I just returned from Vietnam. Saw some great business opportunities and want to go back right after the first of the year to explore them.

As with any new business venture, money allocated to the project will be tight. But I absolutely WILL NOT fly coach on the long haul. So there is the problem.

I have a stockpile of AA miles. I know I can use them on Cathay. But was thinking maybe other alternatives would work out cheaper in the long run. And save the miles for upgrades, in case I make more trips. Maybe a sale fare to Japan with upgrade and pay for a ticket to HAN or SGN. Or a consolidator fare. OR, OR, OR.

I flew home Phillipine Airlines. The plane and service was fine (except for the coach seating). The fare is $2671 RT LAX/SGN.

However, I won't make enough trips on Phillipine Airlines to use the miles. Somewhere I saw on their website that miles could be credited to CX, but CX said NO and now I can't find what I saw on their website.

Suggestions are most welcome. Even a weird routing works. This trip is about saving money, not time. Cash and miles upgrade, cash only, alternative airports and airlines. Thanks in advance

Both with either Japan Airlines or Cathay Airlines, you can earn AA miles with flying in business class, and full coach fares. Some discount coach fares are not eligible to earn miles in AA unless you fly coach on AA from the US to Tokyo, then from Tokyo to SGN/HAN via Japan Airlines.