How to book business class with credit card points

Your bank points aren't airline miles yet

Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, and Bilt points become airline miles only when you transfer them to an airline's loyalty program. Once transferred, they generally can't be moved back.

That's why the order matters: confirm a bookable seat first, transfer second, book third.

The seat and the program are different things

You often book one airline's seat through another airline's program. A Lufthansa seat can be bookable through Air Canada Aeroplan; an ANA seat can be bookable through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. The price in points depends on the program, not the airline you fly.

Finding the cheapest program that your points can reach is most of the work — and it's exactly what a playbook spells out.

Seats move fast

Premium-cabin award seats open and close throughout the day. Watching a trip continuously and acting within hours is what separates people who book from people who search.