You can do everything right – save up the right points, be ready to book ahead of time, have everyone's TSA PreCheck numbers and dates of birth ready to go – and still, when it comes time to book the whole family into business class using points and miles…the award space just isn't there.
There's no guarantee with most airline programs that they'll release more than one or two business class seats bookable with points at a time, making booking a family of three, four, five, six, or more into the business class cabin impossible without shelling out thousands per ticket. Here's a cheap example: Flying a family of four to London in United Polaris business class can look like this…
Frankly, that's an inexpensive example, but still way, way out of reach for most families. You know what isn't out of reach for a family of four? Booking those same exact seats for just 180,000 points each way instead.
This search is for four travelers, meaning you can grab four or more seats in the same business class cabin (on the same reservation!) for 180,000 points and $111 in taxes and fees. Family-friendly business class award space this deep isn't the norm, however. Many airlines only release two seats at a time, making it impossible to book the whole family.
But it's definitely doable, because there are five airlines in particular where you can find award space for the whole family. We call this “deep” award space. By deep, we mean four or more available seats bookable with points. Sometimes, we've seen space up to nine seats deep on some airlines, too.
If you want the best chance at booking the family into business class altogether this year or next, there are five airlines that deserve your attention more than the rest.
And lucky for you, they fly to some of the coolest destinations on earth.
United Polaris Business Class
United's beefy presence in the United States and its huge network internationally makes it an airline many customers want to fly, and doubly so if they've flown United Polaris Business Class. Polaris is a tremendous flying experience, starting with its Polaris Lounges and ending up in a lie-flat seat across the Atlantic, Pacific, or down to South America.
And lucky for travelers, the seat goes on sale all the time thanks to United's many Star Alliance partners.
Just 45,000 Avianca LifeMiles are enough to secure your Polaris seat to London (LHR), for instance. But hidden in this great deal is just how many people you can book for at once.
Up to eight passengers can get on the same ticket on some dates for this exceptional deal!
Whether you earn points with American Express, Bilt, Capital One, Citi, or Wells Fargo, you can transfer them to Avianca to book your family trip to London.
Or do the same thing at slightly higher rates for the rest of Europe, too!
With availability nine seats deep on some days, this other United Polaris deal we recently sent was perfect for booking the whole family in business class for your European trip.
This time, you should book with Air Canada Aeroplan (transferable from Amex, Bilt, Capital One, or Chase) and book for just 60,000 points each!
If you have a family of eight or nine, Polaris might be your only option for locking down business class. You'll probably have about half of the cabin to yourself!
TAP Air Portugal
United's Portuguese partner TAP Air Portugal is also known for its deep availability, routinely offering four or more seats to its booking partners.
And when seats are available for just 60,000 points each way (or as low as 35,000 from JFK!), it's a perfect option to get the family to Europe in style.
TAP Air Portugal business class is also very nice – featuring tremendous onboard food and drink options, including some delectable port wine for the adults.
If Portugal or the neighboring countries is on your list, TAP Air Portugal business class is a good way to get your family across the pond.
SWISS Business Class (Lufthansa & Austrian, Too!)
SWISS, Lufthansa, Austrian – all of these airlines are also United partners. And wouldn't you know it, these carriers are also known for their deep award space, too.
SWISS Business Class is an especially tried and true offerer of deep award space – allowing families of four or more to book business class on the same ticket.
SWISS is also an incredibly comfortable way to criss-cross the Atlantic Ocean. With the whole family in tow, you're going to want some of that SWISS hospitality.
Booking with Air Canada is the best option for this latest deal that included business class flights with SWISS, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and more. Most of the fares below are flying SWISS for just 60,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles each way, which you can transfer form Amex, Bilt, Capital One, or Chase.
Even if you have a family of four in Fort Wayne, Indiana (FWA) or Providence, Rhode Island (PVD), you have a great shot at family-sized award space when you fly SWISS and its partners.
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
United and its partners aren't the only ones offering award space family or large traveling parties, though, because Delta partners Air France and KLM also are known for offering many seats at a time bookable with its Flying Blue miles.
Take this deal we sent a few weeks ago, for example. For just 50,000 FlyingBlue miles each way (transferable from Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Citi, and Wells Fargo) you can book these stellar Air France Business Class seats to Paris (CDG) or KLM's Business Class seats to Amsterdam (AMS).
It was an outstanding deal because it included peak summer dates this year, but it was also bookable for up to nine passengers! Travelers with the right points could have secured the trip of a lifetime for them and their traveling companions on this one.
Hawaiian Airlines First Class
We get asked all the time: “What's the best way to get to Hawaii?”
This. This is the best way to get to Hawaii.
Hawaiian First Class, especially on the airline's brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, is stellar.
It's certainly the comfiest way to get to Hawaii right now, and thanks to its easy-to-use award program, Hawaiian often offers makes up to nine seats at a time bookable with miles.
Don't have Hawaiian miles? You can transfer points from Amex or Bilt to book.
The fanciest 787 business class seats are available on Hawaiian's routes from Los Angeles (LAX) and Phoenix (PHX) routes, but all of these other routes also feature lie-flat seats to the islands for just 40,000 points each way.
Business class to Hawaii with the whole family? You'll thank us when you all land well-rested and well-fed.
Bottom Line
Finding business class award space big enough for the whole family can be tough, but these five airlines are known for regularly making offering enough seats bookable with miles for your entire traveling party.
Flying with up to nine passengers at a time is possible on the likes of United, TAP, SWISS, Air France/KLM, and Hawaiian this year or next.