Questions and Answers

We want to fly from Milwaukee or Chicago to Tokyo in the coming year. However, due to the extreme discomfort of economy class seats, we need to fly at least business class. My husband and I are each 61 years old and our bodies can’t take sitting in coach that long. Can you recommend the best way to plan our trip? The fares for business class are too expensive for us. We have Marriott Visa and I have an old Blue Amex card.

Do you have points in the Marriott Rewards program? If so, how many? Their nights & flights packages may be of use if you have a large balance of points there.

Otherwise, start at the [URL=’http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/whats-the-point/’]Beginners Guide[/URL] and begin to immerse yourself in the world of miles and points.

I’d recommend picking up Chase’s rewards cards – Sapphire Preferred and/or Reserve for their bonuses. You can transfer the points to Korean Air and book an award from Chicago to Tokyo via Incheon. It’s 125k points plus taxes and fees per person in business class, round trip. You can also transfer the points to United (also consider picking up the Chase cobrand United credit cards for their bonus) and fly United to Tokyo from Chicago. That’ll cost 130k points per person, round trip and very low taxes and fees.

The last resort would be to buy airline miles at a discount – LifeMiles, Alaska and American all run several promotions a year and could be useful.

[QUOTE=”David W, post: 29372, member: 29″]Do you have points in the Marriott Rewards program? If so, how many? Their nights & flights packages may be of use if you have a large balance of points there.

Otherwise, start at the [URL=’http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/whats-the-point/’]Beginners Guide[/URL] and begin to immerse yourself in the world of miles and points.

I’d recommend picking up Chase’s rewards cards – Sapphire Preferred and/or Reserve for their bonuses. You can transfer the points to Korean Air and book an award from Chicago to Tokyo via Incheon. It’s 125k points plus taxes and fees per person in business class, round trip. You can also transfer the points to United (also consider picking up the Chase cobrand United credit cards for their bonus) and fly United to Tokyo from Chicago. That’ll cost 130k points per person, round trip and very low taxes and fees.

The last resort would be to buy airline miles at a discount – LifeMiles, Alaska and American all run several promotions a year and could be useful.[/QUOTE]

Hi, David,

Thank you for your reply and for your suggestions. I don’t know how many reward points we currently have. That is something I will have to check. Regarding applying for a new card, I will have to talk to my husband. He is reluctant to apply for additional cards but after looking at the ones you suggested, he may change his mind.

I have been through the Beginner’s Guide but will need to read it through several times in order for it to sink in. There is a lot of information there! We will also look into buying some miles. I didn’t know that was a possibility before finding this site. We have so much to learn!

Thanks, again!
Nancy