Long Haul Business Class for under $2K (Long Post)

[navidnavid]

great news Footy, thanks.

[Little Evil]

Damn! I just spent cash on US Airways bonus match, but this would have been the cheaper route. I was already kicking myself for not buying the US Airways bonus while it was bonus + 10% off, but reading this (and not already knowing about it) makes me think I'm starting to go soft on my points game. Got to get hungry again and really hustle. All the devaluations kind of soured me on the entire game for a while, but I came to the conclusion that the mileage game can't stay the way it was when I first posted this piece. Like everything, the game will get more expensive, so I guess I'm going to have to look at it with a "half glass full" mentality. For instance, I just dropped $2500 on points to get what I used to get for $1800. Kind of depressing, but then think about that it will fund a trip that should cost $8-12k now. Glass half full.....

 

In any case, I also got a US Airways Premier World with 50k bonus, so assuming I can find the availability, I'm going Cathay first again. I'd go as far as to say that I actually enjoy my time in the air when in Cathay first. It's that good. 

 

On an unrelated note--any suggestions on what to do with 60k BA avios before the devaluation? I foolishly transferred Amex points into BA without doing much research because of the 40% transfer bonus, but I didn't know BA was going to roll out such harsh J & F award flight devaluations in May. My original plan was to build a base of Avios with this transfer and grow them into a RT J award. Will take much longer now to go that route, so might as well burn the miles now. 

[Luv2Phuket]

Little Evil - 

 

This may be a bit of a stretch and/or a pain in the ass, but you could use the BA Avios to cut the required miles for your Cathay first class trip to BKK.

 

US Air is 120k miles in first to "North Asia," which includes Hong Kong, but 160k to BKK, which is in South Asia. FWIW, I freakin' LOVE Cathay first -- just did LAX-BKK RT last month and the in-air service is spectacular (while the ground service left a lot to be desired on that trip -- think all 4 of my flights departed late)

 

If you book your Cathay first RT from USA to HKG, then book a separate RT ticket in business class (there is no first class service on Cathay on this route) from HKG to BKK using Avios, you will save 40,000 US Air miles, while spending only 30,000 Avios (+$47 in taxes/fees) on the HKG-BKK RT. 

 

The hassle here is that it is two separate bookings, so you have to be careful -- a long flight delay and the other trip gets wiped out.  That said, if you're willing to build in a one day layover (or long airport layover) on each leg, you can save some 25% of your US Air miles, while cashing out some of those Avios.

 

Another option is to save the Avios miles for use in the USA on American or US Air.  I have found that it is often MUCH cheaper -- both miles-wise and tax-wise -- to use Avios points on those carriers instead of AA miles or US Air miles.  For a trip to Texas, I think I used 20,000 Avios miles and had like $11 in taxes, as compared to 30,000 AA/US Air and about $100 in taxes/fees (I could be off on those numbers, but know Avios was cheaper in both respects).  

 

Because it is distance-based, the shorter the flight, the cheaper Avios is -- I think RT from LAX-Las Vegas is like 4500 miles each way.  While I can book cheaply on Southwest, a last minute trip may be worth 9,000 miles, as opposed to a high cash outlay.  I could be wrong here, but I don't think the devaluation hits this "sweet spot."

 

Don't get me wrong -- I'm not transferring tons of miles to Avios for future use, but I frequently transfer Chase UR points over (they appear instantly) when I need to book shorter trips either in Asia or USA.

[Little Evil]

Good advice FPJM. Thanks. It would be a mild gamble, as I don't have vacation fays to burn on an overnight, but given a 3-4 hour layover, definitely worth investigating. I think one could theoretically book the same legs one would get on an all-dividends award, so delays could be a moot factor. I don't do much domestic travel, so that might be the best use. Either that or hotel booking through BA. Cheers!

[Little Evil]

 

 

I am "same same" as you re: booking Cathay -- I scour BA's website for availability as far out as possible and book the best that I can get.  

 

 

I'm not sure if there's a legit difference or if I'm just imagining it, but I seem to have better luck with CA availability via the Qantas award flight search engine. I also use the KVS tool, which I personally think is an excellent minor investment for those who use award travel at least twice a year. I figure I can save over using a booking agent and have more control over my searches in terms of turn around and frequency. I've managed to book my last three award flights with KVS and Qantas combo. 

[Methos]

Bad news, Methos -- I'm pretty sure that the miles purchase offer requires a US address.

 

I am "same same" as you re: booking Cathay -- I scour BA's website for availability as far out as possible and book the best that I can get.  

 

Things can open up last minute, so I check back if I really don't like my options; however, I took it in the shorts on my last trip by doing that.  Had a shitty departure/arrival time (left LAX mid-day and got into BKK around midnight) and jumped when the late night departure/noon arrival opened up on the same day.  US Air charged me a $150 change fee, but I figured it saved the first day/night of my trip.....didn't count on the EIGHT HOUR flight delay leaving LAX!  The resulting layover was going to be so bad in HKG that I ended up having Cathay put me back on the flight that I had changed off of 2 days before, so I ended up paying a $150 change fee for absolutely nothing!

 

That said, if I was in the same situation, I would do the exact same thing -- the late arrival sucked as bad as I thought it would, so my first night was an absolute waste.  

 

That's fine, I wasn't really considering buying points right now anyway. I am going to try to get 2 more Alaskan cc's in the next year or so to get another one-way, if they don't get devalued in the meantime. I've only been doing this about 5 years and there have been 2 major "adjustments" with aeroplan in that time. It's only recently I started dabbling in other ff programs. There aren't a lot of options from Canada but aside from the AS points I have about 22k avios. As FPJM pointed out, I'm keeping them to use for N.A. flights at some point. 

 

Totally O.T., but as much as I'm looking forward to retiring in 2-3 years and moving to Thailand I'm not looking forward to the day I run out of points and have go back to Y! Virtually all my points are cc related, ether from sign-up bonuses or referrals and they're going to dry up when I leave. 

[bgtp]

Totally O.T., but as much as I'm looking forward to retiring in 2-3 years and moving to Thailand I'm not looking forward to the day I run out of points and have go back to Y! Virtually all my points are cc related, ether from sign-up bonuses or referrals and they're going to dry up when I leave. 

 

I'm in the same boat. Most of my points being cc related with the majority of those coming from the sign-up bonuses. But, I'm never going back to Y (in fact, I've never even been to Asia in Y, Europe in Y was bad enough). If I don't have the points or money, I'd just as soon stay home, order some take-out from the local Thai restaurant and jerk off to Asian porn.

Edited March 12, 2015 by bgtp

[Little Evil]

Just thought I'd check in with all the other miles whores out there and post a little bit of my post-merger experience. I was kind of all doom and gloom pre US Airways / AA merger, worried that my miles game went bust. I've been focused almost entirely on US Airways' program mainly due to great deals to Asia from USA. Now that the merger has settled, I actually think things are actually better for my situation. First Class in Oneworld, USA to Asia 2 is now only 135k on saver. Used to be 160k if I recall correctly. I can also now book one way. All in all, I'm actually doing much better under this post-merger program. Am I missing something? Don't these things typically hurt the end user? Picked up the US Airways World Premier before they shut down applications, so I also get a 10% miles rebate when booking (10k/year cap).  

 

I'm flying CX in F again later this summer. Can't freaking wait. Coming back in JAL Skysuites J though, so maybe the downside is availability. Although, I am kind of intrigued by the Skysuites. 

[Luv2Phuket]

Haven't booked anything post-merger, but -- perhaps STUPIDLY -- had a few pre-merger US Air bookings.  In Feb., I flew Cathay first and, as you note, it cost me 160k miles.  I didn't have enough in my AA account at the time to use them (booked it in April of 2014).

 

My next trip (November) was booked via US Air in January -- Cathay biz class RT.  Cost me 120k miles, and think it would now be 110k miles, BUT I like the late night departures and they are no longer open during that time period, and -- as you note -- I'm hoping to get 12,000 miles back via my US Air card.

 

My next move is another Citi AA card.  Just closed 2 to avoid the annual fee.  Waiting a few beats before going back in and getting a new one.  I need another 50k miles to push my account balance high enough so that I have the equivalent of 3 more RT business class trips ready and waiting.  

[Little Evil]

Haven't booked anything post-merger, but -- perhaps STUPIDLY -- had a few pre-merger US Air bookings.  In Feb., I flew Cathay first and, as you note, it cost me 160k miles.  I didn't have enough in my AA account at the time to use them (booked it in April of 2014).

 

My next trip (November) was booked via US Air in January -- Cathay biz class RT.  Cost me 120k miles, and think it would now be 110k miles, BUT I like the late night departures and they are no longer open during that time period, and -- as you note -- I'm hoping to get 12,000 miles back via my US Air card.

 

My next move is another Citi AA card.  Just closed 2 to avoid the annual fee.  Waiting a few beats before going back in and getting a new one.  I need another 50k miles to push my account balance high enough so that I have the equivalent of 3 more RT business class trips ready and waiting.  

 

Honestly, I don't recall much press about the savings of USA->Asia2, so you can't really kick yourself over booking before the merger. All I really remember was the loss of USA->Asia1 for 90k J RT. I'd go as far as to say I didn't see anything noting F class would wind up being 135k RT. 

 

I'm with you about being about ready to churn. I'm not really feeling my Amex Plat renewal fee. I have the Aviator Red. Maybe a City AA?

[Luv2Phuket]

My next 2 cards are probably a new Citi AA business card (had the credit on my closed biz card moved over to a Citi Thank You account to "save" for future use) and a Starwood Preferred AMEX (I need the 25,000 points to give me enough for 5 free nights in Pattaya!)

 

I'm seriously running out of Chase cards to churn!

[navidnavid]

I have a one way CX award ticket to Bkk next month... booked for 67.5 AA miles...

 

Just got the Citi Premiere card, chase sapphire preferred , and Amex Gold... all of these cards are for one purpose : building up my Singapore Kris Flyer account so i can redeem a first or biz award.

[Luv2Phuket]

Singapore has always interested me, but I had the impression that the flight routes/duration were inconvenient from LAX.

 

67.5 for Cathay first is such an incredible deal!  I have enjoyed it multiple times, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came to an end soon to bring them more in line with other alliances -- cost me more than that to fly business on Star Alliance last time (70k miles)

[Wally Hotvedt]

there was a thread I ran across a few weeks back on another travel forum about (in the US, ymmv) how to buy Target prepaid cards with your mileage accruing travel CC and then use the prepaid card to pay back the CC in order to make it a zero sum game.  I'll see if I can find it.  The Target cards were called bluebird or redcard, or something with a color in them.  Was in a FF forum about accruing mileage, they had a name for this strategy that I can't remember - big night last night, still kinda fuzzy.  I'll dig it out of my browser history today at some point and follow up

[Wally Hotvedt]

jesus, that was quick.  'Target' was the keyword for a history search, the links popped right up

 

strategy: "Manufactured Spending"

target card: REDcard

 

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1644836-prepaid-redcard-target-2015-a.html

 

Here is info on Manufactured Spending

[Luv2Phuket]

Thanks for the links, Wally!

 

I gotta be honest -- there is GREAT info on FlyerTalk, but I hardly ever read it, because there are too many arrogant, know-it-all pricks for me.  It's just too exhausting for me to read that board.

[Little Evil]

Singapore has always interested me, but I had the impression that the flight routes/duration were inconvenient from LAX.

 

67.5 for Cathay first is such an incredible deal!  I have enjoyed it multiple times, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came to an end soon to bring them more in line with other alliances -- cost me more than that to fly business on Star Alliance last time (70k miles)

 

Funny timing on the SQ topic. The Points Guy just ran an article about SQ First strategy. 

 

http://thepointsguy.com/2015/04/how-to-book-singapore-airlines-first-class-awards/

 

67.5 for CX First is such a steal that I almost feel like I'm either breaking rules somehow or getting away with something. I hope it lasts beyond my current booking for Aug. 55k for business is also a pretty damn fantastic. I keep on thinking there's going to be a kicker somewhere, but none so far. 

[Methos]

My next 2 cards are probably a new Citi AA business card (had the credit on my closed biz card moved over to a Citi Thank You account to "save" for future use) and a Starwood Preferred AMEX (I need the 25,000 points to give me enough for 5 free nights in Pattaya!)

 

I'm seriously running out of Chase cards to churn!

 

The last couple of years were a great time for churning in Canada since there was a lot of competition and more FYF with big signup bonus deals. It's dried up quite a bit now so I'm back to paying fees regularly. I think it's worth it for the J flights to Thailand. I still earn a lot of referrals and there are still some FYF cards around. In the last couple of months I paid 2 $120 fees and one of them was the Starwood Amex (Canadian version). 20k bonus points, but an extra 5k thrown in from SPG when transferring to aeroplan. And during aeroplan's transfer promo (going on now) 4k bonus for 25k - so it worked out to 29k for the $120 fee. A one way in J with aeroplan is 75k so I think it's good value. I've also earned 40k in referral bonuses so far for this card. 

 

I'm mentioning this because I don't really get why you would want to use SPG points in Pattaya? I know you must be getting a pretty nice room, but considering how cheap rooms are to begin with why not keep the points for flights? People on flyertalk generally seem to think they are too valuable to transfer to aeroplan. I understand that if you have a use for them in a location with expensive accommodation - but Pattaya? 

[Luv2Phuket]

I'm mentioning this because I don't really get why you would want to use SPG points in Pattaya? I know you must be getting a pretty nice room, but considering how cheap rooms are to begin with why not keep the points for flights? People on flyertalk generally seem to think they are too valuable to transfer to aeroplan. I understand that if you have a use for them in a location with expensive accommodation - but Pattaya? 

 

I was REALLY impressed with the Sheraton on my prior stay there, although they DID upgrade my room - had a large patio that opened directly to a pool.  It's not in a convenient location, but it is top notch.

 

I know they transfer at 1.25 miles per SPG point, but I like to cut the "cost" of my trips by booking room with points, even in Pattaya.  

 

My current plan is 5 free nights at Hilton, then 5 more at Sheraton, but I may have to think about it some more, as the 40,000 SPG points for 5 free nights equates to 50,000 miles.

 

I've opted to pay for Sea Me Spring on a few occasions, but was pretty disappointed the last time I stayed there.  Just seemed more "worn" than the last time I was there.

[Methos]

I was REALLY impressed with the Sheraton on my prior stay there, although they DID upgrade my room - had a large patio that opened directly to a pool.  It's not in a convenient location, but it is top notch.

 

I know they transfer at 1.25 miles per SPG point, but I like to cut the "cost" of my trips by booking room with points, even in Pattaya.  

 

My current plan is 5 free nights at Hilton, then 5 more at Sheraton, but I may have to think about it some more, as the 40,000 SPG points for 5 free nights equates to 50,000 miles.

 

I've opted to pay for Sea Me Spring on a few occasions, but was pretty disappointed the last time I stayed there.  Just seemed more "worn" than the last time I was there.

 

For several years I've mostly stayed in guesthouses. Some are very nice. I would save the 5k/night SPG points and spend $30-$40/night instead. But, I know in the U.S. there are more opportunities to get easy points so maybe it's not quite the same in that sense. 

 

When points filter through in about a month I'll have enough for my next 4 round trips to Thailand in J (at the current redemption rate), and that's with my June & Dec trips booked already. But considering I want to retire in a couple of years I want to build that account up as high as possible. 

[navidnavid]

 I'll have enough for my next 4 round trips to Thailand in J 

 

Impressive. My petty claim to fame is 225,000 AA Miles redeemed within the last year. 

 

Which program do you use? 

[Methos]

Impressive. My petty claim to fame is 225,000 AA Miles redeemed within the last year. 

 

Which program do you use? 

 

Aeroplan. It's the only one in Canada where you can really build a substantial amount of points. They are in Star Alliance and I try to avoid AC and several other airlines with big fuel surcharges. I think I'm coming up on 6 years with them and I'd guess I've earned at least 1.5M. I haven't really kept track so I'm not sure. Mostly through churning but I've also done well with referrals. My first redemption was in Y. That was a big mistake! Since then it's been all J. I don't even want to experience F.......it's already going to be hard enough to go back to Y when this gravy train ends.

 

I've dabbled a bit in other programs but not much. Last year I was able to earn 50k Alaskan Air points through two cc bonuses. I cashed them in for a one-way on CX in J from bkk-yyz for next winter. That was pretty painless so I'm going to try to do that again in the next year or so. 

[bgtp]

My first AA-US post-merger attempt at an award today. Ended up with CX biz for 100K (110K award with a 10K credit card rebate). Can't make the final (domestic) leg home without an overnight stop, but that's what hotel points are for. I used BA to find availability, but when I called AA they couldn't see the same flights being open. I thought it might be the agent, but I checked on the JAL site and they also didn't have those flights, so maybe BA was showing  phantom availability. On the other hand, JAL had availability on flights BA said didn't. I called AA back and got those no problem. Same dates, just flying via EWR instead of JFK.

[duke main]

I just got an offer from UAL to purchase 50,000 miles or more @ 50% discount. So 50,000 miles cost $875 plus tax. Is this a good value? I'm tempted since I don't spend enough to rack up as many miles as I need for an annual trip to SE Asia in B class.

[Luv2Phuket]

I just got an offer from UAL to purchase 50,000 miles or more @ 50% discount. So 50,000 miles cost $875 plus tax. Is this a good value? I'm tempted since I don't spend enough to rack up as many miles as I need for an annual trip to SE Asia in B class.

 

Tough to say -- isn't it 80,000 miles each way for business class (so 160,000 miles total)?

 

If so, the 50,000 miles at $875 would put you 1/3 of the way there.  It works out to around $2,625 for RT biz class.  Not too bad, but not fantastic.  Sounds like a good way to "top up" your account to get to the 160,000 miles, but maybe not as good a deal if you're starting from 0.

 

FWIW, I got an email today from ANA (a Star Alliance member) announcing that they are going to start using new 777s on their LAX-Haneda routes (NH105 and NH106) as of October 25.  Looks like a nice layout in business class with lie flat, staggered seating (1-2-1, so all will have aisle access)