Ever dream of flying in Lufthansa’s luxurious first class across the Atlantic? This bucket-list flight normally costs over $15,000 if paying cash, but you can book it for just 100,000 points by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to Air Canada Aeroplan. That means you’re getting about 15.7 cents per point in value – an outstanding deal for your hard-earned Chase points.
Your Flight in Brief:
- Route: Chicago (ORD) to Frankfurt (FRA) on Lufthansa First Class (Boeing 747-8)
- Points Required: 100,000 Aeroplan miles (1:1 transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards)
- Approx. Cash Price: $15,658 (one-way)
- Redemption Value: ~15.7 cents per point (excellent value)
- Onboard Luxury: Private upscale cabin, gourmet dining with champagne and caviar, lie-flat bed, first-class service
How to Book via Air Canada Aeroplan
In this section, you’ll see how to join Aeroplan’s 9 million-member loyalty network; top up your account with Chase points (and even snag a transfer bonus); hunt down Lufthansa first-class award space; and lock in your ticket with just a few clicks—paying only modest taxes, fees, and a small redeposit fee if you need to cancel.
Each step is broken into an easy-to-digest chunk with straightforward, engaging subtitles.
Create an Aeroplan account
Aeroplan relaunched in November 2020 and has since grown to over 9 million active members worldwide, making it Canada’s leading travel-rewards program. As an Aeroplan member, you tap into Star Alliance’s 26 premium carriers—so signing up for free on Air Canada’s site instantly unlocks award flights on Lufthansa, United, Singapore Airlines, and more.
Fuel Up Your Reward Wallet
Chase Ultimate Rewards points flow into Aeroplan at a straight 1:1 ratio (you must transfer in increments of 1,000 points). Most transfers post instantly, but first-time or large transfers can take up to seven business days—plan accordingly if you’re eyeing a hot award seat. And if you hold an Aeroplan-branded Chase card, transferring at least 50,000 points nets you a 10 % bonus—so 100,000 UR points becomes 110,000 Aeroplan miles.
Hunt Down Your Lufthansa Dream Suite
Lufthansa’s Chicago (ORD)→Frankfurt (FRA) first-class award sits in Aeroplan’s second distance band, costing 100,000 miles one-way when booked as a partner reward. Award space usually opens just weeks before departure, so check regularly and stay flexible with dates. Out-of-pocket taxes and fees rarely exceed USD 150 on long-haul first-class awards—much less than the USD 11,000+ cash fare. Note also that partner-itinerary bookings incur a CA$39 partner-booking fee per ticket.
Book the flight
Once you spot space, log in at aircanada.com, select the 100,000-mile “First” option, and confirm your booking—paying roughly USD 125–150 in taxes and fees. If plans change, Aeroplan’s standard award allows online redeposits for CA$150 (or CA$175 via the call centre) plus refunded taxes; change fees run CA$100 per direction. Then get ready to savor Lufthansa First Class perks—private limousine transfers in Frankfurt, exclusive First Class Terminal access, gourmet onboard dining, lie-flat seats, pajamas, slippers, and more.
What to Expect Onboard Lufthansa First Class
In a nutshell, Lufthansa’s 747-8 First Class cabin is tucked into the very nose of the aircraft, with only eight private suites—just 2.2 percent of the plane’s capacity.
Each suite boasts a 30.5-inch-wide seat that converts into an 81-inch fully flat bed behind floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, plus ambient lighting and sound-insulating panels for true privacy. You’ll dine whenever you like on multi-course meals, unlimited Persian caviar service and Dom Pérignon, plus top-shelf wines, spirits and Lufthansa’s famous champagne .
A luxury amenity kit, designer pajamas and temperature-controlled bedding complete the hotel-style experience at 36,000 ft . Cash fares on routes like Chicago–Frankfurt often top $10,000 one-way, but redeeming 100,000 miles plus about $125–$150 in taxes and fees nets you roughly 10–12 cents of value per mile—an outstanding deal for First Class.
A Suite at the Tip of the Spear
Lufthansa fits just eight First Class suites into the nose of its 747-8, arranged in two 1-1 rows followed by a 1-2-1 row, so only a handful of travelers ever share this space. Each suite spans up to 40 sq ft, with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and impact sound insulation to block cabin noise .
All-Day Gourmet Heaven
Forget fixed meal times—Lufthansa’s dine-on-demand service means you can order anything from the multi-course menu whenever hunger strikes. The airline pairs unlimited Persian caviar with vintage Dom Pérignon, and after a $2 billion investment in its long-haul cabins, the wine list now features rare vintages and elevated hors d’oeuvres.
Rest Like Royalty
Your suite’s seat transforms into an 81-inch flat bed complete with a mattress topper, down duvet and temperature controls for the perfect night’s sleep . You’ll find plush designer pajamas, slippers and a high-end amenity kit stocked with Bulgari or Byredo products for a true spa-style experience
Lufthansa maintains one of the industry’s highest cabin-crew-to-guest ratios in First Class, so attendants learn names and preferences quickly for truly personalized service . Your journey begins pre-flight with complimentary limousine transfers to the aircraft and exclusive entry to Frankfurt’s renowned First Class Terminal.
A $10K+ Trip for 100 k Points
Cash fares in Lufthansa’s 747-8 First Class often exceed $10,000 one-way—and sometimes climb toward $12,000—so redeeming 100,000 miles (plus $125–$150 in fees) delivers about 10–12 cents of value per mile, making it one of the smartest premium-cabin redemptions out there.
