6 Reasons Flying Business Class Is Worth the Points

Even when you know all the tricks, collecting enough credit card rewards to earn free trips can take some effort. So you want to make sure all that effort is rewarded with the best trip possible.

A lot of the rewards success stories involve scoring high-value redemptions for international business class. Part of the appeal, I think, is the "deal." It feels good (and gets upvoted) when you can redeem rewards for $0.03 (or more) per point.

But bragging rights aren't the only reason so many folks use their rewards for business-class travel. It's also because business class offers a ton of perks that can simply make your trip better. Here are some of the reasons I always upgrade to business class.

1. Pre-flight priority perks start you out right

Depending on your home airport, flying business class could unlock all sorts of perks well before you hit the gate. For instance, many airlines offer dedicated check-in lanes for first and business class passengers. This can save you a ton of time if you're checking bags.

Oh, and speaking of bags. Most business class tickets come with at least two free checked bags.

Your upgrade could also get you through security faster. Some airlines offer priority security lines at select airports that could cut your wait significantly.

2. Airport lounge access gets the vacation rolling

Once you're through security, head to your airline's lounge. Most international business class tickets will get you access to the lounge (or a partner lounge, if the airline doesn't have its own).

This means free food, drinks -- including alcohol (hey, you're on vacation) -- and far more comfortable surroundings than a crowded airline gate. You can also get status updates on your flight, access to staff who can answer any questions, and bathrooms without (major) lines.

If you're someone with a premium travel rewards card, you might think you don't need this perk with your ticket. To that I say: Some airlines have lounges that aren't part of the programs most credit cards offer. Your ticket may actually grant you access to lounges you wouldn't normally get into, which potentially means those lounges are less crowded than more easily accessible ones.

3. Early boarding cuts the time in the herd

This can seem like a small thing, but business class passengers are among the first people to board. This means you can be comfortably settled into your seat -- and sipping champagne -- while everyone else shuffles through the queue.

Depending on your airport and flight, you may even be able to skip the regular boarding lines altogether. A few airlines and airports allow international first class passengers to board the plane directly from the lounge!

4. Lie-flat seats make flying comfortable

Alright, so this is arguably the meat-and-potatoes of international business class: the lie-flat seats. These are seats that, you guessed it, lie all the way flat into a nice bed.

The flight attendants will come around with sheets and pillows. The little amenity kit you receive when you board will include socks and an eye mask. Some airlines even offer pajamas.

When not in bed mode, these seats are effectively reclining lounge chairs. They're wide, comfortable, adjustable, have ample foot room, and they're typically a very generous distance from your neighbor. In my eyes, 10/10 -- would recommend to anyone who doesn't like the "stuck in a tin can" feeling of air travel.

5. Chef-curated meals aren't "airplane food"

You hear a lot of jokes about how bad airplane food is, but I've never really understood them. That's because the few international trips I've taken, I flew in business class (on points, I'm not made of money!). And in business class, the food is excellent.

Meals usually consist of a starter, a main, and a dessert. Most international flights of six hours or so will typically serve two meals (dinner and breakfast on overnights). Plus, you usually have access to a variety of snacks and drinks throughout the flight.

The cherry on top? The business-class cabin will have a dedicated crew, so service is much faster than it is in larger cabins with a higher passenger-to-staff ratio.

6. Being first off and first up saves so much time

You know how, as soon as the plane lands, everyone stands up and mills in the aisles hoping to get off the plane ASAP? You know who actually gets off the plane ASAP? That's right, business class.

A lot of larger planes board a little toward the middle, with the business class cabin to one side and the main cabin to the other. In most cases, the main cabin won't even start to deplane until the business class cabin has made its way out.

Another part of this perk is that your luggage also typically comes out first at baggage claim. This can shave a lot of time -- and headache -- waiting for your bag at the carousel with hundreds of your new besties.

Shut up and take my miles!

I've never flown in the main cabin on an international trip, so I can't say with certainty that it's awful. But I do know that business class is awesome, and it has spoiled me for anything else. So long as my miles hold out, that's where I'll be spending my journey. If you can spare the points, I think it's well worth it.