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Miami to New York Business Class for $94

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I was in Orlando for a conference and had to get to New York for my New York Abu Dhabi flight in the Etihad First Class Apartment. Much to my surprise, I found an Orlando to Miami to New York Business Class ticket for $94.

I considered flying out the night before but even a cheap hotel near JFK was $225 a night. No, thank you. I was already paying for my room at the Disney Contemporary Resort, so I decided to chance it and fly out that morning.

Positioning to the airport is always a risky proposition when you have an international flight, especially during possible bad weather. Given that it is hurricane season, I was taking a big gamble. But it was a gamble that paid off and I scored a lie-flat business class seat for the price of coach.

Read: How to fly free for two years

The New York to Abu Dhabi flight was leaving at 3 pm. So I had to check-in at 12 pm (three hours in advance). Which limited my options.

Delta and JetBlue had non-stop flights. But without status with either airline, it would mean 2 1/2 hours in the back of the plane. Or I could fly on American where I have Executive Platinum status.

If you have American Airlines Executive Platinum status you can pick your seat in advance, select Main Cabin Extra, and possibly get upgraded to First Class, for free.

My choices were a flight that connected in Charlotte and arrived in New York at 11:05 am. Or a 7:20 am flight that connected in Miami and arrived in New York at 12:19 pm. However, the Miami to New York plane was a 77W, used for international flights.

So I chose the American Airlines flight that connected through New York. The cost of my ticket, $94. Here’s my review of American Airlines Miami to New York Business Class. I’ll cover the Orlando to Miami flight in another blog post.

Read: Secret Travel Hack: What to do if your flight is canceled

Airline Lounges at Miami International Airport

After getting off the plane and going to the gate, I didn’t have time to visit either of the American Airlines Admirals Clubs in Miami, American Express Centurion Lounge, or the Priority Pass lounges on this flight.

There’s an Admirals Club at Gate D-16 and Gate D-30 and an Amex Centurion Lounge at Gate D-12.

You can access the American Airlines Admirals Club lounges if you have a membership or buy a $59 Day Pass.

Pro-tip: You get free Admirals Club membership with the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard

To get into the Centurion Lounge at Miami you need:

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (free entry)
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (free entry)
  • The Centurion® Card from American Express (free entry)
  • To purchase a Day Pass if you have any other American Express card

A Priority Pass membership is required to get into a Priority Pass lounge.

Pro-tip: You can get a free Priority Pass membership with The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Here are all the cards that give you free airport lounge access.

Read: Star Alliance First Class Lounge Los Angeles LAX Review

Seat

Miami to New York Business Class for $94. https://www.travelingwellforless.com

Business Class for the price of coach

The 77W has a First Class, Business Class, and coach section for international flights. But the flight was being sold as First Class or coach. With the Business Class seats sold as coach.

The 52 seats in Business Class were in a one-two-one configuration. I choose seat 4D in the mini-cabin. Because it’s quieter and offers more privacy.

The seats are lie-flat just like the 8 First Class seats. The only difference is seat size and width.

77W seat controls, inflight entertainmnt, and power ports. https://www.travelingwellforless.com

Everything within easy reach

In-Flight Entertainment

77W in-flight entertainment, a large 15.4-inch touchscreen monitor with movies, TV shows, music, and games. https://www.travelingwellforless.com

Watch movies, play games, it’s your choice

The in-flight entertainment (IFE) was a large 15.4-inch touchscreen monitor with movies, TV shows, music, and games.

Miami to New York is a 2 1/2 hour flight so I was able to watch The Boss and the first 30 minutes of Central Intelligence.

There’s an outlet and several USB connections so you can keep all your electronics charged.

Food

Fuel up on protein on an American Airlines flight. https://www.travelingwellforless.com

Protein Snack Pack

Business Class seat but coach price so no food except for the buy on board options. I chose the protein pack which included dry salami, pita chips, spreadable cheese, cookies, and a mint.

Pro-tip: Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey members get a free meal and alcoholic drink when flying in coach.

Read: How to buy a ticket on these airlines and get a free hotel room

Conclusion

Why fly in coach when you can enjoy a lie-flat Business Class seat for the same price. Scoring a Business Class ticket from Orlando to Miami to New York for $94 can be done if you pick the right flight.

You’ll enjoy a comfy seat complete with a huge selection of movies, TV shows, games and music all within fingers reach. And you can charge your electronics.

The only downside: the flight is too short.

Stay tuned for a post on which American Airlines flights offer lie-flat Business Class seats for the price of coach.

Pin this to your travel or vacation board:

Why fly in coach when you can fly lie-flat Business Class seat. Travel expert Debra Schroeder's review of Miami to New York Business Class. http://www.traelingwellforless.com
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All information about The Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by TravelingWellForLess. The Centurion® Card from American Express is no longer available through TravelingWellForLess.

Traveling Well For Less has partnered with Your Best Credit Cards for our coverage of credit card products. Traveling Well For Less and YBCC may receive a commission from card issuers.


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Lexi

Wednesday 30th of November 2016

That's a good deal. Travel hacking seems like an interesting way to pay less for travel

Gwendolyn Mulholland

Saturday 19th of November 2016

That is a great price for the type of seat that you got. I am glad that it worked out for you.

Jimmy and Tina

Friday 18th of November 2016

These are really great hacks on travelling with points, I must say nothing better than traveling business class on long haul flights!

Chubskulit Rose

Thursday 17th of November 2016

It would be nice to fly for free through rewards you accumulated in frequent glyer programs. Thank you for the tips and for these efrective hacks.

Rebecca Swenor

Wednesday 16th of November 2016

These are all great tips for fly business class for the price of coach. I don't travel at all but I know people that do and I will have to share this with them. Thanks for sharing the tips.

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