If you’re planning a trip to Europe and considering flying with TAP Air Portugal, especially in business class, this TAP Air Portugal Business Class review will help you know what to expect. On our recent journey from San Francisco (SFO) to Lisbon (LIS), we experienced excellent service, spacious seating, and flavorful Portuguese cuisine.
In this review, we’ll share how we booked our tickets using points, break down the business class seat layout, highlight in-flight amenities, and describe the overall travel experience. Whether you’re flying solo or with family, TAP Air Portugal offers a premium transatlantic experience worth considering.
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How to book TAP Air Portugal business class tickets on points
In October 2024, we flew on TAP Air Portugal flight TP238 from San Francisco (SFO) to Lisbon (LIS) and TP237 for our return journey. This was a round-trip in business class, which we booked entirely using points. Here’s a breakdown of how we successfully secured these premium seats for maximum value.
TAP Air Portugal is a member of the Star Alliance, allowing us to book our tickets through ANA Mileage Club. Each round-trip business class ticket cost us 88,000 ANA Mileage Club points, totaling 352,000 points for four roundtrip tickets.
Please note that we did not have ANA miles, but instead we transferred these points from our American Express Membership Rewards account, and then further booked a TAP Air Portugal flight on ANA website.
💡Good to know
It’s important to note that ANA transfers are not instant. We initiated our transfer late on a Friday, and the points were credited to our ANA account by Sunday morning. This delay is crucial to consider for time-sensitive bookings.
Also, here is the Important PSA: earlier this year, ANA increased the redemption cost from 88,000 points to 100,000 points per round trip. While that is still a great deal, we were fortunate to book at the previous rate, which provided us with even better value.
TAP Air Portugal’s business class tickets redemption value
Using ANA points for TAP Air Portugal’s business class offered incredible value:
- Cash price per ticket: $4,165 round trip SFO to LIS
- Total cash price for four tickets: $16,660
- Points used: 352,000 ANA points
- Taxes and fees: $264 total for all four tickets
This equates to a redemption value of 4.73 cents per point (CPP), a huge upgrade compared to the typical cash-equivalent valuation of 1 cent per Membership Rewards point.
What lounge can you access with TAP Air Portugal business class tickets at SFO?
Business class passengerswe also have access to premium lounges, enhancing the pre-flight experience.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Access to a partner lounge with complimentary food, beverages, etc.
Note that TAP Air Portugal does not have a dedicated Lounge at the SFO, but you have access to the partner Lounge, United Polaris Lounge in this case.
We didn’t have the opportunity to visit the Lounge at San Francisco International Airport because it was located in a different terminal. However, if you have extra time, that Lounge is definitely worth checking out.
Lisbon (LIS): TAP Premium Lounge offers Portuguese-inspired dishes, premium wines, and relaxation areas. We stopped at this Lounge briefly to grab breakfast before our early flight back to California.
TAP Air Portugal Business Class cabin and seat layout
TAP Air Portugal operates its A330neo aircraft on transatlantic routes, featuring a modern and spacious business class cabin.
- Aircraft: Airbus A330neo
- Seat Configuration: 1-2-1 layout ensures every passenger has direct aisle access.
- Aesthetics: The cabin has a sleek and modern design, with warm neutral tones that feel inviting and upscale.
The business class cabin features a 1-2-1 seat configuration, ensuring every passenger has direct aisle access. Interestingly (unlike the JAL SFO-HND route we flew this summer) the middle seats allow access to each other, making them ideal for families traveling together. If you’re sitting next to your child in the middle section, you’ll have easy access to assist them while both enjoying aisle access.
The setting had ample compartments for personal belongings, including a dedicated shoe space and areas for electronics.
This time, we decided to book an entire row for ourselves (2 adults and 2 kids) instead of two sets of middle seats. We had row 2 flying to Lisbon and row 8 coming back.
The lie-flat seats were comfortable and provided excellent rest during the flight. Each seat came with plush bedding (but no mattresses) and a decent amount of privacy. The seat design in TAP’s Airbus A330-900neo ensured both comfort and functionality, making the long-haul flight enjoyable.
What meals are served in TAP Air Portugal Business Class?
The in-flight meals showcased Portuguese cuisine, with highlights including fresh seafood and locally inspired desserts. The wine list also featured some excellent Portuguese selections.
TAP Air Portugal emphasizes Portuguese cuisine in its dining options, offering a flavorful experience.
- Pre-Departure Drink: Champagne, Port, fresh juice, or water.
- Meal Service: Multi-course dining with choices for each course.
- Appetizers: Options like smoked salmon or traditional Portuguese cheese.
- Main Dishes: Signature dishes such as bacalhau (codfish) or beef medallions.
- Desserts: Pastel de nata (custard tart) or fresh fruit.
- Wine Selection: A curated selection of Portuguese wines, including ports.
Here is what our meals looked like on TAP Air Portugal flight TP238 from San Francisco (SFO) to Lisbon (LIS).
And here is what was offered on the way back on TAP Air Portugal flight TP237 from Lisbon (LIS) to San Francisco (SFO).
Amenities and entertainment in TAP Air Portugal Business Class
Each seat had a large entertainment screen with a variety of movies and TV shows. The selection catered to both adults and kids, which kept our family entertained throughout the flight (passengers receive noise-canceling headphones).
Amenity Kits: Eco-friendly kits featuring socks (no slippers though!), eye masks, skincare items, and dental essentials.
The girls also received a special kid's backpack with some activities.
Wi-Fi: Paid Wi-Fi packages are available, sufficient for streaming and browsing, it is still amazes me though that it is not included with your ticket price.
Tips for booking flights on points with ANA Mileage Club
- Book Round-Trip Flights:
- ANA only allows round-trip bookings, so make sure your travel plans align with this policy.
- Plan Transfers in Advance:
- ANA transfers from Membership Rewards typically take 48 hours to process. Start your transfer early to avoid missing out on award availability.
- Be Flexible with Dates:
- Award availability can be limited, especially during peak travel seasons. Having flexibility in your dates can help you find the best options.
- Monitor Award Charts:
- Frequent flyer programs adjust redemption rates over time, so it’s always a good idea to stay updated on award chart changes.
Bottom line
This TAP Air Portugal business class review highlights just how rewarding flying with this airline can be, especially when booked with points. From lie-flat seats and attentive service to delicious Portuguese cuisine, the experience easily competes with other major transatlantic carriers.
By using ANA Mileage Club points transferred from Amex Membership Rewards, we saved thousands of dollars and turned our family’s flight to Europe into a premium experience. Despite ANA’s recent devaluation, this redemption strategy still offers excellent value for long-haul business class travel. If you're looking to fly to Europe in comfort and style without paying full price, TAP Air Portugal is a smart and satisfying choice.
