# Lufthansa and Emirates Restrict First-Class Award Availability; Top First-Class Seats to Book with Miles

_Jul 31 21:30_

Tags: ANA, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas, Emirates Skywards, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Chicago, Honolulu, London, Los Angeles

Lufthansa has cut off partner airlines from booking first-class awards, while Emirates now requires elite status for Skywards members to book first class. The article highlights five specific first-class products and routes to target for award bookings

## Summary

Lufthansa and Emirates have implemented restrictions on first-class award availability. Lufthansa no longer allows partner airlines' frequent flyer members to book first-class awards. Emirates now requires elite status for Skywards members to use miles for first-class bookings. The article lists five first-class seats to target:
1. Qantas First Class (Los Angeles to Melbourne): Booked for 130,000 miles plus ~$20 in taxes/fees.
2. ANA The Suite (Tokyo to London, NYC, Chicago, SF, Honolulu): Boeing 777-300ER product with 1-2-1 configuration, privacy doors, and 43-inch screens.
3. ANA The Room (Business Class, mentioned for context): Previously flown by the author.
4. Other creative work-arounds for finding availability.
5. General advice on flexibility and stockpiling points

## Why it matters

Affects 16 airline programs (ANA, Air France-KLM, All Nippon Airways...). Card-issuer angle via American Express, Capital One.

## Sources cited

- [The Points Guy](https://thepointsguy.com/airline/first-class-award-flights-excited-to-book) — Here are the 5 exciting first-class seats I want to fly and how I plan to book them using miles

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- [Germany-UAE pact clears Emirates for Dubai–Berlin after 20 years](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/emirates-gains-rights-to-fly-to-berlin-after-germany-uae-air-agreement-expansion.md)
- [Qantas Points Planes to Tokyo, Paris and Hobart open until 8 Nov](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/qantas-launches-tokyo-pairs-hobart-point-planes-for-2027-book-by-november-8.md)
- [Lufthansa Group requires Travel ID for online check-in from October 20](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/lufthansa-now-requires-an-account-just-to-check-in-online.md)
- [IHG pays 4 Skywards miles per dollar on stays booked by 30 November](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/ihg-one-rewards-emirates-skywards-double-miles-for-stays-until-january-31-2027-b.md)

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