Flying first class doesn’t have to mean shelling out thousands of dollars. At The RetailUndercut Team, we’ve booked lie-flat seats, enjoyed five-course meals at 35,000 feet, and even taken private suite experiences — all using points and miles. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best strategies, programs, and credit cards to help you unlock first-class luxury for (almost) nothing.
Whether you’re chasing Emirates First Class or a domestic lie-flat on American Airlines, we’ve tested, compared, and flown dozens of first-class routes using points. Here’s how to do it — with real-world tips, honest pros and cons, and the tools we trust.
Best Credit Cards to Earn Points for First-Class Travel
Let’s start with the points engines: credit cards. These programs earn transferable points — and that’s key. Transferable points give you access to dozens of airline partners for maximum value and flexibility.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
If you’re new to points, this is where we usually start.
This card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which transfer 1:1 to partners like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Air France. We’ve used it to fly Lufthansa First from Frankfurt to JFK — complete with caviar and a private terminal.
Features
- 60,000-point welcome bonus (worth up to $1,200 in first-class redemptions)
- 2x points on dining and travel
- Points transfer 1:1 to 14 airline partners
Use Case
Great for beginners who want flexible first-class redemption options and low annual fees.
Pros
- Excellent transfer partners (especially Emirates and ANA)
- Low $95 annual fee
- Points often transfer instantly
Cons
- No lounge access
- Not ideal for frequent luxury flyers
Best For
First-time points collectors who want a low-risk way to earn high-value travel.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
This is the heavy hitter. We’ve used Amex points to book Singapore Suites and ANA First Class roundtrip to Tokyo — with a glass of Krug in hand.
Features
- 5x points on flights booked through Amex Travel
- 100,000+ point welcome offer (varies)
- Access to Amex Transfer Partners like ANA, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines
Use Case
Ideal for luxury travelers who want to maximize high-end redemptions.
Pros
- Huge airport lounge network (Centurion, Delta, Priority Pass)
- Premium transfer partners
- Excellent travel protections
Cons
- $695 annual fee
- Bonus categories limited to flights and hotels
Best For
Frequent flyers who value first-class experiences and lounge access.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
A newer player that’s quickly earned a spot in our travel wallets.
Capital One’s points now transfer to top programs like Turkish Airlines, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Air Canada — all with first-class sweet spots.
Features
- 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend
- 2x on everything, 10x on hotels/car rentals via Capital One Travel
- Airport lounge access included
Use Case
Best for travelers who want simplicity and high earnings across all purchases.
Pros
- Flat-rate earning
- Strong transfer partners
- Includes Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges
Cons
- Fewer premium airline partners than Amex
- Some partners have slower transfer times
Best For
Points users who value ease and fast earning over complexity.
How to Find First-Class Award Seats
Finding award availability can feel like a part-time job — but we’ve tested tools to make it easier.
Here’s what we use:
- Seats.aero – Real-time availability for ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore, and more
- ExpertFlyer – Set alerts for award seats (paid tool, but worth it)
- Point.Me – Shows transfer options and best values for your points
- Airline Websites – Always double-check with the airline before transferring points
Pro Tip: Transfer points only after confirming award space — transfers are often irreversible.
Best First-Class Redemptions Using Points
Now that you’ve earned the points and found the seats, here are our favorite first-class redemptions for 2025.
ANA First Class (via Virgin Atlantic Miles)
Fly New York to Tokyo for just 55,000 points one-way — unreal value.
We’ve done this redemption multiple times and still can’t believe the price. Champagne, Wagyu beef, and a personal suite for under 60K points.
Transfer Strategy
- Transfer Amex points to Virgin Atlantic (1:1)
- Book ANA First from JFK to Tokyo
Pros
- Unmatched value
- Incredibly private and refined service
Cons
- Limited availability
- Must book far in advance (up to 355 days)
Best For
Luxury travelers headed to Japan who want five-star service for economy pricing.
Lufthansa First Class (via Avianca LifeMiles)
A true bucket-list experience: ground service in Germany, the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, and full bed with duvets on board.
Transfer Strategy
- Use Amex, Citi, or Capital One to transfer to Avianca LifeMiles
- Book Lufthansa First Class within 15 days of departure
Pros
- No fuel surcharges when booking with LifeMiles
- Exceptional in-flight experience
Cons
- Availability opens last minute
- Frankfurt-based only
Best For
Last-minute Europe travelers or those flexible with dates.
Emirates First Class (via Air Canada Aeroplan)
Whether it’s the new Game Changer Suites or classic A380 shower spa, Emirates First is legendary.
Aeroplan lets you mix cabin classes, add stopovers, and avoid high surcharges — making it one of our favorite ways to book Emirates.
Transfer Strategy
- Transfer Amex, Chase, or Capital One to Aeroplan
- Book Emirates First for ~130,000 points one-way
Pros
- Add stopovers for just 5,000 points
- Can book online easily
Cons
- Expensive but worth it
- Limited Game Changer Suite routes
Best For
Middle East and India travelers seeking ultra-luxury and Instagram-worthy cabins.
Singapore Airlines Suites (via KrisFlyer Miles)
This one’s for the romantics — a double bed in the sky, full privacy, and Dom Pérignon flowing.
Singapore releases Suites space only to its KrisFlyer members, so you’ll need to transfer Amex or Chase points directly.
Transfer Strategy
- Transfer to KrisFlyer (Amex, Chase, Citi)
- Book routes like JFK–FRA–SIN or SIN–SYD
Pros
- Full-sized bed in the sky
- Excellent availability if booked early
Cons
- High taxes/fees
- Limited to a few routes
Best For
Special occasions — honeymoons, anniversaries, milestone birthdays.
Qantas First Class (via Alaska Airlines Miles)
Australia in style. The Qantas A380 has massive seats, a top-shelf wine list, and on-board lounges.
Alaska Mileage Plan often has availability from LAX to Sydney for just 70,000 miles.
Transfer Strategy
- Earn Alaska miles directly (or via Marriott transfers)
- Watch for award drops ~330 days out
Pros
- Low mileage cost for ultra-long-haul
- Often bookable online
Cons
- Limited earning options
- Seats book fast
Best For
Pacific travelers who want max comfort without premium pricing.
Final Thoughts
Booking first-class flights with points in 2025 is more doable than ever — if you play the right cards and know where to look. At RetailUndercut, we’ve helped friends, family, and readers fly first class to Paris, Tokyo, and Dubai without spending thousands.
Here’s what we’ve learned:
- Start with the right credit card strategy — transferable points are everything.
- Check availability before transferring — transfers are final.
- Use award tools to save time — not every seat shows up on Google Flights.
- Be flexible — many of the best redemptions happen last minute or require advance planning.
