Redeeming on CX: Avios vs Asia Miles?
Aug 4, 2013, 4:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: not far from MUC
Posts: 6,620
Redeeming on CX: Avios vs Asia Miles?
I'm in the (very) early stages of plotting a redemption trip to the Far East, and am looking at CX vs BA. For once this is not about a comparison of the hard and soft products(!) but about the redemption costs and availability... 
It's just occurred to me that as well as a) booking BA with Avios vs b) booking CX with Avios, I could also c) convert Amex MR points directly to Asia Miles and redeem through CX. So, has anyone done (or come across) a comparison of booking CX redemptions direct with Asia Miles rather than with Avios ... ? How is the availability? Ease of booking? Fees?
Background: compared with BA l/h redemptions (and the juicy fuel surcharges), booking redemptions on CX already looks like a way to get good value for Avios while paying low fees, particularly if you avoid starting the UK and getting hit for APD too... e.g.
FCO-HKG in J with CX: 60k Avios + £99 taxes/fees/YQ
compared with
LHR-HKG in J with BA: 60k Avios + £385 taxes/fees/YQ
Knowing nothing about Asia Miles, can anyone comment on how that stacks up to these options?
It's just occurred to me that as well as a) booking BA with Avios vs b) booking CX with Avios, I could also c) convert Amex MR points directly to Asia Miles and redeem through CX. So, has anyone done (or come across) a comparison of booking CX redemptions direct with Asia Miles rather than with Avios ... ? How is the availability? Ease of booking? Fees?
Background: compared with BA l/h redemptions (and the juicy fuel surcharges), booking redemptions on CX already looks like a way to get good value for Avios while paying low fees, particularly if you avoid starting the UK and getting hit for APD too... e.g.
FCO-HKG in J with CX: 60k Avios + £99 taxes/fees/YQ
compared with
LHR-HKG in J with BA: 60k Avios + £385 taxes/fees/YQ
Knowing nothing about Asia Miles, can anyone comment on how that stacks up to these options?
Aug 4, 2013, 5:44 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MAN
Programs: BA Bronze; HHonors Diamond; Amex Platinum
Posts: 260
This post on The Points Guy seems to give a lot of good advice, and there is a whole section dedicated to Asia Miles vs Avios.
http://thepointsguy.com/2012/05/cath...nsfer-partner/
I just checked the calculator and it seems to be the same number of 'miles' irrespective of which program you use. I would think fees/surcharges will be the same either way.
I'll be following this thread closely as I'm also thinking of doing something similar with CX, although I was looking at FRA-HKG.
MAN-FF
http://thepointsguy.com/2012/05/cath...nsfer-partner/
I just checked the calculator and it seems to be the same number of 'miles' irrespective of which program you use. I would think fees/surcharges will be the same either way.
I'll be following this thread closely as I'm also thinking of doing something similar with CX, although I was looking at FRA-HKG.
MAN-FF
Aug 4, 2013, 10:46 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
I like the CX J product better than CW on BA. so if redemption cost were the same or less, I would choose CX without a doubt. I would only choose BA if the cost were significantly less.
IMO, CX has better seats and a much better IFE. Food is terrible like everyone else. Service okay.
IMO, CX has better seats and a much better IFE. Food is terrible like everyone else. Service okay.
Aug 4, 2013, 11:31 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 870
I like the CX J product better than CW on BA. so if redemption cost were the same or less, I would choose CX without a doubt. I would only choose BA if the cost were significantly less.
IMO, CX has better seats and a much better IFE. Food is terrible like everyone else. Service okay.
IMO, CX has better seats and a much better IFE. Food is terrible like everyone else. Service okay.