New routes, additional flights, new seats, and aircraft changes can mean good to wide-open availability for a short time. On the routes below, at least four seats are open now between the U.S. and Europe and Asia.
This Month: Time to Burn Amex Rewards points, Citi Thank You points, Starwood points, Cathay Pacific or Delta Miles Between the U.S. and Asia or Europe
Cathay Pacific—First and Business Class
Added Flight Opportunity: San Francisco-Hong Kong will get one additional flight starting June 12 (total of three flights depending on the day of the week).
Easy Connections To/From: All over the U.S.
Fly To/From Beyond Hong Kong: Use this opportunity on the long-haul flight to get all over Asia, perhaps for more miles depending on destination. Explore destinations.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: 120,000 for Business; 180,000 for First Class. Request award space online.
Amex Rewards and Citi Thank You Points Transfer: 120,000 for Business Class, 180,000 for First.
Amex Rewards Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point; get a First Class ticket for $4,500 (plus $227 in taxes) through the Buy Miles to Fly in Style strategy—a seat that can otherwise cost up to $15,670, a savings of 70%.
Starwood Points Transfer to Asia Miles: 100,000 for Business, 145,000 for First Class.
Survey of Premium Class Award Availability: Cathay Pacific San Francisco - Hong Kong
[table_opt style="double-blue-header" id="41 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]
Cathay’s Partner Opportunities
With American Miles: 110,000 in Business Class, 135,000 in First. (Transfer from Starwood requires only 90,000 in Business Class, 110,000 in First; availability is often the same with AA miles as it is with Cathay miles.)
Even Better with Alaska Miles: 100,000 in Business Class, 140,000 in First. (Transfer from Starwood requires only 80,000 in Business Class, 120,000 in First; availability is often the same with Alaska miles as it is with Cathay miles.)
Buy Alaska Miles: If you took advantage of Alaska Airlines’ recent buy miles bonus of up to 35%, then San Francisco-Hong Kong in First Class costs $3,060—versus $15,670+ —81% off.
Delta—Business Class
New Route Opportunity: Philadelphia-London starts April 7, using a B757. Normally FCF does not recommend flying a narrow-body aircraft long haul, but Delta has installed flat-bed seats on the route, and there’s A LOT of free award space.
Easy Connections To/From: All over the U.S. and free.
Fly To/From Beyond London: To/from many European destinations at no extra cost, and beyond Europe for more miles. Explore other destinations.
Delta Sky Miles: 125,000. Explore award space.
Amex Rewards: Transfer 125,000.
Amex Membership Rewards Points Purchase: Cost is 2.5¢ per point. Get Business Class for $3,428 (including award taxes) through the Buy Miles to Fly in Style strategy, a ticket that otherwise starts at $4,674 with a 50-day advance- purchase; $5,581 if 49 days in advance, a savings of $2,153 (39%).
Starwood Points Transfer: 100,000.
Survey of Delta Award Availability: Philadelphia - London
[table_opt style="double-blue-header" id="1460 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]
Partner Opportunity
Best Deal:Virgin Atlantic: Business Class for 100,000 miles. Transfer 80,000 from Starwood or 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards or Chase points.
Alaska Miles: If you took advantage of Alaska Airlines recent buy miles bonus of up to 35%, then Philadelphia-London costs $2,951 versus $4,674+.