Greg Barlow writes about premium aviation, frequent flyer programs, and travel strategy for Air Gazette. He flies primarily on ANA, JAL, and Thai Airways, with regular routings to Tokyo, Bangkok, and Jakarta, and books most of his business-class travel using miles transferred from credit-card points portfolios. On flights to Europe, he rarely flies a U.S. carrier European flag carriers are routinely $1,500 to $2,000 cheaper in the same business-class cabin on the same dates. The forecast above reflects ten-plus years of those bookings.
Airlines are done selling big. They're selling escape from pain nonstop routes, private suites, fewer connections. But your miles are worth less every year. Choose networks, not seats. Hold points portfolios, not airline loyalty. The system beats the seat every time.