Fly business class to Japan for 50k miles with Alaska

With news that Japan looks to be fully open soon and even Hong Kong could be on the horizon, I thought it’d be a good idea to delve into a long-running sweet spot that’s there for those willing to put in the work.

Alaska’s mileage chart is one of the simplest ways to understand the value on offer. A quick glance at reward flights from the US to Asia shows one-way fares in economy to Japan, Singapore, and even Hong Kong for as little as 30 thousand points. These are great in themselves, but if you’re feeling like experiencing something special, the extra effort can get you a business or first-class ticket.

Business class and First Class seats with Cathay Pacific are some of the best in the world and run for 50,000 and 70,000 points one-way, respectively. The caveat? You’ll need to call Alaska Airlines directly to get your seat booked and research reward flights yourself using AAdvantage or another OneWorld Alliance program. Thankfully, Japan Airlines can be booked directly on Alaska Airlines’ website, and also have excellent premium seats.

Any trip to Asia should be prefaced with a visit to Alaska’s points page.