FirstClassFlyer

The Suite: Six semi-enclosed suites on B777-300ERs arranged in two rows. No sliding privacy doors, but the cabin nonetheless imparts such a feel 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.

Routes with First Class

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. Find Cathay Pacific’s destinations.

Sky-High Fares Equal Great Mileage Opportunity

Published First Class Fares: Normally $15,651 (from LAX) to $29,212 (from JFK) round-trip to Hong Kong, making this a prime route 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.

Sweet Redeem Survey: Cathay Pacific First Class to/from Hong Kong

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Not Hard to Get Cathay Pacific Miles

Transfer Points to Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles: From Amex Rewards, Citi ThankYou, or Starwood

Partner Booking Opportunities

American Airlines: Until March 21, just 135,000 miles.

Starwood Points: Transferred to American, which will bring the award cost down to 110,000 miles (with the 25% transfer bonus) to/from any U.S. city—a savings of up to 39% less than traditional approaches.

Don’t have any points? Save 90% with the “Buy Miles to Fly in Style Strategy”

Via Amex Rewards: Cost is 2.5¢ per point, which nets a First Class ticket for $4,500 to $5,500 round-trip that otherwise can cost as much as $29,212.

Via Alaska Airlines: The last purchase bonus was 50% (see Dec. 19 alert for details), which brings New York-Hong Kong in First Class down to about $2,895, just by purchasing 140,000 miles. The normal fare is $29,212.

Key Differences Between Cathay Pacific Booking Options

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[["U.S. Departure city","U.S. to<\/strong><\/span> Hong Kong","#colspan#","#colspan#","Hong Kong to <\/span><\/strong>U.S.","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["#rowspan#","Handful","Hopeful","Hooray","Handful","Hopeful","Hooray"],["Chicago","Aug., Oct.","","Dec.","Aug., Oct.","","Dec."],["Boston","Aug., Oct., Nov.","","Dec.","Aug. to Nov.","","Dec."],["Los Angeles","Sept. to Nov.","July","Aug., Dec.","July, Nov.","Sept., Oct.","Aug., Dec."],["New York (Newark)","July, Aug., Nov.","Dec.","","July, Oct.","","Dec."],["New York (JFK)","July, Aug., Oct., Nov.","","Dec.","July, Aug., Nov.","","Dec."]]

Handful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible. Hopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated. Hooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated. Months in black at least one seat available.

[["The Options<\/strong>","U.S. to\/from Hong Kong<\/strong>","Availability<\/strong>","How to book<\/strong>","Getting Miles<\/strong>","#colspan#","Misc. Notes<\/strong>"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","#rowspan#","#rowspan#","Credit Card Transfer<\/strong>","Buying<\/strong>","#rowspan#"],["Cathay Pacific \/ Asia Miles<\/strong>","180,000 miles from Los Angeles; 220,000 from Boston, Chicago, and New York.","See chart on page 4.","Online at asiamiles.com","Amex, Starwood, Citi","Top off up to 30% via Asia Miles or purchase up to 500,000 via Amex","Best award availability on its own flights and great value compared to published fares."],["American \/ AAdvantage<\/strong>","Any U.S. city: 135,000 miles until March 21; then 220,000,","Often similar to Cathay Pacific miles; check before committing to transfer or purchase","Over the phone (check availability first on asiamiles.com to see if there might be a chance)","Starwood","150,000","Redeem before the increase on March 22, even if you don\u0092t have dates set, as date-only changes are allowed at the current rate."],["Alaska \/ Mileage Plan<\/strong>","Any U.S. city: 140,000 miles.","#rowspan#","#rowspan#","#rowspan#","Unlimited","Often sells miles as low as 2\u00a2 each, which can net a $29,000 JFK-HKG for just $2,800 R\/T."],["Japan Airlines \/ JAL Mileage Bank<\/strong>","Flight distance chart, any U.S. city: 155,000 miles.","#rowspan#","Online at jal.com (check availability on asiamiles.com first)","#rowspan#","Not offered","Another good option to getting Cathay flights cheaply."]]