How I Fly Business Class for Cheap Using Credit Card Points (And You Can Too!)

Imagine flying in luxury—stretching out in a lie-flat seat, sipping champagne, and enjoying gourmet meals at 30,000 feet—all without paying thousands of dollars. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be. With the right credit card strategy and a few smart moves, you can experience business class comfort without breaking the bank. Here’s how I’ve been doing it, and how you can too!

I recently traveled to Japan (with two stops in Tokyo) and the Philippines (visiting Manila, Zambales, and Boracay) for an entire month. And here’s the part that’s hard to believe: I only spent $756 on my round-trip flights. And no, I wasn’t stuck in economy! I flew premium economy from the U.S. to Japan and business class from Japan to the Philippines. Sounds impossible, right? Well, I’m here to share my experience and reveal the secret to how I did it.

The Moment It All Changed

A few years ago, I stumbled upon a guy online who was sharing travel hacks about flying business or first class using credit card points. I was instantly intrigued. At the time, I was content with my no-annual-fee Barclay cashback credit card, which I’d had since I started building credit. Later, I added a Capital One Silver card, also with no annual fee. I thought I was doing pretty well—until I discovered how much more was possible with the right travel rewards cards!

The Big Realization: Not All Cards Are Equal

I quickly learned that credit cards fall into different tiers. Sure, we’ve all heard of no-annual-fee cards with cashback benefits, and then there are cards with annual fees as high as $695 or more. And yes, there’s even the infamous black card. Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you go after that one! Like many people, I used to be skeptical of travel cards, thinking those annual fees were just a waste of money. But what I discovered is that those fees can unlock incredible value, especially when it comes to premium travel perks.

Enter the Travel Bug

Soon after, I caught the travel bug—solo adventures mostly, but sometimes with my significant other. If you’re in a relationship, you might relate when I say that (at least in my experience) women often do all the planning and manage every expense. I know someone whose husband handles everything—from booking flights to planning the entire itinerary. Lucky her, right?

Well, I wasn’t that lucky. So, I decided to take control of my own travel experience. I wanted to experience comfortable, even luxury travel. At the time, I was still building my credit, and my score wasn’t high enough to qualify for the highly coveted Chase Sapphire Reserve card that everyone was talking about. I was determined, though. It took me six months of hard work, but I finally got my credit score where it needed to be.

The Card That Changed It All: Capital One Venture X

Back to the credit card that changed everything—thanks to my education from YouTube University! My very first travel card was none other than the Capital One Venture X, and it was a game changer. The best part about getting a new travel card is the amazing bonuses. With this one, they literally pay you $5 just to have the card—yes, you’re net positive from the start! Where else can you find a deal like that?

But wait, it gets even better. One of the biggest reasons I went with the Venture X card was the free lounge access—and your companion gets in, too! How awesome is that? On top of that, there’s the killer sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 within the first three months. And trust me, that’s totally doable!

The Perks Keep Rolling In

Let me brag a little more—because the benefits are truly incredible. You get a $300 annual travel credit and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (worth about $100). So, do the math: that’s $400 in value, and the annual fee is only $395—meaning you’re actually $5 ahead just for having the card! And that’s only the beginning. There are tons of other perks that make this card worth every penny.

I’ve used my miles and points to book flights, hotels, and car rentals, saving a ton of money. Plus, lounging at the airport, enjoying free food and drinks? The Capital One Lounge is seriously one of the best! And you even get access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge once a year, along with other lounge options. Trust me, you won’t be missing out on comfort.

Downgrading Cards Without Hurting Your Credit

Another fantastic thing about the Venture X is that if you want to avoid the fee fro the next year, you can always downgrade to a no-annual-fee version before your card anniversary. Important tip: do not cancel the card! Canceling can negatively impact your credit score. The good news is that even if you downgrade, your credit history stays intact—pretty awesome, right?

Credit Tips: Pay Smart, Boost Your Score

Remember, being responsible with your credit is key. Just because you have a card doesn’t mean you should max it out and only pay the minimum balance. No, no, no! That will hurt your credit in the long run. If you want access to premium perks without breaking the bank, you need to learn how to leverage your credit. Always pay your balance before the due date—or here’s a neat trick: pay 3-4 days before your statement closes. That way, it won’t get reported to the credit bureau, keeping your expenses low and giving your credit score a boost. It’s one of the strategies that helped me get to an 800+ score in no time!

As for me, I didn’t downgrade the card because, with my lifestyle, it just makes sense to keep it and continue enjoying all the perks!

Enter the Amex Platinum: A Game Changer

When I ran out of the Venture X sign-up bonus, I didn’t stop there. I turned to the Amex Platinum—a card I initially hesitated to get because of its $695 annual fee. But once I compared it to others, like the Chase card, I realized it made way more sense for me. Yes, it’s expensive, but the value? Absolutely worth it.

This is the card that flew me comfortably to Japan and the Philippines, and I’ll show you exactly how I did it. But first, let me give you a quick rundown of its perks.

Amex Platinum: The Perks Breakdown

- Annual fee: $695 (don’t let that scare you off—the value is around $1,500!)

- Welcome bonus: 80,000 miles if you spend $8,000 in the first 6 months

- $240 digital entertainment credit

- $200 hotel credit

- $200 airline fee credit

- $200 Uber cash

- $199 Clear Plus credit (to speed through airport security)

- $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit

- $155 Walmart+ membership

- American Express Global Lounge Collection access (including the stunning Centurion Lounge

There are plenty more benefits, and they’re constantly adding new ones. Keep an eye out!

Booking My Business Class Flights with Amex Platinum

Now, let’s get to the good stuff—here’s how I booked business class flights internationally without breaking the bank using the Amex Platinum.

Step 1: Get That Sign-Up Bonus

The sign-up bonus is your key to premium flights. It may take about six months to hit the spending requirement and unlock your bonus miles, but trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Step 2: Know Your Airline Partners

Before booking, figure out where you’re traveling and which airlines partner with Amex for point transfers. These transfers are usually 1:1, but sometimes promotions offer up to 30% more points with certain airlines.

For my trip from JFK to Tokyo and then to the Philippines, I transferred my Amex points to ANA—a super easy process, though it took about 48 hours for the points to show up in my account. Pro tip: Some travelers recommend transferring to Virgin Atlantic for even better value!

Step 3: Check Availability Early

Here’s the catch—reward flights can fill up fast, so act early. I once ended up on a waitlist for a business class seat, and it was nerve-wracking! Thankfully, I got the seat, but don’t cut it close like I did. Some experts suggest booking as early as a year in advance to guarantee availability.

To check availability, sign up for the airline’s rewards program and browse the ‘rewards’ section for flight options.

Step 4: Transfer Points to Your Airline

Once your flight is available, transfer your points. Some transfers are instant, but others—like with ANA—can take up to 48 hours. Keep in mind, transfers are one-way, so make sure you’re sure before hitting that button.

Step 5: Book Your Ticket

Once the points are in your account, it’s time to book! Congrats—you’re all set to fly in style.

I transferred 60,000 points to ANA, allowing me to book a round-trip premium economy flight from JFK to Tokyo for just $563.30. Then, I transferred 74,000 points to Cathay Pacific, which allowed me to book a business class flight from Tokyo to Manila with JAL for $191.75.

In total, I only spent $756 for all my flights, while enjoying the comfort of premium economy and business class.

The Experience: Flying in Luxury

Flying with ANA was a treat. Even in premium economy, I had access to their lounge, which was such a bonus! As for JAL business class? It was a dream. From priority boarding to the lounge experience and the in-flight service, it was an unforgettable journey.

Next Stop: Japan in 2025

For my next big trip, I’ve already booked business class tickets for my fiancé and me to Japan in January 2025. Using Amex points, I managed to get two business class flights for just $911 total. Without the points, these flights would have cost $20,000. We’re on the waitlist again, but fingers crossed we get it!

Flying in luxury doesn’t have to be out of reach, and with the right strategy, you can experience premium travel for a fraction of the cost. From maximizing credit card points to understanding how and when to transfer those points, I’ve shared all the secrets that have taken me from economy to business class—and you can do it too. Whether it’s planning ahead, choosing the right airline partners, or taking advantage of incredible sign-up bonuses, these travel hacks will help you unlock a world of comfort and luxury.

Ready to Fly?

Start making your dream trips a reality today—fly smarter, save more, and experience the world in style without emptying your wallet. Safe travels, and happy point collecting! ✈️

Learn more about the cards I mentioned!

Capital one venture X

Amex platinum card: