baroqen

This seems like a crazy decision to make, but I'm having to make it. LOL. Trying to save some money while using some of my massive points piles. Looking to fly HKG to Tokyo (either airport) and I can't find ANY direct flights on miles in either economy nor business. However, I found a flight that goes HKG-PEK-HND for 30k on business via Cathay and JAL (Two 3.5 hour legs and a 4 hour layover in PEK). The alternative is to pony up around $250 in cash to fly direct in economy, which is 4.5 hours on HK Express.

Neither option is particularly appealing, so throwing it out to the experts for opinions.

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, I'm only familiar with the miles and points forums and this one or Info desk seemed the closest ones to being correct to post in.

erik123

I am not going to answer as you already know which option is crazy. If the HK express flight is refundable you can be reasonably certain an award flight will become available 1-2 weeks before your flight date. Unless it's a holiday week. NRT availability will likely be slightly better.

yuel

Save the 30K and pay for the $250, thats not worth 30K and double time, unless you have time and miles to waste

guv1976

How soon is the travel?

Will you be checking any bags?

baroqen

Travel is mid July and I'll be checking one bag.

guv1976

Not sure how flexible your travel date is, but I'm seeing a CX nonstop option in Premium Economy on July 20 with AA miles:

baroqen

Thanks. Sorry, I should have been more specific. Unfortunately, my travel is not extremely flexible. I'd need to travel on July 10 or 11 from either MFM or HKG although I appreciate the assist. I wish that I could hop on that one, as I've rather liked the Cathay premium economy product in the past... although my favorite so far in my extremely limited personal experience has been Delta Premium Economy.

gojko88

$250 for a 4,5-hour flight is a very decent price. If it was $1000 I'd consider the alternative itinerary, but I'd never lose a whole day travelling if not absolutely necessary.

sadiqhassan

If the experience in CX/JL in business will be enjoyable for you, go for that. If you are primarily interested in flying between HK and Tokyo in the least stressful and complicated way, go with the direct flight.

I frequently try routes that make no sense to my family and friends - however, the difference between them and I is that I enjoy the experience which is what makes it worthwhile.

baroqen

Frankly this was one of my main reasons for throwing the question out. I haven't flown short haul business on either of these carriers and was wondering if someone might throw out some random insight into how amazing they might be. I figured it would be unlikely given that they're short haul and substantially less convenient but it was a shot. Haha.

erik123

Extra time in Tokyo is amazing.

pinniped

These days, nonstop always trumps circuitous routes.

If we were talking about an absurdly expensive nonstop vs. a mileage-available connection, we could debate value of time vs. money. But I value 30k more than $250 to begin with, so on this one the nonstop wins on both accounts.

No doubt business class would be a decent product on both of those legs, but short-haul biz isn't enough to swing me to an extra 7 hours en route.

realworld

And also consider the flight could be way longer on the award ticket if your originating flight is delayed or even the connecting flight.

cre95

The originating flight would need to be delayed by over 2 hrs to make a difference

That aside, I would go for the nonstop option at $250.