First Class Miles Calculator: What Your Points Can Book in First and Business

By Joseph Hellman-Benjamin, Founder and CEO of The Points King. Last updated: October 18, 2026. Editorial Policy

How many miles do you need for first class? From the US, about 72,500 to 85,000 miles one way to Japan in ANA or Japan Airlines First, 85,000 to 120,000 to Europe, 110,000 to 160,000 to Hong Kong or Singapore, and 188,000 to Dubai in Emirates First. Long-haul business class costs roughly 52,500 to 119,000. Enter what you hold to see which of these awards your balance can book.

Calculator

First class miles calculator

3 of 3 premium awards in our table are within reach of 100,000.

Flight and cabinBook throughPrice one wayYou needOne-way seats
ANA Business, US West Coast to Tokyo
60,000 from the Central and East US		Transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club52,50052,5001
ANA First, US West Coast to Tokyo
85,000 from the Central and East US		Transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club72,50072,5001
ANA Business, US to Tokyo
5,001 to 7,500 mile band, since June 1, 2026		Transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan85,00085,0001

These prices apply only when saver award seats are available. Check the seat on the program’s website before you transfer any points; transfers cannot be reversed.

One-way saver or lowest published prices from US departures, checked October 2026 against each program’s chart where published, otherwise AwardWallet, Upgraded Points, Thrifty Traveler, Frequent Miler, One Mile at a Time, AwardFares, MileLion and MainlyMiles, as listed in the sources below. Taxes and carrier charges are extra.

Premium Award Prices From the US, October 2026

RegionFlightCabinBook throughMiles one wayBank points that transfer
JapanANA First, US West Coast to TokyoFirstVirgin Atlantic Flying Club72,500
85,000 from the Central and East US		Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bilt
JapanANA Business, US West Coast to TokyoBusinessVirgin Atlantic Flying Club52,500
60,000 from the Central and East US		Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bilt
JapanJapan Airlines First, US to Tokyo nonstopFirstAmerican AAdvantage80,000
100,000 with a connection		Citi
JapanJapan Airlines Business, US to Tokyo nonstopBusinessAmerican AAdvantage60,000
80,000 with a connection		Citi
JapanANA Business, US to TokyoBusinessAir Canada Aeroplan85,000
5,001 to 7,500 mile band, since June 1, 2026		Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt
Europe and IstanbulAir Canada and partners Business, up to 4,000 milesBusinessAir Canada Aeroplan60,000
75,000 for 4,001 to 6,000 miles; 90,000 beyond		Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt
Europe and IstanbulPartner Business, US to EuropeBusinessAmerican AAdvantage57,500
British Airways and Iberia flights add large surcharges		Citi
Europe and IstanbulPartner First, US to EuropeFirstAmerican AAdvantage85,000Citi
Europe and IstanbulAir Canada partners First, 4,001 to 6,000 milesFirstAir Canada Aeroplan120,000
150,000 for 6,001 to 8,000 miles		Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt
Europe and IstanbulUnited Polaris Business, US to EuropeBusinessUnited MileagePlus80,000
72,000 for United cardholders		Chase, Bilt
Europe and IstanbulAir France or KLM Business, New York to EuropeBusinessAir France-KLM Flying BlueFrom 60,000
45,000 during Promo Rewards; prices move		Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bilt
Europe and IstanbulTurkish Business, US to IstanbulBusinessTurkish Miles&Smiles65,000
85,000 to 90,000 onward to Europe		Citi, Capital One, Bilt
Europe and IstanbulUnited, SWISS or Brussels Business, US to EuropeBusinessAvianca LifeMilesFrom 59,500
Up to 92,400 on some Washington routes		Amex, Citi, Capital One, Bilt
Europe and IstanbulSingapore Suites, New York JFK to FrankfurtFirstSingapore KrisFlyer106,500
Saver level		Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One
Middle EastEmirates First, New York JFK to DubaiFirstEmirates Skywards188,000
Plus substantial carrier charges		Amex (5:4), Citi (5:4), Capital One (4:3), Bilt
Middle EastEmirates Business, New York JFK to DubaiBusinessEmirates Skywards96,000
Saver level		Amex (5:4), Citi (5:4), Capital One (4:3), Bilt
Middle EastQatar Qsuites Business, US to DohaBusinessQatar Airways Privilege Club70,000
94,500 at peak times		Amex, Citi, Capital One, Bilt
Middle EastQatar Business, US to the Middle EastBusinessAmerican AAdvantage70,000Citi
Middle EastQatar First, US to the Middle EastFirstAmerican AAdvantage115,000Citi
Hong Kong and SingaporeCathay Pacific Business, US West Coast to Hong KongBusinessCathay Pacific Asia Miles91,000
119,000 from the East Coast		Amex (5:4), Citi, Capital One, Bilt
Hong Kong and SingaporeCathay Pacific First, US West Coast to Hong KongFirstCathay Pacific Asia Miles125,000
160,000 from the East Coast		Amex (5:4), Citi, Capital One, Bilt
Hong Kong and SingaporeCathay Pacific Business, US to Hong KongBusinessAmerican AAdvantage70,000Citi
Hong Kong and SingaporeCathay Pacific First, US to Hong KongFirstAmerican AAdvantage110,000Citi
Hong Kong and SingaporeSingapore Business, Los Angeles to SingaporeBusinessSingapore KrisFlyer112,500
117,000 from New York		Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One
Hong Kong and SingaporeSingapore Suites, Los Angeles to SingaporeFirstSingapore KrisFlyer154,000
156,000 from New York		Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One
AustraliaBusiness, US to AustraliaBusinessAmerican AAdvantage80,000Citi
AustraliaFirst, US to AustraliaFirstAmerican AAdvantage110,000Citi
AustraliaQantas Business, US to AustraliaBusinessAtmos Rewards85,000
Plus a $20 partner award fee		Bilt
AustraliaQantas First, US to AustraliaFirstAtmos Rewards130,000
Plus a $20 partner award fee		Bilt
Within the USUnited Polaris, Newark to San Francisco or Los AngelesBusinessUnited MileagePlusFrom 35,000
27,000 for United cardholders		Chase, Bilt
Within the USJetBlue Mint, New York JFK to Los AngelesBusinessJetBlue TrueBlueAbout 50,000 to 80,000
Tied to cash fares		Chase, Amex (5:4), Capital One (5:3)

Prices are one way, at the saver or lowest published level, and apply only when award seats are open. Rows marked “From” or “About” are dynamic and move with demand. Taxes and carrier charges are extra; they are small on most of these, but large on Emirates and on British Airways flights booked through American.

What Changed in 2026

How to Book One of These

For the full guide, read how to get cheap first class tickets with points and miles. To test whether an award is worth it against the cash fare, use the cents per mile calculator.

Is First Class Worth the Extra Miles?

Often not over business. On the routes in the table, first costs about 20,000 to 90,000 more miles one way than business, and fewer airlines still fly it. It is worth it when the cash fare is extreme: NerdWallet found a Los Angeles to Paris first class fare of $18,606, against which almost any first class award is a strong use of miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many miles for first class to Japan?

72,500 miles one way from the US West Coast in ANA First through Virgin Atlantic (85,000 from the Central and East US), or 80,000 in Japan Airlines First nonstop through American.

How many miles for first class to Europe?

85,000 one way through American on its partners, or 120,000 through Aeroplan for flights of 4,001 to 6,000 miles. Singapore Suites from New York to Frankfurt costs 106,500 KrisFlyer miles.

Can I use Chase points for first class?

Yes, mainly ANA First through Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Suites through KrisFlyer, and Air Canada partners through Aeroplan. Chase no longer transfers to Emirates.

Does the calculator check seat availability?

No. It shows what your balance can book at published prices. Seats at those prices are limited, so search before transferring.

More calculators: Cents per mile, Points transfer calculator, Airline miles to dollars, or see all our calculators.

Sources

The Points King
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.