Best Ways To Book
Alaska Airlines: Great Rate, Tougher To Earn
If you have Bilt points, 50,000 Alaska miles is a great way to book a one-way award. You can also include a stopover in Sao Paulo on your way to another destination. Just keep in mind the total flight distance could change the award rate.
Cathay Pacific: Great Rate, Easy To Earn
While Cathay requires more miles at 63,000 one-way, it’s much easier to earn Asia Miles via transfer partners such as Amex, Bilt, Capital One, and Citi.
Avios: Finnair Rate + Transfer Bonuses
It’s not the most straightforward option, but it could save you a few thousand miles. Remember, you can combine Avios between Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, and Qatar Airways.
Let’s start with the basics, Finnair Plus is your best option at 75,500 Avios for a one-way award. If you have Capital One miles, but don’t have Chase or Citi points, transfer points directly and book.
If you have Chase points, you should transfer points to British Airways to take advantage of the 30% transfer bonus then combine Avios in your Finnair account. With the transfer bonus, you’d only need 49,000 Chase points for a one-way award.
If you have Cit points, transfer points to Qatar Airways to take advantage of the 25% transfer bonus. You’d only need 61,000 Citi points for a one-way award. If you want to book round-trip, you can transfer 116,000 Citi points as you’ll get a bonus 10,000 Avios for every 100,000 Citi points you transfer.
Once you’ve transferred to Qatar, you can combine with your BA account and then combine with your Finnair account. Yes, I know, it’s tedious. However, this can all be done from your BA account - click here to combine Avios.
