How to Fly to Asia with Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026

The short answer: Asia is home to many of the worlds best premium cabins, including ANA The Room, Singapore Suites, Cathay Pacific, and EVA Air. Book ANA through Amex or Virgin Atlantic, Singapore through KrisFlyer, and Cathay through Alaska or American. West Coast gateways shorten the journey, and ANA round-trip awards offer some of the lowest business-class prices.

This guide covers the best products to Asia, the programs that book them, and the gateway tactics that make the long journey more comfortable and affordable. 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 lay of the land

Asia is served by superb carriers across the alliances. Star Alliance brings ANA, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, Thai, and Asiana. Oneworld brings Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. SkyTeam brings Korean Air and the Chinese carriers. The density of excellent premium products makes Asia the best region to aim your points at a bucket-list cabin.

Because the journey is long, the cabin matters more than anywhere, which is exactly why Asia rewards premium redemptions so well. Identify the carrier and product you want, then find the program that books it best. See our business class and first class guides.

Best business class to Asia

ANA business class, branded The Room and found on its 777-300ER, is among the most spacious in the world and flies from US cities to Tokyo. It is bookable through ANA Mileage Club, which transfers from Amex, as well as Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, Aeroplan, and Turkish. ANA own round-trip awards are famous for offering some of the lowest business-class prices to Asia, with the catch that they must be booked round-trip.

Singapore Airlines business, on its A350 and 777, is polished and bookable through KrisFlyer miles. EVA Air offers excellent business bookable through Star Alliance partners, and Cathay Pacific business, a Oneworld product, is bookable through Alaska or American AAdvantage. Asia is the deepest field of business-class options anywhere. See our Amex ecosystem guide for ANA access.

Best first class to Asia

Asia is also where first class shines. Singapore Suites, on the A380, is the benchmark first class product, with enclosed private rooms and a double bed, booked through KrisFlyer. ANA First, branded The Suite and found on its 777, offers a spacious enclosed suite to Tokyo and is reachable through several Star Alliance partners. Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines first class round out a world-class field, bookable through Oneworld programs like Alaska and American.

First class award space to Asia is limited, so flexibility is essential, but the payoff is among the best experiences in the sky. See our first class guide and finding award space guide.

Gateway and routing tactics

Geography matters for Asia. West Coast gateways like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle are meaningfully closer to Asia than East Coast cities, so positioning yourself to a West Coast hub can shorten the journey and sometimes open up more award space on nonstop flights. A cheap positioning flight to the West Coast can be worth it for a better long-haul award.

Consider routing through the carrier hub, Tokyo for ANA and JAL, Singapore for Singapore Airlines, Hong Kong for Cathay, Taipei for EVA, which can also let you add a stopover and visit two Asian cities on one award through a stopover-friendly program. See our booking tactics guide.

Sweet spots and economy

Beyond the marquee products, several programs price Asia well. ANA round-trip business is a standout value, Avianca LifeMiles and Turkish price Star Alliance flights attractively, and Alaska is a key program for Cathay and Japan Airlines. For travel within Asia once you arrive, distance-based Avios and the cheap intra-Asia awards on various programs make regional hops inexpensive.

Economy to Asia can make sense in peak season or when cash fares are high, but given how well business-class redemptions perform here, many travelers save their points for a premium cabin on the long journey and pay cash for cheap economy when it is available. 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. See our sweet spots and economy guides.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to fly to Asia with points?

Book a top Asian carrier in business or first class, such as ANA The Room through Amex or Virgin Atlantic, Singapore through KrisFlyer, or Cathay through Alaska. Asia has the worlds deepest field of premium cabins, so points deliver exceptional value on the long journey.

How do I book ANA business class to Asia?

ANA business, branded The Room, is bookable through ANA Mileage Club, which transfers from Amex, as well as Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, Aeroplan, and Turkish. ANA own round-trip awards offer some of the lowest business-class prices, but must be booked round-trip.

Which US gateways are best for flying to Asia?

West Coast gateways like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle are meaningfully closer to Asia and often have more nonstop award space. A cheap positioning flight to the West Coast can be worth it to unlock a better long-haul award.

Can I visit two Asian cities on one award?

Often yes, by routing through a carrier hub like Tokyo, Singapore, or Hong Kong and adding a stopover through a stopover-friendly program like Aeroplan. This lets you see two Asian cities on a single award.

Is business or first class better for Asia?

Both are exceptional in Asia. Business class like ANA The Room offers the best value and is easier to find, while first class like Singapore Suites is the ultimate experience but costs more miles and has very limited award space. Many travelers choose business for the value.