Embarking on your first major flight redemption is a thrilling milestone for any travel enthusiast.
After diligently earning and redeeming points for an aspirational journey, the excitement naturally builds as the departure date approaches.
To ensure you maximize this experience, it’s crucial to prepare for and understand all the perks that come with flying business class or First Class.
In this last installment to our Miles & Points for Beginners series, we explore some ways for you to enjoy the premium travel experience to the fullest.
All-Inclusive Travel
Flying in business class or First Class is a significant upgrade from economy class, offering numerous inclusions that enhance your travel experience from start to finish.
Here’s a detailed look at what you can expect.
Priority Airport Services
From the moment you arrive at the airport, priority services streamline your journey. Business class and First Class passengers often have access to dedicated check-in counters, expedited security lanes, and priority boarding.
In some airports, there’s an entirely separate check-in area for passengers in premium cabins or for anyone with elite status. In others, you can enjoy a check-in line separate from the standard one.
At security, you may also have access to a dedicated queue as a business class or First Class passenger. This information is usually printed on your boarding pass, and you can also ask the check-in staff to point you in the right direction.
When it comes time to board, you’ll be amongst the first to be invited to board the plane. After you’ve settled into your seat or suite, you’ll be sipping on a welcome drink while the rest of the passengers are still making their way down the jetbridge.
You can confirm the services you have access to by looking over the airline’s website or by reading our reviews.
Take advantage of these priority services to save yourself time and to ensure you enjoy a luxury experience from the time you set foot in the airport.
Lounge Access
One of the most coveted perks that comes with elevated travel is access to exclusive airport lounges.
With this access, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy a quieter space with comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, high-speed Wi-Fi, and even showers and spa services in some cases.
It’s worth noting that your single ticket may even get you access to a number of different lounges, with some offering a more refined experience than others.
For example, if you’re flying with Air Canada in business class, you’ll be able to access the lounges operated by any Star Alliance airline (e.g., United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, etc.) in the airport.
It’s certainly in your best interest to read reviews about the various lounges at your departure airport, and then plan your visit accordingly.
Make sure you arrive early to take advantage of the lounge and its amenities, and to set a relaxed tone for your trip.
In addition to the departure lounges, some airlines also provide arrivals lounges at your destination.
Depending on how you’re feeling when you land, and how quickly you want to jump full on into your trip, these lounges can be great after a long flight as they offer showers, more food, and comfortable spaces to rest before you continue your journey.
Ground Transportation
Some airlines, such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Air France, also offer complimentary or discounted chauffeur services to and from certain airports when you hold a business class or First Class ticket.
This perk not only adds an extra touch of luxury, but it also ensures a smooth and stress-free transition from your home to the plane and back.
Before you book your taxi or schedule a ride with a friend, make sure to check if your ticket is eligible for this service.
Other airlines also offer transportation straight to the plane from the lounge.
Savour the Experience
If you’re flying in a premium cabin for the first time (or even if you’re flying for the 10th time), it’s important to remember to enjoy the experience.
More specifically, as you enjoy the perks of premium travel, you should take some time to appreciate the aspects of the experience that are unique to your business class or First Class flight.
Lie-Flat Seats
The lie-flat seat is a hallmark of business class and First Class travel, offering unparalleled comfort, and actually allowing for a proper sleep on a plane.
Lie-flat seats in premium cabins can be adjusted to various positions, allowing you to rest, work, or watch entertainment in the utmost comfort.
If you’re flying in a premium cabin, one of the most rewarding feelings is to play with all the dials and buttons available at your seat.
When you’re ready to rest, some airlines will even offer a turndown service where one of the flight attendants will come around to turn your seat into a bed, with linens and all.
The comfort of a lie-flat seat is one of the best parts of travel in premium cabins, and it’s also one of the perks that makes going back to economy feel even more difficult.
Gourmet Dining
Dining in business class and First Class is a far cry from the meals served in economy.
With your premium seat, you can often expect multi-course meals designed by renowned chefs and paired with fine wines and champagnes.
Many airlines offer you a menu with several choices, as well as an extensive list of drinks.
Typically, the gastronomic experience begins with a welcome drink, which is typically wine (sparkling or otherwise), juice, water, or other non-alcoholic options. Sometimes, you’ll also get a light bite to pair with your drink.
Once airborne, in business class, you can usually expect an appetizer, a salad, a main course, and a dessert.
The First Class spread is typically much more elaborate, complete with caviar service, an amuse bouche, palate cleansers, and more.
Some airlines even allow you to pre-select your meal preferences online, ensuring you get exactly what you desire.
There are also airlines that offer passengers the chance to enjoy onboard bars as an additional space in which to relax and sample some of the fine drinks on offer. You can find onboard bars on select flights with Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways.
Amenities
When flying in a premium cabin, you’ll almost certainly receive a welcome amenity kit, and it’s always fun to discover the little luxuries provided.
With just about all business class experiences, you’ll receive an amenity kit with premium skincare products, a sleep mask, socks, slippers, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and more.
Depending on the airline, sometimes the welcome amenities can even include a set of cozy pajamas, which are a great keepsake from your luxurious experience.
These amenities are yet another aspect of the business class and First Class experience that will enhance your comfort and make the journey more enjoyable.
Personalized Service
The cabin crew working in premium cabins are trained to provide exceptional service.
Generally speaking, the ratio of staff to passengers in premium cabins is much more favourable than in the economy cabin.
This means that you should be checked on more often than not, and it shouldn’t take long for any of your requests to be fulfilled. You may even be referred to by name throughout the entire flight, which is a great personal touch.
During your flight, you can request an extra pillow, a specific drink, more food (if available), assistance with your seat, and much more.
Some airlines, including many Middle Eastern and Asian carriers, are more known for their above-and-beyond service than other airlines, but no matter what airline you’re flying, don’t hesitate to politely ask the crew for anything you might need.
Entertainment Options
If you enjoy watching TV shows or movies while flying, your business class flight should be a step up from anything you’ve experienced in economy class.
With your business class or First Class seat, you’ll enjoy larger entertainment screens, better sound systems with noise-cancelling headphones, and sometimes, better movie selections.
On newer business class products, you’ll even be able to connect your own bluetooth headphones to the entertainment system.
Many airlines also offer passengers in premium cabins free Wi-Fi, either for the entire flight or for a portion thereof.
Preparing for Your Next Trip
Once you’ve experienced your first business class flight, it can be hard to go back to economy, especially for long-haul flights. Fortunately, you don’t have to!
You can replicate the same strategies you learned and used to book your first business class flight for all future flights. As you plan for more premium flying experiences in the future, here are some things to keep in mind.
Evaluate Your Experience
Remember to take some time during and after your first, and subsequent, premium flights to reflect on what you enjoyed most and what you would like to see improve on your next flights.
Whether it’s the seat comfort, the dining experience, or the service, your reflections on all aspects of the flight will guide your future travel planning and help you refine your preferences.
Plan Your Earning Strategy
With your first premium flight under your belt, it’s time to strategize for the next one.
Review your current points balances and consider which credit cards, loyalty programs, or travel habits can help you earn points most efficiently.
If you need a refresher, you can always go back and review the other articles in our Miles & Points for Beginners series.
And of course, if you want help building a points-earning strategy made specifically for you, you can always book a consulting call with one of our Miles & Points experts.
Remember, the more you plan, the easier it will be to secure another fantastic redemption.
Utilize Referrals
There are many ways to optimize your earning potential. Leveraging referral programs to boost your points balance is one of them.
Some credit cards offer significant bonuses for referring friends and family, and this strategy can help you quickly accumulate points, bringing your next dream trip even closer.
Explore New Destinations
Now that you’ve experienced luxury in the air, think about new destinations and experiences you want to explore.
Perhaps there’s a specific airline or route you’re eager to try, or a specific cabin that’s caught your eye, such as Air France’s La Première cabin or Qatar Airways Qsuites.
Exploring the array of options, and planning these adventures can be almost as exciting as the journey itself.
Stay Updated
It’s important to remember that the world of Miles & Points is constantly evolving, with new offers, promotions, and strategies emerging regularly.
Airlines change up award charts and renovate business class products, and an airline that’s not particularly notable today may end up being the best in the industry by next year.
At Prince of Travel, we strive to bring you the best information possible, and we’re constantly updating the website as airlines and loyalty programs revamp.
If you’d like to stay updated on great deals and important news, sign up for our newsletter to get a weekly snapshot of the most important Miles & Points updates.
Conclusion
Preparing for your first big flight redemption is an exciting and rewarding process.
By understanding and utilizing the various inclusions and amenities, you can elevate your travel experience from the moment you arrive at the airport all the way to your final destination.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this Miles and Points for Beginners series and that it’s helped you feel more confident and excited about booking your first big redemption.