SWISS Business Class to Europe from 50K Points

Book SWISS Flat Bed Business Class to Europe from 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, thanks to a 20% Ultimate Rewards transfer bonus to Air Canada Aeroplan (transfer points instantly if you have a Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred). The best availability is for February-March 2025, ideal for ski season. It's easy to get to other destinations in Europe by train or a short flight.

Nonstops to Zurich ZRH are available from the following cities, best availability listed in parantheses):

Boston BOS (January-February 2025, a few March 2025 dates)
Chicago ORD (February 2025, a few March-April and August 2025 dates)
Montreal YUL (January-April 2025 and August 2025, a few September 2025 dates)
New York JFK (February-March 2025, a few January and April 2025 dates)
Newark EWR (February-March 2025, a few January 2025 dates)
San Francisco SFO (scarce, but a few late December 2024 and January-February 2025 dates)
Toronto YYZ (late March-April 2025 and July 2025)
Washington Dulles IAD (March and July-August 2025, a few January-February and April 2025 dates)

There's also some New York JFK to Geneva GVA availability for January-April 2025 and July-September 2025).

Booking a SWISS Business Class Award

Air Canada Aeroplan charges 60,000 Aeroplan points each way for flights between Switzerland and Montreal, New York JFK, Newark, or Boston, and 70,000 points each way for flights between Switzerland and Chicago, Washington Dulles, San Francisco, and Toronto. With the 20% transfer bonus, that means 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points transfer to 60K Aeroplan points, while 59,000 Ultimate Rewards points transfer to 70K Aeroplan points. Transfer points to Aeroplan instantly from Chase Ultimate Rewards (if you have a Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred).

It's possible to book with Avianca LifeMiles for 55,000-75,000 miles each way for these flights although LifeMiles customer support is abysmal, so we tend to avoid it.

Where to Stay in Switzerland and Europe for Ski Season

Within Switzerland, some of our clients' favorite luxury ski hotels and resorts include The Lodge, Verbier; Carlton Hotel St. Moritz; Alpina Gstaad; the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz; the Chedi Andermatt; and the W Verbier.

Beyond Switzerland, also consider Cheval Blanc Courchevel, COMO Alpina Dolomites, Four Seasons Megeve, and Aman Rosa Alpina.