How the major one world airlines mileage programs compare—and why having the right credit card(s) makes such a difference.
This is part one of FCF’s new mileage-award cost series, in which we grade major alliance mileage programs by how much they charge for a free award ticket in Business or First Class to various regions of the world.
For this first installment, we examined seven one world airline loyalty programs to Asia in Business Class. In succeeding articles, we’ll rate Star Alliance carriers and SkyTeam carriers on both Business and First Class awards to Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and the South Pacific.
[aside headline="No miles? No problem." alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"] This article has detailed information on getting miles in any of the airline mileage programs.
This article has detailed information on getting miles in any of the airline mileage programs.
Buy Miles to Fly in Style
The “buy miles” strategy works when published fares are high, often $4,000+ or a non-stop is a must, but we don’t recommend it when fares to Asia are on sale and range from $1,780 to $2,154, as our special fare alerts most recently show.[/aside]
Mileage Cost Discrepancies
Flying to Asia allows you to take advantage of award chart discrepancies between airline partners. Having the right credit cards enable savvy travelers to leverage these discrepancies by transferring points into many of these programs.
Many Asian carriers—and even some European carriers—use a flight distance award chart, whereas most North American carriers use a regional chart (a flat rate from one region to another).
Sometimes you can book a regional award on a North American carrier for use on an Asian carrier at a much lower rate—such as using 35,000 fewer American miles on Cathay Pacific from Chicago to Hong Kong. Partner awards on a flight distance loyalty program can also be much cheaper. One example: Use Japan Airlines miles to fly American to Tokyo, and save 10,000 miles.
A Note on the Grading System
It’s very simple, A through F, just like in grammar school. The lower the mileage requirement, the higher the grade, and for this report card, FCF rates not only the airlines’ mileage requirements, but also grades partner-flight rates. FCF based the grades on the three sample routes shown in the chart below, as it is impossible to show all routes to Asia.
The Grades
Air Berlin: A-
This one world member does not fly between the U.S. and Asia, but you still have access to partner flight awards at a low mileage cost using the carrier’s regional award chart. The airline divides Asia into three regions, 100,000 to 120,000 miles round-trip. Miles can be transferred from Starwood.
[aside headline="Why Starwood is King" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"] As you can see in our chart below, Japan Airlines only charges 80,000 miles for Business Class to/from Tokyo. This rate holds not only from San Francisco, but also from Boston, Chicago, Los Angele's, New York, San Diego, and Vancouver. It is one of the lowest Business Class awards to Asia and only requires a transfer of 65,000 Starpoints—same as Delta or United charge for coach. Compare that with 100,000 points via AA’s own credit card or 130,000 (double) via United Chase cards. In other words, Starwood players oftentimes net 2-for-1s compared to Chase players.
But, that is not all: FCF’s research shows good First Class award space on Japan Airlines for only 110,000 to 130,000 miles, which equals 90,000 to 105,000 Starpoints, less than United charges for Business Class. That's a free upgrade to First Class.[/aside]
American: A
The only North American airline in this report card charges the same for its own and partner flights to/from Asia and divides Asia into two regions, 100,000 to 110,000 miles round-trip. Miles can be purchased easily or transfer points from Starwood.
British Airways: F / D+
Uses a flight distance chart and flies between Asia and the U.S. via London. Mileage cost is always high because of the routing. Partner awards to/from Asia aren’t competitive. Miles can be transferred from Amex Rewards, Chase, and Starwood.
Cathay Pacific: C+ / C
Also uses a flight distance chart. Asian routes are through Hong Kong, and they tend to be not very inexpensive, as points beyond Hong Kong are charged separately. Miles can be transferred from Amex Rewards, Starwood, and Citi Thank You.
Japan Airlines: A+ / B+
Divides Asia into five regions. Through October 31, award rates are low (80,000 to 110,000). Next day, rates go to 100,000 to 140,000 miles. Partner awards are based on flight distance and start as low as 90,000 round-trip San Francisco-Tokyo; the lowest cost for any oneworld partner award on this route, but other routes are more because the cost varies based on the flight distance. A+ for current rates, B+ for new rates, B+ for partner rates. Miles can be transferred from Starwood.
Malaysia Airlines: C
Uses a flight distance chart, but its own flights and partner flights cost more than all other one world carriers. Miles can be transferred from Citi Thank You.
Qatar: C- / D+
Flies to/from Asia via Doha and uses a flight-distance chart. The less direct routing ups the price, hence the C- for its own program and the D+ for partners. Miles can be transferred from Citi Thank You and Starwood.
Award Costs to Asia with Oneworld > Business Class
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