Originally Posted by
MrNordic
Has anyone tried the Finnair calculator recently? I was searching for optimal flights to Asia to get maximum tier points. Found a nice combo from Momondo HEL-AMS-HKG-TPE. I checked tier points for the flights but the only segment the software recognized was HEL-AMS. Cathay Pacific from AMS to HKG in booking class Q yeldid 0 points (must be an error there I hope :P)
On CX in economy from HEL, the main problem is in finding booking class earning 100% mileage. From other European origins, you can simply select the semi-flexible fares from CathayPacific.com; they consistently earn 100% to AY+ in my experience.
If you want to optimize for distance, you can use gcmap.com knowing the result will probably be a few kilometers off. But which European hub you use has much less influence on the overall points earning than the fare type.
That being said, transit hubs are from the longest to the shortest: MAD, FCO, CDG, LHR, MAN, MXP, ZRH, AMS. DUS and FRA assuming you get CX codes on the AY/BA feeders. Only MAD is significantly longer at 13,475km from HEL to HKG, but it's purely theoretical as you can't get a connection and a CX code on HEL-MAD. Everything else is between 11,533 and 10,710km. As AY+ Plat, you might prefer LHR for F lounge facilities.