Reference
The lookup tables behind the guides. Pick the right program for a route, see who each program can actually put you on, and know which weeks of the year the buy-miles bonuses are worth waiting for.
Decision matrix
Which program to reach for on which route, and roughly what a one-way business class seat runs.
| Route / region | Best program | Typical cost | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America ↔ Europe | Aeroplan | 60-70k miles | Low taxes, wide availability, Star Alliance network |
| US ↔ Middle East | Qatar Avios | 70-85k Avios | Best-in-class QSuites, reasonable fees |
| North America ↔ Asia | Aeroplan | 75-90k miles | United, ANA access, competitive pricing |
| Europe ↔ Asia | Flying Blue | 53-78k miles | Strong European network, SkyTeam partners |
| Within Asia-Pacific | Qatar Avios | 40-70k Avios | Qatar + Cathay Pacific access |
| South America ↔ Europe | Flying Blue | 68-88k miles | LATAM, Air France access |
| Transcontinental US | Aeroplan | 25-35k miles | United Polaris access, short-haul value |
These are starting points, not quotes
Award pricing moves with demand and with each program's own chart changes. Run your specific route and dates through the calculator before you buy anything.
Partner networks
Each program only books what its alliance flies. These are the airlines behind the three programs worth buying into, plus the taxes and purchase limits attached to each.
Star Alliance
26 partner airlines, 1,250+ airports, 195 countries
Key partners
Best for
SkyTeam
Air France-KLM program, extensive European network
Key partners
Best for
oneworld
Premium Middle Eastern carrier, extensive global network
Key partners
Best for
Partner access is not the same as award space
Availability varies by route and date, and some partners release far more award space than others. Confirm the seat exists before you spend money on miles.
Timing guide
When the major programs typically run buy-miles bonuses, quarter by quarter.
Q1
Post-holiday period
Strong promotions in January as airlines fill low-demand winter seats.
Programs to watch
Q2
Spring travel season
Moderate activity targeting spring break and summer planners.
Programs to watch
Q3
Summer slowdown
Quiet period until September-October when fall deals begin.
Programs to watch
Q4
The strongest window of the year
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Travel Tuesday bring the year's biggest bonuses.
Programs to watch
Why the calendar looks like this
Airlines discount miles when demand for seats is low, so the bonuses cluster where the planes are emptiest. Plan purchases around Q4 (October to December) for the largest bonuses, or Q1 (January to March) for the strong post-holiday round.
Step by step
The order of operations, from finding the seat to holding the booking reference. Search first, buy second — never the other way around.
Use specialized award search tools to find business class availability on your desired route and dates. Be flexible with dates if possible.
seats.aero
Search multiple programs at once
roame.travel
Premium award search platform
Airline websites
United, Air Canada, Air France
Use the calculator to compare (miles cost + taxes) against the cash business class ticket. Aim for 40%+ savings.
Required: Number of miles, current promotion cost, taxes and fees, cash ticket price
If the math works (40%+ savings), buy the miles you need through the airline’s own website during an active promotion. Most transactions are instant.
Watch: Purchase limits exist, typically 150k-250k per year per program
Miles typically post instantly, though some programs take up to 24 hours. Check your account balance before attempting to book.
Timeline: Instant (most programs) to 24 hours (some programs)
Once the miles are in your account, book the award flight you found in step one. If you are buying for an immediate trip, finish within 24-48 hours, because award space can disappear.
Note: Award tickets still require a taxes and fees payment at booking
Where this goes next
The free Amex guide covers the other route to the same seat: earn Membership Rewards and transfer them, no purchase required. The calculator settles whether a specific buy-and-book actually beats paying cash.