Cathay First Class: 1 Seat, 2-3 Flights (May-Aug 2022)
Typically, I only send award space for 2+ seats. However, I've had so many requests for Cathay first class that I wanted to flag this outside the box way to book multiple people to Hong Kong in first class.
Cathay operates multiple flights per day from both LAX and JFK. While award space for two is still a bit of a unicorn, you can find one seat on 2 flights or even 3 from JFK on the same day. No, you don't get to fly together, but you can both experience total luxury and still arrive within 12 or so hours of each other.
You might even be able to take advantage of Amex's transfer bonuses to British Airways or Qantas. Chase is also running a transfer bonus to British Airways. And, don't forget, you can still transfer Citi points to AA until Nov. 13, 2021.
Now, let's get into it the award space!
|
|
|
Straight To The Points:
Routes: JFK/LAX-HKG
Operating airline: Cathay Pacific
Class of service: First class
Dates: May - Aug 2022
Seats available: 1
Cabin layout: 1-1-1
Book with (per person, one-way):
- *Alaska Mileage Plan: 70,000 miles
- *American AAdvantage: 100,000 miles
- Asia Miles:
- 110,000 miles (LAX)
- 125,000 miles (JFK)
- British Airways:
- JAL Mileage Bank:
- One-way: 135,000 miles (JFK), 120,000 miles (LAX)
- Round-trip: 190,000 miles
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: 119,200 points
*No surcharges
Taxes/fees (per person):
- One-way: $5.60
- Round-trip: ~$63
- With Surcharges:
- One-way: ~$90
- Round-trip: ~$175
Alaska adds a $12.50 partner award booking fee per direction.
Bank transfer partners:
- Alaska: Marriott
- American: Marriott, Citi (Temporary)
- Asia Miles: Amex, Brex, Citi, Capital One
- British Airways: Amex, Chase, Marriott
- JAL: Marriott
- Qantas: Amex, Brex, Citi, Marriott
Don't forget to let me know if you book and how you did it!
|
|
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that COVID travel restrictions could prevent you from traveling. Additionally, please make sure you understand the cancellation, redeposit, and change fees required before booking.
Flight Experience
Cathay hasn't updated its first class cabin in a while but it's still an amazing experience. The seat itself is massive (two people can sit next to each other) and the bed is one of the most comfortable in the sky.
I've always had great crews and, of course, the great champagne doesn't hurt either. Top it all off with two amazing lounges in Hong Kong (The Pier and The Wing) and it's an all around great experience. If you fly out of JFK, you'll also get access to American's Flagship First Dining.
Personally, I prefer seats 1A and 2A as you have the aisle to yourself while D & K seats share an aisle.
|
|
Available Dates
JFK is your best bet as some dates even have three flights with one seat available. However, LAX can work really well as the two flights available ares sometimes within an hour of each other.
JFK-HKG
May: 1-3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15-19, 21, 24-27, 29-31
June: 4, 8-10, 12-16, 18-24, 26-30
July: 2, 3, 5, 7-10, 13-18, 20-26, 28, 30, 31
August: 1, 2
HKG-JFK
May: 2, 6-8, 10-12, 14, 16, 20-24, 28-31
June: 2, 4, 8-10, 13-18, 22-24, 26-30
July: 1-3, 5-9, 11-14, 17-30, 31
August: 1, 2
LAX-HKG
May: 3, 7, 17, 25, 27-29
June: 2, 6, 14, 19, 22, 23, 25-27, 30
July: 1-3, 5-8, 11, 15-31
August: 2
HKG-LAX
May: 3, 6, 7, 16-18, 20, 25, 26
June: 6-9, 18-22, 24, 26, 27, 30
July: 3, 6, 11-17, 19, 21-28, 30, 31
August: 1, 2
|
|
|
Three flights from JFK with first class award space.
|
|
Best Ways To Book
If you have Alaska miles that you've been waiting to burn, you're not going to beat 70,000 miles for a one-way ticket. You can also include a free stopover in Hong Kong on a one-way ticket to other parts of Asia, Australia, or South Africa.
However, please keep in mind that Alaska Mileage Plan has not had access to as many seats as Cathay's other Oneworld partners. I have not confirmed whether this has changed since Alaska joined Oneworld earlier this year. I'd love to hear what you've noticed.
Similarly, if you have a bunch of American miles to burn, 110,000 miles is a bit steep but it could be an easy way to book.
Great Amex & Chase Options
If you have Amex points, the transfer bonuses to British Airways (40%) or Qantas (20%) could make these your best options.
While BA requires a steep 144,250 Avios for a one-way award, you'd only need to transfer 104,000 Amex points during this promo. Similarly, Qantas requires 119,200 points one-way but you'd only need to transfer 99,500 Amex points.
Chase is also running a 30% transfer bonus to BA which means you'd need to transfer 111,000 points to book a one-way.
|
|
|
Did I mention there's caviar?
|
|
How To Book
I think searching with American Airlines is the best option
Here's how I'd approach the search process:
- Go to AA's site
- Select Advanced / Multi-city search (just click this link)
- Select Redeem miles
- Select One way or Round trip
- Enter From & To cities
- Select departure date(s)
- Choose the number of passengers
- Select Class as Business/First
- Click Search
- If you're searching for a nonstop, select Calendar then sort by nonstop.
- Once you know which dates have Cathay space, you can run a search from your home airport if you need a connection
If you're not booking with American miles, you can run a search with the program you're using once you find a date you want to book. If you want to book with Alaska miles, you'll need to call to book (800-252-7522).
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to visit Hong Kong or are looking for an excuse to have some fun sipping nice champagne on a long flight, this is a great option for you.
Happy booking!
|
|
|
|
