To Asia: Why One-Way Mileage Awards Can Make or Break a Business or First Class 50% to 90% Off Deal

Part two about an often overlooked way to go Business or First when you want.

As we told you last month (see special report here for travel to Europe), one-way tickets increase your chances of getting a First or Business Class seat at a lower award-cost level and can get you the itinerary you want, not the one the airlines offer you.

The strategy is dead simple and it works wherever you're going: Just divide the itinerary in two and search for the best deal on each leg.

Here's the key point: Having a credit card program that links to many different airline programs. (More on that in The Lazy Upgrader’s Guide to Lucrative Credit Card Opportunities) It means you can outflank the availability barrier airlines put up.

We'll just recap when one-way tickets are the way to go:

• When a round-trip saver award is not available.
• When you want the best routing and best premium seats.
• When a partner saver round-trip award is not available on your preferred carrier, but is with the partner’s own mileage program.

Like we have always said, options count.

The majority of one-way deals to Asia are available to those with the Starwood Preferred Guest Card (SPG); the fewest to travelers loyal to one airline. (For the best one-ways to Europe go here; South America is coming soon.)

Here are the best deals to Asia we've found

Airberlin: Partner awards are 50,000 to 60,000 miles one-way in Business Class (cost varies by route). That's 40,000 to 50,000 SPG points. Works for flights on such partners as American and Japan Airlines.

Air Canada: Air Canada and partner flights cost 62,500 to 65,000 miles one-way in Business Class (52,500 to 55,000 SPG points); includes such airline partners as All Nippon, Singapore, and United. First Class (105,000 to 107,500 miles one-way) is high, but using SPG points reduces it to 85,000 to 87,500 points. The airline also works with Amex Rewards points.

Alaska: Cheapest partner flights to Asia are on American and Cathay Pacific (starting at 50,000 miles; 40,000 SPG points) in Business Class to Japan and Korea. In First Class, American (62,500 miles; 52,500 SPG points) beats Cathay (70,000 miles; 60,000 SPG points). Partner rates rise on American on Nov, 1.

American: Its flights and those with partners cost 60,000 to 70,000 miles one-way in Business Class (50,000 to 60,000 SPG), and partners include Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines. First Class starts at 80,000 miles one-way (65,000 SPG).

Asiana: Cost varies by route on Asiana flights. Business Class starts at 62,500 miles (52,500 SPG) and First Class at 80,000 miles (65,000 SPG). Star Alliance partner award cost also varies, starting at 60,000 miles one-way (50,000 SPG) in Business Class and 80,000 miles (65,000 SPG) in First Class. Valid on All Nippon, Singapore, and United, among other airlines.

Cathay Pacific: Cost varies by route, starting at 70,000 miles (60,000 SPG) one-way (Los Angeles-Hong Kong) in Business Class and 105,000 miles (85,000 SPG) in First Class. Same rate on such partners as American and Japan Airlines on Los Angeles-Tokyo. Amex points transfer to Cathay, too.

Japan Airlines: Least expensive flights are U.S. to/from Japan: 50,000 miles in Business Class (40,000 SPG) and 70,000 in First (60,000 SPG). Through March 31, 2018, JAL's “Limited Days of the Week” program offers reduced rates at 40,000 miles (35,000 SPG) in Business Class and 55,000 miles (45,000 SPG) in First Class. Valid Monday through Thursday from the U.S.; Tuesday through Friday from Japan. (Go here for recent Business Class award availability alert.) Oneworld partner awards vary and are higher than JAL's own.

Lufthansa: Charges 67,500 miles for partner awards in Business Class one-way (57,500 SPG) to Asia. Valid on all Star Alliance members including All Nippon and United. First Class is 105,000 miles one-way (85,000 SPG).

Singapore: Cost varies by route. The least expensive flight is Los Angeles-Tokyo: 77,500 miles (62,500 SPG) in Business Class and 87,500 miles (72,500 SPG) in First. Award cost on Star Alliance partners is higher. Amex Rewards members can transfer points to Singapore miles.

Virgin Atlantic: Partner-flight cost varies, starting at 60,000 miles (50,000 SPG) on Delta in Business Class. On Singapore the cost is 67,500 miles (57,500 SPG).