For 20 years, one of my favorite ways to fly comfortably across the Atlantic has involved patience, a healthy balance of airline miles and a willingness to live with some uncertainty.
My recent trip to France was a good example. I paid about $1,000 for an Air France premium economy ticket from San Francisco to Paris. When I checked in the day before departure, I was offered an upgrade to business class for $500.
That same upgrade had previously been offered to me for $8,000.
The return journey was a little more nerve-racking. I left for France without a ticket home because the business-class award flights I was finding cost 400,000 miles or more one way. Some were as high as 800,000. Then, about a week before I needed to return, I found several options for around 80,000 miles—including the American Airlines itinerary I ultimately booked, which included Flagship First.
My experience isn’t a promise that prices will fall or that a last-minute award seat will appear. But it illustrates why I keep looking, even when the first prices I see seem absurd.
The $8,000 Upgrade That Became $500
At 6 feet 5 inches, I pay particular attention to legroom. When I fly to Europe, I often start by booking economy with a seat that gives me more space, or I book premium economy. On this trip, I chose premium economy for the Air France flight from San Francisco to Paris.
Before departure, Air France repeatedly offered me an upgrade to business class for an additional $8,000. As appealing as a lie-flat seat sounded, it wasn’t worth that much to me.
Then, when I checked in the day before the flight, the offer was $500. I took it. That was $7,500 less than the earlier upgrade offer, and my total for the ticket and upgrade came to approximately $1,500 one way. Air France says eligible passengers can purchase a last-minute paid upgrade when check-in opens, subject to availability and its terms.
This has happened to me more than once, on flights to Paris and to Brazil. I don’t count on getting an inexpensive upgrade, but I do make a habit of checking the airline’s app and my reservation as departure approaches—and especially when check-in opens.
The distinction matters: I book a seat I can live with if no upgrade is offered. A lower price may appear, but business class may also sell out, remain expensive or never be offered as an upgrade.
The Return Flight: From 400,000 Miles To 80,000
My flight home required a different kind of patience.
I was looking for a one-way business-class award from France to San Francisco, but the prices I initially found were discouraging: 400,000 miles and up, with some itineraries reaching 800,000. Rather than spend that many miles, I waited and continued to search.
About a week before I wanted to return, I found multiple business-class options for approximately 80,000 miles, including itineraries from Marseille through Paris to San Francisco. I also found the American Airlines award I ended up booking, which included Flagship First, for 80,000 miles.
Award prices can change dramatically, and the cabin shown for an entire itinerary may not apply to every flight segment. Before booking, I check the operating airline, the cabin on each leg, connection times and the taxes and fees. A flight labeled first or business class on one segment might have a different cabin on another.
I also recognize that leaving France without a ticket home was a gamble. It worked for me, but if I had needed to return on one specific day—or if I were trying to find several seats together—I might have made a different decision. An award seat that appears close to departure can disappear just as quickly.
Why I Have Miles To Spend
Waiting for a good award flight works best when I already have a supply of miles or transferable credit card points. I’ve accumulated them over the years through credit card welcome offers and by putting everyday purchases and business expenses on cards that earn rewards.
That doesn’t mean I spend money just to earn points. Interest charges and fees can quickly erase the value of any reward, so my approach is to use cards for purchases I would make anyway and pay the balance in full.
If you’re starting out, pay attention to the annual fee, the spending requirement for any welcome offer and which airline programs accept transfers from the card. It’s also worth confirming that an award seat is available before transferring points: transfers can take time and generally can’t be reversed.
For more on the trade-offs, see our earlier story, Why Should—or Shouldn’t—I Use Award Points for My Air Tickets?. I also wrote about accumulating points and watching award prices in Oops! I Did It Again: Half-Price Business Class.
Another Option: La Compagnie
There’s another airline worth considering if you want to fly business class to France without depending on an upgrade offer or a large stash of miles.
La Compagnie operates an all-business-class service from Newark to Paris Orly and Nice. I haven’t flown it myself, but friends who have rave about the experience.
The airline sometimes offers promotions, and I typically see round-trip fares between Newark and Paris around $3,500, though prices vary by date and availability. That can be an appealing alternative to the business-class fares I often see on larger airlines.
The challenge for those of us on the West Coast is getting to Newark. You’ll need to add the cost of that flight—and potentially a hotel—and allow enough time between separately booked tickets. If a delayed flight causes you to miss the transatlantic departure, the second airline may not be responsible for rebooking you.
For a river cruise in the south of France, the Nice route may also be worth a look. Nice airport says La Compagnie has extended that service into the 2026–2027 winter season, though schedules and frequencies should be checked for your dates.
How I’d Approach Your Next River Cruise Flight
If you’d like a more comfortable flight without paying the first business-class price you see, here’s where I’d start:
- Book a seat you can accept. If the upgrade never materializes, you still need to be comfortable enough to make the journey.
- Keep checking upgrade offers. Look periodically before departure and again when check-in opens. Compare the upgrade price with what you’re willing to pay.
- Search award flights on different dates and routes. A change of day or departure city can make a substantial difference. Check each segment’s cabin and the taxes and fees.
- Consider a backup if your dates are fixed. Review the cancellation and redeposit rules before booking; they vary by airline and fare.
- Give yourself time before your cruise. Arriving at least a day early can make a delayed flight less likely to disrupt your embarkation. If you’re traveling on separate tickets, build in extra connection time too.
- Compare the whole trip. A La Compagnie fare from Newark may look attractive, but include the cost and time of getting there.
I wouldn’t recommend that every traveler wait until the last minute or leave home without a return ticket. I had flexibility, miles available and years of experience watching prices. For me, that combination has paid off often enough that I continue to look for opportunities—even after an airline tells me an upgrade will cost $8,000.
