So fly, so fly… This girl, she got it all right, all right! Flying business class for the first time was surreal! It was everything I thought it would be and MORE! The service, the food, the comfort, and the ambiance—heck yeah, I would do it again, and I want YOU to experience it too!!!
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Y’all, I flew business class to Paris from Miami for the FIRST time, and let me tell you, once you’ve flown business class, it’s hard to go back! But jokes aside, I can’t wait to share with you all how my fiancé and I (yes, I know, I’m a whole fiancée now! Ekkk!) scored these flights using points with Air France!
The Power of Credit Card Points!
First and foremost, a quick disclaimer: We made this trip happen by using credit card points, and without that strategy, it would have cost so much more!
I get it…credit cards can be a taboo topic, especially in the Latino community. Growing up, I heard it all: “Credit cards are dangerous,” “They’re a trap for debt,” or the classic, “I don’t believe in credit; I pay everything in cash or with my debit card.” Trust me, I’ve been there too!
But here’s the thing: What if credit cards aren’t evil? What if there’s a way to use them wisely so they work for you, opening up opportunities like affordable travel? And flying business!!!
Getting Started with Points: The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card!
Let me tell you about one of my favorite travel credit cards that helped make this trip possible—the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. I know there are a ton of credit cards out there, but this one has been the best for me, and I’m sticking with it! Find out more information here!
Why the Chase Sapphire Reserve is Worth It…
Yes, this card has a $550 annual fee, but trust me—you’ll get your money’s worth and then some! For starters, you get a $300 annual travel credit that automatically goes toward any travel purchase, whether it’s flights, hotels, car rentals, or even cruise lines. So really, that annual fee drops to $250 because we all spend on travel somehow, right?
But that’s just the beginning. The card comes with other perks like DoorDash benefits, which means $0 delivery fees and a $10 credit every month. That’s $120 in DoorDash savings a year—so now that $250 annual fee is effectively down to $130.
And here’s one of my favorite perks: the Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit that covers up to $120 every four years. If you subtract that, it’s almost like this card costs only $10 a year! And I haven’t even mentioned the complimentary airport lounge access (so worth it for those travel delays!), no foreign transaction fees (so you don’t have to worry about fees when using it abroad), travel protection, and purchase coverage!
Maximize Points and Rewards
On top of all that, this card offers a super generous sign-up bonus that you don’t want to miss! Plus, you earn points for everyday purchases that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and more. Your points are often worth more when booking through the Chase portal or with travel partners, so you get even more out of every dollar spent.
So, if you’re new to the points game, this card is a fantastic place to start. It’s flexible, rewarding, and will help you earn your way to unforgettable travel experiences!
Cost Breakdown: How We Booked Business Class with Points
Here’s the scoop on how we turned points into our dream trip:
Total Flight Cost: These flights originally cost a whopping $4,229 per person one way! Wild, right? But using our points, we got our round-trip flights for just $800 USD! (We flew back premium economy instead of business class, but trust me—it still feels like a win!)
How We Earned Points: We earned our points mainly through sign-up bonuses and strategic spending on travel, dining, and groceries. We put practically everything we buy on our Chase card—yes, all our bills! The key is to make sure to pay it off at the end of each month to keep things manageable! 🙂
Travel Partners: One of the biggest perks of the Chase Sapphire Reserve is its variety of travel partners! When we booked, there was a 25% transfer bonus for moving points from the Chase portal to Air France. That bonus led us to book with Air France specifically because we wanted to stretch our points as much as possible. Keeping an eye out for these kinds of transfer bonuses is a game-changer!
Fees and Taxes: Even with points, we paid about $800 in taxes and fees round trip. While that might sound steep, remember that one-way business class seats typically run $3,000-$4,000. Breaking it down, $800 for both tickets is just $400 round trip… something I’ll happily take any day!
Credit Cards as a Travel Tool (Not a Trap!)
The key to making this work is treating credit cards as a tool, not a trap. Let me say that again… the key to making this work is treating credit cards as a tool, not a trap!
Responsible usage is essential here—if you use a credit card for things you’re already going to buy and pay off the balance each month, it can be an amazing way to unlock perks and travel opportunities without incurring debt!!!
So if you’re dreaming of an affordable way to see the world, this might just be it! Remember, it’s not about spending more; it’s about earning rewards for what you’re already buying!!!
*Picture above is at one of the Chase Airport Lounges (which is included with this card) just reminiscing how far I’ve come with my travels!
I hope this blog post inspires you to consider using points for your next trip!!! Flying business can happen, and you can make it happen with credit card points! Remember, it’s not always about working hard, but playing smarter!!!
