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Best use of Asia miles

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  1. #1

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Post Best use of Asia miles

    With CX going rapidly down hill I think it's time to use up the 160k miles I have. Not a lot I know but any suggestions how to get best use out of them?

    I was looking at flights to Tokyo in Jan. 30k miles per person economy, is that the standard rate? My dates aren't around CNY which assume means more miles.

    Other options are upgrading the class or using to book hotel rooms. I have tried neither previously


  2. #2

    Join Date
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    Sell it


  3. #3

    Join Date
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    160k should get you a multi stopover trip to the US in J class on any OW carrier
    Forget using it for upgrades as availability is a problem and the base ticket is quite expensive.
    Do not waste it on short haul redemption as the fees can cost $600-700 HKD.
    Sometimes its a better deal when redeemed out of EU or the US so depending on where you are from, check on that option.

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  4. #4

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    I tend to find upgrades very cost effective or long haul J class. 160k will get you to Europe and back as a companion J fare (need to check if enough for pure J

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  5. #5

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    PS I should say, companion J are the highest value use. Less miles needed than a single J.

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  6. #6

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    Original Post Deleted
    Remember though, upgrades only work on the most expensive ticket classes.
    shri likes this.

  7. #7

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    Donate them to one of the listed charities.

    Sell them.


  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by pin:
    Remember though, upgrades only work on the most expensive ticket classes.
    It might be fairer to say they don't work on the cheapest options. They also work on the "middle" fares but it can vary a lot by route as to how much more expensive these are.
    Thensome likes this.

  9. #9

    I'm a frequent flyer, but on the BA scheme rather than Cathay (I haven't switched as the BA scheme records all tier points earned over lifetime and once a certain (very large) level is reached, they award Lifetime BA Gold - which is equivalent to Marco Polo Platinum).

    I agree the best value is through upgrades rather than travelling economy. The J and W air miles flights do book up quickly though, especially for holiday periods. My tip would be that even if there is no availability for your preferred route on your initial search, you should keep checking back from time to time, as more redemption seats are often released nearer the date of travel depending on how booked up the flights are. Last year, about this time of year, I managed to get two return business class redemption flights HKG to LHR on Cathay for Christmas (though we had to route via AMS on the return leg) on my third search.

    I don't know if Cathay has a similar scheme, but I also use my air miles on short haul BA under their Reward Flight Saver scheme, which gets me to most short haul destinations for just 8,000 miles plus GBP 35 per booking to cover all taxes and surcharges, which I think is also pretty good value, as the taxes are often more than this alone.

    Thensome and misshappy26 like this.

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    96

    Very helpful thank you all for the information


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