Wide Open Cathay Pacific First Class Award Space!

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Pre-COVID, we flew in Cathay Pacific First Class many times on award bargains to Hong Kong and Vancouver.

Cathay Pacific first class features what I think is still the best seat and best bed in the sky on any airline. Service is also fantastic, as are the PJs and other amenities. Kosher meals from Asia and in Cathay first class lounges in Hong Kong are catered by London’s Hermolis, which makes by far the best kosher meals in the air. You can call The Wing lounge in Hong Kong at +852-2747-7972 or The Pier lounge at +852-2747-3939 to request kosher meals in those incredible lounges in advance. In JFK, you can order fresh Fresko kosher meals on demand at the Soho First Class lounge.

 

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But a lot has changed since pre-COVID times. Cathay Pacific permanently ended their JFK-Vancouver flight. China removed free speech from Hong Kong as it moves to bring the former British territory in line with the mainland. And Cathay Pacific stopped flying with first class on most routes, with award space completely blocked on remaining routes.

But you can now book first class award space for travel in 2025 between JFK or LA and Hong Kong. However, it won’t come cheap and it’s only available with Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. You can login here and search for award flights here.

The nonstop flight between LA and Hong Kong is 125K miles each way and the nonstop flight between JFK and Hong Kong is 160K miles each way. You can also fly to other cities in Asia via Hong Kong for similar rates. Taxes and surcharges will add about $150 each way, but it’s still a bargain compared to the $18,000 cost of a paid one-way first class ticket from JFK to Hong Kong.

But I do miss the days when I was able to book a round-the-world ticket with 16 first class flights for the cost of a one-way first class flight today. We did that in 2009, but AA killed off that award type in 2014.

Below are currently available dates for 2 passengers:

JFK-Hong Kong
January 12, 14, 17, 21, 26, 28, 31
February 2, 4, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23
March 4

Hong Kong-JFK
January 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
February 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 22, 26
March 1, 2, 3

Los Angeles-Hong Kong
January 16, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
February 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 21, 24, 27
March 4, 6, 7

Hong Kong-Los Angeles
January 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 28, 29, 31
February 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 25
March 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Transfers from AMEX or Citi to Cathay are typically instant, while transfers from Capital One to Cathay can take a day or 2. You can call or chat with Cathay Pacific to hold award space.

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HT: findflightsforme