Intra-Europe business class with points, what I would do with Middle East flights right now, and a South American hotel brand worth knowing

Hey {{first name | reader}},

Happy Wednesday!

Monday's post about the Middle East situation sparked a lot of replies and follow-up questions, so today I want to address some of those directly. We also have a practical look at intra-Europe business class redemptions, and I want to introduce you to a South American hotel brand that I think deserves a lot more attention than it gets.

Here's what's inside today's post:

Let's be honest: intra-Europe business class is never about the seat. With one or two exceptions, you are usually sitting in the exact same economy seat with the middle blocked. That part is underwhelming. Unless you happen to catch one of the rare exceptions, like certain Finnair flights on long-haul-configured aircraft such as HEL to AMS or LHR, where you might get a real premium seat, the hard product is usually nothing special.

So why do I still think intra-Europe business class can be a good use of points?

Because in Europe, the airport experience matters a lot. Airports can be crowded, lines can be long, security can be slow, and some terminals are just chaos. Flying business class helps with all of that. You often get priority check-in, faster security, lounge access, earlier boarding, quicker deplaning, and a seat near the front of the plane.

That changes the travel day much more than a blocked middle seat does.

Here is a concrete example: Helsinki to Warsaw for 9,000 points plus taxes works out to around $140, while the same flight in cash is priced around $250. That is a nice saving. But more importantly, you make the travel day easier and less stressful.

I know this is a controversial topic, but that is how I think about intra-Europe business class: not as a glamorous redemption, but as a quality-of-life redemption. And those are useful too.

Monday's post sparked a wave of follow-up questions, and the most common one is: what would I personally do if I had flights booked through the Middle East for the coming months?

The honest answer is that we do not know what will happen. Some operations are slowly resuming, some are still suspended, and many airlines are adapting day by day. There are cases where flights have resumed in limited form, but there are also continued cancellations, diversions, airspace restrictions, and sudden schedule changes.

Here is how I would think about it.

If your flights are very soon, you need to be prepared for disruption. Cancellations and last-minute changes are all possible, and you should be monitoring your airline's updates closely.

If your flights are months away, like in my case, I would not panic. But I also would not do nothing. Dan and I have been discussing this, and we think the safest approach for people who absolutely cannot afford to lose the trip is this: book a backup set of refundable tickets that route a different way.

Yes, this costs extra money. Refundable tickets often come with cancellation fees of roughly $200 to $400 depending on the airline and fare. But if the trip matters a lot, this is one of the safest ways to protect it. If the situation improves, you cancel the backup and keep the original. If it does not, you already have a way to travel.

I know it is not the cheapest solution, but it is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of losing the trip entirely.

I would not say flying through the Middle East is automatically unsafe right now. Airlines would not operate if they believed they were putting passengers in direct danger. The problem is certainty. And backup tickets are one of the few ways to buy some of that certainty back.

And for everyone who is suffering in the region, I truly hope peace is restored as soon as possible.

I spend a lot of time writing about hotels in Europe and Asia, so today I want to give some well-deserved attention to a hotel brand much closer to home.

Awasi is a collection of all-inclusive luxury lodges across some of the most spectacular destinations in South America, including Atacama, Patagonia, Iguazú, Mendoza, and Santa Catarina in Brazil. They are part of Relais & Châteaux, the prestigious luxury collection with properties around the world. I would bet most people reading this have never heard of Awasi, and that feels like a gap worth closing.

What makes Awasi different is the format. Each stay is built around a private guide and private experiences, so the entire trip becomes tailored to what you actually want to do. A lot of luxury hotels give you a beautiful room and then leave the rest to you. Awasi feels more like the destination has been organized around your pace and your interests. That is a big difference, especially in places like Patagonia or Atacama where the excursions are such a central part of the experience.

And yes, we can book Awasi with added perks at no extra cost ( 😎 ), including:

If you are thinking about coming to South America and want something more experience-driven than a big city luxury hotel, Awasi is one I would absolutely keep on your radar.

That's it for today.

One quick personal note before I go: I am currently writing from Spain, where I am taking two weeks off. So the posting schedule will look a little different over the coming days. You will be in great hands though, so Dan will be taking over the newsletter while I am away, so keep an eye out for his posts. There will be once weekly posts on Wednesdays for the following weeks! I will be back before you know it.

Catch you in the clouds,

Tomi from Points Master