Have you ever wondered what hotels they stay in?

The NBA generates $10 billion dollars a year so they are certainly picking some of the best hotels in every city to stay in. Typically these include top tier brands like Four Seasons, St Regis, and Ritz Carlton but they also book luxury boutique hotels in certain cities.

We wanted to know the hotels in each NBA city that are known or most likely to host an NBA team when visiting.

We decided to do research and gathered a full list for you below.

Hotels

NBA teams are not very transparent about where the teams stay and that’s not a surprise. Mainly for security reasons, if more people knew where they stay it could cause overcrowding at certain hotels.

We decided to do some research through media reports, fan sightings, and more to figure this out. Now don’t go and use this list to stalk NBA players. But if you’re curious like us where they stay here is a list of the most common hotels for NBA team in each city.

All the above hotels have confirmed sightings of NBA players when traveling on the road. It’s no guarantee they stay in the above hotels but for certain cities its almost always the case.

We’ll break down the hotels from each major city and why it attracts NBA teams when they are on the road.

Boston – The Ritz Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton Boston is a luxury retreat located very close to the TD Garden, making it an ideal choice for NBA teams during their visits to Boston. The hotel is located just off Boston Commons in a very convient part of downtown. The hotel features all the amenities of a 5 star hotel experience and a relaxing ambiance as well as privacy. Boston is home to many luxury hotels but the convenience and privacy the Ritz offers makes it an attractive place for team travel.

New York – St Regis New York or Ritz Carlton

There are few hotels in New York as iconic as the St Regis. The first location of the brand, this hotel has been a luxury staple located directly in the heart of Midtown Manhattan for many years. The hotel has an old school luxury style with some modern upgrades. Rooms offer amazing city views and the iconic St Regis bar is the place to be for the after work scene in New York. The hotel is positioned right off Fifth Avenue and just a stones throw from Time Square. While Midtown Manhattan can be hectic with traffic, players can typically get to Madison Square Garden in about 20 minutes depending on the time of day.

Now even though the St Regis is an excellent hotel, we expect NBA teams will be making the switch to the newly opened Ritz Carlton Nomad in the near future.

The new Ritz Carlton Nomad is an ultra modern skyscraper located in the bustling Nomad district of Manhattan. The new Ritz location is a huge upgrade from the existing hotels in the city that offer a more traditional style of luxury. The lobby of the Ritz includes a lot of greeniery in their bar and restaurant and the hotel features an amazing rooftop bar with unmatched views of the city. The best part for NBA players is the location of this hotel is only a few blocks from MSG, making the commute in minutes at all hours of the day. While no confirmed sightings of NBA players here just yet, it’s only a matter of time before they make the switch as this property is much better suited than the St Regis.

Brooklyn – 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is an stylish hotel situated in the Dumbo district of Brooklyn, just under the bridge. The hotel emphases nature-inspired luxury and wellness amenities, such as the rooftop pool and farm-to-table dining options. The rooms have a modern appeal combing wood tones with floor to ceiling windows with the best view in the city. The location of the hotel is right touristy part of Brooklyn with many of the cities famous pizzerias located close by. For NBA players and teams, the hotel is well situated just a 10 minute drive to the Barclays center and the rooms boast some of the best views of any hotel in the city.

Philadelphia – The Four Seasons

One of the newer hotels in Philadelphia, The Four Seasons property is now one of the most luxurious in the world. Standing at 100 floors above the sky the property boasts one of the most impressive lobbies and skybar. The location is just minutes away from the Wells Fargo Center and the hotel is large enough that NBA players can roam around without drawing too much of a crowd. The Four Seasons hotel is the ultimate comfort and convinience providing a peaceful escape from the surrounding city.

Houston – The Four Seasons

The Four Seasons Houston embraces the Texan style and design with the same standards the luxury brand has been known to uphold. Located just a short distance from the Toyota Center, the hotel is a convenient and upscale retreat between games. Beyond the hotel, Houston’s vibrant culture and attractions are easily accessible to the hotel, so there are plenty of options for players entertainment and relaxation off the court. In essence, the Four Seasons Houston offers NBA players a luxurious haven where they can experience the best that the city has to offer while enjoying the comforts of home.

San Francisco – The Four Seasons

The Four Seasons San Francisco has everything you want out of a luxury hotel in a major city. Located just moments away from the Chase Center, the Four Seasons is the perfect place to stay for players that are looking for a modern hotel that still remains comfortable.The hotel features panoramic views of the city skyline and some of the best restaurant the city has to offer. Its central location also allows players to easily explore the vibrant neighborhoods and cultural attractions that San Francisco has to offer, ensuring they have plenty of opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment off the court.

Los Angeles – The Ritz Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles is located directly by the Staples Center making it a long time fix for teams when they play the Lakers. The modern tower stands out as a luxury centerpiece of downtown that is not usually known for its opulence. The hotel boasts several critically acclaimed restaurants and has all the accommodations you can expect out of a Ritz Carlton. With all the celebrity hot spots in LA, the Ritz Carlton is the perfect location to relax without getting caught up in the Hollywood scene.

Portland – The Nines Hotel

The Nines Hotel in Portland is a boutique urban retreat located in the heart of downtown, making it an enticing option for NBA players during their visits to the city. Situated a short distance from the Moda Center, the hotel offers players a convenient and upscale sanctuary between games. While not the most modern compared to big brands, The Nines still provides luxury accommodations, top-notch amenities, and attentive service.

Oklahoma City – The Skirvin

The Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City, known as the a “haunted hotel” is a staple for NBA teams visiting the city. Many teams have stories about the hotel, with the most notable in 2010, when the New York Knicks famously blamed their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on the haunting. It also occurred when the Chicago Bulls reported doors slamming shut on their own and strange sounds outside their rooms. This hotel is the staple for NBA teams when visiting the city, haunting or not.

Memphis – The Westin

Not the most luxurious on the list but the The Memphis Westin is comfortable enough for NBA players when visiting Memphis. Located just a short distance from the FedEx Forum, the hotel provides players with a convenient and upscale haven between games.

Sacramento – The Sawyer

Another boutique hotel on the list with The Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento. The property is a a chic and stylish retreat located in the heart of Downtown Commons, making it a prime choice for NBA players during their visits to the city. Situated just steps away from the Golden 1 Center, the hotel offers contemporary design, upscale amenities, and personalized service.

Milwaukee – Pfister

The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee is a historic gem located in the heart of downtown. Many NBA teams have been spotted in this hotel when visiting the city and it makes sense given its short distance to the Fiserv Forum.

Washington DC – The Four Seasons

The Four Seasons Washington DC is a staple luxury hotel in the city and not only attracts NBA players but world leaders. The property is a luxurious and sophisticated retreat in the heart of the nation’s capital, making it a premier choice during their visits to the city. The location is a bit from Capital One Arena but teams tend to favor the Four Seasons brand whenever it is has a property in their desired city.

Cleveland – Ritz Carlton Tower City

The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, is nestled within Tower City Center, and is one of the few luxury hotels in the city. Located not far from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the hotel has been known for many sightings of players when visiting the Cavaliers. The Ritz Carlton is a quiet hotel that is perfect for a team that is looking for some private but comfortable accomodations.

Orlando – Grand Bohemian

The Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando is an artistic retreat in the heart of the city and has been a staple for NBA teams for years. The location is just moments away from the Amway Center, the hotel has some of the most stylish interiors as well as a well designed bar and restaurants.

Detroit – Shinola Hotel

Owned by the iconic Shinola brand from Detroit, The Shinola Hotel is a unique and stylish retreat right in the heart of the city. The city combines the brands design aesethic and appeals to those looking for modern luxury. The hotel style is unmatched in Detroit and there its easy to see why NBA teams would choose this as their home base when playing the Pistons.

New Orleans – Ritz

Located right in the iconic French Quarter of the city, The Ritz-Carlton is one of the best hotels in New Orleans. The hotel design perfectly captures the essence of the city while blending with the luxury brand of the Ritz. There have been a few sightings of NBA teams at this property and given the cities offered we think there is no other hotel that compares.

Miami – JW Marriott Marquis

If there were ever a hotel perfect for NBA players than it would be the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. Located directly in downtown Miami, the hotel is a sports dream with a full basketball court, bowling alley, tennis court, outdoor pool and so much more. Located very close to the arena, this property is the perfect level of luxury but also escape from the distractions of Miami nightlife. Given the modern accomodations and the sports facilities, there really is no better hotel in Miami for NBA teams.

Phoenix – Kimpton

The Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix is a chic and stylish retreat in the heart of downtown Phoenix. NBA teams have been known to make this their home when visiting due to its close distance to the Footprint Arena. The hotel is not the most luxurious NBA teams stay in but still provides a comfortable escape when playing the Suns.

Denver – Four Seasons

The Four Seasons Hotel Denver is a stylish and sophisticated property located in the heart of the city. NBA players have been known to frequent this hotel and use it as their escape when playing the Nuggets. One of the many Four Seasons hotels on our list, the Denver location aligns its style with the surrounding city and is a great place to relax in style.

Summary & Takeaways

If you take a look at the list we were able to gather, there are some common themes. NBA teams tend to favor the top tier luxury brands like the Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton, making it almost a certain they will stay in those properties if available.

Now we posted this list because its interesting to see where some of the wealthiest sports teams decide to stay when visiting a city. We don’t recommend you staking out any of these places just to get a glimpse as you may leave disappointed.

Know of any new hotels NBA players decide to stay in? Let us know and we will update and add to our list.

The post Every Hotel NBA Teams Stay In When Traveling appeared first on Travel Season.

The city is a mix of old-world charm architecture, modern high rises, cultural and traditional structures, and even beach side roads. Many travelers from abroad specifically visit for the art, history, culture, food, theatre, cinema, nightlife and a lot more.

Mumbai International Airport welcomes over 51 million passengers each year and has been growing. The airport is nearing capacity so the city is constructing another airport to keep up with demand.

If you are planning a trip to Mumbai or just laying over, we will break down the best airlines to fly.

Airports Near Mumbai

Mumbai is primary served by one international airport today, located just a few kilometers from the northern part of the city.

Even though the airport has been nearing capacity we still find it to be modern and spacious especially on arrival. We’ve departed from Mumbai on Singapore Airlines to Singapore and was impressed with how easy the aiport was for check in experience and the business class lounge. Although this might have just been a non peak time.

The new airport will be known as Navi Mumbai International Airport and will be located about 45 minutes from the city center. This will help relief congestion at the main airport and cut down on flight delays. The city is also looking at ways for better connectivity with new roads and trains soon to come.

Mumbai is known for its heavy periods of traffic so when you do arrive take this into account if you are taking a taxi from the airport. It is also highly recommended to book a ride share or go to the official taxi stand. Say no to anyone that is asking if you want a ride.

Airlines Flying To Mumbai

If you are departing from the US, there is really a single option if you want to fly direct to Mumbai. The countries flag carrier Air India is the only one that current flys nonstop and provides service to New York and San Francisco.

Air India doesn’t have the best reputation with travelers but they did just invest in an entire rebrand as well as placing one of the largest orders of new airplanes in history. The new design has already entered service which certainly helps them climb up this list.

Note, historically Delta and United also offered nonstop service from New York to Mumbai but since they are no longer being allowed in Russian airspace they have cancelled those flights.

If you are willing to stop over, there are several other airlines including Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa, Qatar, and more that offer service. While we always feel its better to fly direct, the experience on these other airlines might be worth the layover.

If you are departing from the US we will break down your options and where the best place to layover may be.

Airfare to Mumbai

Ticket prices to Mumbai can vary depending on season but from the US they never really are considered “cheap”. You can expect to pay $750 – $900 roundtrip in economy in off seats with peak season (Nov – December) this can go up pretty significantly to around $1,100 – $1,800.

We like using Skyscanner to find the best deal and their compare page makes it easy. There is a tool that can run a compare of various cities if you have set dates or months in mind. All you need to do is enter a timeframe for departure.

Best First Class

On this route you have a few options for first class with of course the flag carrier Air India but also Middle Eastern and European carriers. Know that, airplane seats on this route are some of the best money can buy and also some of the most luxurious.

However each ticket comes with tradeoffs (ex: layover) but we will take that into account when we rank each.

1. Air India A350 First Class

Air India has made a major investment in all new first class cabins on a whole fleet of new Airbus A350 planes on order.. Air India will take delivery of several new planes and are also retrofitting / renting from other airlines. Their new first class is a huge upgrade over the existing product and while a little dull on colors its certainly looks way better than their existing product. You can expect a suite like seat with a privacy door, upgraded food, and a much cleanlier cabin. While we do feel their new offering is still behind the middle east carriers, they are the only airline to fly nonstop between the US that I think is a huge advantage to putting it at #1.

Routes: Direct from San Francisco and New York.

2. Emirates First Class Airbus A380

When it comes to first-class travel, Emirates’ Airbus A380 seat is certainly up there with the best. The luxury airline really stands out in their first-class cabins, offering private suites, in seat bar, and an exclusive pass to the legendary onboard shower. Emirates offers plenty of routes via US cities to Dubai and onwards to Mumbai as it operates one of the worlds largest networks. A huge plus to this seat is its offering via Air Canada Aeroplan miles but the booking options are rare and a little expensive. There really are very few first class experiences like Emirates A380 still flying so if you get the chance to book it on this route you won’t be disappointed.

Routes: One stop via Dubai from New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and more.

3. Etihad First Class Boeing 787

Etihad First Class is truly one of the most spacious and luxury airline seats in the sky. Dubbed “The Apartment” the each passenger will receive a private suite, love seat couch, large screen TV, and the most personalized service. It’s really hard to beat the amount of luxury and space you will receive that is more akin to flying private than commercial. The reason we don’t rank this as high as Emirates is because of the lack of availability and the difficulty to book. This seat only appears on Etihad A380 and they are inconsistent when they offer it. However, if you are able to snag a business class seat you can upgrade to this for about $1,800 one way that while steep will be worth the experience.

Routes: One stop via Abu Dhabi from New York, Boston, Chicago, and more.

4. British Airways First Class Boeing 787-9

First class is not as common these days but British Airways first class on the 787-9 is easily one of the best way to fly between the US to Mumbai via London. Onboard you can expect a spacious and private suite as well as top notch food and of course great champagne. Another benefit is dedicated check in areas as well as access to the iconic Concorde Room for when you are laying over in London. The down side to this option is the taxes and fees they charge on this, especially when booking an award ticket. Expect to pay $1,500 + Avios for this seat that doesn’t come cheap when there are other options.

Routes: One stop via London from New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and more.

Best Business Class

Not all business class are made equal so if you are willing to pay a premium for comfort (or shell out some points) we’ll rank the following. Given the premium that comes with first class, business class cabins on this route can be almost as luxurious as first and easily stand above many other business class offerings around the world.

1. Air India A350 Business Class

Once again Air India is first with one of their retrofitted A350 seats. It appear this cabin is a former Aeroflot plane that Air India just quickly removed the branding off. Regardless this seat is a huge upgrade from the previous 2-3-2 layout. Again, Air India has a lot to prove with its retrofit that’s still new. We’re keeping them at the top spot having high hope they’ll achieve our expectations and the fact that they are still the only nonstop provider from the US to Mumbai.

Routes: Direct from New York and San Francisco.

2. Qatar A350 Q-Suite Business Class

Qatar Airways changed the game when they released their Q Suite business class and it’s easily the best offering on this route to Mumbai via Doha. The seats are private suites that can be combined with your partner next to you or even expanded into a 4 person quad pod. It’s hard to beat the amount of privacy and personalized service offered by Qatar Airways. What we like most about Qatar is if you are able to find saver award fare then this route will only cost you 80,000 points one way. For an experience like this that is a steal but make sure you plan to book well in advance as availability is often hard to find.

Routes: One stop via Doha from New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and more.

3. Etihad A350 Business Class

When it comes to business class, this is where Etihad has a leg up on Emirates. The carrier released an all new business class offering in a 1-2-1 configuration. We were able to fly this route on Etihad from New York to Abu Dhabi and it was one of the best flight experiences we had. Each suite has a private door and aisle access, something missing on Emirates that lacks privacy. We also like that this route is bookable via Air Canada Aeroplan and for only 88,000 points each way. Etihad still operates a few different planes on this route but even their old business class on the 787 is worth it as the best on this route.

Routes: One stop via Abu Dhabi from New York, Boston, Chicago, and more.

4. Emirates A380 Business Class

Emirates went through an entire business cabin style refresh and we’re really liking their new sleek interior. While the business class seat arrangement is still in a 2-3-2, you may end up getting stuck in a middle seat that is very unfortunate in business class. Still the Emirates offering is well above most carries with excellent food and even an onboard bar to stretch your legs at. We like that this route is bookable via Air Canada Aeroplan making it more accessible and with transit access to the business class lounge in Dubai isn’t a bad way to make the journey.

Routes: One stop via Dubai from New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and more.

4. Turkish Airlines 787-9

Turkish Airlines 787-9 features it’s newest seats configured in a 1-2-1 format. This is by far the most private business class seat you will see on Turkish Airline and tends to mimic the feeling of United Polaris 787. The only down side of this configuration is Turkish only flies it on select routes. If you are planning to head to Mumbai via Istanbul from New York you will need to look closely at the aircraft or you will be on the A330 we’ve tried many times.

Routes: One stop via Istanbul from New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, and more.

5. United Airlines 767 Polaris Business Class

Although United does not fly direct anymore we do want to mentioned Polaris Business Class as the most comfortable hard product of the major US airlines to fly to Mumbai. We’ve flown it multiple times on other routes from Newark to Frankfurt and indulged in the amazing Polaris lounge prior to takeoff. United used to fly the 787 nonstop to Mumbai from New York once a day and there were plenty of premium space aboard these aircrafts. You can expect a 1-2-1 layout but still giving each seat its own aisle access but don’t count on much when it comes to United food. We’ll update once United becomes available again but for now if you want to take this flight you will need to connect in London, Frankfurt, or Switzerland and continue with a partner airline.

Best Economy Class

There usually isn’t a major difference in economy class hard product but there may be items some airlines do better than others. However, on long haul routes to Mumbai, airlines like Emirates, Etihad, and United offer Premium Economy, which is certainly a step above a standard seat. While many premium economy seats are similar, we especially like those offering comfortable seats and reasonable food to make us pick one over the other.

1. Emirates Premium Economy

In their cabin refresh, Emirates also updated their Premium Economy to appear very similar to a business class just without the full bed. The premium economy experience has each seat in a 2-3-2 format and offering extra recline making it more comfortable than standard economy. What you really get in this part of the plane is a food service similar to business without the full bed. On the plus side the upgrade from economy to premium economy is only a few $100 and in our opinion is totally worth it for overnight flights to Mumbai.

Routes: One stop via Dubai from New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and more.

2. Etihad Premium Economy

Etihad has a very similar premium economy offering to Emirates although not as up to date in our opinion. You can expect a larger seat in a 2-3-2 layout but the seats will be very close together. The food offering is also upgraded and you will certainly have better service with such a small cabin. We don’t find availability on this cabin often but it certainly beats a standard economy seat.

Routes: One stop via Abu Dhabi from New York, Boston, Chicago, and more.

3. United 767 Premium Economy

United also started offering Premium Economy on many of their long haul aircraft and is very similar to Emirates and Etihad. The good about United is they make it much easier to upgrade into with either points, cash, or plus points. If you are booked in Economy you can expect to pay about 20,000 points to upgrade to this seat or 20 plus points. In our mind its worth it especially for a red eye to get a more comfortable seat but don’t expect a great meal as United does not compare to the Middle East carriers.

4. Emirates Airlines Economy

In Emirates Airlines economy you can expect a layout of 3-3-3 and a very newly designed cabin. The main difference you will see on Emirates is the level of service that you won’t find as good on any other airline. There are also several routes to Mumbai via Dubai daily that can ensure there is a time that fits your schedule.

Routes: One stop via Dubai from New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and more.

5. Etihad Economy Class

Etihad prides itself on a very comfortable economy cabin that has seats on par with other top tier airlines. Each seat has a large IFE and large headrests making it easier to sleep in this seat. While most standard economy seats are the same across many airlines, we liked the service we have received each time on Etihad as well as it having some of the best food in the sky.

Routes: One stop via Abu Dhabi from New York, Boston, Chicago, and more.

Award Flights to Mumbai

Airline miles and credit card points are some of the best way to get a cheap if not entirely free ticket to Mumbai. If you are unfamiliar with this process read our guide on credit card points and miles.

The fastest way to get airline miles and also the biggest benefit to credit card points is the ability to transfer them to airline partners. If you are looking to increase your balance for a flight to Mumbai see the latest offers in our guide to the best credit cards for every traveler.

There are multiple airline partners that fly to Mumbai but not all are created equal. If you are planning a trip you will want to consider booking through:

• Air Canada Aeroplan: Booking options on Air India, Emirates, Etihad, and Turkish. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, and Capital One.
• British / Qatar Avios: Booking options on Qatar, British, and American. Points can be transferred from Chase and American Express.
• Etihad Miles: Booking options on Etihad. Points can be transferred from American Express, Capital One, and Citi.
• Emirates Miles: Booking options on Emirates and United. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Citi.
• United Airlines MileagePlus: Booking options on United and Emirates. Points can be transferred from Chase.

While there are many more programs that offer points bookings to Mumbai, the above programs typically are the easiest and cheapest way to book.

Summary & Takeaways

Mumbai as a travel destination is one of the most popular and is only set to grow. With the expansion of the new airport we expect to see more airlines with expanded service to the city and perhaps even better seat offerings.

The biggest unknown in Mumbai’s future travel plans is how the flag carrier Air India will pan out. Their massive investment has just started and its too early to tell how well they will do and if travelers will come around to them.

Regardless, we think everyone should at least try out the flag carriers of countries and if it doesn’t work for your schedule there are plenty of options in every cabin.

The post The Best Airlines To Fly Into Mumbai, India appeared first on Travel Season.

The Maldives is the beach destination for the luxury travel and its no wonder why it continues to attract travelers from all over.

Even though the country is divided into several remote islands, its tourism popularity makes many airlines and destinations operating some of the best airplane seats money can buy.

Many folks save up cash or even stash away points for a special occasion trip to the Maldives. I know I was certainly planning on it after my wedding but ended up going to Bodrum, Turkey instead.

If you are planning a trip to the Maldives, we will break down the best airlines to fly.

Airports Near The Maldives

The Maldives is made up of many small islands but if you are traveling into the islands you will be landing in Male.

Male airport is a small island airport but still serves all major international carriers. If you are landing here you can take a 15 minute taxi to the city center but most travelers will be going onward to their resort directly from the airport.

Male airport has several arrivals lounges and you can expect to need to wait a bit before your scheduled transfer. Many luxury hotels have their own private waiting terminals within the airport, making it more comfortable for those staying at certain hotels.

When you plan to depart the Maldives, you will also need to make your way back to MLE. Note, the weather can be a bit unpredictable and effect your flight so be sure to keep checking the status as your trip gets close to departure or arrival.

Airlines Flying To Maldives

If you are departing from the US, there are no options if you want to fly direct to the Maldvies. However, several airlines offer service with one stop and these includes major global carriers like Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, Air India, and many more.

Given you will be required to connect you also have several options from major US cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and San Francisco.

When you depart from the US you will want to take account your first leg aircraft, whether you are going via London, Istanbul, or even Dubai. We take this into account when departing from the US to break down the best option in each class.

Airfare to the Maldives

Ticket prices to the Maldives are almost always expensive but can vary depending on the season. Since most travelers only find it worth it to go when its not the rainy season, you can expect to pay at least $900 – $1,400 in economy but this can certainly be higher around holidays. We like using Skyscanner to find the best deal and their compare page makes it easy.

Here is a breakdown of average round trip prices by month.

There is also a tool that can run a compare of various cities if you have set dates or months in mind. All you need to do is enter a timeframe for departure and Skyscanner does the rest.

You can find all Skyscanner tools on this page here and utilize this info to find the best flight deal.

Best First Class

It feels like barely any airlines offer First Class anymore but on this route you have some of the best seats money can buy. Luckily since so many airlines offer services to Male, you will have several first class options.

We will tell you what to expect in each and also what airline we prefer to fly.

1. Emirates First Class Airbus A380

When it comes to first-class travel, you can’t go wrong with Emirates’ Airbus A380. The luxury airline really stands out in their first-class cabins, offering private suites, in seat bar, and an exclusive pass to the legendary onboard shower. Emirates offers plenty of routes from US cities via Dubai and operates one of the worlds largest networks. A huge plus to this seat is its offering via Air Canada Aeroplan miles that can be booked for about 175,000 points each way. There really are very few first class experiences like Emirates A380 still flying so if you get the chance to book it on this route you won’t be disappointed.

2. Etihad First Class Boeing 787

Etihad First Class is truly one of the most spacious airline seats in the sky. Dubbed “The Apartment” the each passenger will receive a private suite, love seat couch, large screen TV, and the most personalized service. It’s really hard to beat the amount of luxury and space you will receive that is more akin to flying private than commercial. The reason we don’t rank this as number 1 is because of the lack of availability and the difficulty to book. This seat only appears on Etihad A380 and they are inconsistent when they offer it. However, if you are able to snag a business class seat you can upgrade to this for about $1,800 one way that while steep will be worth the experience.

3. British Airways First Class Boeing 787-9

First class is not as common these days but British Airways first class on the 787-9 is easily the best way to fly between the US to London and onwards to The Maldives. Onboard you can expect a spacious and private suite as well as top notch food and of course great champagne. Another benefit is dedicated check in areas as well as access to the iconic Concorde Room for when you are laying over in London.

Best Business Class

Not all business class are made equal so if you are willing to pay a premium for comfort (or shell out some points) we’ll tell you what option would be best. Given the premium that comes with first class, business class cabins on this route can be almost as luxurious as first and easily stand above many other business class offerings around the world.

1. Qatar A350 Q-Suite Business Class

Qatar Airways changed the game when they released their Q Suite business class and it’s easily the best offering on this route to the Maldives via Doha. The seats are private suites that can be combined with your partner next to you or even expanded into a 4 person quad pod. It’s hard to beat the amount of privacy and personalized service offered by Qatar Airways. What we like most about Qatar is if you are able to find saver award fare then this route will only cost you 80,000 points one way. For an experience like this that is a steal but make sure you plan to book well in advance as availability is often hard to find.

2. Etihad A350 Business Class

When it comes to business class, this is where Etihad has a leg up on Emirates. The carrier released an all new business class offering in a 1-2-1 configuration. We were able to fly this route on Etihad from New York to Abu Dhabi and it was one of the best flight experiences we had. Each suite has a private door and aisle access, something missing on Emirates that lacks privacy. We also like that this route is bookable via Air Canada Aeroplan and for about 120,000 points each way. Etihad still operates a few different planes on this route but even their old business class on the 787 is worth it as the best on this route.

3. Turkish Airlines 787-9

Turkish Airlines 787-9 features it’s newest seats configured in a 1-2-1 format. This is by far the most private business class seat you will see on Turkish Airline and tends to mimic the feeling of United Polaris 787. The only down side of this configuration is Turkish only flies it on select routes. If you are planning to head to the Maldives via Istanbul from New York you will need to look closely at the aircraft or you will be on the A330 we’ve tried many times.

4. Emirates A380 Business Class

Emirates went through an entire business cabin style refresh and we’re really liking their new sleek interior. While the business class seat arrangement is still in a 2-3-2, you may end up getting stuck in a middle seat that is very unfortunate in business class. Still the Emirates offering is well above most carries with excellent food and even an onboard bar to stretch your legs at. We like that this route is bookable via Air Canada Aeroplan making it more accessible and with arrival access to the business class lounge in Dubai isn’t a bad way to make the journey.

Best Economy Class

There usually isn’t a major difference in economy class hard product but there may be items some airlines do better than others. However, on long haul routes to the Maldives, many airlines offer Premium Economy, which is certainly a step above a standard seat. While many premium economy seats are similar, we especially like those offering comfortable seats and reasonable food to make us pick one over the other.

1. Emirates Premium Economy

In their cabin refresh, Emirates also updated their Premium Economy to appear very similar to a business class just without the full bed. The premium economy experience has each seat in a 2-3-2 format and offering extra recline making it more comfortable than standard economy. What you really get in this part of the plane is a food service similar to business without the full bed. On the plus side the upgrade from economy to premium economy is only a few $100 and in our opinion is totally worth it for overnight flights to the Maldives.

2. Etihad Premium Economy

Etihad has a very similar premium economy offering to Emirates although not as up to date in our opinion. You can expect a larger seat in a 2-3-2 layout but the seats will be very close together. The food offering is also upgraded and you will certainly have better service with such a small cabin. We don’t find availability on this cabin often but it certainly beats a standard economy seat.

3. Emirates Airlines Economy

In Emirates Airlines economy you can expect a layout of 3-3-3 and a very newly designed cabin. The main difference you will see on Emirates is the level of service that you won’t find as good on any other airline. There are also several routes via Dubai daily that can ensure there is a time that fits your schedule.

4. Etihad Economy Class

Etihad prides itself on a very comfortable economy cabin that has seats on par with other top tier airlines. Each seat has a large IFE and large headwrests making it easier to sleep in this seat. While most standard economy seats are the same across many airlines, we liked the service we have received each time on Etihad as well as it having some of the best food in the sky.

Award Flights to Maldives

Airline miles and credit card points are some of the best way to get a cheap if not entirely free ticket to the Maldives. If you are unfamiliar with this process read our guide on credit card points and miles.

The fastest way to get airline miles and also the biggest benefit to credit card points is the ability to transfer them to airline partners. If you are looking to increase your balance for a flight to the Maldives see the latest offers in our guide to the best credit cards for every traveler.

A flight to the Maldives is one of the holy grails of award travel and given the amount of airline options there are several award partners to consider:

• Air Canada Aeroplan: Booking options on Emirates and Etihad. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, and Capital One.
• Etihad Miles: Booking options on Etihad. Points can be transferred from American Express, Capital One, and Citi.
• Emirates Miles: Booking options on Emirates and United. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Citi.
• Qatar Airlines Avios: Booking options on Qatar and British Airlines. Points can be transferred from American Express, Chase, and Capital One.

While there are many more programs that offer points bookings to the Maldives, the above programs typically are the easiest and cheapest way to book.

Summary & Takeaways

There are so many options you can take to the Maldives that most of it will come down to flight time, price, and layover. We highly recommend leaning on the Middle East carriers like Emirates and Qatar that will provide the most availability and some of the best experience.

Given the Maldives popularity, you have plenty of options on this route and if you go premium certainly won’t be let down.

The post The Best Airlines To Fly Into The Maldives appeared first on Travel Season.

Over 90 million people fly through Dubai International Airport every year making it one of the worlds busiest destinations. The city is a major hub within the region with Emirates Airlines as the flag carrier leading the way.

Just a short drive away is Abu Dhabi, the more relaxed capital of the UAE. With its own airline in Etihad, this gives travelers options on two of the best airlines in the world.

If you are planning a trip to Dubai or just laying over, we will break down the best airlines to fly.

Airports Near Dubai

Dubai is primary served by one international airport, located very close to the city center. The city is also easily reachable from Abu Dhabi, that is only a 1 hour drive away.

Many travelers fly out of each airport interchangably and having two major hubs opens a lot more options for travelers. Given the airports size, there are also many restaurants, lounges, duty free shops that you can visit on arrival or layover.

When you arrive to the airport you will most likely take a taxi into the city and note there are several ride sharing options as well.

Airlines Flying To Dubai

If you are departing from the US, there are a lot of options if you want to fly direct to Dubai. The airlines that offer service include the flag carriers Emirates and Etihad but also United Airlines recently started offering nonstop service. There are several other airlines offering service with 1 stop but in this case we think its best to fly direct.

The airlines is one of the most well connected to US cities with nonstop service from New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Houston,, Miami, and San Francisco. This gives you plenty of options and if you are connecting your ticket may even be cheaper than flying direct.

Airfare to Dubai

Ticket prices to Dubai can vary depending on season but given the amount of airlines offering service you can expect $650 – $900 roundtrip in economy. During peak season of summer this can go up pretty significantly to around $900 – $1,800. We like using Skyscanner to find the best deal and their compare page makes it easy.

Here is a breakdown of average round trip prices by month. Note we pulled the data towards the end of February, which is why that appears so high.

There is also a tool that can run a compare of various cities if you have set dates or months in mind. All you need to do is enter a timeframe for departure and Skyscanner does the rest.

You can find all Skyscanner tools on this page here and utilize this info to find the best flight deal.

Best First Class

It feels like barely any airlines offer First Class anymore but on this route you have some of the best seats money can buy. Both Emirates and Etihad still offer first class and they are some of the worlds best products.

We will tell you what to expect in each and also what airline we prefer to fly.

1. Emirates First Class Airbus A380

When it comes to first-class travel, you can’t go wrong with Emirates’ Airbus A380. The luxury airline really stands out in their first-class cabins, offering private suites, in seat bar, and an exclusive pass to the legendary onboard shower. Emirates offers plenty of routes via US cities to Dubai and operates one of the worlds largest networks. A huge plus to this seat is its offering via Air Canada Aeroplan miles that can be booked for about 135,000 points each way. There really are very few first class experiences like Emirates A380 still flying so if you get the chance to book it on this route you won’t be disappointed.

2. Etihad First Class Boeing 787

Etihad First Class is truly one of the most spacious airline seats in the sky. Dubbed “The Apartment” the each passenger will receive a private suite, love seat couch, large screen TV, and the most personalized service. It’s really hard to beat the amount of luxury and space you will receive that is more akin to flying private than commercial. The reason we don’t rank this as number 1 is because of the lack of availability and the difficulty to book. This seat only appears on Etihad A380 and they are inconsistent when they offer it. However, if you are able to snag a business class seat you can upgrade to this for about $1,800 one way that while steep will be worth the experience.

Best Business Class

Not all business class are made equal so if you are willing to pay a premium for comfort (or shell out some points) we’ll tell you what option would be best. Given the premium that comes with first class, business class cabins on this route can be almost as luxurious as first and easily stand above many other business class offerings around the world.

1. Etihad A350 Business Class

When it comes to business class, this is where Etihad has a leg up on Emirates. The carrier released an all new business class offering in a 1-2-1 configuration. We were able to fly this route on Etihad from New York to Abu Dhabi and it was one of the best flight experiences we had. Each suite has a private door and aisle access, something missing on Emirates that lacks privacy. We also like that this route is bookable via Air Canada Aeroplan and for only 88,000 points each way. Etihad still operates a few different planes on this route but even their old business class on the 787 is worth it as the best on this route.

2. Emirates A380 Business Class

Emirates went through an entire business cabin style refresh and we’re really liking their new sleek interior. While the business class seat arrangement is still in a 2-3-2, you may end up getting stuck in a middle seat that is very unfortunate in business class. Still the Emirates offering is well above most carries with excellent food and even an onboard bar to stretch your legs at. We like that this route is bookable via Air Canada Aeroplan making it more accessible and with arrival access to the business class lounge in Dubai isn’t a bad way to make the journey.

3. United Airlines 767 Polaris Business Class

United Polaris Business Class is one of the most comfortable hard product of the major US airlines to fly to Dubai. We’ve flown it multiple times on other routes from Newark to Frankfurt and indulged in the amazing Polaris lounge prior to takeoff. United flyings the 787 nonstop to Dubai from New York only and has plenty of premium space aboard these aircrafts. You can expect a 1-2-1 layout but still giving each seat its own aisle access but don’t count on much when it comes to United food.

Best Economy Class

There usually isn’t a major difference in economy class hard product but there may be items some airlines do better than others. However, on long haul routes to Dubai, airlines like Emirates, Etihad, and United offer Premium Economy, which is certainly a step above a standard seat. While many premium economy seats are similar, we especially like those offering comfortable seats and reasonable food to make us pick one over the other.

1. Emirates Premium Economy

In their cabin refresh, Emirates also updated their Premium Economy to appear very similar to a business class just without the full bed. The premium economy experience has each seat in a 2-3-2 format and offering extra recline making it more comfortable than standard economy. What you really get in this part of the plane is a food service similar to business without the full bed. On the plus side the upgrade from economy to premium economy is only a few $100 and in our opinion is totally worth it for overnight flights to Cairo.

2. Etihad Premium Economy

Etihad has a very similar premium economy offering to Emirates although not as up to date in our opinion. You can expect a larger seat in a 2-3-2 layout but the seats will be very close together. The food offering is also upgraded and you will certainly have better service with such a small cabin. We don’t find availability on this cabin often but it certainly beats a standard economy seat.

3. United 767 Premium Economy

United also started offering Premium Economy on many of their long haul aircraft and is very similar to Emirates and Etihad. The good about United is they make it much easier to upgrade into with either points, cash, or plus points. If you are booked in Economy you can expect to pay about 20,000 points to upgrade to this seat or 20 plus points. In our mind its worth it especially for a red eye to get a more comfortable seat but don’t expect a great meal as United does not compare to the home carriers of the UAE.

4. Emirates Airlines Economy

In Emirates Airlines economy you can expect a layout of 3-3-3 and a very newly designed cabin. The main difference you will see on Emirates is the level of service that you won’t find as good on any other airline. There are also several routes via Dubai daily that can ensure there is a time that fits your schedule.

5. Etihad Economy Class

Etihad prides itself on a very comfortable economy cabin that has seats on par with other top tier airlines. Each seat has a large IFE and large headwrests making it easier to sleep in this seat. While most standard economy seats are the same across many airlines, we liked the service we have received each time on Etihad as well as it having some of the best food in the sky.

Award Flights to Dubai

Airline miles and credit card points are some of the best way to get a cheap if not entirely free ticket to Dubai. If you are unfamiliar with this process read our guide on credit card points and miles.

The fastest way to get airline miles and also the biggest benefit to credit card points is the ability to transfer them to airline partners. If you are looking to increase your balance for a flight to Dubai see the latest offers in our guide to the best credit cards for every traveler.

There are multiple airline partners that fly to Dubai but not all are created equal. If you are planning a trip you will want to consider booking through:

• Air Canada Aeroplan: Booking options on Emirates, Etihad, and United. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, and Capital One.
• Etihad Miles: Booking options on Etihad. Points can be transferred from American Express, Capital One, and Citi.
• Emirates Miles: Booking options on Emirates and United. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Citi.
• United Airlines MileagePlus: Booking options on United and Emirates. Points can be transferred from Chase.

While there are many more programs that offer points bookings to Dubai, the above programs typically are the easiest and cheapest way to book.

Summary & Takeaways

Dubai as a travel destination is one of the most popular with business travelers and plenty of visitors each and every year. While we usually always prefer to fly the flag carrier, in this case Emirates, but the likes of Etihad only being an hour away opens up more choices.

Given Dubai popularity, you have plenty of options on this route and if you go premium certainly won’t be let down.

The post The Best Airlines To Fly Into Dubai, UAE appeared first on Travel Season.

The city welcomes 15 million travelers a year, many to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However, there are also plenty of business travelers in and out of the Egyptian capital marking a rise in their aviation offering.

The city is mainly served by its flag carrier Egypt Air, and even though no major US carriers travel there, other airlines certain offer plenty of routes.

If you are planning a trip to Cairo or just laying over, we will break down the best airlines to fly.

Airports Near Cairo

Cairo is primary served by one major international airport, also marked as one of Africas busiest. The airport serves as the primary hub for Egyptair and Nile Air as well as several other airlines.

The airport is located about 22km from the city center and usually takes between 30 – 50 minutes in either a private taxi or public transportation. Note Cairo is notorious for some of the most traffic in the world so if make sure to take this into account after arrival.

The taxi prices are also very affordable by western standards but be diligent as there will be many that will try to charge you an unfair price. The best way to avoid this is to find the official taxi stand or prebook transportation in advance.

The airport itself is very accommodating to arriving or transiting passengers so you will have plenty of service options while you wait.

Airlines Flying To Cairo

If you are departing from the US, there is really only one option to fly direct and that is Egypt Air.

Egypt Air is the flag carrier of the country and operates 1 daily flight from New York JFK directly to Cairo. If you are not based in New York there are still plenty of options with 1 stop on in either Europe or a Middle Eastern country prior to arrival in Cairo.

While its not great to only have 1 city from the US servicing flights this does open up options on some of the best airlines with some of the best seats in the world.

We will help you break down these airlines to find the best options to fly into Cairo in each cabin.

Airfare to Cairo

First off, ticket prices to Cairo don’t come cheap but can vary a lot depending on the season. You can expect to pay between $750 – $900 roundtrip in economy during the off season with peak pricing going well over $1,000 roundtrip. We like using Skyscanner to find the best deal and their compare page makes it easy.

Here is a breakdown of average round trip prices by month.

There is also a tool that can run a compare of various cities if you have set dates or months in mind. All you need to do is enter a timeframe for departure and Skyscanner does the rest.

You can find all Skyscanner tools on this page here and utilize this info to find the best flight deal.

Best First Class

It feels like barely any airlines offer First Class anymore and on this route there is no direct option with Egypt Air. While we don’t usually recommend taking a 1 stop flight on this route you may not have another choice.

The plus side of this is some of the best airline offer First Class with a stopover and flying one of these seats will truly be worth the experience.

Here are our favorite first class seats and what to expect in each experience.

1. Emirates First Class Airbus A380

When it comes to first-class travel, you can’t go wrong with Emirates’ Airbus A380. The luxury airline really stands out in their first-class cabins, offering private suites, in seat bar, and an exclusive pass to the legendary onboard shower. Emirates offers plenty of routes via US cities and with a layover in Dubai you will be onward to Cairo. A huge plus to this seat is its offering via Air Canada Aeroplan miles that can be booked for about 135,000 points each way. There really are very few first class experiences like Emirates A380 still flying so if you get the chance to book it on this route you won’t be disappointed.

2. British Airways First Class Boeing 787-9

First class is not as common these days but British Airways first class on the 787-9 is easily the best way to fly between the US and Europe. Onboard you can expect a spacious and private suite as well as top notch food and of course great champagne. This route to Cairo via London does come with high taxes but you can expect a very comfortable experience in the Concord Room on your layover in London Heathrow.

3. Lufthansa First Class

Lufthansa First Class product may feel a bit dated but its still a leg up on business class. In first class you can expect a much larger seat, personalized service, and of course plenty of champagne and caviar. The only downside to Lufthansa seats are the lack of privacy, with no door or suite like other airlines. However, this seat is generally very bookable on points at the last minute and should only run you about 100,000 via Air Canada Aeroplan to Frankfurt. Unfortunately Lufthansa doesn’t fly this on the Frankfurt to Cairo route so you will only be getting this seat crossing the pong. If you are able to snag a seat on this flight you will certainly notice the jump in experience from business class.

Best Business Class

Not all business class are made equal so if you are willing to pay a premium for comfort (or shell out some points) we’ll tell you what option would be best. Given the premium that comes with first class, business class cabins on this route can be almost as luxurious as first and easily stand above many other business class offerings around the world.

1. Qatar A350 Q-Suite Business Class

Qatar Airways changed the game when they released their Q Suite business class and it’s easily the best offering on this route to Cairo via Doha. The seats are private suites that can be combined with your partner next to you or even expanded into a 4 person quad pod. It’s hard to beat the amount of privacy and personalized service offered by Qatar Airways. What we like most about Qatar is if you are able to find saver award fare then this route will only cost you 80,000 points one way. For an experience like this that is a steal but make sure you plan to book well in advance as availability is often hard to find.

2. Emirates A380 Business Class

Emirates went through an entire business cabin style refresh and we’re really liking their new sleek interior. While the business class seat arrangement is still in a 2-3-2, you may end up getting stuck in a middle seat that is very unfortunate in business class. Still the Emirates offering is well above most carries with excellent food and even an onboard bar to stretch your legs at. We like that this route is bookable via Air Canada Aeroplan making it more accessible and a layover with access to the business class lounge in Dubai isn’t a bad way to make the journey.

3. Turkish Airlines 787-9

While Middle East airlines are often talked about the most, don’t sleep on Turkish Airlines. Onboard their 787-9, they feature their newest seats configured in a 1-2-1 format. This is by far the most private business class seat you will see on Turkish Airline and tends to mimic the feeling of United Polaris 787. The only down side of this configuration is Turkish only flies it on select routes. One of the best parts of Turkish Airlines is the amount of routes they fly and the award availability that can often be booked with multiple partners. This is why we recommend Turkish Airlines to every award traveler and can certainly find plenty of options on to Cairo.

4. Egypt Air Business Class

Egypt Air doesn’t have the best reputation as an airline but it is certainly trying to improve. Being the only airline to offer nonstop service to the US, you may also find many routes that have 1 stop and continue on via Egypt Air. The airline is complete dry, so even in business class there will be no liquor or beer. The aircraft is typically in a 2-3-2 layout and their seats can certainly use an upgrade. Travelers have mixed experiences on Egypt Air but in our opinion it’s sometimes the best option for the price. You can book this route for only 90,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points each way and given the direct flight we do consider this to be a good option when the time is right.

Best Economy Class

There usually isn’t a major difference in economy class hard product but there may be items some airlines do better than others. However, on long haul routes to Cairo, airlines like Emirates, Qatar, and Egypt air offer Premium Economy, which is certainly a step above a standard seat. While many premium economy seats are similar, we especially like those offering comfortable seats and reasonable food to make us pick one over the other.

1. Emirates Premium Economy

In their cabin refresh, Emirates also updated their Premium Economy to appear very similar to a business class just without the full bed. The premium economy experience has each seat in a 2-3-2 format and offering extra recline making it more comfortable than standard economy. What you really get in this part of the plane is a food service similar to business without the full bed. On the plus side the upgrade from economy to premium economy is only a few $100 and in our opinion is totally worth it for overnight flights to Cairo.

2. Emirates Airlines Economy

Emirates Airlines, once again, is a standout with the plane flying to Cairo looking to have the most comfortable economy class. The layout is a 2-3-2 while most others offer a 2-4-2 layout. Again this won’t make a major difference, especially if you are able to snag one of the 2 seat sections on any of the other airlines. The main difference you will see on Emirates is the level of service that you won’t find as good on any other airline. There are also several routes via Dubai daily that can ensure there is a time that fits your schedule.

2. Turkish Airlines Economy

Turkish Airlines has a solid economy product and why we rank it is because of the options they provide to Cairo. Turkish has again been known for excellent food and even in economy it’s not too bad. Unless you are flying from the West Coast the flight time is just about 9 hours, which should be comfortable enough even in an economy seat. You will also have a comfortable stop in IST and if a Star Alliance Gold will get access to a Turkish Lounge.

Award Flights to Cairo

Airline miles and credit card points are some of the best way to get a cheap if not entirely free ticket to Cairo. If you are unfamiliar with this process read our guide on credit card points and miles.

The fastest way to get airline miles and also the biggest benefit to credit card points is the ability to transfer them to airline partners. If you are looking to increase your balance for a flight to Cairo see the latest offers in our guide to the best credit cards for every traveler.

There are multiple airline partners that fly to Cairo but not all are created equal. If you are planning a trip you will want to consider booking through:

• Air Canada Aeroplan: Booking options on Egpyt Air, Emirates Airlines, and Lufthansa. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, and Capital One.
• United Airlines MileagePlus: Booking options on Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines, and United. Points can be transferred from Chase.
• British Airways / Qatar Airways Avios: Booking options on British Airways and Qatar Airways. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, Capital One and Citi.
• Turkish Miles & Smiles: Booking options on Turkish. Expect to pay 65,000 for a one way in business and 35,000 points in economy at the saver level. Points can be transferred from Capital One and Citi.

While there are many more programs that offer points bookings to Cairo, here is why we recommend the above programs and how to book a flight with them.

Air Canada Aeroplan to Cairo

Air Canada Aeroplan provides options on Egypt Air the flag carrier to Cairo. The program is one of our most recommended for travelers because of the great award rates and the sheer amount of options.

On a nonstop route from New York to Cairo, you can expect to pay the following rates: 40,000 in Economy and 70,000 in Business Class. These are great rates as the same flight from Egypt Air via United MileagePlus is 44,000 in Economy and 88,000 in Business Class.

If you are unable to find rates direct via Egypt Air there are usually several options on Turkish Airlines for the same price.

The above includes a 1 stop in Istanbul that can also be extended if you want to stay a bit longer for an additional 5,000 Aeroplan points.

The booking process with Air Canada Aeroplan is straightforward as you can transfer points from most major credit cards including AMEX, Chase, Capital One, and Citi. The points from these programs usually transfer instantly but if you just created your Air Canada Aeroplan account you may experience a 1-2 day delay.

Search Award Rates via Air Canada Aeroplan →

United Airlines MileagePlus to Cairo

United Airlines, also a Star Alliance Partner, is another good option for flights on Egypt Air or Turkish Airlines.

United offers both nonstop service and 1 stop service via Turkish Airlines for the same rate of 44,000 in Economy and 88,000 in Business Class.

Unless you have United Miles already in your account, we think its a better option to go with Air Canada. Typically Air Canada will have more availability and can also transfer points from Chase. Regardless United is still a decent option at a reasonable rate.

Search Award Rates via United MileagePlus →

Summary & Takeaways

Cairo as a travel destination is one of the most popular in the world and Egypt is planning to increase this number dramatically over the coming years. While we usually always prefer to fly the flag carrier, in this case Egypt Air, there are certainly better options to get to Cairo even with one stop.

If you are planning to travel to Cairo in the near future then you will certainly have many options and it’s a route that is worth the splurge on those premium seats.

The post The Best Airlines To Fly Into Cairo, Egypt appeared first on Travel Season.

The city is one of the most attractive for digital nomads with many making it home for its easy going lifestyle and relative affordability (compared to major US cities).

Lisbon receives a mix of business and leisure travelers, also serving as a major layover point for onwards flight to other European countries.

The flag airline carrier of the country is TAP Air Portugal, a Star Alliance carrier that offers routes to 90 destinations in 34 countries worldwide.

Lisbon Airport serves as the main hub for TAP but also receive flights from many major US carriers. If you are planning a trip to Lisbon or just laying over, we will break down the best airlines to fly.

Airports Near Lisbon

Lisbon is primary served by one international airport, Lisbon Airport, that is also the 12th largest airport in Europe.

The airport is located close to the city center and has plenty of transport options by both car and public transit. Given the airports size, there are also many restaurants, lounges, duty free shops that you can visit on arrival or layover.

It shouldn’t take you more than 25 minutes to get from the airport into the city center. Note during rush hour there will be traffic in the city and it might be faster to take the metro that is connected directly to the airport.

Airlines Flying To Lisbon

If you are departing from the US, there are a good amount of options if you want to fly direct to Lisbon.

The airlines that offer service mainly include the flag carrier TAP Air Portugal but Delta, United, and American also offer service. The benefit of having all the major US airlines is it makes it easier to do codeshares when booking from another partner airline.

Not every major city in the US offers nonstop service to Lisbon. The major airlines only offer nonstop service from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, and Washington DC.

If you are planning to depart from the US you will most likely need to connect in one of these cities before a flight into Lisbon.

Airfare to Lisbon

Ticket prices to Lisbon can vary depending on season but given the amount of airlines offering service you can expect $350 – $500 roundtrip in economy. During peak season of summer this can go up pretty significantly to around $500 – $900. We like using Skyscanner to find the best deal and their compare page makes it easy.

Here is a breakdown of average round trip prices by month. Note we pulled the data towards the end of February, which is why that appears so high.

There is also a tool that can run a compare of various cities if you have set dates or months in mind. All you need to do is enter a timeframe for departure and Skyscanner does the rest.

You can find all Skyscanner tools on this page here and utilize this info to find the best flight deal.

Best First Class

It feels like barely any airlines offer First Class anymore and that is definitely the case on this route. No carriers offer a traditional First class from the US to Lisbon currently and we don’t expect that to change with many airlines focusing on business class.

If you were set on first class experience it is possible via a layover in London with British Airways, or Frankfurt with Lufthansa, but we wouldn’t think its worth it just for the added comfort.

We’ll skip this and look right into business class.

Best Business Class

Not all business class are made equal so if you are willing to pay a premium for comfort (or shell out some points) it can definitely be worth it. Business class cabins on this route can be almost as luxurious as first but are limited to just major US carriers and TAP Portugal.

However there are still some great options and we will break down what we think is best.

1. United Airlines 767 Polaris Business Class

United Polaris Business Class is one of the most comfortable hard product of the major US airlines to fly to Lisbon. We’ve flown it multiple times from Newark to Frankfurt and indulged in the amazing Polaris lounge prior to takeoff. United flyings the 767 nonstop to Lisbon from a few different cities and has plenty of premium space aboard these aircrafts. You can expect a unique 1-1-1 layout but still giving each seat its own aisle access but don’t count on much when it comes to United food. If you happen to be on a 787 the seat will be exactly the same just in a 1-2-1 cabin.

2. Delta One 767 Business Class

Even with so much competition on this route we still feel the signature Delta One is one of the best business class to fly. You’ll want to make sure your flight has the redesigned cabin since it’s a huge upgrade to the old A330 design we flew from Paris to New York in 2019. In our opinion these seats are unmatched against any US airlines business class (even United Polaris) and if you can snag a seat on this route you won’t regret it. The reason we rank it below United is because it only operates from New York and is one of the most expensive options to fly to Lisbon. Note, points redemptions don’t come cheap on this route so the only downside is finding a reasonably priced ticket.

3. TAP Air Portugal Business Class

We couldn’t have the best business class to fly without TAP making the list. Not traditionally known as a luxury airline they are making strides by offering their best business class on routes from the US. Onboard you can find modern herringbone seats laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration. What we like best about TAP is they offer service to all the major cities in the US making it easy to find a flight. The business class is also often priced a bit cheaper than the major US carriers and they also offer one stop service to many other European cities.

Best Economy Class

There usually isn’t a major difference in economy class hard product but there may be items some airlines do better than others. However, many airlines are now offering Premium Economy, which is certainly a step above a standard seat. While many premium economy seats are similar, we especially like those offering comfortable seats and reasonable food to make us pick one over the other.

1. United 767 Premium Economy

United also started offering Premium Economy on many of their long haul aircraft and is very similar to Delta’s. The good about United is they make it much easier to upgrade into with either points, cash, or plus points. If you are booked in Economy you can expect to pay about 20,000 points to upgrade to this seat or 20 plus points. In our mind its worth it especially for a red eye to get a more comfortable seat to cross the pond.

2. Delta 767 Premium Economy

We have to give it to Delta again flying their new premium economy seats on a nonstop flight to Lisbon. While the unfortunate news is these seats are not cheap and do not offer complimentary upgrades from main cabin, they are still the most comfortable way to fly outside of business. You can expect a larger seat, foot rest, and upgraded food, which will certainly feel like an upgrade from standard economy. Given the length of the flight, if you don’t want to spring for business class this is a great next option.

3. United 767 Economy

United is a standout with the plane flying to Lisbon looking to have the most comfortable economy class. The layout is a 2-3-2 while most others offer a 2-4-2 layout. Again this won’t make a major difference, especially if you are able to snag one of the 2 seat sections on any of the other airlines. We’ve taken this flight many times including from London to Chicago. However, on a full flight you will definitely notice a roomier cabin even if the plane is a bit smaller compared to an American 787.

Getting To Lisbon On Points

Airline miles and credit card points are some of the best way to get a cheap if not entirely free ticket to Lisbon. If you are unfamiliar with this process read our guide on credit card points and miles.

The fastest way to get airline miles and also the biggest benefit to credit card points is the ability to transfer them to airline partners. If you are looking to increase your balance for a flight to Lisbon see the latest offers in our guide to the best credit cards for every traveler.

There are multiple airline partners that fly to Lisbon but not all are created equal. If you are planning a trip you will want to consider booking through:

• Air Canada Aeroplan: Booking options on TAP and United. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, and Capital One.
• United Airlines MileagePlus: Booking options on TAP and United. Points can be transferred from Chase.

While there are only a few more programs that offer points bookings to Lisbon, the above programs typically are the easiest and cheapest way to book.

Summary & Takeaways

Lisbon as a travel destination is one popular with business travelers and plenty of visitors each and every year. While we would like to recommend the flag carrier TAP Portugal, there are better choices with US airlines on this route.

Given Lisbons popularity, you have plenty of options on this route and if you go premium certainly won’t be let down.

The post The Best Airlines To Fly Into Lisbon, Portugal appeared first on Travel Season.

Given there are so few, each location is selectively chosen and designed with a style of East meets West. An iconic symbol of each property are their fleet of customized Rolls-Royce limousines usually parked out front.

You can’t really go wrong choosing the Peninsula, whether you are on the of New York to the riverside of Bangkok, each hotel is a gateway to the locale’s charm.

There are a few additional benefits travelers can get when booking a room here – but we will dive into that and the best Peninsula hotels around the world.

How To Book Peninsula Hotels

Like other luxury hotel brands Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, the Peninsula does not have a great traveler award program. The hotels rely on guests coming back for the great experience and therefore don’t offer a typically status or points system.

However, there are additional benefits you can get by booking via a travel agent.

The Peninsula has a select program called the PenClub, that allows travel agents to extend benefits to their clients. These can include:

• Daily Full Breakfast;
• Flexible check-in and check-out times (known as Peninsula Time);
• Room upgrades upon availability;
• $100 Property Credit at some properties;
• Upgraded welcome amenities.

Travelers can receive all of these benefits by just booking with a certified agent – all for the same price as booking directly.

Need help booking with a certified travel agent? Travel Season can pair you with one here.

The Best Peninsula Hotels

The Peninsula Hotel’s portfolio may seem small when compared to other international luxury hospitality brands but it doesn’t fall short of a memorable experience.

Here are some of the best Peninsula Hotels around the world:

The Peninsula Hong Kong

The original is still the most iconic – The Peninsula Hong Kong is easily our favorite amongst the entire portfolio. Started in 1928, the hotel has been a staple landmark in the city and underwent a large upgrade in 2018. The hotel especially caters to the ultra wealthy and offers a range of vehicles to guests including: Rolls-Royce Phantoms, customized helicopter, and a private yacht in the hotel fleet. There is even a rooftop helipad that they host yoga classes on. There really isn’t much better than the Peninsula Hong Kong – a piece of history in the city and amongst the brand.

The Peninsula New York, NY

The Peninsula New York is also a landmark hotel located in Midtown Manhattan right on Fifth Avenue. The hotel is located in one of the most ideal parts of New York City – walking distance to Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and some of the best shopping in the city. The hotels building dates back to 1905 and after a recent upgrade has been brought up to modern standards. The hotel bar is a hot spot for the after work crowd or the luxury traveler – one of our favorites about this hotel is there is always a scene whether you are a guests or just visiting.

The Peninsula Chicago, IL, United States

The Peninsula Chicago in located right on Magnificent Mile and brings a traditional Asian service to a city known for its hospitality. This property is consistently recognized consistently as the #1 Hotel in Chicago by many media outlets and offers 339 rooms, indoor swimming pool, and breathtaking views of the city Skyline. The city also has a very popular restaurant in Shanghai Terrace as well as an intimate bar thats great for drinks and small plates.

The Peninsula Istanbul

One of the newest properties for the company located directly on the Bosphorus on Istanbuls European side. The hotel is setup directly on the water providing incredible views of the old city. The property is designed as one of the most elegant in the city and truly brings an Asian charm to the building it occupies. What we love about this hotel is the location – within walking distances to many restaurants, bars, nightlife, and even the bridge to the old town to see the historic side of Istanbul.

The Peninsula Beijing, China

The Peninsula Beijing went through a complete structural overhaul in 2017 and has now been earning praises from travelers and media alike. The hotel is unique in offering the most spacious all-suite guest accommodations in Beijing, with separate living, sleeping, and bathing areas. Many also flock to this location for the one of the best Afternoon Tea experiences and their iconic Yun Bar on the rooftop. The hotel is situation right in the shopping district and close to many of the best sights in the city. If you decide to book here expect to be pampered and leaving with all your services taken care of.

The Peninsula Bangkok

The Peninsula Bangkok sits right on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. You arrival to this hotel in style via a green tuk tuk shuttle boat, and you will find 370 rooms with each offering views of the river. Given its location in an iconic food city, the hotel has a special thai cusine under a banyan tree that is one of the hottest restaurants in the city. Staying in this location gives you a relaxing experience of Bangkok away from all the partying – but is a great central point to still travel around easily.

Summary & Takeaways

Peninsula Hotels really try to bring their Asian hospitality to major cities their fan base find them in around the world. We’ve only had the pleasure of visiting a few properties ourselves, but can tell that each gives you a consistent luxury experience we have come to love.

If you are planning a trip to a major city you can’t ever go wrong booking a Peninsula Hotel. Make sure to check how new the property you plan to stay at as few have yet to be renovated.

Regardless what you choose we hope you become a fan like we are of these unique hotel experiences.

The post The Best Peninsula Hotels Around The World appeared first on Travel Season.

The city is primed mostly for business travelers but those that like a modern skyline will also have plenty to do when visiting. It is also home to plenty contemporary architecture, historic landmarks, and a thriving cultural scene.

Frankfurt has a huge airline presence even beyond its flagship carrier Lufthansa. There are plenty of options for nonstop travel from major US cities and they are also some of the best airplane seats money can buy.

If you are planning a trip to Frankfurt or just laying over, we will break down the best airlines to fly.

Airports Near Frankfurt

Frankfurt is primary served by one international airport, welcoming more than 61 million travelers a year making it one of Europes busiest.

The airport is located about 12km from the city center and has plenty of transport options by both car and public transit. Given the airports size, there are also many restaurants, lounges, duty free shops that you can visit on arrival or layover.

Note if you are flying into Frankfurt during rush hour there will be a good amount of traffic. We recommend taking the train to the city center that is cheaper and faster.

Airlines Flying To Frankfurt

If you are departing from the US, there are a lot of options if you want to fly direct to Frankfurt. The airlines that offer service include the flag carrier Lufthansa but also Delta, United, American, and Singapore Airlines also offer service. The good thing about so many partners is it makes it easier to do codeshares when booking with their partner airlines.

The airlines is one of the most well connected to US cities with nonstop service from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, Portland, Houston, Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City and many more. This gives you plenty of options and if you are connecting your ticket may even be cheaper than flying direct.

Airfare to Frankfurt

Ticket prices to Frankfurt can vary depending on season but given the amount of airlines offering service you can expect $450 – $600 roundtrip in economy. During peak season of summer this can go up pretty significantly to around $700 – $1,200. We like using Skyscanner to find the best deal and their compare page makes it easy.

Here is a breakdown of average round trip prices by month. Note we pulled the data towards the end of February, which is why that appears so high.

There is also a tool that can run a compare of various cities if you have set dates or months in mind. All you need to do is enter a timeframe for departure and Skyscanner does the rest.

You can find all Skyscanner tools on this page here and utilize this info to find the best flight deal.

Best First Class

It feels like barely any airlines offer First Class anymore but on this route there are still two carriers that are going strong. Both Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines still offer first class to cross the pond, and they are some of the best airplane seats money can buy.

We will tell you what to expect in each and also what airline we prefer to fly.

1. Singapore A380 First Class

Singapore A380 First Class is clearly in a league of its own, offering apartment style seating that can be combined with the seat next door. This is truly an unprecedented amount of space and its hard find a better commercial airplane seat. In addition to the sheer space, Singapore Airlines has some of the best airline food and service is top notch. Cash rates don’t come cheap on this route at $7,000 one way and the only way to book via points is via Singapore Airlines directly. In our minds this is still the clear winner if you want to travel to Frankfurt in style.

2. Lufthansa First Class

Lufthansa First Class product may feel a bit dated but its still a leg up on business class. In first class you can expect a much larger seat, personalized service, and of course plenty of champagne and caviar. The only downside to Lufthansa seats are the lack of privacy, with no door or suite like other airlines. However, this seat is generally very bookable on points at the last minute and should only run you about 100,000 via Air Canada Aeroplan. If you are able to snag a seat on this flight you will certainly notice the jump in experience from business class.

Best Business Class

Not all business class are made equal so if you are willing to pay a premium for comfort (or shell out some points) we’ll tell you what option would be best. Given the premium that comes with first class, business class cabins on this route can be almost as luxurious as first and easily stand above many other business class offerings around the world.

1. Singapore A380 Business Class

It’s hard not to select Singapore Airlines as the best seat almost anywhere they fly. This is definitely the case in business class on any of their aircrafts since Singapore is known for a much larger seat than most. We’ve flown Singapore business a few times including from Singapore to Newark on the longest flight in the world. A plus is this seat can be booked via Star Alliance partners and is one of the best redemptions you can make with Air Canada Aeroplan. Not only will you enjoy the comfort of the seat but Singapore high level of service will really treat you like royalty.

2. Lufthansa Business Class

Lufthansa business class can certainly use an update as the 2-2-2 seat configuration with no privacy is dated. While the airline announced a retrofit, it has been notoriously delayed many times over. For now, Lufthansa planes will still give you a comfortable bed but is better when you are traveling with a companion. We’ve flown with them many times including from Frankfurt to Newark and at least always ended up enjoying the food. The reason we select it as the 2nd best business class is the vast amount of availability to many cities making it easier to book this route with cash or points.

3. United Airlines 767 Polaris Business Class

United Polaris Business Class is one of the most comfortable hard product of the major US airlines to fly to Frankufrt. We’ve flown it multiple times from Newark to Frankfurt and indulged in the amazing Polaris lounge prior to takeoff. United flyings the 767 nonstop to Frankfurt from a few different cities and has plenty of premium space aboard these aircrafts. You can expect a 1-2-1 layout but still giving each seat its own aisle access but don’t count on much when it comes to United food.

Best Economy Class

There usually isn’t a major difference in economy class hard product but there may be items some airlines do better than others. However, on long haul routes to Frankfurt, airlines like Singapore, Lufthansa, and United offer Premium Economy, which is certainly a step above a standard seat. While many premium economy seats are similar, we especially like those offering comfortable seats and reasonable food to make us pick one over the other.

1. Singapore Airlines Premium Economy

Singapore Airlines has a great premium economy experience with each seating being in a 2-3-2 format and offering extra recline. What you really get in this part of the plane is a food service similar to business without the full bed. On the plus side the upgrade from economy to premium economy is only a few $100 and in our opinion is totally worth it for overnight flights to Frankfurt.

2. United 767 Premium Economy

United also started offering Premium Economy on many of their long haul aircraft and is very similar to Delta’s. The good about United is they make it much easier to upgrade into with either points, cash, or plus points. If you are booked in Economy you can expect to pay about 20,000 points to upgrade to this seat or 20 plus points. In our mind its worth it especially for a red eye to get a more comfortable seat to cross the pond.

3. Lufthansa Premium Economy

It’s not worth it to list Lufthansa’s existing premium economy but their new refreshed one will certainly make the cut. Lufthansa announced a retrofit a few years back upgrading all their cabins but has since seen delay after delay. We don’t know exactly when they will release this new aircraft and until then their existing premium economy is probably not worth as much as the others.

4. Singapore Airlines Economy

Singapore Airlines, once again, is a standout with the plane flying to Frankfurt looking to have the most comfortable economy class. The layout is a 2-3-2 while most others offer a 2-4-2 layout. Again this won’t make a major difference, especially if you are able to snag one of the 2 seat sections on any of the other airlines. We’ve taken this flight many times including from Singapore to Bali and reviewed it 4 stars on our platform. On a full flight you will still have plenty of space and certainly better food than all the other carriers.

Award Flights to Frankfurt

Airline miles and credit card points are some of the best way to get a cheap if not entirely free ticket to Frankfurt. If you are unfamiliar with this process read our guide on credit card points and miles.

The fastest way to get airline miles and also the biggest benefit to credit card points is the ability to transfer them to airline partners. If you are looking to increase your balance for a flight to Frankfurt see the latest offers in our guide to the best credit cards for every traveler.

There are multiple airline partners that fly to Frankfurt but not all are created equal. If you are planning a trip you will want to consider booking through:

• Air Canada Aeroplan: Booking options on Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and United. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, and Capital One.
• United Airlines MileagePlus: Booking options on Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and United. Points can be transferred from Chase.
• Singapore Airlines Kris Flyer: Booking options on Singapore Airlines. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, Capital One and Citi.

While there are many more programs that offer points bookings to Frankfurt, here is why we recommend the above programs and how to book a flight with them.

Air Canada Aeroplan to Frankfurt

Air Canada Aeroplan provides several options to Frankfurt including on the flag carrier Lufthansa. The program is one of our most recommended for travelers because of the great award rates and the sheer amount of options.

On a nonstop route from New York to Frankfurt, you can expect to pay the following rates: 35,000 in Economy, 60,000 in Business, 90,000 in First.

The booking process with Air Canada Aeroplan is straightforward as you can transfer points from most major credit cards including AMEX, Chase, Capital One, and Citi. The points from these programs usually transfer instantly but if you just created your Air Canada Aeroplan account you may experience a 1-2 day delay.

United Airlines MileagePlus to Frankfurt

United MileagePlus is a great program for redeeming flight awards and consistently has several options for travelers to choose from. The rates United charges are not the cheapest but certainly not the most expensive either.

On a nonstop route from New York to Frankfurt, you can expect to pay the following rates: 40,000 in Economy, 50,000 in Premium Economy, 80,000 in Business, 121,000 in First (Lufthansa). Note that United does charge slightly higher award rates for partners but extremely low taxes / fees.

The booking process with United Mileageplus is straightforward but you can only transfer points from Chase. The points from Chase claims to be 1-2 days but in our experience we’ve seen the points transfer instantly.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer to Frankfurt

Singapore Airlines offers the unique ability to book a one way flight from New York to Frankfurt on this route. It is also the only program where you can book Singapore Airlines first class, one of the best seats money can buy.

On a nonstop route from New York to Frankfurt, you can expect to pay the following rates: 40,000 in Economy, 81,000 in Business, 97,000 – 143,500 in First Class. Note Singapore Airlines is notorious for having many seats waitlisted and that requires you to have the points in your account but no guarantee you will clear the seat.

We’ve had a hard time finding partner awards on Singapore Airlines and also noticed their own availability to be good 1 – 2 weeks out or when they release availability.

Finding award availability to Frankfurt

As with any award flight booking, finding availability is the hardest part of the process. Given the popularity of this route there are usually a reasonable amount of award space open, especially in the last 2 weeks before a flight departs.

If you want an easier way to search for award availability – see our recommendations for the best points and miles tools that will make the process much easier.

Summary & Takeaways

Frankfurt as a travel destination is one popular with business travelers and plenty of visitors each and every year. While we usually always prefer to fly the flag carrier, in this case Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines easily takes first place in every cabin.

Given Frankfurt Airports popularity, you have plenty of options on this route and if you go premium certainly won’t be let down.

The post The Best Airlines To Fly Into Frankfurt, Germany appeared first on Travel Season.

The city is iconic for its cobblestone streets to the buzzing café culture and world-class museums. Whether you’re strolling along the iconic canals or exploring the eclectic neighborhoods, there’s no shortage of excitement in this city.

Given the cities status as one of the most popular in Europe, there are plenty of travel options from the US to arrive.

We will break down how to fly into the city and the best airlines offering service.

Airports Near Amsterdam

Amsterdam is primary served by one international airports, welcoming more than 61 million travelers a year. Almost everyone will have passed through the main terminals that has also lead to capacity issues in the past.

Schiphol airport is the main hub for KLM but also welcomes all major US carriers as well. The airport is located only 9 km from the city center with various options for travel by taxi, bus, or train.

Amsterdam has plenty of traffic during rush hour but its usually pretty easy to get in and out of the city whether on a visit or just a layover.

Airlines Flying To Amsterdam

If you are departing from the US, there are many options if you want to fly direct to Amsterdam. The airlines that offer service include the flag carrier KLM but also Delta, United, American, Jetblue also offer service. The good thing about so many partners is it makes it easier to do codeshares when booking with their partner airlines.

The airlines offer nonstop service to many US cities including New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, Portland, Salt Lake City and more. This gives you plenty of options and if you are connecting your ticket may even be cheaper than flying direct.

Airfare to Amsterdam

Ticket prices to Amsterdam can vary depending on season but given the amount of airlines offering service you can expect $300 – $600 roundtrip in economy. During peak season of summer this can go up pretty significantly to around $800 – $1,000. We like using Skyscanner to find the best deal and their compare page makes it easy.

Here is a breakdown of average round trip prices by month.

There is also a tool that can run a compare of various cities if you have set dates or months in mind. All you need to do is enter a timeframe for departure and Skyscanner does the rest.

You can find all Skyscanner tools on this page here and utilize this info to find the best flight deal.

Best First Class

Unfortunately no airline offers a true first class product from the US to Amsterdam. This is a bit disappoint since some airlines first class are the best airplane seats you can buy.

You can get a first class flight if you travel with a layover on Lufthansa or British Airways, but in our minds that’s not worth it when there are plenty of good business class options available. In our opinion, getting a lay flat bed is usually good enough especially for red eye flights, and the first class isn’t always worth the upcharge.

Best Business Class

Not all business class are made equal so if you are willing to pay a premium for comfort (or shell out some points) we’ll tell you what option would be best. Given the premium that comes with first class, business class cabins on this route can be almost as luxurious as first and easily stand above many other business class offerings around the world.

1. KLM Airlines 787 Business Class

Given the amount of cities they operate too its hard not to pick KLM as the best business class option. The flag carrier of the Netherlands, KLM has a minimal style with touches of their signature blue. While they don’t have the most modern cabins, travelers still enjoy good food and service on flights into Amsterdam. They also operate flights to most of the major US cities making it easy to find a flight that can work.

2. Jetblue Mint A321R

Jetblue Mint is the new comer on the scene and only recently launched flights to Amsterdam in the past few years. They have done so in a big way offering arguably the most spacious business class in the Mint Studio. While many airlines are offering business class seats with doors, Jetblue is offering a true suite you can step into. Also given Jetblue consistently ranks highly for service and food, this is an incredible new offering to fly into Amsterdam.

3. United Airlines 767 Polaris Business Class

United Polaris Business Class is one of the most comfortable hard product to fly to Amsterdam. We’ve flown it multiple times from Newark to Frankfurt and indulged in the amazing Polaris lounge prior to takeoff. United flyings the 767 nonstop to Amsterdam from a few different cities and has plenty of premium space aboard these aircrafts. You can expect a 1-2-1 layout but still giving each seat its own aisle access but don’t count on much when it comes to United food.

4. Delta Airlines A330

Even with so much competition on this route we still feel the signature new Delta One Suites is one of the best business class to fly. You’ll want to make sure your flight has the redesigned cabin since it’s a huge upgrade to the old A330 design we flew from Paris to New York in 2019. In our opinion these seats are unmatched against any US airlines business class (even United Polaris) and if you can snag a seat on this route you won’t regret it. The reason we rank it below United is because it only operates from New York or Atlanta and is one of the most expensive options to fly to Amsterdam. Note, points redemptions don’t come cheap on this route so the only downside is finding a reasonably priced ticket.

Best Economy Class

There usually isn’t a major difference in economy class hard product but there may be items some airlines do better than others. However, on long haul routes to Amsterdam, many airlines like KLM, United, and Delta offer Premium Economy, which is certainly a step above a standard seat. While many premium economy seats are similar, we especially like those offering comfortable seats and reasonable food to make us pick one over the other.

1. KLM Premium Economy

KLM Airlines offers a premium economy cabin on their 787 in a 2-3-2 format. Elevated from economy class, you can expect a larger seat, extra recline, foot rest, and elevated food. This is certainly a better experience than an economy cabin but it does come with a reasonable up charge. Given a flight to Amsterdam from the US is a redeye booking in premium economy will certainly be more comfortable.

2. Delta Premium Economy

We also have to give it to Delta again flying their new premium economy seats on a nonstop flight to Amsterdam. While the unfortunate news is these seats are not cheap and do not offer complimentary upgrades from main cabin, they are still the most comfortable way to fly outside of business. You can expect a more spacious seat with a partial recline and an elevated food offering from Economy.

3. United 767 Premium Economy

United also started offering Premium Economy on many of their long haul aircraft and is very similar to Delta’s. The good about United is they make it much easier to upgrade into with either points, cash, or plus points. If you are booked in Economy you can expect to pay about 20,000 points to upgrade to this seat or 20 plus points. In our mind its worth it especially for a red eye to get a more comfortable seat to cross the pond.

4. United 767 Economy

United is a standout with the plane flying to Amsterdam looking to have the most comfortable economy class. The layout is a 2-3-2 while most others offer a 2-4-2 layout. Again this won’t make a major difference, especially if you are able to snag one of the 2 seat sections on any of the other airlines. We’ve taken this flight many times including from London to Chicago. However, on a full flight you will definitely notice a roomier cabin even if the plane is a bit smaller compared to an American 787.

Award Flights to Amsterdam

Airline miles and credit card points are some of the best way to get a cheap if not entirely free ticket to Amsterdam. If you are unfamiliar with this process read our guide on credit card points and miles.

The fastest way to get airline miles and also the biggest benefit to credit card points is the ability to transfer them to airline partners. If you are looking to increase your balance for a flight to Amsterdam see the latest offers in our guide to the best credit cards for every traveler.

There are multiple airline partners that fly to Amsterdam but not all are created equal. If you are planning a trip you will want to consider booking through:

• Air France / KLM: Booking options on KLM the flagship carrier. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, Citi, and Capital One.
• Air Canada Aeroplan: Booking options on United Airlines. Points can be transferred from Chase, American Express, and Capital One.

While there are many more programs that offer points bookings to Amsterdam, we believe the above two have the most to offer for the best price.

Summary & Takeaways

Amsterdam as a travel destination is one of the most popular in the world and with that there are many options for airlines to fly into the capital. We always prefer to fly the flag carrier, in this case KLM, with the most offerings and the best choice in our opinion.

You can’t go wrong with the major US carriers and luckily they operate some of their best planes on this route. If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam you can get a direct ride from many cities or with a short connection onwards.

The post The Best Airlines To Fly Into Amsterdam, Netherlands appeared first on Travel Season.

American Airlines is one of the few major US carriers to still operate a true first class cabin. While premium prices are a little cheaper than on Delta or United, it’s still 2-5 times higher than economy rates.

You can estimate a full-fare premium ticket to be between $1,500 – $5,000 each way, depending on where and when you are flying.

That’s why upgrades are so important, as they give you a more fair fare (sometimes even for free if you participate in the airline’s loyalty programs).

When it comes to American Airlines, you can get upgraded in many ways, especially when you are part of their loyalty program, AAdvantage. We will walk you through the best ways to get a ticket upgrade on American Airlines.

How To Upgrade To Business Class

Once you have your reservation ticketed, you can apply for an upgrade in a few different ways. The easiest will be online, but don’t rule out checking once you arrive at the airport.

Here is how you can go about upgrading:

Upgrade On American Airlines Website

American Airlines makes it pretty straightforward to apply for an upgrade on their website. This is how you can apply:

1. Log In to Your Account: Log into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website. This step is important to see specific existing reservations and available upgrades.
2. View Your Reservation: Navigate to ‘Your Trips / Check-In’ and locate the flight you wish to upgrade. Your eligibility for an upgrade will depend on factors such as your ticket type, fare class, and AAdvantage status.
3. Check Upgrade Availability: Once you select your flight, look for the ‘Upgrade’ option. American Airlines will display available upgrade options, including Business Class, if available. Availability can vary greatly depending on the route, time of year, and how full the flight is.
4. Choose Your Upgrade Option: If available, select the Business Class upgrade option. You can upgrade using AAdvantage miles, systemwide upgrades (if you are an elite AAdvantage member), or a combination of miles and cash.
5. Review and Confirm: Before finalizing, review the details, including any additional costs or miles needed for the upgrade. Confirm your selection to process the upgrade.
6. Wait for Confirmation: Some upgrades are confirmed immediately, while others might be waitlisted. If you’re waitlisted, keep an eye on your email or your American Airlines account for updates about your upgrade status.

Remember, availability and upgrade eligibility can be influenced by several factors, including your AAdvantage level, the type of ticket you purchased, and overall flight availability. Upgrades are generally easier to secure on less popular flight times or routes, so maybe opt for the slow travel days.

American Airlines is on a revenue-based system so you may see prices as high as the fare difference. Usually online rates are standard but there are other ways to go about getting an upgrade.

Upgrade By Calling American

If you prefer a more personal touch or need an immediate answer in upgrading to Business Class on your American Airlines flight, you can opt to upgrade by calling their customer service. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Prepare Your Information: Before you call, have your flight details ready, including your booking reference number and AAdvantage membership information. If you have specific flights in mind for the upgrade, note down their details, too.
2. Call American Airlines: Dial the American Airlines reservation line. You can find the appropriate number on the American Airlines website under the ‘Contact Us’ section. There are different numbers for AAdvantage members, depending on your status (Gold, Platinum, etc.), so make sure you call the right number for a more streamlined service.
3. Request an Upgrade: Once connected with a representative, request an upgrade to Business Class. The representative will check the availability for your specified flights. Remember, availability can be limited, especially on popular routes or during peak travel times.
4. Discuss Upgrade Options: The representative will inform you of available upgrade options, including using AAdvantage miles, systemwide upgrades, or paying an additional fee. They can also explain any costs, rules, or restrictions associated with your upgrade.
5. Confirm Upgrade Details: If an upgrade is available and you decide to proceed, the representative will guide you through the process. They will confirm the upgrade details, including additional costs or miles deductions.
6. Finalize the Upgrade: The representative will finalize the upgrade once you agree to the terms. Ensure you receive a confirmation email or a revised itinerary showing your upgraded status.
7. Check for Waitlist Status: Sometimes, your upgrade request might be placed on a waitlist. The representative should provide details on how the waitlist works and how you will be notified if your upgrade is confirmed.

Remember, upgrading over the phone might be especially useful if you’re dealing with complex itineraries, using special upgrade certificates, or if you just prefer having a direct conversation to ensure all details are clear and sorted according to your preferences.

Upgrade At Airport Check In

Upgrading to Business Class at the airport check-in is another option for travelers flying with American Airlines. This method is typically used as a last-minute upgrade strategy but can sometimes be fruitful like on Air France.. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Arrive Early: To increase your chances of getting an upgrade at the airport, you should leave plenty of time. This means being at the airport early into check in, giving you a better shot at available upgrades before other passengers claim them.
2. Inquire About Availability: Once you reach the check-in counter, ask the staff member if there are any available upgrades to Business Class for your flight. Availability can be limited and is often first-come, first-served.
3. Understand the Costs: If upgrades are available, the staff will inform you about the cost. Upgrades at the airport can be paid for with cash, credit card, or possibly with AAdvantage miles (depending on the airline’s policy and your membership status). Be prepared for potential last-minute costs, as these upgrades can sometimes be more expensive than pre-arranged ones.
4. Consider Special Offers: Occasionally, airlines offer special last-minute upgrade prices at check-in. These offers can be more attractive than usual, especially if the flight has many Business Class seats available.
5. Complete the Upgrade Process: If you proceed with the upgrade and accept the cost, the staff will process your upgrade at the check-in counter. Ensure you receive a new boarding pass reflecting your upgraded status.

Keep in mind:

Check Baggage Allowance: Remember, Business Class often has a higher baggage allowance. If you’ve already paid for extra baggage based on Economy Class limits, ask if you can be refunded or if your allowance can be adjusted to match Business Class limits.

Waitlist Option: If Business Class is fully booked, you can ask to be put on a waitlist. You might still get the upgrade if a seat becomes available due to last-minute cancellations or no-shows.

Once upgraded, enjoy the additional perks of Business Class, like priority boarding, enhanced meal options, and more comfortable seating. Upgrading at the airport is less predictable than pre-arranging your upgrade. Still, it can be a good option for those willing to take the chance and potentially capitalize on last-minute availability.

Although this is last minute, getting one at the airport is one of the most satisfying feelings if you are not expecting an upgrade. Be polite to your check-in agent, as they will be more inclined to help you score the better seat.

Cost To Upgrade To Business Class

You can pay for an upgrade in two ways, either with cash or with miles. Both options are good, especially if you have miles to spare. Here is how you can go about it and how much you expect to pay.

Upgrade with Cash

The cash price for an upgrade to Business Class on American Airlines can fluctuate significantly. Factors influencing the price include the original ticket class, demand for seats, and how close to departure the upgrade is requested.

Sometimes, American Airlines may offer last-minute cash upgrades at a reduced rate, especially if there’s significant availability in Business Class. These deals are usually found at the check-in counter or gate.

The best way to predict how much it will cost is to look at the full fare business class ticket and expect about 75% of the difference. This will fluctuate over time but can give you an idea of the amount you will see online before booking.

Upgrade with Miles

The number of AAdvantage miles required to upgrade to Business Class varies. It depends on factors like your ticket’s fare class, your destination, and the length of your flight. In some cases, a co-pay might be required to upgrade in addition to miles. This is particularly true for lower-fare classes or longer international flights.

AAdvantage elite status members often enjoy reduced mileage costs and waived co-pays for upgrades. You can expect to see anywhere from 20,000 – 60,000 points required to upgrade.

Upgrades with miles are subject to availability and can be limited, especially on popular routes. It’s advisable to request an upgrade as early as possible to increase the chances of availability.

Evaluate whether using miles for an upgrade represents good value. Sometimes, saving miles for award tickets rather than upgrades might be more beneficial, depending on your travel plans and the miles required for an upgrade.

Is American Business / First Class Worth It?

Given the usually high cost of upgrading, you may be asking is it worth it? The answer, it depends.

American Business Class on long haul international flights is a pretty good experience. While the airline does not have the most modern cabin they are still competitive in todays world.

Note, not all American planes are created equal as they still run a lot of older business class products on many routes. Be sure to check the plane type before you upgrade to see what the experience will be like. If you are able to get their new business class and its an overnight flight, it may be well worth the upgrade.

Summary & Takeaways

Upgrading to Business Class on American Airlines can be a great travel experience especially on long haul flights. While they won’t be the best airline seats in the sky but they will definitely be better than economy.

Remember, if you are planning to upgrade after booking its never a sure thing. The most important part is to be flexible and check often as the deals may come and go with time.

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