I used to travel quite a bit, but have had a job for a few years now in which I have not been required to travel for work.

It is time to propose. I think?

So my question is where can I get in Business/First for ~130k miles+ some money. I would like to spend under $1000 on the tickets but the cheaper the better.

My first choice would be JFK-EZE, followed by JFK-MAD or JFK-BCN. Followed by JFK-SFO.

Realistically PVD or BDL are my home airports, but JFK is a 90min drive and makes life easier to leave from sometimes.

Looking to leave on the last two weekends in February or first weekend in March. Leave on Thursday and return on Monday or Tuesday.

I am open to alternate international locations. My only real criteria is to use miles more than cash. I know that we can mix cash+miles these days, but since I have not been traveling much these past few years I am open to any possibilities on how to best use my miles.

Thanks

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

I don't think you're going to have much success trying to find two long haul business/first class seats for 130K+$1000. Neither outright redemptions or upgrades will be more than that (and upgrades more than outright redemptions).

SFO is probably possible. The search engine on the continental site is probably your best bet for finding seats, or at least for starting the search.

Take a look at United's award chart here (note that prices are one way): http://www.united.com/ual/asset/Unit...after_6_15.pdf

Realistically, in business (which is also F on two cabin domestic aircraft), you can get to Northern South America, Caribbean, Mexico, or USA/Canada (excluding Hawaii). Northern South America would require buying some miles but if you've got cash, buying 10,000 miles would be within your budget.

Buying revenue tickets and upgrading is kind of a sucker's game and I wouldn't do it. You'd be looking at a lot of cash+miles out of pocket.

Continental's website is a fairly comprehensive search engine for reward tickets to destinations in any of those zones.

For some reason, I thought you were going to propose marriage. I was about to congratulate you!

Maybe I'm reading the OP wrong, but it appears he is?

ya I thought he was too...

Two options:

Book business outbound, economy inbound (with E+ seating).

Theory:

If you do propose, she'll be so giddy she won't care about the flight back.

Alternatively, book economy outbound (with E+), and sleep an extra day before you propose. Then book a business flight back.

Theory:
That might be a nicer way to do it, as once she's engaged, she will feel like a princess. She'll want to show that rock to every female FA working on that flight home.

I actually proposed last year, and used 120,000 miles (paid about $200) to fly EWR to Athens. I did not propose there, rather, I paid about $200 RT to Cairo from Athens (on Aegean - so I still earned miles) and proposed in front of the Pyramids.

I think the location is better than how you get there.

Perhaps you can propose inflight?

As a female, let me give this a hearty AMEN!!!!

I have an idea for you . . . use the miles to fly non-stop from Newark to Shannon, Ireland. Then drive two hours north and spend 4 nights at Ashford Castle (www.ashford.ie). Incredibly romantic! There are all sorts of spots around the Irish countryside to propose or you could do it right at the castle. Congratulations!

+1 I get the same feeling

My son flew his intended fiancee to Paris and proposed on the Seine. She was floored.

My question, What are you going to do for the honeymoon? You raised the bar too high

And I'd think that the proposal happening is more important than where it happens. :-:

She's a lucky girl!

I agree 100%!