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Executive Class Travel

Book a memorable, first class flying experience with one of the top airline consolidators and business travel agencies online: Executive Class Travel. With more than 20 years of experience in providing better first class and business class deals, we’ve helped a long list of discerning clients get to their destination in the lap of luxury and relaxation. We provide the best prices online and customer service that everyone from high-ranking government officials to world-famous entertainment professionals trusts. If you want to get there in style, why not see how much you can save with us first?

The Best First Class and Business Class Flight Deals Online

With us, you can save hundreds of dollars on your next flight. We offer high-end tickets at amazing rates because we work tirelessly to bring every dollar of savings to you. Here are some great things that we offer:

• You can get 40 to 70 percent off on business class and first class tickets.
• These amazing prices are backed by our 100 percent price-match guarantee.
• Our quotes are also both free of cost and obligation-free!

With us, you can get the same seats at a fraction of the normal cost. With flexible payment options and amazing prices, it’s no wonder why so many people choose us. Remember that getting a quote with us is completely free! Simply fill out our quote form to see how much you can save before you buy.

Excellence in Customer Service and Support

In addition to providing discounts and deals when you purchase your domestic or international ticket to one of the top travel destinations , we also provide amazing customer service. We don’t abandon you after the sale. Before, during, and after your first class flight, we’d be happy to provide travel tips , help, and guidance. Corporations, executives, and companies also trust our corporate consulting services , which can help them save on their budgets for business class travel the year. We feature a team of knowledgeable first class travel agents, who have a great deal of experience in helping a wide variety of clients and can help you today.

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To get the best prices out there on first class and business class flights, we purchase and sell unused airline miles, allowing us to deal directly with airlines and find the best deals for our customers. With us, you can also sell the accrued and unused miles from your rewards programs for cash. As a mileage broker, we offer very fair prices quickly; within 24 hours, we can provide you with our offer. This provides both those with extra miles and us with a great opportunity to help people save and earn simultaneously.

Before you book first class flights, let the deadline go by on your unused miles, or plan your next business trip, call the team of travel experts at Executive Class Travel. We would be happy to provide a quote or help in arranging your next business class or first class flight! Call us at 1-866-950-2200 or fill out our online form today.

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How to upgrade to first class without using a ton of cash

Editor's Note

For many travelers, flying in a first-class seat may seem like an unachievable dream, reserved for the ultra-wealthy or business traveler sparing no expense. But in reality, there are many other ways to score a seat at the front of the plane without paying an exorbitant amount.

In many cases, there are even ways to upgrade to first class (or business class) without being an elite-status member of an airline's frequent flyer program or paying the full cash or award retail price (and no, dressing up is not one of the ways).

Admittedly, in these days of high travel demand , it's hard to guarantee a first-class seat without directly paying for it. However, with some luck, tips and strategy, there are options out there.

How to upgrade to first class without elite status

Clearly, one of the easiest ways to score a first-class upgrade is to be an elite status member. Many airlines offer complimentary upgrades as a loyalty perk.

However, it's possible to snag an upgrade without paying full price even if you're not an elite status member.

Here are some strategies to consider.

Use miles to upgrade your economy ticket

One of the easiest ways for travelers without elite status to upgrade their seats to first or business class without paying the full cash price is by paying for the upgrade with miles .

This won't require elite status but does require you to have at least a decent stash of frequent flyer miles with an airline or credit card rewards points you've earned through your everyday spending.

Even casual flyers might be surprised at how many points and miles they can earn by charging their daily expenses to the right credit card ; many of these points and miles can be transferred to airline frequent flyer programs and redeemed for travel, including upgrades.

For example, American Airlines will allow AAdvantage members to use miles to upgrade a ticket. You'll generally pay some combination of miles and a fee for the privilege of an upgrade.

As you might expect, upgrading to first class on a short domestic flight is a lot less pricey than, say, moving to a lie-flat business-class seat on an overseas flight. The latter costs 25,000 miles plus $350 per traveler upgrading to business class from standard economy.

You'll want to consider the value of your miles before you jump for the splurge. TPG values the 25,000 AAdvantage miles you'd pay for a flight from North America to Europe at $442 — and that's on top of the $350 co-pay you'd have to fork over.

However, if having a comfortable seat for sleeping during your overnight flight to Europe is your priority, upgrading using your miles can be a far better option than paying for a business-class ticket to Europe outright.

For example, for a hypothetical October trip from New York to Rome, you'd pay $1,171 for a reound-trip economy ticket versus $6,564 for flagship business class. For an award ticket, it'd be a whopping 592,000 miles for a business-class round trip.

Not many of us have more than $6,500 to spend for one flight to Europe, and 592,000 miles is a hefty price to pay, too.

On the other hand, after purchasing an economy ticket, you may be able to upgrade it for 25,000 miles plus $350, one-way, if available.

Regardless of the airline, before you wade too deeply into upgrade pricing, make sure the ticket you purchased is eligible for upgrades . On many airlines, restrictive basic economy tickets are not eligible for changes — including upgrades.

Related: The best ways to get to Hawaii using points and miles

If you don't have 25,000 AAdvantage miles at the ready, a credit card welcome bonus could help get you there. Right now, the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees ) is offering new members 100,000 bonus miles for cardholders who spend $10,000 in their first three months with the card, which carries a $595 annual fee (but includes sizable perks like an Admiral's Club membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit).

Related: Premium perks without a premium fee: United Explorer Card review

Upgrade through your credit card travel portal

There are credit card rewards programs that will help members upgrade their flight. Some American Express cardholders can use their Membership Rewards points (or pay) to upgrade a flight on an airline with which Amex partners.

To look into an upgrade, you'll make the request through your Amex Travel account.

Airlines include Air Canada (Star Alliance), Qantas (Oneworld Alliance), Aeromexico (SkyTeam), Etihad and others.

Get help from a friend or family member with elite status

You can still receive some airline elite perks without personally having elite status. Some airline programs like Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan will allow their members to spread the wealth of their elite status to family and friends.

Those with Alaska MVP Gold status or higher receive four one-way guest upgrades for every year they gain or maintain their status. They can spend the upgrades on their travel companions or when their guest is traveling without them.

There are some rules around space availability and other factors to consider. Still, if your friend has status with an airline such as Alaska or United , they may be able to help you get upgraded without spending any money.

For what it's worth, a greater number of airlines will allow you to upgrade if you're traveling with a family member or friend who has elite status.

Bid for an upgrade

Even if you don't have any miles saved up or have never been a frequent flyer in your life, you may still be able to fly in first class without breaking the bank.

Some airlines will send out an invitation to bid for an upgrade if they expect some empty premium seats on a flight. These invitation texts or emails allow you to bid for a seat in the next available cabin. If you have some miles stashed, some airlines, like Australian carrier Qantas Airways, will also allow you to submit a bid composed of miles and cash.

In the TPG Facebook Lounge , we've seen plenty of reports of bidding success across a number of carriers, including Hawaiian Airlines , Air New Zealand , Lufthansa , Virgin Atlantic , Etihad Airways , Qatar Airways , Avianca , TAP Air Portugal , Aer Lingus and Iberia .

One TPG lounge member shared that they had a successful bid to first class when flying to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines. They bid around $350, about half of the suggested amount. While this person's success story was during the pandemic, meaning the amount may not be representative of what is required to win future bids, there are many reports of winning bids in the $400 to $800 range for long-haul international routes.

Not all routes are eligible for upgrades, and other restrictions may apply. Rules will vary by airline, but most will have a suggested bid and a minimum amount you'll need to offer. Keep in mind that many airlines restrict you to bidding for one class of an upgrade, so you may need to be booked in premium economy (if it's available on your flight) in order to score a business-class seat via a winning bid.

Related: Guide to bidding for flight upgrades for premium seats

Buy a discounted upgrade

The cash price to upgrade to first class can decrease if the airline doesn't expect to sell all seats at the full fare. That's because many airlines would rather get some revenue for the seat than none at all.

If you notice that demand for your desired seat is soft as the travel date approaches, see if you can scoop up an upgrade at a discounted cash rate.

While the price will vary, it never hurts to check. Check your upcoming flight reservations every now and then to see what the airline is listing as the cost to upgrade your seat with cash.

Ask about first-class upgrades at the check-in counter

Unfortunately, the price for a first-class seat often doesn't drop. However, it never hurts to ask about a last-minute upgrade.

Airlines make more money from filling their flights' first-class seats, so next time you're feeling a little spendy, you can ask at the ticket or boarding counter if there is any availability at the front of the plane.

TPG's senior SEO manager Hannah Streck recently had luck with this approach during a flight from New York City 's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) in Minnesota.

Knowing that she'd have to check two bags for her trip, Hannah searched for an upgrade on the airline's app but struck out in snagging one. So, she asked about an upgrade at the ticket counter and found out she could move to first class for only $90, with checked bags included. Checking both of her bags on an economy ticket would have cost $70 alone, so she happily paid just $20 more to sit in first class.

Related: Can you negotiate a cheaper upgrade?

How to upgrade to first class with elite airline status

Unsurprisingly, getting upgraded to first class with elite status is much easier. Many airlines offer complimentary upgrades as a perk of elite status. The exact process differs from one airline to the next, but often, the higher-tier status you have, the more luck you'll have.

That means, unless you're a higher-level elite member, you may be low on the waiting list for an upgrade.

However, you can try some additional tricks to position yourself well for a premium seat.

Purchase instant First Class Upgrade tickets with Alaska Airlines

While many airlines will upgrade elite status members one, two or a few days before departure, Alaska Mileage Plan's elite members can buy certain fares that qualify them for immediate upgrade.

When booking a trip, like the one pictured below, after checking your elite status in the fare type column to the left, you will see four fare options instead of the typical two "Main" and "First Class" fares: Premium Class Upgrade, and First Class Upgrade.

Premium Class has extra legroom seats, whereas First Class is the airline's premium cabin.

By purchasing an upgrade fare, you'll be eligible — pending availability — for an immediate upgrade instead of waiting until the days before your flight for your upgrade to clear.

How do you know if there's availability? Look for the "F" symbols you see above. A navy blue "F" square means there is availability; a white square means there isn't on that particular flight.

If you don't buy an immediate upgrade-eligible fare, you'll be placed on the upgrade waitlist.

Related: Everything you need to know about American Airlines 500-mile upgrades

Use your upgrade certificates with Delta Air Lines

Delta SkyMiles, Delta's frequent flyer program , features four published Delta Medallion elite tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. All come with perks, including the chance of receiving complimentary first-class seats.

Access to unlimited, free upgrades to first class comes standard with Delta Medallion elite status, but there is still a lot of complexity surrounding Delta's upgrade process .

You can increase your chances of being upgraded on Delta by being a higher-tier Platinum or Diamond Medallion member.

Members in these two elite status tiers receive upgrade certificates known as Global Upgrade Certificates and Regional Upgrade Certificates, which can clear as soon as you book your ticket if there is upgrade space available.

Keep in mind, though, that, like many airlines, Delta has certain fares that are not eligible for complimentary upgrades through Medallion status.

Related: How I used a Delta Global Upgrade Certificate

Use PlusPoints for priority upgrades with United Airlines

United has a complicated revenue, award and upgrade class system that can be confusing for even experienced flyers.

Luckily, TPG has made it easier to understand United's system with this comprehensive guide to United fare classes .

All United MileagePlus Premier members are eligible for complimentary Premier upgrades on eligible fares and routes, but only Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members receive PlusPoints.

Using Plus Points, high-tier Premier members can confirm their upgrades long before their flight. Platinum members receive 40 PlusPoints when reaching status, and 1K members receive 280 PlusPoints when they earn or retain their status.

The screenshot below shows United's Plus Points pricing breakdown for upgrades. For instance, it takes 40 Plus Points to move from economy to Polaris business class on a long-haul flight.

Kyle Olsen, one of TPG's resident United enthusiasts, is a Premier 1K member. His favorite way to use PlusPoints is to purchase an economy ticket in the W fare class and use 40 PlusPoints to get upgraded to a lie-flat United Polaris seat. United Polaris is technically a business-class option, but since United has retired its international first-class product, United Polaris is the most premium option offered by the airline.

Generally, you should reserve PlusPoints for long-haul Polaris flights in order to get the best value for your points. However, sitting up front is always better than in the back, regardless of the route. This is especially true if you have points that are set to expire soon, as it's best to use them for any first-class option rather than let them go to waste.

Bottom line

Whether you want to treat yourself once or increase the number of times you sit up front, getting upgraded to first class is not only possible but feasible.

From cashing in miles for an upgrade to winning the upgrade lottery with a cash bid, there are several ways to snag an upgraded seat without spending a large sum of money. Even those without elite status can score a prime seat in the front of the plane with a bit of careful planning.

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The 21 Best International First Class Airlines in the World

Senior Content Contributor

485 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 24 U.S. States Visited: 22

Director of Operations & Compliance

6 Published Articles 1179 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

Table of Contents

What makes an international first class airline great, the 21 best international first class airlines and cabins, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

At Upgraded Points, we get a lot of questions about which are the “best” first class airlines. While there’s no objective answer that will please all travelers, we believe it’s worthwhile to create a list of our favorites.

This list of the best international first class airlines will serve as a guide for you to start dreaming about your next first class flight purchase with points and miles.

Keep in mind that we listed first class products that we personally think are the best based on our own experiences, industry research, and opinions of fellow travelers.

There are many different aspects that make first class flights special.

For many of these airlines, the first class experience starts on the ground before you even get to the airport! Some airlines provide first class passengers with chauffeur service to the airport and access to magnificent first class lounges.

That being said, this guide is not limited only to first class flights that are bookable with points. As you will find out, we include flights like the SWISS Air first class, which cannot ordinarily be booked with points.

We considered the following aspects of a first class flight when determining each ranking:

• Ground experience (ground transportation, lounge experience, and immigration or customs escort)
• Hard product (seat size, comfort level, amenities, inflight monitor, cabin configuration, privacy, and more)
• Soft product (food and beverage, amenity kit, and attentiveness of service staff)
• Award pricing and availability

Hot Tip: Want to access more than  1,200 airport lounges across 130 countries (without flying Business or First Class?) The Platinum Card ® from American Express  is the #1 card for lounge access .

Without further ado, let’s get into our list of the best international first class airlines and cabins. Remember that while we attempted to make this ranking as objective as possible, this list is still our opinion.

We’ll provide an overview of the flagship product mentioned in each ranking, explain the best ways (if applicable) to book with points, and describe why we believe it deserves its ranking.

1. Etihad Residence on the A380

The Etihad Residence is without a doubt the most phenomenal commercial flight experience you can have . When you reserve the Etihad Residence, you get 3 separate rooms aboard the A380: a living room, bedroom, and shower room.

Your double bed is 6′ 10″ long, your living room (actual seat) has a leather double seat sofa plus a 32″ inflight monitor, and your bathroom is your own private oasis with a full-height shower and vanity.

You’ll also have a private butler — to call this pampering is a complete understatement.

You’ll be able to request customized food ahead of time, utilize a luxurious chauffeur, and pretty much request anything (legal) you want!

This product is absolutely nuts. Unfortunately, you can only find it on the A380, of which Etihad flies 1 to the U.S. on the New York City (JFK) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) route.

Here are the other routes you can take that are serviced by the Residence-equipped A380:

• Abu Dhabi (AUH) – London (LHR)
• Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Paris (CDG)
• Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Sydney (SYD)

Contrary to popular belief, you can actually fly on the Etihad Residence with points — you’d just need around 1-3 million Etihad Guest miles each way .

Psst… award availability is very good! I guess it has something to do with the fact that 1-3 million miles present a high barrier to entry, so most people don’t have enough points to be able to afford this luxurious experience.

2. Air France La Premiere on the 777-300ER

Air France calls its long-haul first class “ La Première .” It’s operated on the A380 and 777-300ER, but you should never fly on Air France in the A380, as its premium cabin products are not near as nice.

On the other hand, Air France’s 777-300ER business and first class products are quite sensational.

La Première includes one of the best ground experiences, including tarmac transfers in luxury cars and access to a beautiful lounge in Paris. It’s also one of the only flights that separate seats with curtains, and your area comes with a desk lamp for reading after the lights are dimmed.

You’ll enjoy exquisite and phenomenal French dining along with ridiculous exclusivity and privacy.

To even book La Première, you have to hold elite status with Air France/KLM Flying Blue . Keep in mind that holding the lowest-tier, Flying Blue Silver, will also enable passengers to book La Première (albeit at an exorbitant price).

If you’ve got your heart dead-set on booking La Première with points and also have secured Flying Blue Silver, at minimum you can expect to pay 200,000 Flying Blue miles one-way on flights between the U.S. and Europe.

Here are the routes to/from the U.S. where you can fly La Première on the 777-300ER:

• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Paris (CDG)
• Houston (IAH) – Paris (CDG)
• Miami (MIA) – Paris (CDG)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Paris (CDG)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Paris (CDG)
• New York City (JFK) – Paris (CDG)

There are also some very intriguing routes that operate La Première on the 777-300ER, such as to/from São Paulo (GRU) and Luanda (LAD).

All in all, it’s extremely difficult to book La Première with points, but there are periodically promotional prices that discount this product to a more manageable price.

3. Emirates New First Class Suites on the 777-300ER

Emirates is known for having more glitzy and over-the-top first class products. With stiff competition from Singapore Airlines and Etihad, they’ve been tasked with continuously innovating more luxurious experiences.

They have therefore rolled out the new 777-300ER First Class Suites. With 6 suites per aircraft in 2 rows configured in a 1-1-1 arrangement, these suites have caught the frequent flyer world by storm.

These First Class Suites are the first seats that feature a fully-enclosed seat with floor-to-ceiling walls , which means 1 thing: total privacy.

On top of this, you’ll enjoy classic Emirates luxury including Bvlgari amenities, Emirati fine-dining, virtual windows (on middle seats), personal climate controls, on-demand dining via your personal tablet, and beautiful cabin finishes thanks to Mercedes-Benz.

Find Emirates’ new First Class Suites on 777-300ER’s flying these routes:

• Dubai (DXB) – Frankfurt (FRA)
• Dubai (DXB) – Hamburg (HAM)
• Dubai (DXB) – Geneva (GVA)
• Dubai (DXB) – Brussels (BRU)
• Dubai (DXB) – London-Stansted (STN)
• Dubai (DXB) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND)
• Dubai (DXB) – Vienna (VIE)

Unfortunately, there are no planes with the new first class suites on flights to or from the U.S. — the 777s flying to the U.S. don’t have these products yet.

To be sure that the flight you’re booking is actually equipped with the new First Class Suites, here’s what the seat map will look like on ExpertFlyer :

The best way to book these suites is to find a cheap flight, typically through a routing like Colombo (CMB) – Geneva (GVA). Check out this itinerary, which is ridiculously cheap at $3,400 round-trip for 22 hours in Emirates’ new First Class Suites.

Hot Tip: Need help booking? See our guide on the best ways to book Emirates First Class using points.

4. Singapore Airlines’ New First Class Suites on the A380

Flying on Singapore Airlines is something that the Upgraded Points team is very familiar with — we’ve flown both the new and old A380 suites.

Needless to say, we love flying on Singapore Airlines. Though the ground experience isn’t as refined as Air France’s La Première, you do get access to The Private Room at Changi Airport (SIN), which features a-la-carte dining.

Singapore’s new A380 First Class Suites features your own private seat, along with a separate bed that which you can turn into a double bed with 2 seats. You can utilize a personal tablet to control lighting, request service, and more.

Arranged in 3 rows of 2 seats for 6 suites total, these A380 First Class Suites are very exclusive. You can swivel and recline your chair and slide a door closed to make your suite super private (though not fully enclosed with floor-to-ceiling doors like Emirates’ 777 new First Class Suites).

The luxurious Lalique amenities along with the 32″ television monitors make this a must-experience for everyone. Don’t forget to sip on unlimited Krug or Taittinger Champagne!

Singapore Airlines is pretty consistent about releasing award seats , but unfortunately the new A380 is only flown to select destinations from Singapore .

Currently, these new A380 suites are flown on 5 routes.

• Singapore (SIN) – Hong Kong (HKG) 
• Singapore (SIN) – London-Heathrow (LHR)
• Singapore (SIN) – Zurich (ZRH)
• Singapore (SIN) – Sydney (SYD)
• Singapore (SIN) – Shanghai (PVG)

If you’re willing and you find award availability, you can fly on the old A380 suites (which we’ll get to later) and the new A380 suites in a single itinerary. Here’s an example route that Alex flew:

• New York City (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA)
• Frankfurt (FRA) – Singapore (SIN)
• Singapore (SIN) – Sydney (SYD) 

Bottom Line:  Singapore Airlines’ ultra-luxe new A380 First Class Suites are a great way to fly on flagship routes to Hong Kong (HKG). Unfortunately, partner award availability is nonexistent, so you’ll need to use their own mileage system. Luckily, they are an American Express transfer partner , Chase transfer partner , Citi transfer partner , and Marriott transfer partner .

5. Lufthansa First Class

Update: Lufthansa has decided to retire half of its Airbus A380 fleet, and the remaining 7 A380’s will not return to service until 2022. When brought back, the A380’s will only serve the Munich hub and not the Frankfurt hub.

Rightfully, Lufthansa is an airline that turns heads with its first class . Though its business class (which doesn’t feature direct-aisle access for all seats) leaves much to be desired, the first class is certainly top-notch.

Lufthansa’s hard product isn’t anything terribly special; it’s the soft product that makes all the difference here.

You can expect some fantastic food, a polished First Class Lounge featuring a cigar bar, and an unforgettable ground experience featuring Porsche tarmac transfers.

Award availability isn’t released to partners until around 15 days before departure date.

Hot Tip: Need help booking? See our guide on the best ways to book Lufthansa First Class using points.

6. Cathay Pacific First Class

Cathay Pacific is an airline that holds a special place in my heart as a Hong Konger, and the luxury afforded by Cathay Pacific in first class is fantastic.

They’ve got industry-leading seat width at 36” wide , and a 2-row cabin on the 777 with a 1-1-1 configuration. These seats are massive and can fit up to 3 people comfortably .

You’ll enjoy one of the most comfortable lie-flat beds in the sky, plus caviar, champagne, and a level of service that’s far too rare nowadays.

You can book this with American Airlines miles ,  Alaska miles , Cathay Pacific Asia Miles , and British Airways Avios . And if you’re interested in routes to/from the U.S., don’t miss our Definitive Guide to Cathay Pacific U.S. Routes .

Hot Tip: Also, make sure to check out our guide on the best ways to book Cathay Pacific first class . 

7. Japan Airlines First Class

Japan Airlines is an airline that I will never be opposed to flying. They’ve got a retro look on their first class product , ranging from the lounges to the brown leather armchair.

Their food and beverage are top-notch, featuring the discontinued (and very expensive) Hibiki 17 whisky.

All first class passengers on long-haul flights receive Bose noise-cancellation headphones , multi-course (almost like kaiseki) meals, Shiseido wellness kits in addition to amenity kits, Cristal champagne (on U.S. routes), and super comfy pajamas.

Japan Airlines is excellent about releasing close-in award availability — they release pretty much all of their unoccupied seats a day or 2 before departure . They’re also excellent about releasing consistent award seats farther in advance.

Some of the best ways you can book Japan Airlines first class are with American Airlines miles, Japan Airlines miles, and Alaska miles.

Hot Tip: Not sure which rewards card is best for you? Read our expert opinions on the best travel rewards credit cards in our deep-dive post!

8. ANA First Class

ANA’s first class is similarly exquisite — almost like a pod with an inordinate amount of privacy.

You’ll enjoy a great variety of food and beverage when flying ANA’s first class; the seat itself has tons of storage and features some great engineering. The sacrifice in having all this storage and handy compartments is that window seats only have 1 window, as opposed to the 2 or 3 windows in other airlines’ first class seats.

One drawback in this seating configuration is that the seats are actually a little too private — to the point that if you’re traveling with someone else, talking to them might be difficult . On the plus side, they offer Samsonite amenity kits, which is a nice collectible item.

ANA releases plenty of award availability far in advance, since their general philosophy is not to release award seats right before departure — they’d rather fly the seats empty. As a result, your best bet is to book far in advance .

There are many ways to book ANA first class , and each has benefits and drawbacks.

• Booking directly with ANA gives the best award availability and great award rates. Unfortunately, you can only book round-trip tickets.
• Virgin Atlantic gives the best first class award prices, by far.
• You can also book with Air Canada Aeroplan , United MileagePlus , or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer .

Hot Tip: Check out our review of ANA’s inaugural Airbus A380 “Flying Honu” flight in first class and our review of ANA’s The Suite first class on a Boeing 777-300ER .

9. Emirates First Class Suites on the A380

The Emirates A380 First Class Suites have captivated the frequent flyer world for many years. When it first came out, it was a game changer for first class flights — especially with the inflight shower spa.

These suites are equipped with gold and wooden finishes, Bvlgari amenities, your own private mini-bar, and more. Emirates offers bottomless caviar and Dom Perignon champagne, a very long seat, the famous inflight shower spa, and fantastic onboard entertainment.

The only drawback to these First Class Suites is that the seats are actually not that wide at 23”. Also, the food can be hit-or-miss. Overall, though, this is a very blingy product that will certainly make for special memories.

Emirates also historically offered a chauffeur service, though that’s no longer the case, even for award bookings made with Emirates miles.

Generally, Emirates is very good about award availability, especially far in advance. Close-in award availability is less consistent, but still possible.

The best way to book Emirates first class without paying surcharges is with Alaska miles , which is still ridiculously expensive. Some other ways to book with surcharges include Emirates Skywards , Japan Airlines miles , and Korean Air .

Hot Tip: Consider also going to a destination that prohibits fuel surcharges, such as Australia or New Zealand.

10. Etihad First Class Apartments

The Etihad First Class Apartments are a classic version of Middle Eastern luxury. Though the airline is struggling to make ends meet, it’s still possible to fly this product…for now.

These Apartments are pretty similar to Singapore Airlines’ new A380 suites (see #4 above), except that your Apartments seat doesn’t swivel like the one in the Singapore product.

In the Etihad First Class Apartments, you’ll find a separate armchair and 6’10” bed. There are beds that connect with each other so you can make it a sort of double bed — though there will still be a wall halfway through that separates the 2 people.

You can also enjoy the shower and bar aboard the flight, as well as a meeting room/lounge and en-suite vanity. Acqua di Parma is typical for the Apartments amenity kit (a legitimately fantastic skincare line).

Etihad is very reliable when it comes to award availability for up to 2 passengers in the First Class Apartments. Unfortunately, the only route you can find it on in the U.S. is from New York City ( JFK ) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) , just like on the Etihad Residence (see #1 above).

Though there are many ways to book Etihad First Class with points — you can use American Airlines miles , Etihad miles , and Asiana miles for some great deals.

If you’re flying internationally, try out the Apartments on a non-U.S. flight to get access to more award availability.

Here are the remaining A380 routes that feature the Apartments:

11. THAI Airways First Class

Here’s the thing about Asian carriers: the hard products on first class may not be as cutting-edge or “blingy” as on the Middle East carriers, but the soft product and service are almost unbeatable.

This is the case for a carrier like THAI Airways, which operates a bunch of planes that have a first class product: 747s , 777s, A380s, etc.

The hard product in first class is pretty similar, though the A380 seats are actually a bit larger (definitely not the case for business class). The 747 has more private seats, but they’re a tad smaller. It all depends on your personal preferences.

THAI Airways is also one of the few airlines that provide Rimowa amenity kits, which I go nuts for (it’s a strange obsession, I know).

The best way to summarize THAI Airways first class is that you’ll be treated like royalty . Say hello to buggy transport in the airport, complimentary 60-minute massages, free flow of Dom Perignon, and great inflight amenities (like those Rimowa kits!).

The only problem is that their inflight Wi-Fi isn’t free — and it’s not cheap either.

THAI Airways doesn’t operate any flights from the U.S.; we would highly suggest departing from Bangkok (BKK) to experience the First Class Lounge (and massage).

You can use Avianca LifeMiles or United miles to book THAI Airways first class. There’s some phenomenal value to be had here, particularly between Bangkok and Australia/New Zealand or Tokyo.

12. Garuda Indonesia First Class on the 777-300ER

Garuda Indonesia is the flag carrier of Indonesia, and they equip a select number of 777-300ER’s with their flagship first class product.

It is notoriously difficult to book this Garuda first class product . Actually, it’s difficult to book SkyTeam first class flights in general, so Garuda isn’t alone here. Still, it’s especially difficult even compared to other SkyTeam Airlines .

If you do manage to snag a first class flight, you can expect chauffeur service, perfect customer service at every point of your trip, a fantastic hard product, and an onboard feast.

Interestingly, Garuda Indonesia is a transfer partner with Citi ThankYou Rewards , and they have in the past offered 90% off first class award bookings , which is frankly ridiculous. Be warned, though — the normal one-way first class award prices are off-the-wall expensive. Like, 190,000 miles one-way from Jakarta to London expensive.

Garuda Indonesia only operates this product on a few flights:

• Jakarta (CGK) – London (LHR)
• Jakarta (CGK) – Amsterdam (AMS)
• Jakarta (CGK) – Jeddah (JED) 
• Bali-Denpasar (DPS) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
• Jakarta (CGK) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND)

13. Singapore Airlines A380 “Old” First Class Suites

Singapore Airlines has 2 variants of their First Class Suites. We talked above about the new First Class Suites on the A380 (see #4 above), but the “old” First Class Suites on the remaining A380 routes are still phenomenal.

There are 4 rows of suites, with rows 2 and 3 in a 1-2-1 configuration and rows 1 and 4 in a 1-1 configuration on the sides of the aircraft. The middle seats are the ones that can be converted into a double bed , so consider that when choosing your seat(s).

It’s honestly difficult to complain because Singapore Airlines executes the big things extremely well. You may experience poor Wi-Fi connectivity or a slightly “dated” product, but seriously? These are insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

The Singapore Suites amenities are typically Lalique, the inflight monitor measures at 23”, both Krug and Dom champagne are offered, and a glorious pre-booked service called Book The Cook is customary (hello, lobster thermidor!).

All in all, this product is excellent. But the saver availability on the New York City (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA) route is pretty sparse. You can generally find 1 seat far in advance, though finding 2 seats in advance is pretty challenging.

If you’re willing, you can fly from Singapore and experience Singapore Suites as well as try the Private Room, which is a super exclusive lounge.

Find these suites on the old A380s, which are operated basically anywhere the new A380s are not. I know that’s not a great answer — but here are some of the routes:

• New York City (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Singapore (SIN) 
• Auckland (AKL) – Singapore (SIN)
• Beijing (PEK) – Singapore (SIN)
• Delhi (DEL) – Singapore (SIN)
• Mumbai (BOM) – Singapore (SIN)
• Melbourne (MEL) – Singapore (SIN)
• Osaka (KIX) – Singapore (SIN)

Want the scoop on flying Singapore Airlines U.S. based routes? Check out our guide on every Singapore Airlines route to/from the U.S. (including plane types).

14. Qantas First Class

Qantas is one of the hottest airlines, and for good reason. Between their impeccable safety record and dominant position as a leading airline, there’s no secret that flying to Australia and flying on Qantas go hand in hand.

The best way to get there? Qantas first class, of course.

Qantas has SK-II amenities, a swiveling first class seat in a private 1-1-1 configuration, Martin Grant pajamas, and one of the most comfortable beds in the sky.

This can’t be emphasized enough: if there’s one flight you can bet you’ll definitely sleep on, it’s most likely Qantas first class. On top of the long flight times, this makes for a cozy experience in your seat.

Additionally, the Qantas First Class Lounge, (particularly the Los Angeles (LAX) location), is one of the best first class lounges in the world. If flying on these few select routes, you may also be eligible for a chauffeur service:

• Sydney (SYD) – London (LHR)
• Melbourne (MEL) – London (LHR)
• Perth (PER) – London (LHR)

Unfortunately, it’s becoming exceedingly difficult to find award availability on Qantas first class from the U.S., especially for more than 1 passenger.

Hot Tip: You can utilize Alaska miles, American Airlines miles, Japan Airlines miles, and Asia Miles as the best ways to book Qantas first class .

15. SWISS Air First Class on the 777-300ER

Lufthansa deserves a ton of credit for being the dominant player in first class to Europe. However, not far behind is SWISS International Airlines, which is also owned by Lufthansa Group, the parent company of Lufthansa Airlines.

We discussed earlier that Lufthansa’s partner award inventory is released only a maximum of 15 days before departure, so it’s generally impossible to plan far ahead. Still, it’s very possible and probable to book Lufthansa first class if you’re flexible.

But this isn’t the case with SWISS International Airlines. You can’t book SWISS first class unless you possess top-tier Senator or HON Circle elite status with their frequent flyer program, Miles & More .

So for most of us, it’s completely out of reach. Still, it’s great to talk about one of the fanciest first class products out there.

SWISS International Airlines operates the A340, A330, and 777 with first class. Their flagship product (read: best product) is on the 777-300ER

The ground experience in Zurich is spectacular, featuring transportation in Mercedes-Benz cars, a private passport control, and a stunning First Class Lounge filled with amazing a-la-carte dining

Unfortunately (!), they don’t drive you to the tarmac to board your flight, but the distance is just a few hundred feet anyway 😉

Once onboard, you’ll have a large and elegant armchair welcoming you as your new abode on your long-haul flight. Seats are arranged in 2 rows in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring a 22” width (which increases when you use the lie-flat setting) and 80” of bed length.

You’ll be afforded a generous amenity kit featuring La Prairie amenities, Zimmerli pajamas, a selection of caviar, and other excellent cuisines.

SWISS International Airlines first class features sliding doors, which is an advantage over Lufthansa first class — you’ll get a ton more privacy in your first class flight.

16. Singapore Airlines First Class on the 777-300ER

Both Singapore Airlines’ old and new A380 Suites are a huge crowd pleaser, but Singapore Airlines also operates the 777-300ER on a select few routes to and from America.

It may not be as private as the first class suites on the A380, but the 777-300ER first class is extraordinarily luxurious in its own right. There’s only 1 row in a 1-2-1 configuration, making this cabin extremely private with a total of 4 seats .

Seats measure out to a massive 35” wide and 81” long when turned into a bed. This width is just 1” short of Cathay Pacific, which holds the record for widest first class seats.

Expect Salvatore Ferragamo amenities, comfy pajamas, excellent inflight entertainment, Bose noise-canceling headphones, Dom Perignon champagne, and Singapore’s signature Book The Cook service.

Award availability for this first class product is generally pretty good, since much of the attention is drawn to the A380 First Class Suites.

Here are the routes you can take to/from the U.S.:

• San Francisco (SFO) – Hong Kong (HKG) – Singapore (SIN)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT) – Singapore (SIN)

Hot Tip: Need help booking? See our guide on the best ways to book Singapore Airlines First Class using points.

17. Korean Air Kosmo Suites 2.0

Korean Air flies a whole slew of planes to America: the 747, 787, 777, and A380. They also have Kosmo Suites and Kosmo Suites 2.0 — these are fantastic, and in first class on all planes except the 787 Dreamliner.

Kosmo Suites 2.0 have sliding doors that enclose each individual seat, unlike the regular Kosmo Suites on the A380. As a result, you really want to fly on Kosmo Suites 2.0 when you can (offered on the 747 and some 777s).

Here’s the best way to describe Korean Air first class: completely satisfying in the air but somewhat disappointing on the ground. The lounge experience when flying Korean Air first class is generally poor, and special transport is nonexistent.

But it’s a whole different ball game as soon as you step onto the plane. Here’s what to expect onboard:

• 2006 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé Champagne , which is not only delicious but also ~$350 per bottle
• Delicious caviar
• DAVI by Mondavi amenities and ridiculously comfy pajamas (they might be the best in the sky)
• A diverse food and beverage selection that will make you drool
• Fantastic service

Seriously — Korean Air’s first class would be a contender for one of the best first class products in the world if it would improve its ground experience.

Fly them from places like Atlanta (ATL), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago (ORD), New York City (JFK), and Las Vegas (LAS).

Hot Tip: You can book Korean Air first class primarily with Korean Air SKYPASS miles . Rates are generally reasonable if you don’t book during peak season.

18. Asiana Airlines First Class on the A380

Asiana Airlines is one of the biggest competitors of Korean Air — they share a common hub airport and fly to a lot of the same destinations. So it’s actually best to compare Asiana first class with Korean Air first class.

First, Asiana offers fewer routes, as it’s a smaller airline. They fly the A380 to just 2 cities: Los Angeles (LAX) and New York City (JFK).

There are 3 rows of 4 seats each in a 1-2-1 configuration with sliding doors, allowing you to have a very private experience. The seats are very large, measuring 25.2” wide and 81” long in bed mode.

You’ll enjoy caviar, solid dining options, a large seat, lots of privacy, and unpolished luxury with Asiana Airlines’ A380 first class product .

Asiana Airlines first class also offers a ridiculous amount of award availability, and it’s an unpretentious way to fly first class comfortably. The amenities aren’t as luxurious as Korean Air’s, but it’s dramatically easier to book.

19. Oman Air First Class

Oman Air, which is one of the undeservedly forgotten Middle Eastern carriers, recently revealed their new 787-900 Dreamliner, which features a first class suite that looks ultra chic.

There are 2 rows with 8 seats total in a 1-2-1 configuration, each with a sliding door you can use for the utmost privacy. The food is amazing and the ground experience (in Muscat, Oman) is reputed to be stunning.

Just like Japan Airlines, Oman Air serves Cristal and Grand Siecle, which is fantastic. Of course, caviar is a given in this first class.

You get your own mini-bar beside your seat, but the main storage is in shared lockers, which is interesting. Cabin finishes are sensational, with marble even being used at the side table next to the seat.

Some of the drawbacks include poor Wi-Fi (OnAir), lackluster bedding and headphones, and limited route options.

Hot Tip: Check out our guide to using Etihad Guest miles , which is a partner with Oman Air, to book Oman Air first class.

20. Qatar Airways First Class on the A380

Although Qatar Airways is world-renowned for their new QSuites business class (which could actually qualify as a first class product), it’s their A380 first class that’s one of the most underrated flights out there.

We did a review on the Sydney (SYD) to Doha (DOH) route , where you can read more details and get a better idea of what it’s like to fly this product.

The A380 is a ridiculously fun plane to fly on – Qatar decorates their cabins super well, includes great amenities, and has a beautiful first class lounge in Doha.

They also have a super fun bar onboard. Best of all, there’s tons and tons of award availability!

21. China Eastern Airlines First Class

The very last product is one that has significantly improved over the years, especially when it comes to the soft product. It’s one of the few airlines to feature double beds in first class .

China Eastern’s hard product was already fantastic, with the double beds enclosed in suites that have sliding doors (which is the best of any Chinese airline).

The seat itself is actually quite large at 26.5” wide and 79” long. There are 6 seats across 1 row in a 1-1 configuration on the sides, a bar in the center, and 1 row in a 1-2-1 configuration.

Passengers receive Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kits…but the soft product pretty much maxes out there. The first class service seems to be very inconsistent, though it’s going to be the most comfortable way to fly first class to China and a great way to use your China Eastern miles.

Overall, there’s a ton of variation among first class across the world’s major airlines. We’ve analyzed the major first class products and put together a list of the best first class products here.

Remember that a different plane can have a completely different first class , even if it’s on the same airline.

Now you know which of the most aspirational first class airlines to book your award travel on!

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best first class cabin in the world.

Our vote would have to go to the Etihad Residence on the A380, which is without a doubt the most phenomenal commercial flight experience you can have . When you reserve the Etihad Residence, you get 3 separate rooms aboard the A380: a living room, bedroom, and shower room.

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About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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Table of Contents

What's the difference between first and business class?

What to expect when flying first or business class, why it can make sense to upgrade to first or business class, when it doesn't make sense to upgrade to first or business class, how to earn points and miles fast, the bottom line.

We love helping our readers find ways to book first- and business-class tickets using points and miles. Although these tickets can be expensive if you're paying for them with cash, you can sometimes book a seat in these premium cabins using airline miles you've already earned or with points from signing up for certain credit cards.

First, you'll need to understand the difference between first and business class. It is also important to know what types of perks to expect, so you can assess when it makes sense to pay for the upgrade.

Both first and business class are premium cabins but can offer different experiences and seats depending on the airline. If you're flying domestically within the United States, flights generally have two cabins: The main cabin and a premium cabin. The main cabin often includes various economy fares, while the premium cabin is reserved for business class or first class, depending on the route and airline.

When you fly internationally from the U.S., you may be on a flight that offers both first and business class — for example, Cathay Pacific's Boeing 777-300 aircraft has separate first-class, business-class, premium economy and economy cabins.

The difference between first and business class can vary by airline. However, if you're taking a flight that offers both first and business class, first class almost always provides a more enhanced experience. This may include a suite with a door, fancier food and drinking options, and a more intimate, smaller cabin.

» Learn more: Best first class award flights you can actually book

Although first- and business-class experiences can vary drastically between different airlines and routes, below are some perks that you can often expect when flying in first or business class:

Priority check-in, security and boarding.

Premium seats, including more space and lie-flat beds.

Lounge access.

Complimentary alcoholic beverages and enhanced food options.

Amenity kits.

Dedicated overhead space for your carry-on luggage.

Seats towards the front of the plane so you can deplane before other cabins.

In addition to the more common business- and first-class perks listed above, below are some more unique perks you can find on various airlines:

Qatar Qsuites has business class seats that can connect to create a double bed, which you can share with a partner or friend.

Although the service has recently been suspended, United Airlines will sometimes have a sundae cart for Polaris business class passengers on international routes.

Emirates offers its first- and business-class passengers complimentary chauffeur service to and from the airport.

Because the first- and business-class experience can vary dramatically by airline and route, you should consider what perks are offered before purchasing or upgrading to a business- or first-class ticket.

» Learn more: Why you should fly first class at least once, and how to afford it

Depending on when and why you're traveling, it can make sense to upgrade from economy to first or business class if you have the cash or points to afford it. Below are some examples of when it may make sense for you to upgrade your flight:

For a lie-flat bed: If you're flying from the U.S. to another continent and want to hit the ground running when you land, upgrading to first or business class to get a lie-flat bed can help you arrive more well-rested than a simple economy seat.

For more points or miles: If you're paying for your flight in cash, flying first or business class will often help you earn more points and miles and can also help you maintain or earn elite status.

For a special occasion: If you're flying for a particular reason, like a honeymoon or celebrating your graduation, the perks offered by your airline will help make it an even more memorable trip.

» Learn more: How to use travel awards to afford first class

Even though upgrading from economy to first or business class usually comes with several perks, there are times when making the upgrade wouldn't make sense, including:

On shorter flights, when you won't have much time to enjoy the premium seating.

When the airline asks for a significant amount of cash or points to upgrade.

On daytime flights overseas when you're not planning on taking a nap or sleeping, which may negate the value of a lie-flat seat.

Points and miles can be redeemed for premium cabin award flights and can help you save in the long run. But before you start using travel rewards, you have to earn them. Beyond flying, another way to amass a large number of points and miles s is to earn a sign-up bonus for a travel or airline credit card.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

on Citibank's application

If you seek more flexibility in redeeming miles for award flights, consider applying for a more general travel card instead, like the The Platinum Card® from American Express . A more general travel card differs from an airline card in that you can book flights with multiple carriers, rather than reaping the benefits of staying loyal to a single brand.

The more high-end the travel card, the more benefits you can enjoy, including airport lounge access or automatic elite status in certain programs. That said, a brand-specific airline card can net you benefits like waived baggage fees, which can have meaningful dollar value.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards

If it's your first time flying business or first class, you can generally expect several perks that you wouldn't get flying economy — including priority check-in, a more comfortable/spacious seat, and enhanced food and drink options.

Although it may not always make sense to upgrade your flight to first or business class, it may be worth the extra cash or points to upgrade depending on why you're flying. As your first- or business-class experience may differ depending on the airline and route, you should research what perks are included with your ticket before purchasing.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card

• Annual Fee $139
• Interest: Purchases 20.99%
• Interest: Cash Advances 22.99%
• Additional Cardholder 2 $50

$50  for the first Additional Cardholder; $0  for subsequent Additional Cardholders.

• $60,000 personal or $100,000 household annual income.
• You are a Canadian resident and are of the age of majority in your province/territory of residence

Limited Time Offer

Earn up to  $700  in value 18 , including up to 75,000 TD Rewards Points, no Annual Fee for the first year 1  and additional travel benefits. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by September 3, 2024.

• Earn a welcome Bonus of 20,000 TD Rewards Points when you make your first Purchase with your Card 1 .
• Earn 55,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 within 180 days of Account opening 1 .
• Earn a Birthday Bonus of 10% of the TD Rewards Points you have earned over the past year, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards Points 22 .
• Get an annual TD Travel Credit 23  of $100 when you book at Expedia ®  For TD.
• Get an Annual Fee Rebate for the first year 1 .  

To receive the first-year annual fee rebate for the Primary Cardholder, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening. To receive the first Additional Cardholder first-year annual fee rebate, you must add your first Additional Cardholder by September 4, 2024.

At a glance

Earn TD Reward Points on all the things you normally do, whether you use your Card for groceries, dining, paying bills or booking travel. The rewards will add up quickly so you can enhance your travel experience or enjoy a wide variety of rewards.

Your Card also allows you to enjoy:

• An annual TD Travel Credit  23  of $100 when you book at Expedia ®  For TD.
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• No travel blackouts 5 , no seat restrictions 5  and no expiry 25  for your TD Rewards Points as long as your account is open and in good standing.

Award winning TD Credit Card

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Every Purchase Counts

Earn 8 TD Rewards Points 19

for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD 6

Earn 6 TD Rewards Points

for every $1 you spend on Groceries and Restaurants 20

Earn 4 TD Rewards Points

for every $1 you spend on regularly recurring bill payments set up on your Account 20

Earn 2 TD Rewards Points

for every $1 you spend on other Purchases made using your Card 21  plus earn an annual  Birthday Bonus 22  of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points

Recurring Bill Payments, Groceries and Restaurants (Yearly spend cap of $25,000 each)

† This chart is for illustrative purposes only. Welcome Bonus applies only in the first year.

†† Total TD Rewards Points and corresponding dollar value equivalent assumes no redemption of TD Rewards Points towards any travel purchases made during the year. Maximum dollar value of TD Rewards Points shown, only applies to TD Rewards Points redeemed for travel purchases charged to your Card and booked through Expedia For TD.

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Use TD Rewards Points at Expedia For TD

Redeem your TD Rewards Points for your next trip at ExpediaForTD.com and get access to exclusive deals. Conditions apply.

Earn more at Starbucks

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Use TD Rewards Points at Amazon.ca

Redeem your TD Rewards Points towards purchases at Amazon.ca with Amazon Shop with Points. Conditions apply.

Redeem your TD Rewards Points how you want, for what you want 

Every purchase you make with your TD Rewards Credit Card earns you TD Rewards Points. With the flexibility to choose how to redeem your TD Rewards Points for the rewards you want, you can use your points on everyday perks, eGift cards, education credits, cash credits or travel. Learn more .

More Card Benefits and Features

Td rewards program benefits.

TD First Class Travel Credit Card helps you earn big while you do all the things you normally do. And since you never slow down, the rewards can add up quickly. This lets you redeem for how and what you want with the flexibility to treat yourself with a wide variety of rewards options.

• Go Places on Points Your Points are worth more when you redeem through Expedia® For TD:  Search over a million flights, hotels, packages and more! When you’re ready to book, you can redeem 3  your TD Rewards Points towards your travel purchase right away. Or Book Any Way 3 :  You can also choose to book your trip through any other travel agency or website. This gives you the flexibility to use your TD Rewards Points towards all kinds of travel expenses – including excursions and taxes – within 90 days of your purchase.
• Shop online through TDRewards.com Redeem your TD Rewards Points for great deals on a wide selection of merchandise and gift cards.
• Financial Rewards Pay With Rewards:  Redeem TD Rewards Points to help pay down your credit card balance.

Travel Benefits

Explore the travel benefits and insurance coverages included with your Card:

• $100 TD Travel Credit 23 Each year, you will receive one  $100.00  TD Travel Credit on your first Eligible Travel Credit Purchase of $500.00 or more made with Expedia For TD and posted to the Account in a calendar year.
• Travel Medical Insurance 7 Up to $2 million of coverage for the first 21 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
• Flight/Trip Delay Insurance 8 Up to $500 in coverage per insured person if your flight/trip is delayed for over 4 hours.
• Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance 9 For Trip Cancellation, up to $1,500 of coverage per insured person, with a maximum of $5,000 for all insured persons, and for Trip Interruption, up to $5,000 of coverage per insured person, with a maximum of $25,000 for all insured persons on the same covered trip.
• Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance 10 Up to $500,000 of coverage for covered losses while travelling on a common carrier (for example, a bus, ferry, plane, train, or auto rental)
• Emergency Travel Assistance Services 11 Help is just a call away. Toll-free access to help in the event of a personal emergency while travelling.
• Delayed and Lost Baggage Insurance 8 Up to $1,000 overall coverage per insured person toward the purchase of essentials such as clothes and toiletries if your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours or lost.
• Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance 12 Coverage up to 48 consecutive days
• Check your TD credit card travel insurance benefits Learn about what travel insurance benefits are available on your TD credit card with our  Credit Card Travel Insurance Verification Tool .
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance 24 Up to $2,500 of coverage per occurrence for eligible personal items stolen from your hotel or motel room that belong to each Cardholder on the Account and eligible family members travelling with the Cardholder.

Review the  Benefit Coverages Guide  for more details.

Additional Benefits & Features

• TD Payment Plans Easily turn purchases of $100 or more into manageable 6, 12 or 18 month Payment Plans. Conditions apply.  Learn more .
• Save with Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car Use your Canadian TD Credit Card to save a minimum of 10% off the lowest available base rates 13 , 14  in Canada and the U.S., and a minimum of 5% off the lowest available base rates 13 , 14  internationally, on qualifying car rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations.
• Use Apple Pay , Google Pay or Samsung Pay wherever contactless payments are accepted -  These Digital Wallets are accepted in a growing number of shops, restaurants, and other retailers, making it convenient and easy to use for everyday business payments with just a tap of your device.

Visa Infinite Benefits

• Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge 26 : On-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Visa Infinite Concierge can help with any Cardholder request — big or small, to help you get the most out of life whenever you travel, shop and use your Card. Call toll-free from Canada and the U.S.: 1-888-853-4458 From outside Canada and the U.S.: 1-630-350-4545
• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection 27 : Receive seven exclusive benefits when you book your stay through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection featuring over 900 of the world’s most intriguing properties.
• Visa Infinite Dining Series 27 : As a Visa Infinite Cardholder, you have access to exclusive gourmet events that cater to your astute tastes. The Visa Infinite Dining Series serves up culinary explorations with prized chefs and acclaimed wines.
• Visa Infinite Wine Country Program 27 : Show your Visa Infinite card onsite and you can experience exclusive benefits at over 95 participating wineries in British Columbia, Ontario and Sonoma Valley including discounts on wine purchases, complimentary tastings, private vineyard tours and much more.
• Visa Infinite Entertainment Access 27 : Get exclusive access to tickets to curated events across Canada throughout the year. Visa Infinite Cardholders can also enjoy exclusive benefits, access and offers for the Toronto International Film Festival ®
• Visa Infinite Troon Golf 27 : Receive elevated Troon Rewards ®  Silver Status at over 95 courses and 10% off on green fees, merchandise and lessons at participating Troon Rewards golf courses.
• Mobile Device Insurance 24 Up to $1,000 of coverage in the event of loss, theft, accidental damage, or mechanical breakdown for eligible mobile devices.
• Chip & PIN technology: TD  Visa *  Cards with Chip and PIN technology provide an added level of security through the use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN). A required PIN makes it much more difficult for unauthorized users to copy or access the information on your TD Credit Card.
• Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection 15 : You automatically have access to Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection, covering most eligible new items you’ve purchased with your Canadian Credit Card, should they be stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase. If the item comes with a manufacturer's warranty valid in Canada, you may be entitled to double the warranty period for up to 12 additional months.
• Visa Secure* Visa Secure provides you with increased security and convenience when you shop online.
• Instant Alerts. Added convenience, with TD Fraud Alerts: You can now automatically receive TD Fraud Alerts to your mobile phone any time we suspect suspicious activity on your TD First Class Travel ® Visa  Infinite * Card, or on any Additional Cardholder's card on your Account. Simply ensure that we have your current mobile phone number listed in your TD Customer Profile.  Learn more .
• Manage your credit card in the TD app Set transaction limits, block international purchases or lock your credit card.  Learn more .

Optional Benefits

• Optional TD Credit Card Payment Protection Plan 17 : Optional TD Credit Card Payment Protection Plan is designed to help you deal with your TD Credit Card payment obligations in the event of a covered Job Loss, Total Disability or loss of Life. To learn more about optional TD Credit Card Payment Protection Plan products, call  1-866-315-9069  or visit  tdcanadatrust.com/BP .
• Option to purchase TD Auto Club Membership 16  and be covered 24 hours a day for emergency roadside assistance services in case something goes wrong when you are out on the road.

Frequently asked questions

Why should you get a travel rewards credit card.

Do you love to travel? Then a travel rewards card may be perfect for you. These credit cards offer cardholders great value with travel Reward Points earned on eligible purchases that can later be redeemed to pay for flights and other travel related expenses. But, that’s just the start. The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite* Card also lets you redeem TD Rewards Points on Amazon.ca with Shop with Points.

How do you earn TD Rewards Points?

Earn Points on your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card with travel bookings, a meal at a restaurant, shopping and on everyday purchases. You can get started with welcome bonus TD Rewards Points if approved for this Card. In addition to earning 2 TD Rewards Points on every purchase, you can use this travel rewards card to make travel purchases through Expedia ®  for TD to earn 8 TD Rewards Points for each dollar spent. You can also earn 6 TD Rewards Points each for every dollar spent on grocery and restaurant purchases and earn 4 TD Rewards Points for every dollar spent in recurring bill payments. Your TD Rewards Points don’t expire as long as you are a TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite *  Cardholder.

How do you redeem TD Rewards Points?

Redeem your TD Rewards Points to book your next trip, for shopping and more. You can redeem your TD Rewards Points when you book travel online through Expedia for TD. This can help to make your travel more affordable. You can also use your TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card to book travel with any other travel provider. For shopping, you can redeem your TD Rewards Points for eligible products on Amazon.ca with Amazon Shop with Points or choose merchandise on TDRewards.com. You can also redeem TD Rewards Points to pay your credit card’s account balance on the TD app or EasyWeb.

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Annual interest rates, fees and features are current as of June 4, 2024 unless otherwise indicated and subject to change.

• $189: Annual Fee Rebate for the Primary ($139) and first Additional Cardholder ($50) for the first year;
• $100: TD Travel Credit on your first Eligible Travel Credit Purchase of $500 or more made through Expedia For TD;
• $50: TD Rewards Birthday Bonus equal to 10% of the number of TD Rewards Points earned while using the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite* card over the 12 months preceding the Primary Cardholder’s birthday, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards Points (travel value at Expedia For TD of up to $50). Previously earned points on other Rewards Cards, Acquisition Bonus Points, or other Promotional Rewards Points earned do not count towards your Birthday Bonus;
• Welcome Bonus of 20,000 TD Rewards Points earned when you make your first Purchase with your Card (travel value at Expedia For TD of $100);
• Additional Bonus of 55,000 TD Rewards Points earned when you spend $5,000 within 180 days of Account opening (travel value at Expedia For TD of $275);

2  Primary Cardholder remains liable for all charges to the Account, including those made by any Additional Cardholder.

3  TD Rewards Points must be redeemed in minimum 200-point increments for travel Purchases charged to your Card that are booked online or by phone through Expedia For TD. For travel Purchases charged to your Card that are not booked through Expedia For TD, TD Rewards Points must be redeemed in minimum increments of 200 or 250 TD Rewards Points as fully explained in the TD Travel Rewards Program Terms and Conditions ("Travel Terms") contained in the TD Travel Credit Cardholder Agreement for your Card. The Travel Terms are available on tdcanadatrust.com/agreements. We can decrease the required minimum TD Point redemption increment at any time. To redeem TD Rewards Points for travel Purchases charged to your Card that are not booked through Expedia For TD, Cardholder must contact the TD Travel Rewards Program or visit www.tdrewards.com after the travel Purchase has been posted to the Account and within 90 days from the transaction date of the travel Purchase. The required TD Rewards Points will be redeemed from the TD Rewards Points balance available at the time the TD Rewards Points are redeemed for the travel Purchase, not the transaction date of the travel Purchase. The amount that will be credited toward the travel Purchase will be equal to the value of the TD Rewards Points redeemed. If there are insufficient TD Rewards Points available to cover the entire amount of the travel Purchase, the Account will only be credited by the value of the TD Rewards Points redeemed. Any amount of the travel Purchase not covered by the TD Rewards Points redeemed will remain on the Account for payment.

4  The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates are not liable or responsible for the products, goods or services offered or made available by third party retailers through tdrewards.com.

5  Subject to carrier/space availability.

6  Expedia For TD is operated by Expedia, Inc. at  ExpediaForTD.com and 1-877-222-6492 . The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates are not responsible for any of the services and products offered/provided by Expedia, Inc.

7  Underwritten by TD Life Insurance Company. Medical and claims assistance, claims payment and administrative services are provided by our Administrator. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions, including a pre-existing condition exclusion, that are fully described in the Certificate of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement. The day of departure from and the day of return to your province or territory of residence each count as one full day. 21-day coverage if you're under 65 and 4-day coverage if you're 65 or older. Note that this insurance offers different benefits, with different terms and conditions, than the optional Travel Medical Insurance that may be medically underwritten and is available to all TD customers, which you may be eligible to top-up with.

8  Underwritten by TD Home and Auto Insurance Company. To be eligible for this coverage, at least 75% of your trip cost must be paid for using your TD Credit Card and/or associated TD Reward Points. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions that are fully described in the Certificate of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement.

9  Underwritten by TD Life Insurance Company (for medical covered causes) and TD Home and Auto Insurance Company (for non-medical covered causes). To be eligible for this insurance, your trip must be paid for in full using your TD Credit Card and/or TD Rewards Points. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions, including a pre-existing condition exclusion, that are fully described in the Certificate of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement. Note that this insurance offers different benefits, with different terms and conditions, than the optional Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance that is available to all TD customers.

10  Underwritten by TD Life Insurance Company. To be eligible for this coverage, your trip must be paid for in full using your TD Credit Card and/or TD Rewards Points. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions that are fully described in the Certificate of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement.

11  Provided by our Administrator under a service agreement with TD Life Insurance Company. This is not an insurance benefit but assistance services only.

12  Underwritten by TD Home and Auto Insurance Company. Car rentals must be charged in full to the Card and/or associated TD Rewards Points, cannot exceed 48 consecutive days and the rental agency's Collision Damage Waiver coverage must be declined by the Cardholder. Refer to Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance section of your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement for rental exclusions and further details.

13  Provided by Avis Rent A Car System ULC. Minimum discount offer subject to discount code and to terms and conditions which may change without notice. Blackout dates may apply. Base rate refers to time and kilometer/mile charges only. Taxes, fees and surcharges are extra. The Toronto-Dominion Bank is not responsible for any vehicles, services, discounts or other offers made available by Avis Rent A Car System ULC.

14  Provided by Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. Minimum discount offer subject to discount code and to terms and conditions which may change without notice. Blackout dates may apply. Base rate refers to time and kilometer/mile charges only. Taxes, fees and surcharges are extra. The Toronto-Dominion Bank is not responsible for any vehicles, services, discounts or other offers made available by Budget Rent A Car System, Inc.

15  Underwritten by TD Home and Auto Insurance Company. To be eligible for this coverage, the item must be paid for in full using your TD Credit Card. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions that are fully described in the Certificate of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement.

16  TD Auto Club is provided by an independent third party service provider. The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in respect of these services. Further details about the third party service provider can be found in your Membership Handbook at td.com/autoclub .

17  Life coverage is underwritten by American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida and Job Loss and Total Disability coverages are underwritten by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida. The Toronto-Dominion Bank receives a fee from each insurer with respect to premium collection. Complete terms of coverage are in the Certificate of Insurance you will receive upon enrollment. Eligibility requirements, limitations and exclusions apply, and vary by benefit.

19  Earn 8 TD Rewards Points for every $1 in Purchases of travel made online through Expedia For TD or travel made by phone through Expedia For TD (“Phone Travel Purchases”) (“Online Travel Purchases”) and charged to your TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card Account (“Account”). Any returned items, refunds, rebates or other similar credits will reduce or cancel the TD Rewards Points earned on the original Online Travel Purchase. Fees, Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers, Cash-Like Transactions and TD Visa Cheques), interest charges, optional service, refunds, rebates or other similar credits do not earn TD Rewards Points. Other Conditions: Offer may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer.

20  Earn 6 TD Rewards Points ( “Grocery Rebate" & "Restaurant Rebate” ) for every $1 in Purchases of groceries or grocery items (“ Grocery Purchases” ) and for every $1 in Purchases at restaurants including fast food restaurants (“ Restaurant Purchases ”). Earn 4 TD Rewards Points (“ PAP Rebate ”) on each $1 in payments made on a monthly or other regularly recurring basis for merchant bills, including insurance premiums, magazine/newspaper/online streaming subscriptions, membership fees and telecommunication fees, that are set up by the merchant with your consent to be automatically charged to your TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card (“ Account ”) and that are classified through the Visa network as “recurring payments” (“ Pre-Authorized Payments ”). Rebates are only available to a $25,000 maximum net annual spend (“ $25,000 Cap ”).  $25,000 Cap : Once the $25,000 Cap has been reached for either Grocery Purchases, Restaurant Purchases, or Pre-Authorized Payments then any further Grocery Purchases, Restaurant Purchases, or Pre-Authorized Payments made on the Account will earn TD Rewards Points at the standard rebate rate of 2 TD Rewards Point that applies to all other Purchases on the Account as set out in your TD Rewards Program Terms & Conditions (“ Standard Rebate ”).  Applicability of Grocery Rebate and Restaurant Rebate : Each of the Grocery Rebate and the Restaurant Rebate is in place of, and not in addition to, the Standard Rebate.  Merchant Category Codes : To earn the Grocery Rebate and/or the Restaurant Rebate, the Grocery Purchases and/or Restaurant Purchases must be made at merchants classified through the Visa network with a Merchant Category Code (“ MCC ”) that identifies them in the “grocery”, “restaurant” or “fast food” category. If you have questions about the MCC that applies to a Purchase, contact TD at 1-800-983-8472.  Other Conditions : Offer may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer.

21  Earn 2 TD Rewards Point (“Standard Rebate”) on every $1 on all other Purchases (“Other Purchases”) charged to your TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card Account (“Account”). Any returned items, refunds, rebates or other similar credits will reduce or cancel the TD Rewards Points earned on the original Purchase. Fees, Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers, Cash-Like Transactions and TD Visa Cheques), interest charges, optional service, refunds, rebates or other similar credits do not earn TD Rewards Points. Other Conditions: Offer may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer.

22  The TD Rewards Birthday Bonus applies only to the Primary Cardholder of a TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite*Card. Each year, you will receive a TD Rewards Birthday Bonus (“Birthday Bonus”) on your TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Account, equal to 10% of the total number of TD Rewards Points earned over the 12 months preceding the Primary Cardholder’s birthday, to a maximum Birthday Bonus of 10,000 TD Rewards Points. The TD Birthday Bonus is only calculated on points earned while using your current First Class Travel Account. This means that previously earned points on other Rewards Cards, Acquisition Bonus Points, or other Promotional Rewards Points earned do no count towards your Birthday Bonus. The account must be open & in good standing on the date points are awarded to qualify.

23  In order to receive the TD Travel Credit, the Account must be open, active and in Good Standing. An Eligible Travel Credit Purchase means:

• A Hotel, Motel, Lodging, or Vacation Rental Purchase of $500.00 CAD or more made with Expedia For TD; or • A Vacation Package Purchase of $500.00 CAD or more made with Expedia For TD, that includes a Hotel, Motel, Lodging or Vacation Rental booking packaged with a transportation booking. See your TD Rewards Program Terms and Conditions for more details.

24  Insurance coverages are underwritten by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida (ABIC) under Group Policy TD102022. Benefits, features and coverages are subject to conditions, limitations and exclusions that are fully described in the Certificates of Insurance included with your TD Credit Cardholder Agreement. ABIC, its subsidiaries, and affiliates carry on business in Canada under the trade name of Assurant®.

®Assurant is a registered trademark of Assurant, Inc.

25  TD Reward Points do not expire as long as you are a Cardholder.

26  The goods and services Cardholders request or otherwise choose to obtain through the Visa Infinite Concierge Service are provided by various third-party service providers unrelated to Visa. Visa does not endorse, review or qualify these service providers. Visa makes no representations or warranties (either express or implied) about and assumes no responsibility or liability for these service providers or the goods and services that may be obtained through the Visa Infinite Concierge. Neither Visa nor TD are responsible for any claims or damages arising from the use of any benefits or services provided by a third party. Visa cannot guarantee the successful fulfillment of Cardholders’ requests in all instances. There is no fee for the Concierge’s services; however, Cardholders are responsible for the cost of any goods or services (including any related fees or costs) authorized by the Cardholder and purchased by the Visa Infinite Concierge on the Cardholder’s behalf. All costs will be charged directly to the Cardholder’s Visa Infinite card.

27  You must be an eligible Visa Infinite Cardholder with a valid Canada-issued Visa Infinite Card to take advantage of the Visa Infinite benefits and services. Certain benefits and services require enrollment. Offers and benefits are non-transferable, and discounts cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Neither Visa nor the Issuer of the Card are responsible for any claims or damages arising from the use of any benefits or services provided by a third party. Visa reserves the right to modify or cancel offers or benefits at any time and without notice. All offers, benefits and services made available through Visa are subject to  complete terms and conditions , including third-party suppliers’ terms and conditions. The  Visa Infinite privacy policy  applies to all benefits and services that require enrollment through, or are otherwise provided by, the Visa Infinite Concierge or the Visa Infinite website. The collection use and disclosure of Cardholders’ personal information by third-party suppliers of services and benefits to Visa Infinite Cardholders are subject to such third parties’ own privacy policies.

#1 Awarded on December 29, 2023, by Prince of Travel. Learn more by visiting: https://www.princeoftravel.com/about/winners-of-the-2023-prince-of-travel-awards/

® The TD logo and other trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.

* Trademark of Visa International Service Association; Used under license.

© 2023 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia and the Airplane Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc.

Starbucks, the Starbucks logo, and other Starbucks trademarks, service marks, graphics, and logos used in connection with the Offer are trade names, trademarks or registered trademarks of Starbucks Corporation (collectively  “Starbucks Marks” ).

If you exceed your annual spend cap, you'll continue to earn TD Rewards Points at the standard base earn rate on all additional purchases made in that category.

Advertisement

Trump Has Been Convicted. Here’s What Happens Next.

Donald J. Trump has promised to appeal, but he may face limits on his ability to travel and to vote as he campaigns for the White House.

• Share full article

By Jesse McKinley and Maggie Astor

• May 30, 2024

The conviction of former President Donald J. Trump on Thursday is just the latest step in his legal odyssey in New York’s court system. The judge, Juan M. Merchan, set Mr. Trump’s sentencing for July 11, at which point he could be sentenced to as much as four years behind bars, or to probation.

It won’t stop him from running for president, though: There is no legal prohibition on felons doing that . No constitutional provision would stop him even from serving as president from a prison cell, though in practice that would trigger a crisis that courts would almost certainly have to resolve.

His ability to vote — for himself, presumably — depends on whether he is sentenced to prison. Florida, where he is registered, requires felons convicted there to complete their full sentence, including parole or probation, before regaining voting rights. But when Floridians are convicted in another state, Florida defers to the laws of that state, and New York disenfranchises felons only while they are in prison.

The Trump Manhattan Criminal Verdict, Count By Count

Former President Donald J. Trump faced 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, related to the reimbursement of hush money paid to the porn star Stormy Daniels in order to cover up a sex scandal around the 2016 presidential election.

“Because Florida recognizes voting rights restoration in the state of conviction, and because New York’s law states that those with a felony conviction do not lose their right to vote unless they are incarcerated during the election, then Trump will not lose his right to vote in this case unless he is in prison on Election Day,” said Blair Bowie, a lawyer at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit watchdog group.

Mr. Trump will almost certainly appeal his conviction, after months of criticizing the case and attacking the Manhattan district attorney, who brought it, and Justice Merchan, who presided over his trial.

Long before that appeal is heard, however, Mr. Trump will be enmeshed in the gears of the criminal justice system.

A pre-sentencing report makes recommendations based on the defendant’s criminal record — Mr. Trump had none before this case — as well as his personal history and the crime itself. The former president was found guilty of falsifying business records in relation to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, a porn star who says she had a brief sexual tryst with Mr. Trump in 2006, in order to buy her silence.

At the pre-sentence interview, a psychologist or social worker working for the probation department may also talk to Mr. Trump, during which time the defendant can “try to make a good impression and explain why he or she deserves a lighter punishment,” according to the New York State Unified Court System.

The pre-sentencing report can also include submissions from the defense, and may describe whether “the defendant is in a counseling program or has a steady job.”

In Mr. Trump’s case, of course, he is applying — as it were — for a steady job as president of the United States, a campaign that may be complicated by his new status as a felon. Mr. Trump will likely be required to regularly report to a probation officer, and rules on travel could be imposed.

Mr. Trump was convicted of 34 Class E felonies, New York’s lowest level , each of which carry a potential penalty of up to four years in prison. Probation or home confinement are other possibilities that Justice Merchan can consider.

That said, Justice Merchan has indicated in the past that he takes white-collar crime seriously . If he did impose prison time, he would likely impose the punishment concurrently, meaning that Mr. Trump would serve time on each of the counts he was convicted of simultaneously.

If Mr. Trump were instead sentenced to probation, he could still be jailed if he were later found to have committed additional crimes. Mr. Trump, 77, currently faces three other criminal cases: two federal, dealing with his handling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election , and a state case in Georgia that concerns election interference.

Mr. Trump’s lawyers can file a notice of appeal after sentencing, scheduled for July 11 at 10 a.m. And the judge could stay any punishment during an appeal, something that could delay punishment beyond Election Day.

The proceedings will continue even if he wins: Because it’s a state case, not federal, Mr. Trump would have no power as president to pardon himself .

Jesse McKinley is a Times reporter covering upstate New York, courts and politics. More about Jesse McKinley

Maggie Astor covers politics for The New York Times, focusing on breaking news, policies, campaigns and how underrepresented or marginalized groups are affected by political systems. More about Maggie Astor

Our Coverage of the Trump Hush-Money Trial

Guilty Verdict : Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts  of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his bid for the White House in 2016, making him the first American president to be declared a felon .

What Happens Next: Trump’s sentencing hearing on July 11 will trigger a long and winding appeals process , though he has few ways to overturn the decision .

Reactions: Trump’s conviction reverberated quickly across the country  and around the world . Here’s what voters , New Yorkers , Republicans , Trump supporters  and President Biden  had to say.

The Presidential Race : The political fallout of Trump’s conviction is far from certain , but the verdict will test America’s traditions, legal institutions and ability to hold an election under historic partisan tension .

Making the Case: Over six weeks and the testimony of 20 witnesses, the Manhattan district attorney’s office wove a sprawling story  of election interference and falsified business records.

Legal Luck Runs Out: The four criminal cases that threatened Trump’s freedom had been stumbling along, pleasing his advisers. Then his good fortune expired .

Q&A on Trump’s Criminal Conviction

By Robert Farley , D'Angelo Gore , Lori Robertson and Eugene Kiely

Posted on May 31, 2024

Este artículo estará disponible en español en El Tiempo Latino .

Donald Trump became the first U.S. president, current or former, to be convicted of a criminal offense when a 12-person jury in New York on May 30 found him guilty on 34 felony counts of business fraud as part of an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 election by making payments to suppress a sordid tale of sex with a porn star.

The unprecedented conviction raises questions about what’s next for the 77-year-old man who is in line to become the Republican Party’s nominee for president in 2024.

In remarks at Trump Tower a day after his conviction, Trump called the United States “ a corrupt country ” and declared that he would be “ appealing this scam .”

(Trump also repeated many of the false, misleading and unsupported claims he has made about the judge, the judge’s rulings, the district attorney and other issues related to the trial. For more about Trump’s talking points, see our May 30 article, “ Trump’s Repeated Claims on His New York Hush Money Trial .” He also repeated false and unsubstantiated claims on other issues, such as taxes and migrants .)

Here, we answer some of the questions raised by the former president’s conviction:

What are the next steps in the case? What punishment could Trump face? Will he go to prison? Can Trump vote in the 2024 election? Can a felon run for president, hold office? Can Trump pardon himself on this conviction, if he wins?

What are the next steps in the case?

Sentencing and an appeal are up next in this case.

Sentencing by Justice Juan Merchan is scheduled for July 11. Before that date, a probation officer or someone in that department will interview Trump, and potentially others involved in the case or connected to Trump, and prepare  a pre-sentence report  for the judge. The report includes the personal history and criminal record of the defendant, and it recommends what sentence the defendant should receive, according to the New York State Unified Court System.

“The pre-sentence interview is a chance for the defendant to try to make a good impression and explain why he or she deserves a lighter punishment,” the state court system explains.

Trump’s lawyers have to wait until after the sentencing to appeal the conviction. First, Trump’s lawyers will file motions before the judge “in a couple weeks” saying why they found the trial to be “unfair,” Trump’s defense attorney Todd Blanche  told CNN  hours after the guilty verdict.

Cheryl Bader , a clinical associate professor of law at Fordham University School of Law, said these motions are typical when a defendant is convicted. The defense attorneys will ask the judge to overturn the jury’s conviction. “It’s rarely, rarely granted, and I don’t think there’s a chance that will happen in this case,” she told us in a phone interview.

Blanche told CNN that if the motions aren’t successful, “then as soon as we can appeal, we will. And the process in New York is there’s a sentencing, and then — and then we appeal from there.”

Bader, a former assistant U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, walked us through the appeals process. “The case is considered completed at sentencing,” she said. “At that point, his lawyers file a notice of appeal … letting the court know that he intends to appeal.”

At that point, they will also request a “stay” on the sentence, meaning a pause on imposing the sentence while the case is being appealed.

This appeal goes to the  Appellate Division, First Judicial Department  in Manhattan. The appeals court doesn’t retry the case. “They’re not going to substitute their judgment on the facts for the jury’s judgment,” Bader explained. Instead, “they’re looking for where there was error that would have led to an improper prosecution or an unfair trial.”

The appeals process would take several months to a year, she said. After the notice of appeal is given, the record of the case is gathered, including trial transcripts, the indictment, pretrial motions, evidentiary rulings, jury selection and instructions, and more. Trump could also appeal the sentencing. The lawyers need to write their arguments for all of the issues they’re objecting to, and that takes time, Bader said.

And then the appeals court needs to consider the case and write a decision on it.

If Trump ultimately isn’t successful at the appellate level, he can appeal to the highest court in New York state, which is called the  Court of Appeals . But the court decides whether or not it takes the case.

After such an appeal to the highest state court, the case would be over — unless Trump tries to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. But there has to be a U.S. constitutional issue for that. “I don’t see one,” Bader said, but perhaps Trump’s lawyers would try to make an argument.

What punishment could Trump face? Will he go to prison?

Whether Trump is sentenced to any time in prison is up to the judge.

Each of the 34 counts of  falsifying business records in the first degree , a class E felony, carries a maximum sentence of up to  four years in prison . The judge could decide to impose the sentences consecutively or simultaneously. However, under New York law,  20 years  is the maximum prison time that Trump could get — not 187 years, as Trump  falsely claimed  in his May 31 remarks.

Norman Eisen , a CNN legal analyst and a senior fellow in governance studies for the Brookings Institution, said that “in the most serious” cases of business records falsification in New York that he studied, “a sentence of imprisonment was routinely imposed.” Trump’s case “is the most serious one in NY history,”  he wrote  on X, predicting that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin “Bragg will likely ask for incarceration & Merchan will consider it.”

While possible, Bader, with Fordham’s School of Law, told us she doesn’t think incarceration will happen.

For a first-time convicted felon, with a low-level, nonviolent felony and a person of advanced age, “under any circumstance like that, there’d be a relatively low chance of incarceration,” she said.

“On the other hand, I could see the prosecutor arguing that here’s a man who has shown disrespect for the court system and the rule of law and has violated the court’s orders on numerous occasions. He is not remorseful. And that in order to promote general deterrence, he needs to be punished,” she said in describing a possible argument from the prosecutor.

Bader said any incarceration sentence “would be only a token amount of time to make the point that Trump is not above the law.” Other sentencing possibilities include probation or a “conditional discharge” with conditions other than incarceration or probation.

The “simplest” option might be for the judge to fine Trump, she said.

Can Trump vote in the 2024 election?

Yes, Trump can vote as long as he is not in jail on Election Day, which this year is on Nov. 5.

Trump owns homes in New York and Florida, but in 2019 he changed his primary residence to Florida. However, Florida law does not apply in Trump’s case because he was convicted in New York. Instead, New York law applies.

“If you were convicted outside Florida, your voting rights are governed by the state where you were convicted,” as the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida explains on its website.

In 2021, New York state enacted a law that “restores the right to vote for a person convicted of a felony upon release from incarceration, regardless of if they are on parole or have a term of post-release supervision,” the New York State Board of Elections says . “If a convicted felon is not incarcerated, they are eligible to register to vote.”

Can a felon run for president, hold office?

Yes. According to Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the U.S. Constitution, there are three qualifications to serve as president: He or she must be at least 35 years old upon taking office, a U.S. resident for at least 14 years and a “natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States.”

“These qualifications are understood to be exclusive,” Josh Chafetz , a Georgetown University law professor, told us last year when we were writing about Trump’s federal indictment related to allegations of mishandling sensitive classified documents after he left office. “Anyone can be president so long as they meet the constitutional qualifications and do not trigger any constitutional disqualifications.”

“Someone can run for president while under indictment or even having been convicted and serving prison time,” said Chafetz, who pointed to the example of Eugene V. Debs, the late labor leader, who, in 1920, ran for president from prison on the Socialist Party ticket and got almost 1 million votes.

There is an exception to that rule. The Constitution says in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment that no U.S. officeholder, including the president, can serve if they are convicted of “engag[ing] in insurrection or rebellion” against the U.S. — something Trump has not been charged with either in this case or the three others he faces.

Six Colorado voters successfully sued in state court to prevent Trump from appearing on that state’s ballot, citing the constitutional amendment barring insurrectionists from holding federal office. But the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the state ruling, “[b]ecause the Constitution makes Congress, rather than the States, responsible for enforcing Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates.”

Can Trump pardon himself on this conviction, if he wins?

The short answer is no.

Trump was convicted in New York for offenses in violation of state law. Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution states that a president has the “[p]ower to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States.” According to Constitution Annotated , a government-sanctioned record of the interpretations of the Constitution, that means the power extends to “federal crimes but not state or civil wrongs.”

In a case decided in 1925, Ex parte Grossman , the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed that interpretation, writing that the Constitution’s language specifying presidential pardon power for offenses “against the United States” was “presumably to make clear that the pardon of the President was to operate upon offenses against the United States as distinguished from offenses against the States.”

The New York governor has the power to pardon Trump for his conviction of crimes under state law. That’s currently Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat. After the verdict, Republican Rep. Nick LaLota called on Hochul “to immediately announce her intention to pardon President Trump and pre-emptively commute any sentence. To not do so is to allow America to become a banana republic.” Hochul released a statement on May 30 saying, “Today’s verdict reaffirms that no one is above the law.”

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Cheap Business and First class to Moscow from New York

Advantages of flying first class from new york to moscow.

Flying first class is the epitome of luxury travel. Few experiences can offer a comparable level of sophistication and extravagance. It does not matter by which facet you judge its standards – the cuisine, entertainment, amenities, comfort and service are all a cut above the rest.

However, even the pre-flight experience for first class and business class travelers is superior to that of the average traveler’s. From smooth, hassle-free check-in and exclusive waiting lounges at the airport to priority boarding, the preferential treatment begins even before you leave the ground.

And when you do board, the excellent, personalized service continues as you are presented with a vast variety of entertainment and dining options amidst opulent settings.

There is no shortage of direct flights between New York City and Moscow; the Russian national airway, Aeroflot, operates three flights on this route every day of the week.

All Aeroflot's direct flights to Moscow originate from New York City's JFK Airport (JFK) and terminate at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO). The duration of the flights is between 9 hours 5 minutes and 9 hours 20 minutes.

The late evening flight is operated using a Boeing 777 and has lie-flat seats while the other two use Airbus A330s that only have angled flat seats. All the flights have onboard Wi-Fi and in-seat power.

Airports in Moscow

There are two airports serving the Russian capital - Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) and Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME). However, direct flights from New York all land at SVO.

SVO is situated 18 miles (29 km) northwest of the city. Handling 32 million passengers annually, it is the busiest airport in the Russian Federation.

A rail network connects the airport to downtown Moscow. If you have travelled in premium class to Moscow by air, you can continue the experience with business class coaches on the Aeroexpress trains. The journey takes about 35 minutes.

A new highway network lets you travel between the city and the airport in about 10 minutes.

Why buy tickets with I Fly First Class?

At I Fly First Class, we believe that a first class or business class experience should not just begin at the airport or on board a plane, it should start with the booking process.

We have designed our flight booking system to deliver an unprecedented level of convenience and ease for our clients. A team of highly-trained travel professionals ascertains your needs and requests and then accesses our network of aviation industry contacts to meet them.

The result is a flawless system that sources tickets to which other travel concierge service providers do not have access, and at a lower airfare price than many can meet.

How to find tickets on I Fly First Class

I Fly First Class has made finding cheap tickets to any destination across the globe simpler than it has ever been before. You have three options to contact us:

• Toll-free number (in the U.S.A.): 1-800-385-1359
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• Website (online form): iflyfirstclass.com

Once you decide which is most convenient for you, get in touch and our team will find the best deals for your needs. We recommend our toll free number if you need an immediate answer, and the online methods if you prefer to be contacted at your convenience.

Moscow has always held an enticing air of mystery as a destination. Uncover her secrets with I Fly First Class today.

Jean-Claude Van Damme, renowned martial artist and the star of many blockbuster action films, makes the most of his travel time with help from IFlyFirstClass. On a recent trip to Singapore, the actor and director booked his f...

Is Clear Worth the Cost? The Downgrading of First-Class Airport Amenities

Services like Clear were meant to make travel easier—for a price. So, why are so many jetsetters experiencing turbulence?

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

“There was a line over 100 feet long, all the way back to the escalators, for Clear,” Alban recalls about a March 27 Dulles-to-Denver jaunt. “If you just skipped the Clear line—even if you were a Clear member—and walked into the regular line, it was much shorter.”

He adds, “Obviously that's a problem.”

Frequent fliers have long jockeyed for status , whether by booking first-class tickets or signing up for airline-branded credit cards. But the most elusive perk for any traveler has been dodging headache-inducing lines at airport security checkpoints. When programs to alleviate this pain point first emerged, they seemed poised to deliver customers to their gate in mere minutes. Now, for Alban and others, the once-promising world of pay-to-skip at airports has slowly withered like a scrunched-up napkin in a plastic cup on a tray table. Instead, long queues have come to define the premium airport experience, making the value of benefits like Clear—which launched in 2010 and services 57 airports across the United States—in some customers’ eyes, less clear.

“Something needs to be done,” Alban says. “I don't know if it's on the TSA side, if it's on the staffing side for Clear, if it's a combination of both. But certainly, service has deteriorated considerably in the past six months to a year.”

But travelers seem willing to continue shelling out dough even if the service doesn’t regularly meet their expectations. For Alban, Clear has transformed into a back-pocket, when-it-works-it-works perk.

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“If you show up at the airport and it's really crowded, sometimes Clear can get you through more quickly. But it's a lot less reliable than it was,” he says.

Others, like Alissa Blate Jessup—who pays for the Lennon and McCartney of airport expediency, TSA PreCheck , which allows pre-approved travelers to access streamlined security, and Clear—believe passengers signing up at kiosks for Clear’s latest technology, NextGen Identity+, which allows passengers to use facial recognition to waltz past TSA agents, might be slowing everyone down. Right now, all Clear passengers can wait in the same line, even if they plan on using the kiosks to upgrade to the new service. “I'm being penalized because I've already updated my credentials,” she says.

Jessup believes Clear should create a distinct line for those who have already upgraded to ensure the speedy experience Clear promises to jet-setters.

Clear, which also lets passengers use their eyes or fingerprint scans to cut security lines, said in a statement provided to Town & Country in part that it is “obsessed with the customer experience.” The publicly traded company said reliability will improve as its customers upgrade to NextGen Identity+.

“This free upgrade unlocks the Clear Lane of the Future–a series of technologies and automations that will enhance speed and security. Rolling out over 2024, the Clear Lane of the Future is designed to be seamless, where a member can verify with their face—delivering a more predictable travel journey,” a Clear spokesperson says.

TSA PreCheck, which gives passengers the privilege of leaving one’s shoes on whilst receiving a TSA pat-down, among other advantages, doesn’t fare much better in Jessup’s eyes.

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“It's always long. Everyone uses TSA [PreCheck] now,” she says. Other government programs in airports, such as Global Entry, which allows passengers to use expedited lanes and avoid filling out paperwork upon returning from outside the U.S., remain exceedingly popular amongst travers.

TSA spokesperson R. Carter Langston pushed back on complaints about far-too-long lines, arguing that the agency moves passengers through both standard and PreCheck lines efficiently.

“TSA closely monitors wait times against a benchmark for standard screening lanes that is within a 30-minute tolerance. For TSA PreCheck passengers, that benchmark is 10 minutes,” he writes. “[W]e focus significant attention on wait times and achieve our benchmarks for 99% of passengers.”

But it’s not just congestion on the way to a TSA agent barking at passengers to take their laptop out of their bag (only for a different TSA agent to tell you to keep it in the bag). For many, airport lounges, once considered The Joy of Painting of airport spaces, have devolved into Lord of the Flies zoos. Gene Marks, a certified public accountant who gives lectures across the country, now eschews the American Airlines’ lounges in favor of finding empty gates with fewer people. “It's like Disney World,” he says of the lounges, which are typically open to elite status passengers and top-tier credit card members. Once past the welcome desk, some of the nicest lounges offer complimentary restaurant-level food and cocktails, as well as showers and mini spas.

Marks, who has traveled regularly for 20 years, describes recent experiences as standing “shoulder-to-shoulder” with passengers “yelling and screaming” on their phones. After initially using the American lounges to boost his productivity at airports, Marks says that they have become more packed in recent years, making it harder to get work done. In response to similar customer complaints, many airlines have now restricted access to its lounges by creating access cutoffs like flight distance or credit card levels.

“I've seen it get worse, particularly post-Covid, because the airlines are trying so hard to bring travelers back,” he says. “They're doing everything they can to attract more people into those lounges. But sometimes, I feel like it has the opposite effect for those of us that signed up for this access for a different reason.”

If moneyed passengers are willing to spend even more, these headaches could disappear for a price. At $4,500 a year, commercial passengers can arrive via private terminals at Los Angeles International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport thanks to terminal company PS. But at these prices, some may opt to book a single seat on a private-jet-esque carrier, like XOJet or JSX. For most travelers, Clear and TSA PreCheck are luxuries. And even if those luxurious experiences happen less and less, customers aren’t willing to consistently suffer through long lines. “Half the time," Alban says of Clear, "it is still worth it.”

Andrew Zucker works at a production company in New York City. His writing has appeared in the New York Times , the Financial Times , and Air Mail, among other publications.

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Want a free upgrade to first class? The only hack is your wallet. | Cruising Altitude

• Don't expect to get a free upgrade anymore.
• Airlines have gotten smarter about pricing their premium cabins.
• You can pay for an upgrade, use miles or buy extra legroom seating.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and no matter what the internet may try to tell you, there’s also basically no such thing as a free upgrade on a plane anymore. 

You can’t “hack” your way into the pointy end of the plane by wearing a collared shirt or flirting with your flight attendant . You’re not going to get a lie-flat bed by asking nicely at the gate, and no one is popping Dom Perignon as a predeparture beverage for you just because you think you have a strategic check-in time.

“It’s just not going to happen,” Brett Snyder, author of the blog Cranky Flier and owner of the travel agency Cranky Concierge, told me. 

Part of the problem is airplanes are just fuller now than they used to be, and airlines have gotten smarter about pricing their seats.

“First class fares used to be so high that people wouldn’t buy them, and instead you just had massive numbers of elite upgrades and all different sorts of people sitting up there that weren’t paying for it, they were just getting it as a perk,” Snyder said. “At some point, the airlines realized, if we start pricing this as a fare upsell, we can get people to actually pay for these seats. Now you have a lot fewer seats that are available for an upgrade because people are buying.” 

As someone who has paid cash more than once to upgrade, I can vouch for this. Suppose the price is reasonable and I’m feeling generous to myself at the check-in counter. In that case, I’ll happily spend the extra money to guarantee myself a more comfortable seat, especially on a long flight.

It cuts the other way, too. I once flew overnight from New York to Paris and was willing to spend a few hundred dollars to upgrade myself to a lie-flat seat at the gate if the option was available. The airline quoted me almost $1,000 to upgrade, and the seats wound up occupied by non-paying passengers who worked for the airline instead. From the perspective of the airline’s bottom line and my own comfort, that was a bad pricing decision.

“If people had too much ability to upgrade travelers at the gate (for free) or whatever it was, that was likely something that was leaving money on the table for them,” Snyder said.

So, how can you get upgraded? There are no hacks, but here’s my advice.

“The best way to get a premium seat is to pay for it. This is not rocket science, this is kind of basic,” Snyder told me. “That’s what it comes down to. The majority of seats and the majority of people who sit in the front cabins are paying for it. That’s the most surefire way to make sure you’re going to get it.” 

You just can’t count on getting an upgrade when so many people are willing and able to pay for the luxury. Airlines are also pricing their premium cabins more liberally now. Business travel still has not fully bounced back to its pre-pandemic levels, but there’s been strong and steady demand in the premium leisure segment, and airlines have taken note. They’ve priced things to entice people to buy up during their personal travel, even when their company isn’t footing the bill.

You can, of course, pay right at the beginning of your booking by buying a premium ticket when you first get your flights, but you should also keep an eye on cash upgrade offers right up until departure time. You never know what the airline revenue management gods will make available. 

Pay (but differently)

“But Zach,” I hear you saying, “I’m an ultra-elite frequent flyer, and I get free upgrades all the time.”

To which I say: No, you don’t.

You may not be paying out of pocket for those upgrade perks at the gate, but that doesn’t mean you’re not paying for them at all. To get frequent flyer status, you need to spend a bunch of money with the airline or an even bigger bunch of money on one of its co-branded credit cards, which likely also has a hefty annual fee.

Cruising Altitude: Don't bother with an airline loyalty program if you're this traveler.

One way or the other, you’re paying for that upgrade, even if it’s not directly.

Frequent flyers also usually have lots of loyalty points, which, again, they have to pay to earn, but those points or miles can be useful for securing upgrades.

“You can also use miles to upgrade, even if you don’t have status,” Snyder said. In addition to cash upgrades, airlines often let you redeem miles for buy-ups to premium cabins.

Pay (but less)

Maybe you’ve decided it’s just too much effort or too financially taxing to upgrade yourself to business class, and that’s OK. You have other options.

“You can always pay for extra legroom seating, but depending on the airline, that can be a very modest upsell,” Snyder said.

It’s usually not as expensive to upgrade from a regular economy seat to an extra-legroom economy seat, and if all you care about is a little more knee space, this can be a good option. 

“Don’t expect that you’re going to be able to game the system and find this magical loophole. It’s just not going to happen. So figure out what you’re OK with and make sure you have that arrangement before you get to the airport,” Snyder said. “If you’re booking something you absolutely cannot tolerate – you’re 7 feet tall and book coach on Spirit, don’t do that.” 

If you’re determined not to pay for anything above the lowest economy fare, you can always pray for an empty adjacent seat. 

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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What Flying First Class Is Really Like and How to Decide If It's Worth It

Here's what to expect if you're flying in first class on Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

Every time you board a plane, there they are: the flight's first-class passengers. While you were at the gate waiting for your group number to be called (and likely stressing about nabbing space in the overhead compartment ), they were getting settled into their extra-large seats with dedicated carry-on space. And as you sulk past them toward your narrow seat in the back of the plane, they snuggle in under a complimentary blanket and sip Champagne .

That, you tell yourself, is what flying should be like.

But is the extra space and next-level service worth the pricey ticket ? To explore that very question, we've pulled together what it looks like to fly in first class on various U.S. airlines, how flying in first class is different from traveling in business class and economy, and how the benefits change — in some cases, dramatically — when you book first class on a long-haul international flight versus a domestic one.

Benefits of Flying in First Class

First-class passengers enjoy several benefits before they even board the plane. For starters, they don't have to wait in the long economy check-in line, they get free checked bags, and they have an easier time going through security , as that first-class ticket may mean access to a different TSA line.

From there, they get to board the plane first, so they have time to stow their bags and settle in without a line of passengers crowding around. And, of course, on board, they often get extra legroom, a wider seat with a more exaggerated recline, a blanket and a pillow, a plush amenity kit, beverage service that includes alcohol, and better food (and more of it).

Flying First Class on Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines has six onboard experiences: Delta One, Premium Select, First Class, Comfort+, Main Cabin, and Basic Economy, but some offerings and cabins are only available on certain routes. For example, the ultra-luxe Delta One cabin — which has lie-flat seats, lip balm and hand cream by Grown Alchemist, and sleep amenities like an oversized duvet and a comfy down-alternative pillow — is only available on long-haul international flights and select long-haul domestic flights.

Pre-flight Service: Those flying in first class with Delta get Sky Priority service from the moment they enter the airport. That translates to accelerated check-in, security, and baggage handling, plus early boarding.

Baggage: Up to two free checked bags.

Seating: Up to eight inches of extra legroom and up to 5.4 inches of seat recline.

In-flight Service: A dedicated first-class cabin flight attendant and complimentary drinks and a snack. Those flying more than 900 miles can expect to receive a first-class meal box; passengers traveling between 900 and 2,399 miles receive a chef-curated meal and snacks, while flights over 2,300 miles include a full meal service with snacks and several entrées to choose from.

Flying First Class on United Airlines

On flights within the U.S., United Airlines' highest level of service is United First, but on flights from the U.S. to Latin America or the Caribbean (and some U.S. transcontinental flights) United Business is the first-class equivalent. Meanwhile, United Polaris provides the airline's ultimate flight experience — think lie-flat seats, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, and slippers.

Pre-flight Service: With United, first-class passengers can use the quicker, shorter Premier Access lines to speed up the check-in, security, and boarding processes.

Baggage: Up to two free checked bags with priority baggage handling, meaning your suitcases get special attention and will be among the first to arrive at baggage claim.

Seating: In United's first-class cabin, expect the most legroom possible, and with United Polaris, get ready for fully reclining seats that convert to a flat six-foot, six-inch bed.

In-flight Service: Beer, wine, and spirits (including a rotating craft beer selection) and access to DirecTV and United Private Screening, for all the latest movies and TV shows.

Flying First Class on American Airlines

Like on United, on American Airlines, the first-class designation marks the highest level on flights around the U.S., while business class is the highest level on shorter international routes, including Bermuda and Canada. On some long-distance flights (both domestic and international), passengers have the option to book seats in Flagship First or Flagship Business classes, which make up the brand's most luxurious product — think lie-flat seats, access to the Flagship Lounge, and a sleep amenity set from Casper.

Pre-flight Service: Those booking a first-class ticket with American will be granted priority access through the airport's most congested areas, from check-in to security to the gate.

Baggage: Up to three free checked bags, depending on the flight.

Seating: In American's first-class cabins, seats are wider and recline farther, although the exact increase varies by flight and aircraft layout.

In-flight Service: In first class, passengers will enjoy menus curated by premier chefs — such as chef and registered dietitian nutritionist Ellie Krieger, who focuses on healthy dishes, and Sam Choy, creator of Pacific Rim cuisine — thanks to the airline's partnership with the James Beard Foundation, along with extra snacks and a beverage service that includes alcohol.

Flying First Class Versus Business Class

On some airlines, like United and American, first-class fares offer the highest level of service on flights across the U.S., while business class provides the highest level of service on shorter-distance international routes (such as those heading to the Caribbean). If a plane has both cabin types, flying business class is typically a step down from flying first class.

Keep in mind that some airlines have a premium economy category (think Delta's Delta Comfort+), which tends to fall between economy and business or first class. A premium economy booking may have extra legroom, better meal service, and an increased bag allowance, but the perks can vary.

Flying First Class on Long-haul International Flights

Want the ultimate first-class experience? Save up and book a first-class ticket on a long-haul international flight (or in some cases, a U.S. transcontinental flight). It's on these long routes that you'll find that dreamy elevated flight experience.

While almost all airlines offer lie-flat seats and thoughtful sleep amenities, some of them truly excel at taking things to the next level. First class on Emirates' A380 and Boeing 777 planes, for instance, means flying in a fully enclosed suite with a full bed, an onboard shower, and a first-class bar and lounge. Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways , Etihad Airways, and Air France are all known for their respective first-class service and amenities.

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Sign-in using your existing TD online banking credentials.

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The best part? Not only do you have the flexibility to use your TD Rewards Points to pay for all or part of your trip, but eligible TD credit cards can also earn up to 9 points for every $1 spent on travel purchases 1.

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1 TD First Class Travel Cardholders earn eight TD Rewards Points for every dollar spent on travel Purchases made online or by phone through Expedia For TD. TD Platinum Cardholders earn six TD Rewards Points for every dollar spent on travel purchases made online or by phone through Expedia For TD. TD Rewards Cardholders earn four TD Rewards Points for every dollar spent on travel purchases made online or by phone through Expedia For TD. TD Business Travel Cardholders earn 9 TD Rewards Points for every dollar spent on travel purchases made online through Expedia For TD and 6 TD Rewards Points for every dollar spent on travel purchases made by phone through Expedia For TD. Any returned items, refunds, rebates or other similar credits will reduce or cancel the TD Rewards Points earned on the original Travel Purchase. Fees, Cash Advances (including Balance Transfers, Cash-Like Transactions and TD Visa Cheques), interest charges, optional service, refunds, rebates or other similar credits do not earn TD Rewards Points. Other Conditions: Offer may be changed, withdrawn or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer.

  2 In order to receive the TD Travel Credit, the Account must be open, active and in Good Standing. An Eligible Travel Credit Purchase means:    • A Hotel, Motel, Lodging, or Vacation Rental Purchase of $500.00 CAD or more made with Expedia For TD;    • A Vacation Package Purchase of $500.00 CAD or more made with Expedia For TD, that includes a Hotel, Motel, Lodging or Vacation Rental booking packaged with a transportation booking.   See your TD Rewards Program Terms and Conditions for more details.  

3 Each year, receive a TD Rewards Birthday Bonus (“Birthday Bonus”) equal to 10% of the TD Rewards Points earned while using the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* over the 12 months preceding the Primary Cardholder’s birthday, to a maximum Birthday Bonus of 10,000 TD Rewards Points. For the first year, we will only award the TD Rewards Birthday Bonus based on the TD Rewards Points earned from October 30, 2022, to your next birthday. Previously earned points on other Rewards Cards, Acquisition Bonus Points, or other Promotional Rewards Points earned do not count towards the Birthday Bonus. 

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First-class delta traveler ‘had a poop accident’ in front of horrified fliers — and this passenger managed to score free miles.

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A Delta passenger shared his crappy experience on a recent flight after a fellow traveler “had a poop accident” mid-flight.

On a Delta Reddit thread , the man said he was on a flight on Thursday when “a passenger in [first class] had a poop accident that caused an incredibly foul odor throughout the cabin.”

Horrified “passengers wanted the [flight attendant] to clean it up,” but the man stepped in to insist that the woman did not need to clean up the human waste.

“I approached her and told her that it was not her job, and she was doing a great job under the circumstances,” the man said.

He then shared a photo of a note he said the grateful flight attendant handed him as he walked off the plane.

“I apologize that your first-class flight wasn’t as pleasant as it should always be. Thank you for your understanding. I sent you some miles. Thank you for being a million miler,” the note read.

The man claimed he followed up with management after his flight and let them know “what a great job she did in a stressful situation.”

This unfortunately isn’t the first time airline passengers have experienced a crappy flight.

Last month, a United Airlines flight bound for Seattle had to divert to Dallas after a dog allegedly “had a messy accident in the aisle right in first class. Plane diverted to DFW. Ground crew spent over two hours cleaning carpets with paper towels,” a Redditor recalled in a post .

Earlier this year, a parent claimed that a fellow passenger pooped their pants on a Delta flight on Christmas Eve — and left excrement smeared all over the seat, as detailed in a viral  Reddit post  grossing major views online.

And in September, a Delta flight from Atlanta to Barcelona was forced to turn around and make an emergency landing after a passenger “had diarrhea all the way through the plane.”

The Airbus A350 aircraft was two hours into a trans-Atlantic flight from Georgia to Spain on Friday when the pilot asked to come back because of the fecal fiasco.

“This is a biohazard issue,” the pilot said to air traffic control, recorded from LiveATC.com and  shared on X .

“We’ve had a passenger who’s had diarrhea all the way through the airplane, so they want us to come back to Atlanta.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for the airline said: “Our teams worked as quickly and safely as possible to thoroughly clean the airplane and get our customers to their final destination.

“We sincerely apologize to our customers for the delay and inconvenience to their travel plans.”

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: French instructors in Ukraine would be 'legitimate target', Lavrov says on visit to West Africa

Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, is on a tour in West Africa as part of a diplomatic push by the isolated Kremlin to forge new ties around the world. Meanwhile, an upcoming summit on Ukraine will reportedly aim to create a pathway for Russian officials to join future talks.

Wednesday 5 June 2024 19:00, UK

• Lavrov: French military instructors in Ukraine would be 'legitimate target'
• Ivor Bennett: Why is Lavrov in Africa?
• Ukraine peace summit 'opens door to limited talks with Russia'
• Remote-control stretchers on trial in Ukraine
• Big picture:  Everything you need to know about the war right now
• Mapped: The territorial situation on the frontline today
• Your questions answered: Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?
• Live reporting by Guy Birchall

We're pausing our coverage for today but we will be back tomorrow with more updates.

Here is a rundown of the key developments today:

• Ukraine has used American weapons to strike inside Russia, according to an unnamed Western source;
• Joe Biden will hold talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Normandy this week during his visit celebrating the 80th anniversary of D-Day;
• Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has been visiting countries in Africa as part of an ongoing diplomatic offensive from the Kremlin;
• A former British defence attache has warned Russia's disinformation campaigns are "only going to get worse" as EU parliament elections and the Olympics approach.

You can scroll back through the blog to read all our updates from today.

A 26-year-old man of dual Ukrainian-Russian nationality has been arrested in possession of explosives after some of them detonated in a hotel room north of Paris.

The man was treated by fire-fighters after he "suffered significant burns following an explosion," on Monday, according to a source. 

A source at the French anti-terror prosecutor's office said they had taken charge of the case and opened an investigation on suspicion of a terrorist conspiracy. 

A subsequent search of his room led to the discovery of products and materials intended for the manufacture of explosive devices, the source added. 

France's domestic spy agency DGSI is handling the investigation, Reuters reports. 

Ukraine has used American weapons to strike inside Russia in recent days, according to a Western official.

The weapons were used under recently approved guidance from Joe Biden, allowing US arms to be used to strike inside Russia in defence of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city.

The official spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Mr Biden's directive allows for US-supplied weapons to be used to strike Russian forces that are attacking or preparing to attack.

It does not change US policy that directs Ukraine not to use American-provided tactical or long-range missiles and other munitions to make offensive strikes inside Russia, US officials said.

Ukrainian officials had stepped up calls on the US to allow Kyiv's forces to defend themselves against attacks originating from Russian territory.

Kharkiv is 12 miles from the Russian border and has recently come under intensified Russian attack.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Qatar for talks with the state's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The Ukrainian president said on X that he planned to discuss Qatar's participation in a process of returning Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as bilateral economic and security issues.

In March, Ukraine and Russia exchanged six children via Qatari mediation.

Earlier this week, Mr Zelenskyy made a surprise trip to the Philippines to thank the country for agreeing to participate in the upcoming peace summit being held in Switzerland.

A Russian-American man has been sentenced by a St Petersburg court to three-and-a-half years in prison on charges of "rehabilitating Nazism". 

Yuri Malev was arrested in December over social media posts in which he was alleged to have denigrated the Saint George's ribbon, a Russian military symbol of valour. 

One post reportedly contained "obscene language" and another other showed a picture of a corpse wearing the ribbon, captioned: "How to wear the Saint George's ribbon correctly". 

The court in St Petersburg said this showed disrespect for society and insulted the memory of the Great Patriotic War (the Russian name for the Second World War). 

Malev admitted guilt, according to the court. 

He was a graduate of the law faculty of St Petersburg University and had lived in the United States since 1991, according to independent Russian language media.

Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russian authorities, said Malev was a resident of Brooklyn, New York. 

He reportedly entered Russia by bus from Estonia two weeks before he was arrested. 

Moscow routinely refers to the government in Kyiv as a "Nazi regime", despite Volodymyr Zelenskyy being Jewish.

Ukraine has been allowed to shoot down Moscow's planes over Russian territory with American weapons since the war broke out, the White House has clarified.

Ukraine "can shoot down Russian aeroplanes that pose an impending threat", national security spokesman John Kirby said. 

"And they have. They have since the beginning of the war."

The clarification was given due to confusion over Washington’s recent decision to relax rules on US-supplied weapons striking military targets on Russian soil.

Joe Biden gave authorisation for the strikes on a limited basis to help Kyiv defend itself against Kremlin forces advances towards Kharkiv.

Mr Kirby said he could not confirm reports that Ukraine had used US-supplied weapons on Russian territory for the first time.

He told reporters: "We're just not in a position on a day-to-day basis of knowing exactly what the Ukrainians are firing at what.

"It's certainly at a tactical level. So, I can't confirm that. I can tell you that they understand the guidance that they've been given."

By Ivor Bennett, Moscow correspondent 

Sergei Lavrov's trip to Africa is part of an ongoing diplomatic offensive by the Kremlin, running in parallel to its conflict in Ukraine.

Isolated from the West, Russia is trying to forge new ties and has found fertile ground in Africa.

There have been several coups in recent years that have ushered in anti-Western military juntas.

US troops were kicked out of Niger, for example, while the French had to leave Burkina Faso.

In both cases, Moscow was quick to move in as the new security guarantors, and their efforts clearly don't stop there.

This is the veteran foreign minister Lavrov's ninth visit to the continent since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Kenya, Burundi and South Africa were among his stops last year; this week it's Guinea, Congo and Burkina Faso.

In return for military support, Russia gains an ally - they may not support the war, but they won't criticise it either.

The Kremlin portrays this as the formation of a new world order, free from Western imperialism and hegemony.

But others say Russia are the neo-colonialists, painting this as a blatant attempt to expand their sphere of influence.

Ukraine's first deputy foreign minister has held talks with his Chinese counterpart in an effort to increase cooperation between the two countries, the Ukrainian ministry said. 

Ukraine's Andriy Sybiha also told Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong that he hoped China would participate in a Ukraine-led peace summit later in June. 

Mr Sybiha added that it could be "a good opportunity to make a practical contribution to achieving a just and lasting peace", the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.

A report earlier today (see 7.40am post) said that June's peace summit opened doors to "limited talks with Russia" - despite Russian officials not being invited.

Earlier we brought you news that Ukraine said it had shot down 22 of the 27 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight (see 8.04am post). 

Now photographs have emerged of the aftermath of one of the strikes. 

Firefighters work to put out the massive blaze in the Poltava region.

As Russia opens a new front on Ukraine's northeastern border, the war has entered an important phase.

Readers have been sending in their questions to our senior correspondents and military experts for their take on the changing battlefield environment.

Today, Trevor Prew asks:

Are there any signs of an underground Russian resistance operating inside Russia, or can Russians openly criticize Putin, as long as they don't protest on the streets or mention the war.

Russia correspondent Ivor Bennett says:

In a word, no.

There wasn't much opposition to speak of in Russia even before the war, but now there's nothing left whatsoever.

All of Putin's political opponents are either exiled, jailed or dead, as are those with any connections to Alexei Navalny.

Those who dare to speak out are silenced.

At one end, are the long-time critics and opposition activists, like Vladimir Kara-Murza, the dual Russian-British national opposition who is serving a 25-year prison sentence for treason.

But at the other end are ordinary Russians, like the former schoolteacher Nikita Tushkanov sentenced to 5.5 years for comments he made online about Putin.

The crackdown on dissent seemingly knows no bounds and it's created a climate in which those who oppose the war are terrified to speak out.

They do exist - as evidenced by the huge turnout for Navalny's funeral. But that was a unique moment and is unlikely to be repeated anytime soon.

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FinanceBuzz

10 Ways To Elevate Your Travel to a First-Class Experience (Without the Price Tag)

Posted: August 1, 2023 | Last updated: December 14, 2023

You can feel like you’re traveling first class without spending thousands of dollars.

By earning travel rewards and making savvy decisions, you can find plenty of ways to elevate your travel experience while keeping your wallet intact.

Let’s explore how to boost your flights and hotel stays so that you can travel in comfort and style.

Compare the best travel credit cards for nearly free travel

Book travel with points and miles

To start, there’s typically no easier way to save money on travel than by using credit card rewards.

Rather than dishing out loads of cash for your next flight or hotel stay, consider lowering the cost with valuable points and miles. Then you can relax, knowing your bookings didn’t break the bank.

Pro tip: The top travel credit cards make it easy to earn points and miles on purchases you already make, such as gas and groceries.

Get expert advice on making more money - sent straight to your inbox.

Sign up for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or CLEAR Plus

If you want to help reduce the hassle of airport security lines, look into Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and CLEAR Plus.

Being a member of one of these programs could help reduce your time in airport lines. You’ll also feel like a mini-celebrity as you walk past people in the general line through a reserved lane.

The Global Entry program includes TSA PreCheck, giving you access to two different programs. And depending on the airport, you can use CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck program benefits to reduce your time further.

Take advantage of airport lounge access

Many travel credit cards provide airport lounge access, which can completely change how you spend your time at the airport.

Your waiting experience at the airport usually consists of loud and busy waiting areas, expensive food, and searching for a place to sit.

Instead, enjoy the semi-private atmosphere of an airport lounge, where you’ll typically enjoy free food and drinks in a comfortable chair.

Financial Fitness: 5 signs you're doing better financially than the average American

Use airline or travel credits

Some travel credit cards provide airline credits you can use toward incidental purchases on flights, like checked bags and in-flight refreshments.

Other cards provide travel credits that work toward just about any travel-related purchase, including flights, hotel stays, and car rentals.

These credits help you avoid paying more out of pocket and elevate your experience, like picking preferred seats ahead of time.

Use hotel credits

Similar to airline credits, hotel credits are designed for use on applicable hotel stays. That could mean using a hotel credit to lower the cost of your room or towards a room upgrade.

You might also consider using a credit card hotel credit to do something out of the ordinary, such as paying for dinner at the fancy in-hotel restaurant or raiding your room’s minibar.

Pro tip: Keeping track of your points and credits while making plans on how to maximize your use of them can eliminate some money stress from your trip. 

Qualify for flight upgrades

Some credit cards qualify for free seat upgrades over other passengers. That could be huge if we’re talking about moving into a business or first-class cabin from economy.

You may also qualify for free seat upgrades if you have a certain elite status with specific airlines.

And you don’t necessarily have to travel or spend money like crazy to earn elite status. It could be as simple as using online shopping portals (like AAdvantage eShopping) for purchases you have already planned.

Travel Secrets Revealed: 7 nearly secret things to do if you fly Southwest

Apply free hotel night awards

You might not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a hotel night, but what about using a free hotel night award or certificate you receive each year from a credit card?

In most cases, you must pay an annual fee for a credit card with this type of benefit. But the free night award can easily offset the yearly cost if you remember to use it.

Get priority boarding

Something doesn’t feel quite right about being the last person to board a flight and having to check your carry-on bag because “there’s no more room.”

To help avoid this situation, consider airline credit cards with priority boarding benefits. This could help you get on your flight faster, giving you time to find space for your bags and settle in.

Check your bags for free

As if paying for a flight wasn’t expensive, you must also pay checked baggage fees with many airlines. But that’s not the case if you have a credit card with a free checked bag benefit.

This benefit typically applies to the first checked bag for you and a specific number of people traveling on the same reservation.

That means you could be the hero for the whole family or group of friends on your next flight. Not to mention, you’d avoid a potentially hefty baggage fee.

Earn up to 5% cash back when you shop with these leading credit cards

Relax in your room with late checkout

With specific credit cards and elite status benefits, you could find yourself checking out of hotels at 4 p.m. or a similar time.

Late checkouts are especially welcome if you’ve enjoyed a hotel stay and don’t have any urgent reason to leave.

That could be the case if you have a later flight to catch or want to soak up as much hotel time as possible on your vacation.

Enjoy free or discounted breakfast

Some hotels already offer complimentary breakfast to guests, but many don’t.

Rather than spending a potentially outrageous amount of money to start the day, consider leveraging credit card benefits to discount the cost of your hotel breakfast.

Use an elite status benefit to access a club lounge serving free breakfast to certain guests or simply receive an allotment of breakfast credit each morning at a hotel restaurant.

Choose the right seat

Traveling on an economy fare won’t typically compare to business or first class, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be comfortable.

If you research your upcoming flight ahead of time — including checking out the seat map for your plane — you might be able to find seats that are preferable to others.

That could mean more legroom or not being close to loud parts of the cabin, such as bathrooms or crew areas.

Pay no interest until nearly 2025 with these credit cards

Bring your own snacks

Having your own food on hand could make all the difference if you tend to get peckish or don’t like airplane food. 

Rather than being hungry and uncomfortable, you can reach into your bag of goodies whenever you want to satisfy your cravings. Plus, it can help you keep more money in your bank account if your other option is buying premium foods.

Pack first-class gear

Pack a travel pillow for more comfort, and consider noise-canceling headphones to help yourself relax. If you know you get cold on planes, bring a small blanket to keep you warm.

You might already have some or all of these things, so it’s a matter of remembering to pack the right gear before you’re tempted to spend a small fortune at an airport store.

Travel during the off-season

Depending on your destination, traveling during peak season can be a lot busier. That could include having fully-booked flights, giving you no option of moving around.

Traveling during the off-season could give you some space on your flights, letting you spread out in empty rows or at least have an open seat next to you. Plus, you can get better rates and keep more money in your wallet .

Bottom line

Traveling on a budget can provide a first-class experience if you follow tips and tricks to elevate your experience.

It’s a win-win situation because you enjoy your trip even more without paying absurd amounts of money.

One of the first steps to starting with points and miles is checking out the top credit cards to see what makes the most sense in terms of helping you earn the most rewards for your next trip. 

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