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Start with Aeroplan, whose published chart prices business class between North America and Europe from 60,000 points one way for trips under 4,000 miles flown. Then check Flying Blue, which books Air France and Delta flights and runs monthly Promo rewards, and Delta SkyMiles if you hold American Express points. Amex, Chase, Capital One and Bilt all transfer to Aeroplan and Flying Blue; Citi lists Flying Blue. For two travelers, double the points and the cash, and expect fewer dates to work.
What we'd do first: search Aeroplan for your dates from both JFK and Newark, note the lowest business price, then search Flying Blue for the same dates. Don't transfer any points until you see seats for everyone traveling.
Where to search, and why
Aeroplan (Air Canada). Aeroplan's chart prices partner awards by distance flown. Between North America and Europe, business class is 60,000 points one way for 0–4,000 miles and 75,000 for 4,001–6,000 miles. On most partners those are fixed prices; on Air Canada and its "Select Partners", which include United, they are "starting at" prices, and the chart says "'Starting at' amounts are not guaranteed" (Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart, PDF, checked 13 Nov 2026, 21:47 Lima). It also says "A partner booking fee will apply to flight rewards which include travel with a partner airline" and that points are "based on the actual distance flown". A New York-area nonstop to Paris is roughly 3,600 miles; via Montreal it's about 3,750, still in the lower band; via Frankfurt it's about 4,100, which moves you to 75,000.
Flying Blue (Air France-KLM). Flying Blue books Air France, KLM and partner flights, and publishes "Starting from" prices with monthly Promo rewards of "up to 25%" off selected routes (Flying Blue: reward tickets, checked 13 Nov 2026, 21:47 Lima). Prices vary by date, so search the calendar. From September 2026, Flying Blue says reward tickets on Air France and KLM flights come in three fares (Light, Standard and Flex), so check what's included before you book.
Delta SkyMiles. Delta prices awards variably and shows an award calendar. Its award page says international awards "may include up to $600 for foreign government taxes and fees and/or carrier-imposed fees" (Delta: Travel with Miles, checked 13 Nov 2026, 21:45 Lima). Among the five big US transferable currencies, only Amex lists Delta.
Which US cards transfer where
As listed on official issuer pages on 13 November 2026:
| Program | Amex | Chase | Capital One | Citi | Bilt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 | not listed | 1:1 |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | 1:1 | 1:1 | listed (ratio at transfer) | 1:1 |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
Sources: American Express US transfer page (checked 21:32 Lima); Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits (21:52); Capital One transfer partners guide (21:55); Citi ThankYou partner listing (21:32; ratios not shown publicly); Bilt transfer partners (21:55). Partners change, so check before committing.
Worked example: two travelers, one way (published prices and hypothetical figures)
Two adults, New York to Paris, business class, one way. We compare against a hypothetical cash fare of $3,200 per person ($6,400 total) and subtract a 2% cash-back baseline ($128) you'd earn paying cash. Points are valued against our assumed 1-cent yardstick.
Option 1: Aeroplan via Montreal on Air Canada. 60,000 points each (published "starting at" price; the same chart shows a median of 133,800 points for business on Air Canada and Select Partners in this band, so expect higher prices on many dates) plus about $90 each in taxes and fees (hypothetical): 120,000 points + $180 for two. Value: ($6,400 − $180 − $128) ÷ 120,000 = 5.08 cents per point.
Option 2: Flying Blue nonstop on Air France or Delta. Suppose 90,000 miles plus $250 in taxes and surcharges each (hypothetical): 180,000 miles + $500 for two. Value: ($6,400 − $500 − $128) ÷ 180,000 = 3.21 cents. A Promo reward on your dates could lower the miles.
Option 3: Delta SkyMiles nonstop. Suppose 150,000 miles plus $30 each (hypothetical): 300,000 miles + $60 for two. Value: ($6,400 − $60 − $128) ÷ 300,000 = 2.07 cents.
| Option (2 travelers, one way) | Points | Cash | Cents per point vs $6,400 (hypo) | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan via Montreal | 120,000 | $180 (hypo) | 5.08¢ | Published "starting at" |
| Flying Blue nonstop | 180,000 (hypo) | $500 (hypo) | 3.21¢ | Hypothetical |
| Delta SkyMiles nonstop | 300,000 (hypo) | $60 (hypo) | 2.07¢ | Hypothetical |
All three beat the 1-cent yardstick against a $3,200 fare, which is typical of premium cabins. The real difference is in total points: Option 1 leaves you with far more of your balance, if you find it at the starting price. At the chart's median instead, two seats would be 267,600 points, closer to the other options. But the cheapest option only works if seats are released at that price for both travelers on the same flight.
One traveler versus two
For one traveler, halve everything: 60,000 points plus taxes on Aeroplan's lowest published level. For two, you need two seats on the same flight at the same price. Award seats at the lowest level are often released in ones and twos, so a date that shows one seat may not show two. If you only find one, some couples book one award and pay cash for the second seat, or split across two programs on the same flight. That's a judgment call: it's more complex, and changes are harder to coordinate.
Booking steps
- Search Aeroplan for both JFK and Newark, for two travelers, across several dates.
- Search Flying Blue for the same dates; check the Promo rewards list.
- If you hold Amex points, check Delta's award calendar too.
- Pick the option with the best combination of points, cash and schedule.
- Link your program account in the exact same name as your card account, then transfer. Chase notes that "Even minor variations could result in transfer failure" (Chase: How to transfer Ultimate Rewards points, checked 13 Nov 2026, 21:37 Lima).
- Book as soon as the points arrive. Transfer times vary: Chase says most process "by the next business day, but may take up to 7 business days"; Bilt says "up to 48 hours".
Trade-offs
- Price versus schedule. A connection via Montreal can be cheaper in points but adds time. Nonstops are simpler.
- Partner fees and surcharges. Aeroplan adds a partner booking fee on partner flights; Flying Blue and Delta awards can carry taxes and carrier surcharges. Read the cash total before you transfer.
- Fare conditions. Flying Blue's Light fare from September 2026 excludes checked baggage in Economy and Premium and can't be changed or refunded, according to its page; check what applies to business before you book.
- Commitment. Transfers are final. A 120,000-point transfer for a trip you then can't book is a big balance stuck in one program.
The return flight
Price the return separately. Taxes and fees departing Europe can differ from those departing the US, and award availability eastbound and westbound often doesn't match. You can mix programs: Aeroplan out, Flying Blue back, if that's what shows availability. Use the cents-per-point method on each direction.
If nothing shows up
Try nearby dates, both New York airports, and connections via Montreal, Toronto or a European hub, keeping an eye on Aeroplan's distance bands. Consider premium economy, or business one way and economy the other. Or pay cash and save your points; see when cash beats points. If a transfer bonus appears for one of these programs, see are transfer bonuses worth it before acting on it.
New York to Paris business on points: FAQs
Which program is cheapest?
On published prices, Aeroplan's 60,000-point level is the lowest we found, but it isn't guaranteed on Air Canada or United flights (the chart's median there is 133,800), and seats are limited.
Can I use Chase points for Delta?
Not directly. Delta isn't on Chase's transfer list. You could book Delta-operated flights through Flying Blue, which Chase does list.
Do I pay the TSA fee on an award from New York?
Yes. The TSA fee applies per one-way trip originating at a US airport, including award tickets (TSA: Security Fees, checked 13 Nov 2026, 21:46 Lima).
For how the main US currencies compare, see transferable points explained, and for why the same seat costs different amounts in different programs, see award charts versus dynamic pricing.