How to Book Cathay Pacific with Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026

The short answer: Cathay Pacific is a Oneworld carrier hubbed in Hong Kong with excellent business and first class. Book it through Alaska Mileage Plan, long prized as a sweet spot for Cathay, plus American AAdvantage and Cathay Asia Miles. Hong Kong is a superb gateway to Asia, and Cathay releases good partner award space.

This guide covers how to book Cathay Pacific with points, the best programs, and Hong Kong routings. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.

The airline and its program

Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong and a Oneworld member, hubbed at one of Asia premier airports with a wide regional and long-haul network. Its business class is consistently rated among the best, with a comfortable seat and excellent service, and its first class, on the 777, is a refined, sought-after product. Cathay is a polished, reliable way to fly to and around Asia.

Cathay own program is Asia Miles, but US points travelers also book Cathay through Alaska Mileage Plan and American AAdvantage. See our Oneworld guide.

How to book Cathay with points

Alaska Mileage Plan has long been a celebrated way to book Cathay Pacific, often offering strong value on business and first class, and Alaska is reachable from Bilt. American AAdvantage also books Cathay, and Cathay own Asia Miles, which transfers from Amex, Citi, and Capital One, is another option, especially for shorter intra-Asia flights.

Because Cathay can be booked several ways, compare Alaska, AAdvantage, and Asia Miles for your route. See our Alaska and Bilt guides.

Products and the Hong Kong gateway

Cathay business class offers a comfortable, well-regarded experience on its long-haul fleet, and its first class is an intimate, refined product that is a worthy bucket-list redemption. Hong Kong serves as a superb gateway, connecting the US to destinations across Asia, so Cathay works both for visiting Hong Kong and for connecting onward.

A stopover in Hong Kong through a stopover-friendly approach can add the city to a broader Asian trip. See our Asia guide and first class guide.

Finding space and value

Cathay generally releases good partner award space, especially in business class, which makes it one of the more bookable premium Asian carriers. Search on the Alaska or American websites, or use an award search tool, then book through the best-priced program. West Coast gateways shorten the trans-Pacific crossing.

Alaska sweet-spot pricing on Cathay first and business has long made it a favorite, so check Alaska first, then compare. See our business class and finding award space guides.

Who should book Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific is ideal for travelers heading to Hong Kong or connecting across Asia who want an excellent, reliable premium product with relatively good award availability. Its business class is a top-tier experience, and its first class is a refined bucket-list option, often bookable as a sweet spot through Alaska.

For anyone with access to Alaska miles, including via Bilt, Cathay is one of the best premium redemptions to Asia. Compare Alaska, AAdvantage, and Asia Miles for your route. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book Cathay Pacific with points?

Through Alaska Mileage Plan, long prized as a Cathay sweet spot and reachable from Bilt, plus American AAdvantage and Cathay own Asia Miles, which transfers from Amex, Citi, and Capital One. Compare these for your route.

Why is Alaska good for booking Cathay?

Alaska Mileage Plan has long offered strong value on Cathay business and first class, making it a celebrated sweet spot. Alaska is reachable from Bilt, so even flexible-points holders can access these redemptions.

Is Cathay Pacific first class worth booking?

Yes, for a bucket-list trip. Cathay first class on the 777 is an intimate, refined product, and it has historically been bookable as a sweet spot through Alaska. Business class is also excellent and more widely available.

Which program is cheapest for Cathay Pacific?

It depends on the route, but Alaska Mileage Plan has long been a value leader for Cathay business and first. American AAdvantage and Asia Miles also book it, so compare all three for your specific itinerary.

Does Cathay release good award space?

Yes, Cathay generally releases good partner award space, especially in business class, making it one of the more bookable premium Asian carriers. Search on Alaska or American, or an award tool, then book through the best-priced program.