Flying to Africa from North America can be very expensive, especially in premium cabins. However, using points to get there and back can yield excellent value, in addition to making the long trek comfortable.
Let’s take a look at our picks for the eight best ways to get to Africa in business class using points, with options for both direct and indirect routings, listed in alphabetical order.
1. Air Canada
First on this list is Air Canada, Canada’s largest airline. From its Montreal hub, the airline flies to three destinations in North Africa: Casablanca, Algiers, and Cairo.
With Aeroplan , pricing for these flights is subject to the distance-based tiers in the “Between North America and Atlantic zones” section of the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart.
As a reminder, for Aeroplan redemptions, the cost in Aeroplan points depends on the total distance flown.
Direct flights from Montreal to Casablanca or Algiers fall under 4,000 miles, while a direct flight from Montreal to Cairo comes in at 5,436 miles. Adding a connecting flight from elsewhere in Canada or the United States may push you to the next tier, depending on the distance.
In theory, a one-way flight from Montreal to Casablanca would cost 60,000 Aeroplan points at the lower end of the dynamic spectrum with Air Canada. While it’s surely possible to find flights at this price, you might also pay much more due to the effects of dynamic pricing.
Flying Air Canada to Cairo from Montreal costs as few as 70,000 Aeroplan points in business class at the lower end of the dynamic spectrum, although it can also cost significantly more.
Interestingly, Air Canada operates a two-cabin Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the Montreal–Algiers route. So, the best you can do is premium economy , which is something you may want to consider if you’re planning a trip to Algeria.
Both Cairo and Casablanca are served by three-cabin aircraft, and feature Air Canada business class . The flights range in duration from seven to 10 hours, and eastbound, are scheduled overnight. Having a bed to catch some rest on is key to feeling refreshed upon arrival.
Fly Air Canada business class between Montreal and North Africa
As Air Canada flights are subject to dynamic pricing on Aeroplan redemptions, one method to reduce the cost in points is by employing the “Latitude Attitude” , which is only valid if you have Aeroplan Elite Status .
By booking in a cheaper economy fare and using eUpgrades to upgrade to business class, it’s possible to bring the redemption cost back to reality when dynamic pricing is skewed the wrong way.
As an example, booking an Economy (Latitude) fare for 72,000 Aeroplan points and using 13 eUpgrade credits to instantly confirm an upgrade to business class from Cairo to Montreal could save 58,900 points or more, as opposed to booking in business class to begin with.
Of course, if you don’t have Aeroplan Elite Status, you can look for fixed-value award space on other Star Alliance airlines, which we’ll explore below.
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2. EgyptAir
An honourable mention on this list goes to Cairo-based EgyptAir. The airline offers ample business class award space and connects its four destinations (Toronto, New York JFK, Newark, and Washington Dulles) in North America to many destinations in Africa.
Compared to most other airlines, though, the ground and in-flight experience can leave a lot to be desired. Only for the convenience of a direct flight, or in the absence of other business class award space, is EgyptAir generally regarded to be a good choice.
From Toronto, a direct flight to Cairo measures 5,746 miles, placing it in the second distance band on the North America – Atlantic zone with Aeroplan. In business class, this flight has a fixed cost of 70,000 Aeroplan points.
Adding a connection to some destinations in Africa would push the distance into the third band, therefore increasing the cost to 90,000 Aeroplan points. Extending to other African destinations, or adding a connecting flight from Western Canada, could even push the distance into the fourth band, which prices at 110,000 points.
If you choose to fly with EgyptAir, be sure to look for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner for your transatlantic flight. The cabin, which features lie-flat seats, is vastly superior to the angle-flat seats on the airline’s older 777 fleet.
Fly EgyptAir from North America to Egypt and beyond using Aeroplan points
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Review: EgyptAir 787 Business Class Cairo to Washington
3. Ethiopian Airlines
Addis Ababa-based Ethiopian Airlines has a strong worldwide network and also serves many destinations within Africa.
In North America, it flies to Toronto, Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington Dulles with direct flights from Addis Ababa.
The airline also runs a number of fifth-freedom routes throughout its worldwide network. Ethiopian Airlines operates a direct flight from both New York JFK, Newark, and Washington Dulles to Lomé, Togo, as well as a flight from New York JFK to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, which can all be booked for only 70,000 Aeroplan points.
Flying from Toronto to Addis Ababa measures 7,154 miles, placing it in the third distance band on Aeroplan’s Flight Reward Chart. A one-way business class flight has a fixed cost of 90,000 Aeroplan points.
Adding a flight to other destinations in Africa will likely raise the cost to 110,000 points, as doing so would increase the distance to the fourth distance band.
Keep in mind that you can add a stopover of up to 45 days for an additional 5,000 points. This would give you the opportunity to explore Ethiopia, or other destinations to which the airline flies, at a minimal cost.
On the transatlantic routes, Ethiopian Airlines operates the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and the Airbus A350, with various configurations.
On some routes, you’ll still find the 2-2-2 business class configuration with angle-flat seats that recline to 170 degrees. On others, you’ll find fully lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, or the dated 2-3-2 configuration on some 777 aircraft.
The newest cabins feature a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration with lie-flat seats, so aim for either of these if at all possible for the best experience.
Be sure to check out the seat configuration for your flight, perhaps by using a tool such as ExpertFlyer , to ensure the best flight experience.
Fly Ethiopian Airlines from North America to Ethiopia and beyond using points
Read More
Review: Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Newark to Abidjan
Review: Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Buenos Aires to São Paulo
4. Royal Air Maroc
Royal Air Maroc connects travellers from North America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to its hub in Casablanca. Its African network serves destinations in North, West, and Central Africa.
In North America, the airline flies twice daily to Montreal, with routes to Miami, New York JFK and Washington Dulles, too.
Royal Air Maroc joined Oneworld in 2020, opening up redemption possibilities with airlines in that alliance, including American Airlines AAdvantage , British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan .
Redemptions on Royal Air Maroc with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan aren’t particularly intriguing, so we recommend focusing on using AAdvantage, British Airways Executive Club, and Asia Miles instead.
Avios can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio from both American Express Membership Rewards and RBC Avion . They can also be earned directly with the RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite† .
RBC Credit Cards for Earning Avios
Credit Card
Best Offer
Value
RBC® Avion Visa Platinum†
RBC® Avion Visa Platinum†
Up to 55,000 RBC Avion points†
$120 annual fee
Up to 55,000 RBC Avion points†
$1,080
Apply Now
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite†
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite†
Up to 55,000 RBC Avion points†
$120 annual fee
Up to 55,000 RBC Avion points†
$1,080
Apply Now
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege†
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege†
55,000 RBC Avion points†
$399 annual fee
55,000 RBC Avion points†
$826
Apply Now
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business
35,000 RBC Avion points
$175 annual fee
35,000 RBC Avion points
$525
Apply Now
RBC Avion Visa Business
RBC Avion Visa Business
35,000 RBC Avion points
$120 annual fee
35,000 RBC Avion points
$580
Apply Now
RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite†
RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite†
60,000 Avios†
$165 annual fee
60,000 Avios†
$899
Apply Now
There are also often transfer bonuses to Avios, so keep an eye out for one of those promotions to give your balance an extra boost.
Redeeming Avios for Royal Air Maroc is subject to distance-based pricing. The distance between Montreal and Casablanca is only 3,534 miles, placing the flight in Zone 5 of the British Airways award chart for partners.
A one-way business class flight from Montreal to Casablanca costs 62,000 Avios. Considering the frequent 30–50% transfer bonuses, the cost can effectively be reduced to 42,000–48,000 points, which is a great deal.
If Avios aren’t your cup of tea, earning Asia Miles is relatively easy, too, as it’s a transfer partner of Amex Memberships Rewards at a transfer ratio of 1:0.75, and RBC Avion points at a 1:1 ratio. Neo also offers the co-branded Cathay World Elite® Mastercard – powered by Neo .
Credit Cards for Earning Asia Miles
Credit Card
Best Offer
Value
Cathay World Elite® Mastercard® – powered by Neo
Cathay World Elite® Mastercard® – powered by Neo
Up to 30,000 Asia Miles
$180 annual fee
Up to 30,000 Asia Miles
$348
Apply Now
RBC® Avion Visa Platinum†
RBC® Avion Visa Platinum†
Up to 55,000 RBC Avion points†
$120 annual fee
Up to 55,000 RBC Avion points†
$1,080
Apply Now
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite†
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite†
Up to 55,000 RBC Avion points†
$120 annual fee
Up to 55,000 RBC Avion points†
$1,080
Apply Now
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege†
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege†
55,000 RBC Avion points†
$399 annual fee
55,000 RBC Avion points†
$826
Apply Now
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business
35,000 RBC Avion points
$175 annual fee
35,000 RBC Avion points
$525
Apply Now
RBC Avion Visa Business
RBC Avion Visa Business
35,000 RBC Avion points
$120 annual fee
35,000 RBC Avion points
$580
Apply Now
Asia Miles redemptions are also subject to a distance-based award chart. A flight from one of the North American gateways to Casablanca would cost a similar level of 63,000 Asia Miles.
Another option would be to use American Airlines AAdvantage miles, which can be earned by transferring RBC Avion points at a 1:0.7 ratio, or by converting Marriott Bonvoy points into AAdvantage miles .
A one-way flight from Montreal to Casablanca prices out at 57,500 AAdvantage miles. Just be mindful of any transfer ratios that you’re subject to, as that will skew the true cost in points.
