How I Scored $17,754 of FREE Business Class Travel Around the World 🌍

They say some experiences are once-in-a-lifetime, but what if you could have that experience over and over again? That’s exactly what I did, and it didn’t cost me a fortune. In fact, it barely cost me anything at all! Thanks to my points obsession and some smart redemption strategies, I was able to fly business class all the way around the world. Think luxury lounges, lie-flat seats, and champagne on tap. And today, I’m going to show you exactly how I pulled it off—so you can too!

The Epic Journey: How It All Started

Here’s the route I took: Vancouver to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Bangkok, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur to Muscat, Muscat to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Zurich, Zurich to Montreal, and finally Montreal to Toronto.

I know, it sounds like a lot, and it was. But every single one of those flights was in business class, and—get this—it was all booked with points!

Here’s the breakdown: I spent 172,500 Aeroplan points for the entire journey, and it was absolutely worth every point. This trip would have been impossible to afford out of pocket, but thanks to some smart planning and a sprinkle of points magic, my dream trip became a reality. And you can do it too!

What Flying Business Class Really Feels Like ✈️

Air Canada: Vancouver to Hong Kong

The trip kicked off with my longest flight—Vancouver to Hong Kong on Air Canada’s Signature Business Class. Is Air Canada the flashiest business class in the sky? No, but it gets the job done. The seat was comfy, the food was delish, and the service? Spot on. Oh, and sipping Scotch while flying over Mount Fuji? Iconic.

Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong to Bangkok

Next up, Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong to Bangkok. This flight was a total game-changer. Thanks to a niche partnership between Aeroplan and Cathay Pacific (even though they’re in different alliances), I booked it with points. But the lounges at the Hong Kong Airport? Incredible. I hit up The Wing and The Pier lounges, and let me tell you, they were like high-end resorts. Made-to-order noodles, a tea house, runway views, and yes, endless champagne. I think I spent more time in the lounge than on the actual flight!

Singapore Airlines: Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

After some sightseeing, I hopped on Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. It was a super short flight—like 1 hour—but with a lie-flat seat. It’s almost ridiculous to have that level of luxury for such a quick trip, but hey, I’m not complaining. Oh, and Changi Airport? It’s basically a five-star resort. There was self-serve champagne in the lounge, and let’s just say I made sure I was fully relaxed before the flight.

Oman Air: Kuala Lumpur to Muscat

One of my favorite flights of the trip was Oman Air from Kuala Lumpur to Muscat. Oman Air’s Apex Suites are some of the most spacious business class seats in the sky, and they really nailed the details—like the Arabic coffee, dates, and pajamas. Yes, I wore the pajamas. And yes, I did look like I was about to beam up to the Starship Enterprise.

I booked a stopover in Muscat to explore the city, which only cost an extra 5,000 Aeroplan points. You need to take advantage of stopovers—more on that later. I won’t bore you with the rest of my flights, as I’m sure you really want to book a trip like this for yourself, let me show you how!

Maximizing My Points: How I Did It

The key to this whole trip was smart planning and maximizing every point. Here’s how I pulled it off:

1. Maximizing Flights on One Booking

I booked two separate one-way tickets with Aeroplan points: one from Vancouver to Bangkok and the other from Singapore to Toronto. Aeroplan allows up to six legs on one points ticket without changing the price, so I packed in as many flights as possible. The trick is managing the distance you fly, the class you’re in, and finding availability at the lowest price.

2. Choosing the Right Airline Partners

Aeroplan has over 50 partner airlines, so you’re not limited to just Air Canada. I flew with Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Oman Air, which all offer top-notch business class experiences. Mixing and matching partners was key to getting the best value for my points.

3. Maximizing Distance Bands

Aeroplan’s pricing is based on how far you fly, so I made sure to stay within distance bands that gave me the most value for my points. For example, Vancouver to Bangkok and Singapore to Toronto were just under the 7,500- and 11,000-mile bands, which maximized my redemption value.

Tips for Pulling Off Your Own Epic Trip

Want to replicate this kind of points-fueled adventure? Here’s how:

1. Earn Points Wisely

I focused on earning points with credit card welcome bonuses. I got an Amex Platinum and a TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card, which together gave me 130,000 points. That’s 75% of the points needed to book this trip, and it came from just two welcome bonuses! I’ve got referral links to my favorite credit cards below, so you can start earning quickly too.

2. Use Partner Airlines

Aeroplan’s partnerships are key to making this kind of trip happen. Don’t just stick with Air Canada—take advantage of their partner airlines like Cathay Pacific and Oman Air to fly around the world in style.

3. Take Advantage of Stopovers

Adding a stopover on a one-way ticket costs only 5,000 extra Aeroplan points. I did stopovers in both Hong Kong and Muscat, which added a whole new dimension to my trip.

4. Timing Is Everything

Booking business class flights with points takes patience and timing. These seats fill up fast, so you need to be ready to pounce when availability opens up. Keep checking daily and be prepared to book quickly.

How Much Did I Save? 💸

Now for the fun part—how much did this trip really cost me?

•  Total points spent: 172,500 Aeroplan points

•  Out-of-pocket costs: $337 CAD

•  Total retail value of flights: $22,988 CAD

That’s over $17,000 worth of free business class travel, all for less than $400 and some smart points planning.

Ready to Start Your Own Points Adventure?

Booking a trip like this takes some work, but if you’re strategic, the rewards are absolutely worth it. Want to dive deeper into the points world? Sign up for my premium email newsletter where I cover the best redemptions and offer one-on-one consultations to help you plan your dream trip.

And a word of warning: This hobby can get addictive. Once you fly business class on points, you’ll be plotting your next trip before you even land!

Got any questions? Drop a comment below, and I’ll be happy to help!