Is This Award Worth It?
Apr 4, 2018, 8:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
Is This Award Worth It?
I was surprised when I found business class availability to go from Colombo, Sri Lanka to HKG on CX in J. Then when the agent said it was 30,000 Miles I was surprised as I thought it was 22,500. But apparently Colombo is considered the Middle East, even though longer flights within SE Asia and Asia are only 22,500 in J. So it got me wondering if it’s even worth it to redeem this. Maybe I will match it up with an itinerary back to the states, its only another 40,000.
But what do people think? Is redeeming this specific award from CMB-HKG worth the 30,000 miles?
But what do people think? Is redeeming this specific award from CMB-HKG worth the 30,000 miles?
Apr 4, 2018, 8:50 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
The CX fare in J is around $725 one-way, so it's a 2 cents/mile redemption.
If saving the 30k and combining for a better maximized award is a possibility, I'd do that, but only you can answer that question.
If saving the 30k and combining for a better maximized award is a possibility, I'd do that, but only you can answer that question.
Apr 4, 2018, 9:20 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
Probably depends on what aircraft this is on.. I've heard people complain that the intra-asia CX flights, if on the 777 are not really all that nice, and is akin to domestic US first cabins and service.. But that award level roughly matches a domestic first flight, so hard to say.. Ultimately up to you, but chiming in with what I've heard.. I'll have a HND > HKG in CX J in late May (connecting to HKG > LAX in F), so I can let you know after that.
Apr 4, 2018, 9:48 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,838
It depends:
-How much money do you have?
-How many miles do you have?
-Do you need partner eqms to requalify?
You're asking a bunch of people you don't know to answer those highly individualized questions.
My math:
RDMS:
-30,000 redemption plus 6,236 rdms (75K) not earned plus 3,500 AMEX MR (5X * net $700) not earned vs buying CX fare = 39,736 redemption cost of miles/MR
-$726 CX business class fare less approximate $26 taxes and fees for redemption = $700 net incremental cost of purchasing ticket
-$700/39,736 = 1.76 cents per mile redemption value
EQMS:
-3,118 with 25% COS bonus
-$700 net cost
-$700/3,118 = 22.45 cents per eqm
I won't redeem for 1.76 cents per rdm valuation. I only redeem for international premium awards and try to get at least 3 cents per rdm. I would purchase in this case.
On the other hand, I would not purchase solely for earning eqms - I try to get under 10 cents per eqm.
What are your thresholds?
-How many miles do you have?
-Do you need partner eqms to requalify?
You're asking a bunch of people you don't know to answer those highly individualized questions.
My math:
RDMS:
-30,000 redemption plus 6,236 rdms (75K) not earned plus 3,500 AMEX MR (5X * net $700) not earned vs buying CX fare = 39,736 redemption cost of miles/MR
-$726 CX business class fare less approximate $26 taxes and fees for redemption = $700 net incremental cost of purchasing ticket
-$700/39,736 = 1.76 cents per mile redemption value
EQMS:
-3,118 with 25% COS bonus
-$700 net cost
-$700/3,118 = 22.45 cents per eqm
I won't redeem for 1.76 cents per rdm valuation. I only redeem for international premium awards and try to get at least 3 cents per rdm. I would purchase in this case.
On the other hand, I would not purchase solely for earning eqms - I try to get under 10 cents per eqm.
What are your thresholds?
Apr 4, 2018, 10:24 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 116
Probably depends on what aircraft this is on.. I've heard people complain that the intra-asia CX flights, if on the 777 are not really all that nice, and is akin to domestic US first cabins and service.. But that award level roughly matches a domestic first flight, so hard to say.. Ultimately up to you, but chiming in with what I've heard.. I'll have a HND > HKG in CX J in late May (connecting to HKG > LAX in F), so I can let you know after that.
Apr 4, 2018, 11:37 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
Apr 4, 2018, 12:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: ANC
Programs: Alaska 100k
Posts: 1,012
I think it is a good deal, but I personally would pay cash as ~$700 for 7 hr flight in CX J is also a good deal. I like to use miles for flights that are out of my price range (like CX TPAC flights in J/F).
So basically, it comes down to which “currency” you prefer to use.
So basically, it comes down to which “currency” you prefer to use.
Apr 4, 2018, 1:38 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, FM Prem, SPG gold
Posts: 581
I've flown this flight in reverse in J and while it was nice, it felt 'short.'
The crew was great and I slept most of the flight after sitting in the pier for 6 hours in the afternoon.
It seems it's 40k on AA now, so a good value when comparing.
If you are mile rich, i think it's an easy decision.
The crew was great and I slept most of the flight after sitting in the pier for 6 hours in the afternoon.
It seems it's 40k on AA now, so a good value when comparing.
If you are mile rich, i think it's an easy decision.
Apr 4, 2018, 3:08 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2017
Location: SEA
Posts: 355
The seats on CX intra-asia flights are significantly better than domestic first on AS. I've only flown their A330 and 777 intra-Asia, but both are much much more comfortable. Hell, just the fact that the seats are in a shell instead of reclining into the person behind you makes them infinitely better. Service is hit or miss, but usually better than most domestic service I've ever had.
Apr 4, 2018, 6:40 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ANC
Programs: AS MVP, Club 49, Global Entry, National Emerald Club, Hilton Silver
Posts: 1,400
The seats on CX intra-asia flights are significantly better than domestic first on AS. I've only flown their A330 and 777 intra-Asia, but both are much much more comfortable. Hell, just the fact that the seats are in a shell instead of reclining into the person behind you makes them infinitely better. Service is hit or miss, but usually better than most domestic service I've ever had.
Apr 5, 2018, 12:57 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
I appreciate everybody’s feedback, especially UAPremier’s break down.
I had already booked first class KE to get back to the states out of HKG, and I’ve never been on KE F while I’ve been on CX F over a dozen times. I’ll have to think about it. Thanks everyone for the feedback but I was just wondering what everyone thought of this redemption as it’s probably one of the worst use of AS miles after thinking about it. I have around 200k AS miles (with the redemption) but like to save up for EK F awards.
I had already booked first class KE to get back to the states out of HKG, and I’ve never been on KE F while I’ve been on CX F over a dozen times. I’ll have to think about it. Thanks everyone for the feedback but I was just wondering what everyone thought of this redemption as it’s probably one of the worst use of AS miles after thinking about it. I have around 200k AS miles (with the redemption) but like to save up for EK F awards.
Apr 5, 2018, 9:09 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
It's not even close to one of the worst redemptions to get ~1.5-2 CPMish. You can burn AS miles at less than 2 CPM for domestic USA/Hawaii/Mexico coach redemptions pretty much all day across the network, as well as at 1 CPM for $100/200 off a ticket.
Apr 5, 2018, 9:47 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,642
as quickly as FF miles are being generally devalued across all programs, there are few "bad redemptions" any more, particularly if you don't have a relatively short-term (<18 months out) plans for a major high-value redemption.
i've used a lot of miles lately on domestic/regional travel because the opportunity cost of not using them and then seeing them potentially devalued is higher than the potential value i might get from redeeming them for a big international trip in J or F that i might never take or never find the availability for.
i've used a lot of miles lately on domestic/regional travel because the opportunity cost of not using them and then seeing them potentially devalued is higher than the potential value i might get from redeeming them for a big international trip in J or F that i might never take or never find the availability for.
Apr 5, 2018, 10:26 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Gold LT
Posts: 1,941
as quickly as FF miles are being generally devalued across all programs, there are few "bad redemptions" any more, particularly if you don't have a relatively short-term (<18 months out) plans for a major high-value redemption.
i've used a lot of miles lately on domestic/regional travel because the opportunity cost of not using them and then seeing them potentially devalued is higher than the potential value i might get from redeeming them for a big international trip in J or F that i might never take or never find the availability for.
i've used a lot of miles lately on domestic/regional travel because the opportunity cost of not using them and then seeing them potentially devalued is higher than the potential value i might get from redeeming them for a big international trip in J or F that i might never take or never find the availability for.
So if you are happy spending say $600 for CMB-HKG then great, spend the miles, you are saving over $100! In another thread the other day I see people are happy redeeming $500 NYC-LAX flights for 25k miles, when paid lie flats can be had for just over $500.