If you’re planning a trip to Europe and considering flying with TAP Air Portugal, especially in business class, you’re in for a treat. On our recent journey from San Francisco (SFO) to Lisbon (LIS), we experienced great service, comfortable seating, and delightful Portuguese cuisine. In this review, we’ll cover how we booked our tickets using points, what to expect from TAP Air Portugal’s business class seat layout, in-flight amenities, and the overall travel experience. Whether you’re traveling solo or with family, TAP Air Portugal offers a premium experience worth considering.
How we booked TAP Air Portugal bussiness 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 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.
Complimentary Lounge Access
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.
TAP Air Portugal Business Class in-flight meals
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
Here is a review of the TAP Air Portugal Business Class. The experience surpassed our expectations, providing a comfortable and enjoyable journey to Europe. Additionally, by leveraging ANA Mileage Club points, we not only saved thousands of dollars but also turned a routine flight into a luxurious family travel experience. Despite the recent devaluation, this redemption remains an excellent way to stretch your points for long-haul travel.
If you’re planning a trip to Europe and have access to Membership Rewards points, we highly recommend considering this strategy. It’s a fantastic way to travel in style without breaking the bank.
