Thus, I am focused on flying directly into BLQ.
Any additional advice would be welcome!
If it's highly unlikely for me to use miles to upgrade 4 passengers to J class on a European carrier like British Airways or Lufthansa, is it still possible to try this with American Air instead? Or is it all European flights?
Also, is American as "bad" as United or is it equivalent to BA and Lufthansa? Or is there some forum for asking for advice re: which airline? I see there are specific fora for individual airlines, but did not see one to request advice when comparing airline options.
I found J class is over $4K per passenger for cash, compared to $1600 for premium economy, on BA. SFO to LHW is "only" 10 hours but I may still decide to pay for the upgrade so we arrive feeling somewhat human rather than exhausted and cranky. We are traveling the last week of September so I'm hoping it will be less crowded as I believe every public school system is in session by then. Our kids' school has a Fall break that week.
Thank you, but no, I do not want to schlep my luggage from the airport to the train station and get on a train after 12+ hours of travel (even if it's only 1-2 hours by train). At the end of the day, I want the best value I can get but I don't want to travel any longer than necessary. Thus, I am focused on flying directly into BLQ.
Any additional advice would be welcome!
Dec 6, 2017, 3:12 pm
#4
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As the OP is wanting to use UR points, we'll move this to the Chase forum.
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
Dec 6, 2017, 4:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,026
Thanks for your input, Mwenenzi. Note that I wasn't being brave--more naive--as this is our first trip to Europe. As I said, "I assume we book in cash and then use miles to upgrade?" The question was because it worked well with our recent trip to Asia, but now I learn from you that like we lucked out with a US carrier. Instead of paying over $25,000 cash for 4 J class tickets (yes, those seats on the old United 747 before they were retired them were over $6,000 each), we paid about $4400 and 240K miles total. That was worthwhile to us (especially since 100K miles came from the Chase Sapphire Reserve sign-up promotion).
If it's highly unlikely for me to use miles to upgrade 4 passengers to J class on a European carrier like British Airways or Lufthansa, is it still possible to try this with American Air instead? Or is it all European flights?
Also, is American as "bad" as United or is it equivalent to BA and Lufthansa? Or is there some forum for asking for advice re: which airline? I see there are specific fora for individual airlines, but did not see one to request advice when comparing airline options.
I found J class is over $4K per passenger for cash, compared to $1600 for premium economy, on BA. SFO to LHW is "only" 10 hours but I may still decide to pay for the upgrade so we arrive feeling somewhat human rather than exhausted and cranky. We are traveling the last week of September so I'm hoping it will be less crowded as I believe every public school system is in session by then. Our kids' school has a Fall break that week.
Thank you, but no, I do not want to schlep my luggage from the airport to the train station and get on a train after 12+ hours of travel (even if it's only 1-2 hours by train). At the end of the day, I want the best value I can get but I don't want to travel any longer than necessary. Thus, I am focused on flying directly into BLQ.
Any additional advice would be welcome!
If it's highly unlikely for me to use miles to upgrade 4 passengers to J class on a European carrier like British Airways or Lufthansa, is it still possible to try this with American Air instead? Or is it all European flights?
Also, is American as "bad" as United or is it equivalent to BA and Lufthansa? Or is there some forum for asking for advice re: which airline? I see there are specific fora for individual airlines, but did not see one to request advice when comparing airline options.
I found J class is over $4K per passenger for cash, compared to $1600 for premium economy, on BA. SFO to LHW is "only" 10 hours but I may still decide to pay for the upgrade so we arrive feeling somewhat human rather than exhausted and cranky. We are traveling the last week of September so I'm hoping it will be less crowded as I believe every public school system is in session by then. Our kids' school has a Fall break that week.
Thank you, but no, I do not want to schlep my luggage from the airport to the train station and get on a train after 12+ hours of travel (even if it's only 1-2 hours by train). At the end of the day, I want the best value I can get but I don't want to travel any longer than necessary. Thus, I am focused on flying directly into BLQ.
Any additional advice would be welcome!
At the end of the day however it'll probably come down to who goes where you want and at what price