Luxury in the Skies: How 696,000 Emirates Miles Took a Family of Four to Greece in Business Class (Worth $20,453)
We helped a family of four book round-trip business class flights from Newark (EWR) to Athens (ATH) for just 696,000 Emirates Skywards miles + taxes and fees, saving them a staggering $20,453 in airfare.
We saved a family of four approximately $20,453 on round-trip business class flights from Newark (EWR) to Athens (ATH) by leveraging 696,000 Emirates Skywards miles, strategically transferred from a mix of Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards points.
For a Round-Trip Business Class Flight (Aug 1-22, 2025):
✅ The Cash Price: $20,453
✅ The Points / Miles Opportunity: 696,000 Emirates Skywards miles (87,000 per person, per way, in business class)
✅ Using Emirates Miles (Valued at $0.0294 per point), the redemption value was $20,453
💰 Savings of $20,453 💰
✴️ Alternative: Booking through the Chase Travel Portal at 1.5 cents per point would have required 1,363,533 Chase Ultimate Rewards points—making this Emirates redemption a significantly better deal than redeeming through the portal.
The Booking Strategy: How We Maximized Their Points
For many families, planning an international trip—especially in peak August travel season—can be overwhelming. Between navigating airline options, high cash fares, and availability of award seats, the process is anything but straightforward. This is where UpNonStop came in.
Our goal? Find the most efficient, affordable, and comfortable way for this family of four to fly from Upstate New York to the Greek Islands. The solution: transferring a mix of Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards points to Emirates Skywards to secure business class seats on Emirates-operated flights.
Why Emirates Was the Best Choice
Emirates offers one of the most seamless and luxurious business class experiences, complete with lie-flat seats, an onboard bar (on the a380 double-decker airplane, not on this route), and world-class service. Their Skywards program also provides fantastic redemption value for partner flights, especially for long-haul business class travel.
By booking through Emirates Skywards, we found one of the best sweet spots in the award travel world:
✅ 87,000 Emirates Skywards miles per person, per way in business class
✅ Total: 696,000 miles for all four passengers round-trip
✅ Taxes & fees: Reasonable, compared to cash fares
✅ Cash price: A jaw-dropping $20,453 round-trip for the family
✅ Miles saved vs. Chase Travel Portal: Over 1.36 million points
Had they booked through the Chase Travel Portal (1.5 cents per point valuation), they would have needed a staggering 1,363,533 points to cover the same itinerary. Instead, our method required just 696,000 miles, making it a significantly better deal.
The Breakdown: Cash vs. Points
| Redemption Method | Points Needed | Value Per Point |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Travel Portal | 1,363,533 | 1.5 cents per point |
| Emirates Skywards (Transferred from Amex & Chase) | 696,000 | 2.94 cents per point |
Total Cash Price for 4 Business Class Seats: $20,453
Total Emirates Skywards Miles Used: 696,000
Final Value Achieved: 2.94 cents per point – nearly double the typical Chase redemption value
Why Transferring Points to Emirates Was the Best Move
One of the biggest advantages of having flexible points like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards is the ability to transfer them to airline partners for outsized value.
Step 1: Combining Points from Multiple Accounts
Since the family had Chase points in one account and Amex points in another, UpNonStop helped them pool everything into one Emirates Skywards account before booking. This allowed them to maximize their redemption without having stranded points in different programs.
Step 2: Booking a Peak Summer Travel Itinerary at Off-Peak Pricing
August is one of the busiest months for Greece travel, but by booking early, we secured business class seats at the best award rates before prices surged.
Step 3: Avoiding Pricey Alternatives
Many travelers assume the best way to book flights is through the Chase Travel Portal or Amex Travel, but in this case, the redemption would have been much worse. Emirates’ direct booking option using Skywards miles provided nearly double the value per point, making it the smarter choice.
The Experience: What 87,000 Miles Per Ticket Gets You
This wasn’t just any flight—its an experience worth every mile.
Business Class Perks on Emirates:
✔️ Lie-flat seats for the ultimate comfort on an overnight flight
✔️ Champagne, cocktails, and gourmet meals served at 35,000 feet
✔️ Access to Emirates’ world-class lounges before departure
✔️ Onboard bar & social area (yes, a real bar in the sky! but unfortunately only on the a380 which doesn't typically service this route)
✔️ Luxury amenity kits & pajamas
✔️ Priority check-in & boarding for stress-free airport experience
For a family traveling internationally, having a lie-flat bed and a stress-free flying experience will make a massive difference—ensuring they arrive in Greece well-rested and ready to explore.
Why This Redemption Was a Game-Changer
For a family of four, booking business class flights in peak August travel season—without paying $20,453 out of pocket—is an absolute win.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Flexible points (Chase & Amex) unlock the best travel redemptions
✅ Emirates’ award chart offers incredible value for business class
✅ Booking early secured availability for peak summer dates
✅ Transferred miles provided nearly double the value vs. Chase Travel Portal
✅ Family arrived refreshed in Greece without spending a fortune
This is exactly why strategic points transfers can be the best way to maximize your travel budget.
Final Thoughts: How You Can Book an Award Like This
Want to book a luxury flight like this without spending a fortune? Here’s how you can start, and where UpNonStop can help:
💳 Earn Flexible Points: Sign up for cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Gold, or Amex Platinum to earn valuable transferable points.
🔄 We Transfer to the Right Airline: Emirates Skywards offers some of the best business class redemptions, especially for long-haul travel.
🔍 We Look for Award Availability Early: The best availability (especially for families) is found 6-12 months in advance.
🛫 Enjoy a First-Class Experience for Free! Why pay $20,453 when 696,000 points and some planning can get you there in style?
This is just one of many ways to leverage points and miles to travel better, smarter, and for free. If you're sitting on Chase or Amex points, now's the time to put them to work for your dream trip.
(Or like in this family's case, use #UpNonStop service to do all of that for you!)
#LuxuryTravel #PointsHacks #AwardTravel #EmiratesBusinessClass #ChaseUltimateRewards #AmexMembershipRewards #TravelSmarter
