Published First Class Fares: To Hong Kong normally $15,733 (from LAX) to $29,288 (from JFK) round-trip, making these prime routes for using miles.
Mileage Cost: Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program charges 180,000 miles to Hong Kong from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver; 220,000 miles from Boston, Chicago, and New York.
No Cathay Pacific Miles? No Problem.
Transfer Starwood Points to Asia Miles: 145,000 to 180,000 required, or
Transfer Amex Rewards or Citi ThankYou Points to Asia Miles: 180,000 to 220,000 required.
How the “Buy Miles to Fly in Style” Strategy Can Save Up to 81%
Simply purchase Amex Rewards points. They cost 2.5¢ each. That brings the cost of a First Class ticket to Hong Kong down to $4,500 to $5,500 round-trip (plus about $86 award taxes, which vary slightly by route), for a seat that otherwise goes for as much as $29,288.
Sweet Redeem Survey: Cathay Pacific First Class
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More Partner Opportunities
Alaska Airlines: Just 140,000 miles.
Starwood Points: Transfer to Alaska to bring down the award cost to 115,000 miles (with the 25% transfer bonus) to/from any U.S. city, a savings of up to 36%.
Save 89% through Alaska Airlines
The current purchase bonus is up to 40% (ends Feb. 8), which brings New York-Hong Kong in First Class down to about $3,034 (plus $79 in award taxes).
However, Alaska Airlines’ mileage inventory is much less than Cathay Pacific’s own, but it’s still worth checking, as this game is often about luck—if not flexibility.
Second-Best Partner Opportunity, Japan Airlines: 135,000 to 155,000 miles to Hong Kong round-trip.
Starwood Points: The 25% transfer bonus with JAL brings the award cost down from 125,000 to 110,000 miles to/from any U.S. city—a savings of up to 30%.
Japan Airlines mileage Routes with First Class to Cathay Pacific’s own, but always check before committing to transfer or purchase.
Cathay Pacific’s First Class Suite
The Suite: Six semi-enclosed spaces on B777-300ERs arranged in two rows. No sliding privacy doors, but the cabin imparts such a feeling of spaciousness and privacy that it’s a favorite of many First Class habitués. Each has an 81-inch-long lie-flat bed and a 17-inch-wide TV screen. Experience the Cathay suite in detail.
To/From Hong Kong: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York (JFK and Newark), San Francisco, and Vancouver.
Flying Beyond Hong Kong: Many destinations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East can be added for more miles; cost depends on the region. Explore Cathay Pacific’s destinations.