How to Fly Business Class for Free to Asia with Alaska Miles on Cathay Pacific

How to Fly Business Class for Free!

Lets face it, flying across the ocean is a loooong flight.  It’s especially long if you’re flying economy.  What’s better than flying economy?  Flying business class.  What’s better than flying business class?  Flying business class for free!  Read on to see how I flew business class for free to Asia with Alaska Miles!

Kim and I have been planning to do an Asia trip for some time.  We went to Bali a few years ago and had some amazing adventures climbing Mt Agung (which is currently erupting) and white water tubing.  We’ve wanted to head back to that area of the world ever since.  Kim headed out a couple weeks before I did to Singapore and Bali and our plan was to meet in Thailand.  Kim had quite the stressful time escaping the volcano but we both made it to Bangkok in one piece!

Find the Best Redemption Rates

Many domestic airlines will partner with multiple international airlines to expand their offerings to their customer bases.  When using points, these points will transfer at different rates depending on the agreements set up between air carriers.  For flying to Asia from the US, I think one of the best redemption options is using Alaska Airlines miles on Cathay Pacific.

US to Asia redemption rates using Alaska miles

Flying business class on Cathay Pacific one way from the US to Asia is 50,000 Alaska miles.  If you want to up the ante and fly first class its 70,000 Alaska miles (one way).  If you were to use American Airlines miles, who also partner with Cathay Pacific, this redemption would cost you 120,000 miles for business or 160,000 for first!  Choosing the right partner to redeem your miles is important when trying to maximize the value of your miles/points.

Fly Business Class for Free: Where Can Cathay Pacific Take You?

Here is the route map for all of Cathay Pacific’s destinations in Asia that 50,000 Alaska miles can get you to from the US.

Where to Get the Alaska Miles

I got all 50,ooo miles through the sign up bonus for the Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card.  The 50,ooo point offer expired, however they are still offering 30,000 miles with a $100 statement credit after spending $1,000 in the first three months.  In addition, you will get one $99 companion ticket on any domestic flight each year.  Be careful when applying for this card though!  If you are approved for a credit limit less than $5,000 you will be given a different card with a bonus of only 5,000 miles!

The Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express is another good card to sign up for if you’re looking to get Alaska miles quickly.  The card will give you 25,000 Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) points after sign up and minimum spending.  SPG points can be transferred at a 1:1 rate to Alaska miles.  In addition, if you transfer in increments of 20,000 points at a time, you receive a 5,000 pt bonus!  SPG points can also be transferred to Marriott at a 1-3 ratio, 25k SPG points = 75k Marriott points.

Alaska Miles and a Marriott Hotel Package Rolled into One

The ability to transfer to Marriott points offers up another cool option for a free vacation all rolled up into one deal.  Marriott offers 5 and 7 night vacation packages that include a boat load of airline miles through their Rewards Plus program!  For example, you can nab one of these deals starting at 165,000 Marriott points which will give you 5 nights at any category 1-5 Marriott hotel as well as 50,000 Alaska miles.  5 nights and 100,000 Alaska miles will cost you 215,000 Marriott points.  7 nights with 100,000 Alaska miles will run you 250,000 Marriott points.  That is enough Alaska miles for round trip in business class and a week at a great hotel!

7 day Marriott and Alaska miles reward table

By using multiple card bonuses you can get to this high level of Marriott points very quickly.  The previously mentioned SPG card will get you 75k Marriott points after conversion.  The Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card will give you 80,000 Marriott points after minimum spending is met.  The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Preferred cards will give you 50,000 Ultimate rewards points which can be converted to Marriott points at a 1:1 ratio (you can only get the bonus from one of the two cards).  Finally, the American Express Platinum card will give you 60,000 points which can be converted to SPG points at 3:1 and then SPG to Marriott at 1:3 (essentially a 1:1 Amex to Marriott point transfer ratio).  If you signed up for all 4 cards (you don’t have to do this all at once) you could earn a total of 75+80+50+60k points.  Add in the additional points you would earn from minimum spending requirements and you’re looking at upwards of 275k Marriott points.

If you are signing up for multiple cards, make sure you know all the rules governing how many cards you can sign up for with each bank and how often you can apply.  See this post for all the info you need on that front.

Points Go Further in Asia

Category 1-5 hotels in Asia can be really fantastic.  We recently stayed at the JW Marriott in Hanoi, Vietnam as well as the JW Marriott in Kuala Lumpur (both category 3 hotels) and both were incredible.  If you sign up for the American Express Platinum you will also be given gold status at SPG and Marriott hotels. Gold status gives you free breakfast as well as complimentary upgrades.  We were upgraded to 1 bedroom suites at both properties and they were INSANELY nice (look for a post on those coming soon!)

Convert Points to Grow Your Total Quickly

Alternatively, you could convert the 60,000 point bonus from the American Express Platinum card to 20,000 SPG points and then convert those directly to 25,000 Alaska miles.  The current Amex Platinum bonus plus the current Bank of America Alaska card bonus combined can quickly get you to 50,000 Alaska Miles.  You could also convert one of the Sapphire Card bonuses to Marriott points, then to SPG and then to Alaska miles.

Dining Out = Earning Miles

Another great way to get Alaska miles is to sign up for the Alaska Mileage Plan Fine Dining Program.  Once you sign up for this program and spend $30 at a restaurant that participates, you’ll receive a 1,000 pt bonus.  In addition, you typically get 5x points for every dollar you spend.  The other great thing about this program is you can register any card you want, not specifically an Alaska Airlines branded card.

Bottom line there are many ways to generate Alaska miles quickly!  Flying business class for free is easier than you think!





Fly Business Class for Free: Finding a Flight

Using the British Airways reward flight search, you can easily find availability to fly business class for free.  To use the British Airways reward search function you’ll have to make a British Airways account first.  First class availability can be difficult to come by and you may need to plan quite far in advance.  Business class has greater availability and I was able to book my flight only 2 weeks in advance.  The key is to be flexible with your dates if possible and book in advance.  If you’re planning on building in a extended layover in Hong Kong, you’ll have to search each flight segment individually (US city to Hong Kong and then Hong Kong to your final destination in Asia) to find open award seats.  Cathay Pacific Asia flights will always route through Hong Kong.  You can build in as much time as you want in Hong Kong (the maximum is 11 months as that is the furthest Cathay will book out flights) before going to your final destination at no extra charge of points or cash.

Call Alaska Airlines for the Final Booking

Once you have an idea of the flights you want, you’ll have to call Alaska Airlines (1-800-252-7522) to actually book the flights.  If you’re looking for a specific day and couldn’t find availability on their site, ask the phone rep as they may be able to find you an open seat.

I was able to find business class availability for both the flights I needed including a 2 night stop over in Hong Kong.  I wanted to take a quick tour of the city before moving on to Thailand.   Total cost for both flights was $47.30 in taxes and a $12.50 booking fee.  This fee was credited back to me however, through one of the many benefits of my American Express Platinum card.  The Amex Platinum allows $200 in airline incidental fees (checked bags, snacks, upgrades, taxes etc) each year for an airline of your choice.  I designated Alaska Airlines as my airline of choice which allowed me to check bags and get snacks for free on a previous trip, as well as credit the taxes back to my card on this trip.  In addition, I used another perk of the Amex Platinum to get to the airport from where I was staying.  The card offers $200 in Uber credits ($15 monthly and $35 in December) every year.  Even if you use Uber only once or twice a month this perk comes in handy.

This flight typically goes for $3,991.48 at this time of year!  Add in a $12 Uber ride and you’re looking at over 4 grand.

Total cost for me using points and perks: $0

Cathay Pacific Perks

When flying in business or first class on Cathay Pacific, you get access to their amazing airport lounges.  I was departing out of LAX and spent the hour and half before my flight in their very nice and spacious lounge at the LAX airport.

Huge buffet in the lounge

A full breakfast buffet and a cup of coffee later, it was time to board the first leg of my flight to Bangkok.

Fly Business Class for Free: The Flight

Everyone should fly business class for free!  This experience was amazing.  The seat was large and comfortable with a full lie flat seat.  There was ample leg room and your own dedicated counter space to spread out on.   A retractable TV and over the ear headphones provided entertainment for the flight.  I switched the headphones out for my own Bose Quiet Comfort noise cancelling headphones (my favorite travel accessory).  Each seat comes with a pillow and blanket as well.

Lots of extra leg room

Business and first class board first before economy and have their own boarding line.

Before takeoff I was already given a glass of champagne which was quickly followed by a hot towel service.

I can get used to this

Each seat also comes with its own amenity kit.  The bag is actually really nice and I’ve been using it for my toiletries ever since.

The eye mask and ear plugs for sure came in handy

Included is an eye mask, a pair of grippy socks, ear plugs, toothbrush, tooth paste, mouth wash, rose water balancing mist (no idea what this is), herbal recovery advanced serum (again no clue but sounds extra fancy), and lip care balm.

Drinks

There was a wide selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks available (all complimentary of course).  In addition there were several wines, champagnes and coffee/tea to choose from.

Their signature drink ‘The Oriental Breeze’ was particularly nice.





Food

The food was really incredible.  Its hard to believe they are able to deliver this quality while on a 13+hour flight thousands of feet in the air.

I found the tuna tataki to be extra delicious.

Just some of the delicious food and drink served on the flight

So much better than economy

Service was fantastic, with any need quickly attended to by the efficient and friendly staff.

Being well rested, well fed and able to stretch out and relax greatly cuts down on the jet lag factor.  I felt rested and was able to adapt to the 10 hour time change with ease.  When you fly business class for free, you get more enjoyment out of the rest of your vacation as well!

Hong Kong Cathay Pacific Lounges

After my quick two night stay in Hong Kong, I had the second leg of my flight to Bangkok.  As Hong Kong is Cathay Pacific’s home base, they have 4 amazing lounges to choose from.  I visited “The Bridge” lounge and I was not disappointed.  This lounge is huge!  A fantastic breakfast buffet, a separate coffee lounge as well as an extra long bar make this lounge really stand out.  I would suggest you go to the airport early just to relax and use the amenities of this lounge.

This place was huge!

The second flight had the same seat configuration as the first, however no amenity kit as the flight was significantly shorter.  The food, service and drinks were all still fantastic.

Fly Business Class for Free: Final thoughts

Flying business class for free made what would normally be and uncomfortable 19+ total flight hours into a really enjoyable experience.  The ability to build in a stop over in Hong Kong for no extra charge and explore the city is another added bonus.  Utilizing credit card bonuses and partner redemption awards is a great way to maximize point value and fly business class for free!  On this flight I saved over $4,000.  Look for posts on our trips through Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia soon!