Reader Elliot sent us an email that highlighted a surprising number of Cathay Pacific first class awards that are currently bookable between New York (JFK) and Hong Kong. Even better is the fact that quite a few of the eligible dates have availability for two people. If you’ve wanted to try out Cathay First, the 16+ hour flight between JFK and Hong Kong is a golden opportunity.
This is unlikely to last long, so if you’re interested in experiencing it, you’ll want to book ASAP.
The Deal
- Book first class awards with Cathay Pacific between the US and Hong Kong.
- 2-6 flights available per week between 10/27/25 and 12/3/25, then again between 1/11/26 and the end of March, 2026.
- Many dates have 2 seats available
Direct link to search for awards
Price
- 160,000 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles each way.
Quick Thoughts
First class awards on Cathay Pacific are very hard to come by, especially for the last five years. COVID restrictions limited people’s ability to travel to Hong Kong, then when it started opening up again the already barely dripping spigot of first class awards between the US and Hong Kong was pretty much shut off. That’s why it’s a pleasant surprise to see so many dates available for travel in through this Fall and Winter.
Normally, when selecting a date to search for, the Cathay Pacific calendar displays dates where there’s availability:
However, that calendar wasn’t working for me today, so I had to manually find dates and then search week by week in order to find availability:
Hopefully, that’s just a temporary glitch, but as of writing, there was good availability both ways between 10/27/25 and 12/3/25, then again from 1/11/26 through the end of March, 2026. I would start there if searching for yourself.
Needless to say, this kind of availability isn’t likely to last long and so you’ll want to book ASAP if you’re interested. The cost is 160,000 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles each way and only appears to be bookable with Asia Miles rather than through partners. It’s worth noting that connecting itineraries that continue on in business will often be cheaper than the nonstop because of how Cathay prices mixed-cabin itineraries. For instance, see this example from JFK-Osaka that actually becomes 8,100 miles cheaper with the connecting flight added on:
Cathay Pacific transfer partners
The following chart shows the available transferable points programs Asia Miles:
| Rewards Program | Amex Transfer Ratio (and transfer time) | Chase Transfer Ratio (and transfer time) | Citi Transfer Ratio (and transfer time) | Capital One Transfer Ratio (and transfer time) | Bilt Transfer Ratio (and transfer time) | Wells Fargo Transfer Ratio (and transfer time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1 to 1 (Instant) | 1 to 1 (Instant) | 1 to 1 (1 - 2 days) | 1 to 1 (Instant) |
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I guess as a “trip of a lifetime” that could be a good deal. Last year, I redeemed coach awards for myself and my wife on this flight, with an additional flight to Indonesia, for 35,000 Alaska miles each. We had an empty middle seat between us in each direction. Lots of people fear these ultra long haul flights in coach but, honestly, after you do it even once — especially if you can snag a row with an empty middle seat — you would probably never be willing to pay 4 1/2x for first class..As a Hyatt Globalist, I would say it’s like paying 4 1/2 x to stay at a Hyatt Regency over a Hyatt Place. Significantly better? Yes. But absurdly overpriced for what you’re actually buying.
How best to find these seats-I’m not seeing anything on Seats.aero or Pointsyeah
Neither one covers Asia Miles, unfortunately. Click the link in the post and then search for availability using “redeem miles.” The dates ranges are listed in the post as well.
Thanks TIm-perhaps I’m too late. Can’t find any availability in OCT/Nov or March!
Better get it before April 15, devaluation coming…
Thanks, Tim – you guys are awesome! Just snatched two tickets for end of March 26! Some days in HKG, then on to Japan for cherry blossom season…