Fantastic Alaska Airline miles deal on again

[Limewood]

In theory, QFF will also give you a fair indication (i.e. if you can see a CX Classic on QFF, it's available). It works but it won't likely expose all availability.


Does AS have generous routing rules? Thinking of possibly banking miles for an Asian sortie.

Yes checking other sites is an indication only, its not until you call about CX to find out for sure (as I found out), others are on AS site so no need to call. My guess is CX site is not compatible with AS so calling required. The operators I some too were helpful and experienced on the AS Int. desk.

I think the routing rules are no backtracking which is pretty much standard. It does look though you can travel both short long haul and long long haul for same amount of miles.

 

[seritonin]

In theory, QFF will also give you a fair indication (i.e. if you can see a CX Classic on QFF, it's available). It works but it won't likely expose all availability.


Does AS have generous routing rules? Thinking of possibly banking miles for an Asian sortie.

I'm pretty sure AS price intra-Asia + aus/NZ-HKG for any other Asian destinations besides HKG , which works out to be 30k+22.5k in J..

 

[straitman]

Has anybody done a comparison between this and the current AA offer?

 

[Limewood]

As I'm in regional Qld having to fly to say SYD or BNE and stay overnight anyway to USA (or fly out at some ungodly hour of the morning and make it one hell of a long day), flying via HKG is dream, few hours extra but I like HK.

As said I booked 2 x J for May just last week, try that on QFF site. CX can take you to YVR, SFO, ORD, NYC or if you must to LAX, I mean the choices are there.

In our case using QFF points in J to DXB and beyond as well, the charges were a pittance to Q too.

IMO this AS deal is one of the best I've seen in a very long time.

 

[Spizz]

Good option for getting cheap EK flights also..

Limited routes though.

 

[zainman]

Limited routes though.

I am not aware of any route restrictions (and I haven't looked tbh) but are there other programs out there that allow you to purchase miles at this cost and redeem on EK metal? (again haven't looked into this)

 

[Sprucegoose]

You could make 2 booking though.

If one doesn't live in a capital city then HK is a good way to go from to OZ, its only about 3 hours more flying but hey its great city to spend a night or 5 in, plus CX in J is as good as it gets.

Agree,I fly out of TPE via the super city. Always good for a stopover

 

[Spizz]

I am not aware of any route restrictions (and I haven't looked tbh) but are there other programs out there that allow you to purchase miles at this cost and redeem on EK metal? (again haven't looked into this)

With AM if going for an EK award you have to depart from the US to start your trip, and can only go to Asia and Europe.

 

[Spizz]

If going for a CX redemption to Europe would I be correct in saying a return trip would be 145,000 miles in J Class or 200,000 for a Australia to Hong Kong in Business and First to Europe return? I am adding up from the seperate award charts.

 

[jneufeld]

If going for a CX redemption to Europe would I be correct in saying a return trip would be 145,000 miles in J Class or 200,000 for a Australia to Hong Kong in Business and First to Europe return? I am adding up from the seperate award charts.

My maths got 145,000 J to Europe via HKG on CX, which is like USD$2900ish from memory.

 

[Oxy]

Any mile purchase quantity restrictions like AA? And I too would be interested what the calculation for AUS-HKG-ASIA on CX would be.

 

[Oxy]

Great earning on QF as well:

[h=2]Earning on Qantas[/h]Economy Class Cabin: Earn actual flight miles* flown in Q, O, N, S, V, M, L, G, K, H, B or Y classes of service.

 

[hummel]

Great earning on QF as well:

Earning on Qantas

Economy Class Cabin: Earn actual flight miles* flown in Q, O, N, S, V, M, L, G, K, H, B or Y classes of service.

Not on award bookings though...

 

[smit0847]

My maths got 145,000 J to Europe via HKG on CX, which is like $2900ish from memory.

So not as cheap as USDM but CX is definitely a better carrier than the usual TG route!

 

[anat0l]

My maths got 145,000 J to Europe via HKG on CX, which is like $2900ish from memory.

So not as cheap as USDM but CX is definitely a better carrier than the usual TG route!

If jneufeld's calculations are correct and that's USD 2900, then AA at promotion would be cheaper for the same redemption, i.e. Australia / HKG / Europe on CX J return is 2 x 60,000, which is approximately USD 2500. With a bit of creativity and for a little bit more than the AS MP promotion, you could also bulk up slightly the same AA award using a oneworld award.

The advantage of AS MP would then be:

• One stopover allowed (likely one in each direction since AS MP also works on one-way awards)
• No annual points purchase caps, so feasibly you could get all the mileage you needed for AS MP in one calendar year, compared to AA where you would need two calendar years

 

[jneufeld]

If jneufeld's calculations are correct and that's USD 2900

Yes it was USD, clarified that now.

 

[Limewood]

Any mile purchase quantity restrictions like AA?

No restrictions.

 

[boomy]

Is it possible to fly from SYD/BNE to Europe via ICN on KE?

 

[Limewood]

Is it possible to fly from SYD/BNE to Europe via ICN on KE?

I doubt it, what you see is what you get, 1st leg would need to be CX so have have to call AS.

 

[knasty]

I'm still in the AA camp for now but if the dreaded devaluation happens this will be the next port of call.