Sweet Spot Sunday: Travel business class to Asia for only 50,000 miles

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles rank among the most valuable in the industry. They average around 1.8 cents each in TPG's monthly evaluations, surpassing most other airline miles. This high value isn't just due to Alaska's own flights, but also thanks to the program's favorable partner award charts.

Today, we're highlighting a prime opportunity for booking award flights to Asia. Specifically, we’ll explore how you can enjoy Cathay Pacific business class to Asia for just 50,000 miles one way.

While some Asian destinations — like Hong Kong — still enforce strict entry rules, mastering these strategies can help you conserve points and miles when booking. Fortunately, most travelers can once again transit through Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to reach other locations.

What makes it unique

Business class flights to Asia can be quite expensive. Cash fares typically start at $2,000 each way, while most loyalty programs require at least 70,000 miles per leg for award tickets. Thus, booking these flights for only 50,000 miles each way through Alaska Mileage Plan is an exceptional deal.

Additionally, this rate applies uniformly, regardless of your U.S. departure city or Asian destination. In contrast, many other programs calculate award prices based on distance or zones.

Beyond the attractive mileage rate, another advantage of booking with Alaska is the option for a free stopover in Hong Kong, even on one-way tickets. While this may not be feasible for many travelers currently, it’s a great option to consider once the country fully reopens to tourists.

Cathay Pacific is renowned for offering one of the finest business class experiences available. It consistently delivers outstanding service, delectable cuisine, and comfortable seating. Moreover, the lounges are exceptional, especially in Hong Kong.

How to secure this award

Now for the less enjoyable aspect: booking these awards. Unfortunately, Cathay Pacific awards can’t be booked directly through Alaska's website. You’ll need to locate award space using another Oneworld search engine first, then call to finalize your ticket. However, the process is easier than it may initially appear.

Step 1: Check for award availability

Some of the top websites for checking Oneworld award availability include American Airlines, British Airways, and Qantas.

I prefer American's website because it provides a calendar view that displays all available flights. The inventory visible on these sites should align with what Alaska can access. Unfortunately, you can't check Cathay Pacific award space on ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures).

To search for award availability on American's website, begin by entering your desired itinerary on the homepage and selecting the 'Redeem miles' option.

In the middle of the screen, you can view all available flights. Pay special attention to flights operated by Cathay Pacific and take note of the dates and flight numbers. You can also access the calendar view by clicking on the 'Calendar' button at the top.

If you want to utilize the free stopover benefit, ensure that you search for each of your flights individually. Remember that Alaska Airlines doesn't allow mixing partners on an award ticket, but you can include a connecting flight operated by Alaska to reach an international gateway.

Step 2: Contact Alaska to finalize your booking

After identifying a flight you'd like to reserve, reach out to Alaska Mileage Plan at 800-654-5669 to make your booking. To make the process smoother, have your preferred flight numbers and departure times ready when you call. Additionally, check the hours of operation before reaching out.

Alaska's phone representatives are typically efficient and well-informed. Since these awards can't be booked online, they should be able to waive the $15 phone booking fee. However, the $12.50 fee for booking partner awards is unavoidable.

Overall, the entire call should take no longer than 15 minutes.

How to accumulate miles for this award

In addition to being highly valuable, Alaska miles are also some of the most challenging to earn.

A fast way to accumulate a significant number of Alaska miles is by applying for one of Alaska's cobranded credit cards. For example, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card currently offers 60,000 bonus miles along with Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees starting at $23). To be eligible, you need to spend $3,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Additionally, you can earn Alaska miles by flying, booking rental cars and hotels with travel partners, utilizing the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Shopping portal, and enjoying Mileage Plan Dining.

The only options for transferring miles come from hotel programs. You can convert points from Marriott Bonvoy at a 3:1 ratio, plus a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred. Our tests indicate that these transfers typically take about four days to complete.

In summary

For a stylish journey to Asia, redeeming Alaska miles for a Cathay Pacific flight is an excellent choice. Alaska offers lower mileage requirements compared to many other Oneworld airlines, and you can include a complimentary stopover in both directions. While these awards aren't available for online booking, arranging them over the phone is quite straightforward. The challenge lies in accumulating the necessary Alaska miles.

Last updated on 4/18/2024.