SWISS is the only major airline in the world to offer first class on all of its wide body aircraft, which includes Airbus A330s, Airbus A340s, Boeing 777s, and as of recently, Airbus A350s. The airline offers a solid first class, which I rank among the 10 best first class experiences in the world. The airline also has excellent first class lounges in Zurich (ZRH), including both the Schengen and non-Schengen locations.
One question that often comes up is whether it’s possible to redeem miles for SWISS first class. I’d like to address that in this post, as the answer is (sort of) nuanced.
In this post:
You can’t redeem partner miles for SWISS first class
Unfortunately SWISS doesn’t allow redemptions in first class when redeeming through partner airline frequent flyer programs. So if you have miles with a program like Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca Lifemiles, United MileagePlus, etc., SWISS first class is off limits.
This applies both in advance and close to departure, so it’s not like Lufthansa first class redemptions, where they open up to partner programs in the days leading up to departure. Going back a couple of years, it was possible to redeem select partner miles for SWISS first class on the short fifth freedom flight between Buenos Aires (EZE) and Sao Paulo (GRU), but even that isn’t possible anymore.
Just to take a brief trip down memory lane, back in the day SWISS first class was wide open using partner airline miles, and it was one of the easiest first class awards to snag. Ah, the good old days of roundtrip first class awards from the United States to Asia via Europe with Aeroplan, including two stopovers, for just 120,000 miles. Unfortunately that policy changed in 2014, and it’s one of the many ways that the world of miles & points has changed over time.
Select Miles & More members can redeem for SWISS first class
While most of us can’t redeem miles for SWISS first class, that’s not the case across the board. SWISS is part of Lufthansa Group, and Miles & More HON Circle and Senator members (the top and mid-tier status levels in the program) are allowed to redeem miles for SWISS first class.
Admittedly these are pretty exclusive elite tiers, and on top of that, Miles & More miles can be tough to rack up. However, if you do have that status and a sizable balance of miles, you can redeem for SWISS first class. Pricing is dynamic nowadays, and availability can be tough to come by, but it’s possible.
How you can score a SWISS first class deal
Given the size of SWISS’ first class network, the airline does often have attractive first class pricing. You’ll generally get the best deal when originating in Europe outside of a Lufthansa Group hub or focus city.
Totally randomly, I pulled up Budapest to Dubai via Zurich in SWISS first class, and that came out to 3,665 USD roundtrip. That’s not bad for an international first class itinerary, and I’m sure there are better deals out there with some effort. The EUR is strong right now, but in the past, I’ve even seen fares of well under 3,000 USD.
Another way to potentially score a SWISS first class seat is by upgrading a business class ticket. SWISS does release a fair amount of business class award availability, so you could redeem partner miles for SWISS business class. Then at check-in (either online or at the airport), the airline will often sell upgrades to first class on a space available basis.
You can expect these upgrades to typically cost in the range of $1,000-2,000 one-way, give or take. In the United States, pricing is generally lower from the Northeast (Boston, New York, Washington, etc.), and more expensive from California and Florida (Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco). In particular, I’ve heard that the New York to Geneva route often has the most attractive pricing.
I’m not suggesting that’s some amazing value, but it’s the most economical way to fly SWISS first class, aside from finding a great fare sale.
Bottom line
Nowadays it’s not possible to redeem partner airline miles for SWISS first class. The only consistent option to redeem for SWISS first class is that Miles & More HON Circle and Senator members can redeem this way.
Your best bet for scoring a decent deal on SWISS first class is to find a fare sale, or to upgrade at check-in, when discounted upgrades are available.
If you’ve flown SWISS first class, how did you go about booking it?
I got surprisingly upgraded to First Class on my last flight JFK-ZRH (from business bought with miles) on 24th december (Oh Santa!); and yeah I confirm, the Swiss First is absolutely faboulous !
The crew was 100% taking care of the 8 pax in First, always ready to refill your drink, or propose food (which was really tasty !).
And even at ZRH, you get a private transfer from terminal E (non schengen) to...
I got surprisingly upgraded to First Class on my last flight JFK-ZRH (from business bought with miles) on 24th december (Oh Santa!); and yeah I confirm, the Swiss First is absolutely faboulous !
The crew was 100% taking care of the 8 pax in First, always ready to refill your drink, or propose food (which was really tasty !).
And even at ZRH, you get a private transfer from terminal E (non schengen) to a private border check, and access to the first class lounge before your connecting flight, which is a splendid lounge!
I don't know on which basis they give upgrade like that, but I really loved it (I'm just M&M silver).
Your status definitely played a role there. LH upgrade me fairly often on European flights due to my *G from another airline (though quite a few of those upgrades are a bit of an annoyance as I end up moving from my aisle seat to a window on a full flight).
I recently booked a business class return YUL-ZRH flight for 140,000 Aeroplan points and even though seats.aero showed six of the eight first class seats were empty the day of departure on both flights, Swiss wanted 2000 CHF ($2,525) for an upgrade each time. And they wouldn’t budge.
Last year I was on a Lifemiles Award ticket from LAX to ZRH in Swiss business class and was called to the gate as the flight was boarding. They upgraded me to first. Was a huge shocker.
I am Senator for years and I don't remember availability in first with Swiss. Like ever. Recently Lufthansa made it very difficult as well ( I never plan trips few days in advance though ). I guess with new first class and only 4 seats it will be almost impossible - unless 2 or more seats are available 24-48 hrs before the flight.
I got to go on Swiss first from FCO-ZRH-LAX when Lufthansa overbooked my initial FCO-FRA-IAH Lufthansa first class booking. Not saying it replicable, but if anyone encounters the same situation, you can ask about Swiss First options, even on a different route. Note that you have to wait till the Lufthansa German number contact you themselves, as the partners (lifemiles or Aeroplan) can’t make that switch for you
actually, the fact that it's exclusive for sen and hon, status only acquired by "butt in seat" and no booking on line but only over the phone, combined with their large fleet all having 8 F seats, makes it pretty accesible for that subset of people
each time i wanted a LX first flight and called sufficiently early, i got exactly what i wanted, on the date i wanted, for 2 pax.
with...
actually, the fact that it's exclusive for sen and hon, status only acquired by "butt in seat" and no booking on line but only over the phone, combined with their large fleet all having 8 F seats, makes it pretty accesible for that subset of people
each time i wanted a LX first flight and called sufficiently early, i got exactly what i wanted, on the date i wanted, for 2 pax.
with no CC points etc it is the real frequent flyer system, from years ago...
i definitely like it
Selling first class for miles is just crazy, that should never happen (for a true first class, products like BA First are a different matter).
The best way, in my opinion, is to buy J tickets and bid for upgrades. I've had 4 upgrades clear this year for 700 ish CHF. Of course this assumes you get a decent deal on the J ticket, but that isn't too hard. Miles redemptions are crazy now, so I much preffer to upgrade J segments using vouchers or 70k miles.
SEN status isn't all that exclusive, as nearly everyone who's ever visited a Senator lounge will be able to confirm!
but that's also *G ppl
True, but I can't imagine the FRA lounges seeing thousands of Aegean and SA golds every day.
*SA as in the JNB-based airline which no longer flies to Europe.
Not any longer. Recent changes in the program made it quite difficult. I am Senator for years but can't be bothered. It is not worth the effort ( and money ).
@Rob , I have read blogs claiming it's possible to do it from scratch for less than €2k. Whether it's worth pursuing is a different question.