I started my latest trip, and my long transpacific flight to Asia will be in an amazing luxurious lie-flat pod seat in business class, once again. I got yet another great deal with my Aeroplan points: 75,000 points and $100. And I even got to add in a 2nd shorter business class experience for just $21, which will also be my very first double-decker plane in 600+ lifetime flights!
I’ll soon do a proper trip introduction post (it’s another weird trip), like both Kevin and I have been (mostly) doing diligently for each of our trips. I wanted to share my points redemption and a few business class tips as a reminder right away, with my very concrete example.
You can follow my trip in real-time on my Instagram stories if you’re interested. Flytrippers aims to help you travel for less through our 3 types of content, namely flight deals, travel rewards, and tips/inspiration/news.
Here’s more about my great business class points redemption to Asia I’m on right now.
My business class flights today
In addition to costing $3700+ if paid in cash, my 2 flights today are on 2 airlines with a 5-star ranking from Skytrax (there are only 10 such airlines in the entire world).
I took 9 business class flights in 2025, so I’m becoming more and more of a pro at this too.
I’ll share exactly how you can do the same thing in the next section.
First, a seat on EVA Air’s great business class became available from Vancouver to Taipei for the fixed guaranteed price of 75,000 Aeroplan points. Taxes/fees were $99.67 (it’s almost always around that; please don’t be someone who doesn’t want to pay taxes!!!).
That’s the exact same price I paid last year for United Polaris business class to Asia, because again: that’s the guaranteed fixed price on Aeroplan partner airlines.
It’s a 13-hour flight, giving me a great CPH (cost per hour) of 5769 pts/hr + 8 CAD/hr.
If you weren’t as savvy and paid cash for this flight, it’s worth the insane amount of $5054.
To be fairer, let’s use half of the roundtrip price of $6097 (so $3049) instead of the one-way price that’s almost always inflated for long-distance flights.
That’s still $2949 saved ($3049 minus $100 in taxes; for those who don’t love math)!
That’s a value of 4 ¢/pt! Sadly, so many people redeem their valuable Aeroplan points for 1.1 ¢/pt on Air Canada flights (or for even lower value for anything other than flights; please don’t do that, at the very least).
I am headed to China, so Taipei was perfect. And EVA Air business class is extremely highly rated. It has lie-flat seats and direct aisle access for every seat, my 2 non-negotiables.
These planes have a reverse herringbone seat configuration, which is not my favorite type.
But it’s still amazing, of course.
However, where EVA Air shines is the soft product.
The food, the service, the amenity kit, the pyjama set, etc.
I’ll tell you all about my 2 experiences after my flights.
But I then spotted an even better deal: I could add on a segment from Taipei to Seoul on Asiana’s great business class for the exact same price (guaranteed fixed price; and the added distance wasn’t enough to move to the next pricing tier in Aeroplan award charts).
And that nearly 3-hour flight is on the double-decker A380! It’s honestly wild that an AvGeek like me has never flown on the A380 or the B747 (not even in economy, to be clear). In 600+ flights!
What a way to have a first experience. On the upper deck, in a lie-flat pod seat worth $661.
All I had to pay was an extra $21 in taxes (for the connection in Taipei)!
Which is obviously more than worth it for an extra business class experience on a new airline (and another highly-rated one; Asiana is another one of the 10 airlines rated 5-star), let alone the A380 angle.
This post’s cover image above is my Asiana A380 seat.
This is a staggered seat configuration, which I prefer, because it offers seat options with more privacy as a solo traveler if no window seats are available.
The highlight is the bar/lounge on the upper deck.
It’s a bit cliché, but I’ve never had a business class flight with a bar/lounge so I’m hoping it’s decent even on a short flight.
And Korean food is so delicious to start with, but Asiana’s food is highly rated as well.
Plus, while Taipei seems logically closer to China than Seoul, having done the Korea–China route in both 2025 and 2024, I know flights were just as cheap if I were positioning there rather than in Taiwan.
For my dates, it was actually even slightly cheaper ($58) since I want to go to Qingdao.
As I did last year, I planned a trip to Asia to take advantage of Marriott’s winter promotion that includes bonus points and bonus elite night credits (a shortcut to elite status).
It’s my first trip of 2026, apart from a weekend in NYC where I got $1000 in free hotels and meals (and ≈ $200 in rewards for future free travel).
I actually went through NYC yesterday to catch my positioning flight (thankfully out of Newark and not LaGuardia, given the deadly Air Canada crash Sunday night).
How you can do the exact same thing
I shared a full guide on how to fly in business class for less than in economy class.
If you too want to fly in business class for cheap, all you need to do is carefully read that guide.
So I applied those tips, of course (more on them below).
And I also made sure that our new Flytrippers business class deals section had an alert for flights to Asia on my dates (which were not flexible; I’ll explain why in our weekend newsletter).
Check out that section regularly to find available seats extremely easily!
It’s also very easy to get a lot of Aeroplan points. But you might want to wait…
Just a single welcome bonus (the increased offers on the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, the Amex Aeroplan Card, and even the Amex Gold Rewards Card) gives you enough points for the guaranteed fixed price of 60,000 points between Canada and Europe (flights from Western Canada and flights to Asia require a bit more).
That said, I almost didn’t want to share this post right away… to keep your focus on the amazing record-high offers on both Marriott credit cards! It’s their highest ever, and these are must-have cards for all Canadian travelers.
You should really get one of those first; not cards to get business class flights (those can be your next ones).
| Top 4 best credit card offers (March 2026) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Valuation (BONUS)(≈ 19.6% back on $6k)
Rewards: ≈ $1293
Card fee: $120
Spend required:$6k in 6 mos.
Best for: Lucrative hotel points (must-have card)
 LUCRATIVE
No min. inc.
ends April 7th
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Valuation (BONUS) (≈ 11.9% back on $10k)
Rewards: ≈ $1335
Card fee: $150
Spend required:$10k in 6 mos.
Best for: For those who already have the one above
LUCRATIVE
No min. inc.
ends April 7th
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Valuation (BONUS) (≈ 7.8% back on $12k)
Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250
Spend required:$12k in 12 mos.
Best for: Lucrative pts for flights & lounge access
 LUCRATIVE
No min. inc.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
|
Top 4 best credit card offers (March 2026) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LUCRATIVE No min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: ≈ $1293
Card fee: $120 (≈ 19.6% back on $6k)
Spend required:
$6k in 6 mos.
Best for: Lucrative hotel points (must-have card)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LUCRATIVE No min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: ≈ $1335
Card fee: $150 (≈ 11.9% back on $10k)
Spend required:
$10k in 6 mos.
Best for: For those who already have the one above
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LUCRATIVENo min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250 (≈ 7.8% back on $12k)
Spend required:
$12k in 12 mos.
Best for: Lucrative pts for flights & lounge access
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 SIMPLE60k/100k
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: $1000
Annual fee: $0 $139 (13.3% back on $7.5k)
Spend required:
$7.5k in 6 mos.
Best for: Simple points for any travel expense & 4 lounge passes
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 SIMPLE12k
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: $825
Card fee: $120 (9.4% back on $7.5k)
Spend required:
$7.5k in 12 mos. (or $2k)
Best for: Simple pts for any travel on any website
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
But airline points definitely need to be part of your strategy if you want the most epic luxury, and the very best deal in the entire world of travel: business class flights with airline points.
Asia is far away, and my points redemption for business class flights is yet another great example of how amazing the wonderful world of travel rewards can be when you know how to maximize your points.
Some important business class tips in action
I want to use my flight to illustrate some of the tips, as concrete examples sometimes help better understand (I had already done something very similar that you should read if you haven’t yet, when I booked my great THAI Airways flight last summer).
Partner airlines are the best
It’s such a shame that so many travelers always redeem their precious Aeroplan points on Air Canada.
Partner airlines are almost always a better value, and you can easily find seats… if you’re slightly flexible.
Available seats are limited, that’s why their price is limited too (guaranteed fixed price, no matter the cash price) and why the value you can get is therefore unlimited!!!
This is yet another example. With my Aeroplan points, I’ve now booked business class flights on THAI Airways, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, United, EVA Air, and Asiana. And economy class flights on others.
Partners are better with almost every airline points currency, but it’s especially great with Aeroplan: they have more partner airlines than any program in the world (more partners = more available seats).
Flexibility is the key
Again, you literally just need to get over direct flights. That’s it. Find a seat across the ocean and book a positioning flight, it’s that simple.
Ideally, any flight from your city to the region you want to get to (positioning flight after your transoceanic flight). Or any flight from North America to the city you want to get to (positioning flight before your transoceanic flight).
Or in some cases, especially for Asia, positioning flights on both ends. It costs a bit more overall, but still nowhere near the price of flying business class if paid in cash (wayyyyy less).
That’s what I had to do this time, especially with the heightened demand because of the current limitations the Gulf airlines face.
Finding availability is almost always possible
Finding available seats to Europe is quite easy, but Asia is certainly more challenging. Even in normal times.
The major Gulf airlines carry so many people between North America and Asia, and they’re incredibly affected by the Iran war. That means sooooo many people were interested in the available business class seats to Asia, way more than usual.
And yet, I was still able to find a seat. Just like I did in peak summer last year, in peak summer in 2023, in late May last year with my girlfriend’s completely inflexible dates, etc.
If you’re flexible on the routing and are willing to book either very late or very early, you can find seat availability! In my case, it’s always within a month of the departure (I am incapable of booking far ahead).
Our Flytrippers business class deals section helps you a lot by doing all the work to spot so many seats! All you have to do is at least check it often.
Being picky is okay
And I was so picky this time, too.
I absolutely wanted to fly in a new business class (to widen my experiences). I didn’t want to fly European airlines (I’ll keep those for when I’m actually flying to Europe). I didn’t want to fly Air India under any circumstances (IYKYK).
I refused to even consider “good” business classes that had no direct aisle access for all seats. That’s even more restrictive. Those lie-flat seats are honestly fine if you’re traveling as a couple or with friends, but as a solo traveler, I am fundamentally opposed to them.
And yet, I was still able to find a seat! A great one, too.
However, it did require a much more complicated effort than usual to keep my positioning flight cost down, due to all those circumstances and restrictions. But to me it was worth it.
24-hour cancellation is such an underrated pro tip
So many people don’t even know that you can book any flight with Air Canada, including with Aeroplan points, and get 24 hours to refund it completely free (100% online in just a few clicks).
Air Canada’s 24-hour cancellation policy is so amazing. As soon as you see any business class seat you think there’s even a slight chance you’ll want, book now. Not 10 minutes later. Now.
Then you refund it if you don’t want it. Simple. I booked a half-dozen flights before landing on this great one. Refunded them all within 24 hours (except the one I kept, obviously).
Transferable bank points are also very underrated
I simply use all of my spending to unlock welcome bonuses. Always. The #1 most important thing to understand: welcome bonuses are the key to earning more (WAY more).
But after many flights in business class (and in economy class, too), I was missing a few Aeroplan points to make a 2nd booking before I cancelled the other one within 24 hours (I wanted to make sure I didn’t cancel it until the next one is confirmed, just in case).
I simply transferred a few thousand Amex points in a few clicks. Amex transfers to Aeroplan are instant.
In Canada, we sadly only have Amex points and RBC Avion points in terms of transferable bank points (and with way fewer transfer partners). But that’s still better than nothing. And it makes those 2 bank rewards currencies the best in Canada (by far)!
(Don’t miss our slightly delayed guide to getting US-issued credit cards as a Canadian; it’s vital if you want to fly in business class more than just a few times a year!)
In March, both the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card and the Amex Aeroplan Card offers have increased. You should still prioritize the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, but if you already have both of those, Aeroplan points are the best.
Well, almost the best. Amex points are actually better, as you can transfer them to Aeroplan but they also give you more options.
For example, there’s currently an amazing 25% transfer bonus to Air France-KLM Flying Blue. More on that promotion very soon.
| Best credit cards for Amex MR points |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Valuation (BONUS) (≈ 7.8% back on $12k)
Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250
Spend required:$12k in 12 mos.
Best for: 72,000 pts + 8 lounge passes and $100 travel credit
LUCRATIVE
No min. inc.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Valuation (BONUS) (≈ 7.9% back on $9k)
Rewards: ≈ $900
Card fee: $191.88 ($15.99/mo.)
Spend required:$9k in 12 mos.
Best for: 60,000 pts + 5X earn rate no increased offer
LUCRATIVE
No min. inc.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Valuation (BONUS) Rewards: ≈ $2101
Card fee: $799
Spend required:spend $10k in 3 mos. &
make 1 purchase in months 14-17
Best for: 110,000 pts + unlimited lounges and $200 travel credit
LUCRATIVE
No min. inc.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
|
Best credit cards for Amex MR points |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LUCRATIVE No min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250 (≈ 7.8% back on $12k)
Spend required:
$12k in 12 mos.
Best for: 72,000 pts + 8 lounge passes and $100 travel credit
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LUCRATIVENo min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: ≈ $900
Card fee: $191.88 ($15.99/mo.) (≈ 7.9% back on $9k)
Spend required:
$9k in 12 mos.
Best for: 60,000 pts + 5X earn rate no increased offer
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LUCRATIVENo min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: ≈ $2101
Card fee: $799 Spend required:
spend $10k in 3 mos. &
make 1 purchase in months 14-17 Best for: 110,000 pts + unlimited lounges and $200 travel credit
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LUCRATIVENo min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: ≈ $165
Card fee: $0 (≈ 16.5% back on $1k)
Spend required:
$1k in 3 mos.
Best for: 11,000 pts + no fees but way less value
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LUCRATIVE No min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: ≈ $1500
Card fee: $199 (≈ 4.3% back on $30k)
Spend required:
$30k in 12 mos. (or $7.5k)
Best for: 100,000 pts + simpler min. spend structure
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LUCRATIVENo min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)
Rewards: ≈ $1922
Card fee: $799 (≈ 7.5% back on $15k)
Spend required:
$15k in 3 mos. spend $15k in 3 mos. &
make 1 purchase in months 14-17 Best for: 138,750 pts + unlimited lounges different min. spend
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
Learning how to travel for less
Join over 100,000 savvy Canadian travelers who already receive Flytrippers’ free newsletter so we can help you travel for less — including thanks to the wonderful world of travel rewards!
Sign up for our travel rewards newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter
Summary
I am currently flying on my great business class seats worth $3000+ (Vancouver–Taipei) and $661 (Taipei–Seoul), which you can follow on my Instagram stories. I paid just 75,000 Aeroplan points (the guaranteed fixed price on partner airlines), and $121 in taxes. These lie-flat seats are the ultimate luxury experience in the air, and it’s so easy to get!
What would you like to know about this Aeroplan points redemption example in Asia? Tell us in the comments below.
See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights
Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards
Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration
Learn pro tricks: Travel tips
Featured image: Asiana A380 business class (photo credit: Asiana Airlines)
