How to Fly to Africa in Business Class for Under $500
Ever dreamed of hopping on a business class flight to Africa without going broke? Well, I just pulled off a trip to Nairobi, Kenya for under $500! And I’m here to share how you can do it too, all thanks to points and miles. Let’s get into the details where I can show you exactly how to do it too!
Finding the Flight Route to Nairobi
When I first planning my trip to Africa my first thought was “There’s no way I can sit up for 20 hours of flight.” Flying long distances can be rough, especially when you’re stuck in economy for what feels like an eternity. I was determined to snag a business class ticket without coughing up $10,000 or more.
Step one was all about finding out which airlines could get me to Nairobi without too much hassle. I knew this would be somewhat difficult because I was flying out of Seattle. After researching what routes fly to Nairobi and partner airline programs, I stumbled upon Turkish Airlines business class and their route from New York City to Nairobi International Airport. Since Turkish Airlines had the best point value, I was all in.
Booking with Aeroplan
After zeroing in on Turkish Airlines, the next hurdle was figuring out how to book the flight using award miles. A big thing I didn’t realize when starting my points and miles journey was that to use points and miles for award travel there has to be award availability. This means you can’t just assume that you’ll be able to use your miles for any flight; there are specific seats set aside for award bookings. That’s where Aeroplan comes in— the sweet spot for booking Turkish Airlines using miles.
Finding the award availability is kinda like a treasure hunt, but the payoff is worth it. After some digging, I found award availability for Turkish Airlines through Air Canada’s Aeroplan for 90K each way, not too shabby if you ask me.
Pro Tip:
I booked this flight a year in advance because that’s when there was the most award availability. Familiarize yourself with Aeroplan’s fees and cancelation policies. Preparation is key, so do you due diligence.
The Points Transfer
Now, let’s talk points. Here’s how I made those magic numbers work for me:
The Credit Cards
Now, like I stated in my previous post ‘How to Earn Credit Earn Points Fast,’ I first had to figure out which credit card points transferred to Aeroplan. To my relief many already do, which made my life a lot easier. I already had points from my Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. And I was about to charge a large amount of expenses for my upcoming wedding. So, to maximize my spending, I opened an American Express Gold Card, and Capital One Venture X credit card.
I strategically timed my charges so that I could bank on those large expenses, turning what would be regular spend into travel rewards. After all, if you’re going to spend money, you might as well be earning something in return!
Transferring these points to Aeroplan was a breeze, and they appeared almost instantly in my account, making the entire process feel seamless.
Pro Tip:
Set up an Aeroplan account beforehand so you’re all set to transfer. This simple step can save you time later on and ensure you don’t miss out on any award opportunities. In my experience, having everything organized ahead of time pays off. And, don’t forget to keep an eye out for promotions during the transfer period. Sometimes, credit card companies roll out special offers that can give you extra points when you transfer them to your preferred loyalty program. All these little details can make a big difference in your overall travel experience and how many points you have to use.
Mileage Breakdown
So how many miles did I need? 90,000 each way! It might sound like a lot at first, but breaking it down made it feel much more manageable. Using credit cards strategically can really make this number doable. I mean, this was a pretty great point value considering the comfort of business class. When you think about the experience you’re getting for those miles—luxurious seating, gourmet meals, and the ability to step off the plane feeling rested instead of jet-lagged—it all made perfect sense.
Embracing The Positioning Flight
Now, I’m based in Seattle, so I had to catch a flight to New York City first, what’s called a “positioning flight.” Sure, it added a little time to my journey, but trust me, it was worth every minute for what came next.
Since I have Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit cards, I was able to use their companion fare to pay basically half price for both me and my husband’s flights, round trip from Seattle to New York City.
Turkish Airlines Business Class
One of the big reasons I wanted a business class seat was for comfort. Travel should be enjoyable, not a test of endurance, right?
Business Class Perks
Flying with Turkish Airlines in business class was like a dream. From the lounge access to priority check-in, this was a luxury I could get used to.
The Lounge
Imagine this: gourmet food, comfy seating, and showers to freshen up—this is included in your business class ticket. Turkish Airlines’ business class lounge in Istanbul was incredible! It felt like stepping into a different world, complete with delicious food and even the option to take a shower! My husband and I even joked that we wanted to travel back to Istanbul just to hang out at the business class lounge—hah!
Snagging a Suite During Layovers
Here’s a cool perk: if your layover fits the criteria, you can score a suite in the Istanbul business class lounge! It’s like having your own mini hotel room with a bed and desk—perfect for catching up on some rest or work in privacy.
Tips to Make It Happen
Of course, I couldn’t leave you without some tips to achieve a similar amazing trip.
Flexibility is Key
Start planning early and be flexible with your travel dates to find the best point deals. I started planning at least a year ahead to find award availability. Keep an open mind, even about slightly inconvenient flights, like my positioning flight—those trade-offs can give you huge savings and be SO worth it.
Maximize Your Points
Use your credit cards for everyday purchases and watch out for bonus categories. Things like travel, dining, and groceries often earn extra points. When doing your everyday shopping, shop through your credit card company’s portal, giving you a percentage of points back. Also, keep an eye out for sign-up bonuses, which are that number one way you can boost your points count significantly.
Partner Airlines
Take advantage of partner airlines, like Turkish Airlines teaming up with Aeroplan, which can open more options and better redemption values. This does take some time and effort when doing the research but pays off in the end.
Bottom Line for Flying Business Class on Points and Miles
So, with some careful planning and a bit of creativity, I managed a business class trip to Kenya for just under $500 in taxes and saved over $10,000. Without the power of points and miles I probably wouldn’t have even attempted this trip across the world. But points and miles gave me the chance to turn it into a comfortable and memorable adventure.
If you ever thought luxury travel was off-limits, think again. With the world of points and miles, and you’ll find the secret to traveling in luxury and comfort. Happy travels!
Related Posts
- Travel Hacking: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Points and Miles
- How to Earn Credit Card Points Fast: 10 Certified Ways
- The Chase Trifecta Strategy Overview: Unleash Ultimate Rewards
Pingback: The Chase Trifecta Strategy Overview: Unleash Ultimate Rewards | Greener Scrubs