Of course, the current AA offers give 2 AA miles per dollar spent for the first year and the Chase Sapphire card gives an effective 2.14 miles per dollar spent (with the 7% annual bonus with transfers to United and BA) so the Delta offer is not better than those two offers. But an option the OP might consider despite Delta's generally higher redemption requirements.

lwildnorva said this but we got up normal time in the morning, 8am caught our flight which was just under 9 hours because we flew out of MIA, overnight flight and landed at 8am Paris time. We didn't check in until 1pm which was really 7pm back home on the east coast, thats how it ended up being almost 36 hours. I was ready to go exploring but my GF insisted we sleep. Get acclimated to the time zone and you'll be fine. Also, our plane was a 767 so it had the 2-3-2 seating and we made sure to pick the 2 seats together. However, there were some empty seats in the middle so some people moved around to get more space, but thats not always the case.

I been busy so I am late, but haha that is exactly the comment I would have made. (Prenup) LOL

Anyway I feel the surprise is a great idea. NY part of it like you said then Paris. You said she has a passport I am sure you can pull it of. I would make sure the hotel is great, and fly coach. I never have done long flights so I don't know. But I did a first class domestic flight, and to me it means nothing. I always fly coach, and that difference to me is nothing. But on a trip to Paris if you can some how get enough miles to do Business/First then great. But if not I think flying coach won't be a problem for young people. And you can go all out on the hotel.

Hyatt Chase card 2 nights in Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome. Also I would see if your dad is willing to sign up for the CC offers. That way your gf does not need to, and you can still surprise her.

But yea good luck, and let us know how it goes.

I would definitely suggest prioritizing the hotel, I don't see the point in spending for a great flight and then checking-in to a mediocre hotel upon arrival.

Equally, though, flying in cattle class is not very romantic, so you could look at Air France Premium Voyageur (premium economy), purchasing revenue economy class tickets on AA and then upgrading with miles and co-pay, or flying Open Skies (affordable all business class service to Paris).

For a hotel, if you are on a budget, why not get two Hyatt credit cards for a total of four free nights at the Park Hyatt Vendome? You could pay for an additional night or two if you want to stay longer.

I'm afraid that your income or lack thereof might mean that you won't get approved for the cards you would need. That said, if you go between Oct. 15-Dec 31, you would only need 40K AA miles each for flights to Paris.
Just FYI.

Assuming he tells the truth.

I like the idea of the surprise. I also wouldn't sweat the whole J thing. Coach for 8 hours is fine, as long as you aren't as tall as I am I'd put most of my energy into the hotel as well.

As others have mentioned, the two Citi cards are a quick way to enough miles. On top of that, the Chase Sapphire + Chase Hyatt card are a quick way to 4 nights at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome. Along that route, if you get your dad to sign up for the Sapphire card, it's easy to transfer the points to your account. You'd be 4,000 points short of five nights at the PH just with the Sapphire spend, and you can buy those points for $100 or so. Then, get the Chase Hyatt card, and you're looking at 7 nights at a really nice hotel in Paris.

Ya gonna spend more time in the plane or the hotel? Hands down save the bucks for the hotel (and restaurants).

Being a law student you should know that proposing on a holiday could be construed as you giving her a gift and NOT and engagement ring. So in case you don't get married she may be able to keep the ring based on the timing.

PS Spain is 100 times better than Paris. I've been to both 5 times and I hate FRANCE. Spain is awesome, the people are warm and kind. Paris is cliche. South of Spain is where its at....

The folks saying you can't go wrong with an apartment on Ile St Louis are absolutely right. It would be an absolutely stunning place to stay.

There are also a lot of amazing apartments available in the nicer arrondisements of Paris that might be more reasonable if you're on a budget. Rick Steves' always has some pretty good recommendations (especially if you buy into his theory of travel and living like a local).

If you want to splash out on a hotel, it might not be necessary to do Hyatt...Priority Club is affiliated with IC Hotels, who own Le Grand Paris...stayed there a few years back, great location, great view of the Opera Garnier. I think PC is offering an 80k pt Visa right now, and IC Hotels range from 30k/40k/50k.

Keep the J class for honeymoon and anniversaries etc. Fly economy, you are a student for God's sake. Spend like one. No need to go over the top.

I'm an ex-law-student myself, and Paris is my favorite city of all the ones I've visited. I get homesick for it and start getting cranky if I can't get there at least every 2-3 years. Heading there again in Oct, actually So I think you picked a great city, and I think the AA x 2 is probably the way to go. It'd be great if you could get enough miles for business class, but economy is totally fine too. I'm more in favor of keeping it a surprise trip than flying bus class, so I'd say to do what you have to in order to keep it a surprise.

Here's a couple thoughts: Do you think your Mom or Dad might be willing to obtain the AA cards, meet the spending reqs, and then let you use the miles to take your gf for the proposal trip?

Not sure I'd do the NYC-French-dinner thing. It seems too complex and would take a lot of "work" to keep your gf from finding out at the airport that Paris is the ultimate destination. Also, restaurants like Per Se and Daniel are of course wonderful but incredibly expensive... the dining in Paris is incredible and I'd want to save my budget for a nicer hotel room or restaurants in Paris. So here's what I'd do: I'd find a way to get the miles for economy OR business without having to involve the gf. Then, awhile before the trip, I'd either have her request the time off from work (if she works), or email her boss myself. At some point I'd tell her that the two of you are taking a trip, that she'll need her passport for it, and then I wouldn't say any more. No hints, no clues. Just tell her to take time off from x to y and show up at the airport with passport in hand. I think that's incredibly romantic and definitely a story she'll be telling forever (just don't make it more than 6 weeks in advance because it'll drive her crazy and you'll end up cracking). Add the proposal on top of that, and wow!

Oh and one more thing: I find the Hyatt and other major Paris hotels to be less charming than the smaller boutique hotels and apartment rentals. On our first trip there, we stayed at the Relais Bosquet in the 7th, and loved it, but their prices have increased a lot since our stay. You might also look at VRBO for apartments, but makes sure the apt has more than a handful of reviews. Anyway, the major chain hotels just seem a little cold to me.

Save the money or the miles on the flight.

I am sure a better hotel room makes the stay more exciting and relaxing than a business class flight.

Of course, I prefer a First Class flight above a economy flight, but at the end it's just a flight for 8 hours. However you will spend a few days at the hotel and whats better than a big bathtub or shower for a couple? Splurge your money/points for the hotel.

Make sure you make your language clear when you propose. IE This is a CONDITIONAL gift . . .

. . . but then again that my kill the romance . . .