Book Cathay Pacific First and Business With Alaska Miles

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated July 2026

The short answer: Cathay Pacific first class is regularly called the best-value premium redemption in the entire hobby, and the reason is Alaska Mileage Plan. Alaska prices Cathay first from the US to Hong Kong at just 70,000 miles one-way, and business around 50,000, for seats that sell for well over $20,000 and $6,000 in cash. On top of that, Alaska lets you add a free stopover even on a one-way, effectively two trips for one award. Here is how to book it and what to watch. For the cabin itself, see how to fly Cathay first class.

The deal, and why it is legendary

Seventy thousand Alaska miles for a US-to-Hong-Kong Cathay first-class seat is the kind of number that does not look real next to a $20,000-plus cash fare, which is more than 25 cents of value per mile. Business class runs around 50,000 miles one-way for a product that sells for $6,000 or more. Then Alaska adds its signature perk: a free stopover, so you can break the journey in Hong Kong or another Cathay city for days or weeks before continuing, all on the same one-way award. Few redemptions anywhere combine value and flexibility like this.

How to book it

Find Cathay saver space first, since it is the scarce resource. You can search on Alaska’s own site, which shows Cathay award space and prices it online, or use seats.aero to scan more broadly. Have your Alaska miles ready, and note the one catch on the earning side: Alaska Mileage Plan, now branded Atmos Rewards, takes transfers only from Bilt among the major flexible programs, plus Marriott. Once you have the miles and the space, book on Alaska’s site or by phone, and add your stopover during booking.

The catches to plan around

The biggest limit is award space. Cathay releases only one or two first-class saver seats per flight and a handful in business, so families and peak-season travelers will need patience and flexibility. The second is earning: because only Bilt feeds Alaska among flexible currencies, you may need to plan your points around a Bilt card or credit Cathay flights and Alaska partners directly. Surcharges on Cathay through Alaska are minimal, so the cash cost stays low. And remember Alaska’s award chart has shifted before, so confirm the current price when you book.

When to use it

This is the redemption to chase for a bucket-list trip to Asia in a premium cabin, especially first class, where the value is simply unmatched. Use the free stopover to turn one award into two destinations. If Cathay space is impossible to find, the same seats can sometimes be booked with Cathay’s own Asia Miles or the Avios programs, usually at a higher price or with more surcharges. Keep an eye on our transfer partner cheat sheet for the current best routing.

See exactly what an award costs

Stop guessing at point values. Look up the real award price and live availability for a specific trip before you transfer.

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Frequently asked questions

How many Alaska miles for Cathay Pacific first class?

About 70,000 Alaska miles one-way for Cathay Pacific first class from the US to Hong Kong, plus low surcharges, for a seat that sells for over $20,000 in cash. Business class runs around 50,000 miles one-way. Alaska also allows a free stopover on the award.

How do I get Alaska miles to book Cathay?

Among the major flexible programs, only Bilt transfers to Alaska Mileage Plan, now called Atmos Rewards, along with Marriott. You can also earn Alaska miles by crediting flights on Alaska and its partners, so plan your earning around Bilt or direct crediting.

Can I add a stopover on a Cathay award with Alaska?

Yes, and it is one of the best features. Alaska allows a free stopover even on a one-way award, so you can stop in Hong Kong or another Cathay city for as long as you like before continuing, effectively getting two trips from one redemption.

Is Cathay first class really the best points value?

It is one of them. At roughly 70,000 Alaska miles against a cash fare above $20,000, the value per mile is extraordinary, well over 25 cents, which is why it is so frequently called the best premium redemption in points.

Why is Cathay cheaper through Alaska than other programs?

Alaska Mileage Plan simply sets a low partner price for Cathay and adds a free stopover, a combination other programs do not match. The two airlines are Oneworld partners, and Alaska’s generous award chart makes it the cheapest way in.