I'm a Points Expert Who Has Never Flown Business Class

When I got into this hobby four years ago, I followed every credit card points expert on social media.

My feed filled up with overwater villas in the Maldives and safaris in South Africa. Then there was the classic shot: a glass of champagne in a business class seat, with a caption bragging it only cost 60K points. I was so intimidated. How do I become that girl?!

Then reality hit. Once you start searching for award flights yourself, you learn a few things. Those influencers worked hard for those seats. They searched a year out, maybe stayed up until midnight to catch the release, and rarely show the everyday traveler what it takes to land one. Is it doable? Yes. But I travel with a family of five. Every point I spend on nine hours in business class for five people is a point I can't put toward a trip to a new country and the memories that come with it. So I don't go looking. I'm in the season of holding onto every memory I can with my kids. One day my husband and I will fly business and send the kids a photo captioned "Miss you!"

Business class reality usually lands in the middle of a client session

"What's the business rate for this flight?"

"500K points. Per person, each way."

Guess that's out.

Everyone seems to be using points right now. With gas prices and inflation up, people want to save money, and that means more competition for the same seats. Those American Airlines award tickets from SFO to Tokyo on Japan Airlines? They were probably gone the day the calendar opened. Points are valuable right now, and I know it.

If business class is still on your list, here's where I'd start

Practice, practice, practice

Figure out which airlines fly your route, log in, and run practice award searches. At minimum, you'll see how many points you need, so you know which currencies to focus on. Then decide if you're willing to reposition, meaning fly to another city first to catch the award. Most of my clients aren't. They just want to get where they're going, and business class is a bonus if it shows up.

Use Seats.aero

It's the only award search engine I recommend. It isn't perfect, and you still need to confirm the award on the airline's own site. The Pro version lets you set alerts, so Seats.aero emails you when award space opens on a flight you want.

Know the award calendar

Find out when your airline releases award seats. Most open about a year before departure, give or take a few weeks. Plan your search around that date.

Be flexible

Business class award space rewards flexibility. If you're tied to a school calendar like I am, that's a tough ask.

So for now, my family of five flies economy to places my kids will remember. Business class can wait. If you want help figuring out what your points can get your family, book a session with me. I'll give you the real number, even when it's 500K.