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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency, such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you’re using the American Express Platinum Card, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to get the time away from work or family.
Two Hong Kong-based carriers are battling to give you a cheap ride to their fascinating home city-state. Both Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines currently have cheap economy fares from Los Angeles (LAX). Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific's Black Friday special featuring 50% off premium economy flights is opening up some excellent deals from its US gateways. If you're interested in making your Cathay Pacific flight into a package, you can use promo code HOLIDAY to save another $200 off the package.
These itineraries are generally available from January through May 2018. You don't need any tricks to find these deals, so just find the dates you want by searching with Google Flights, then book on Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline itself. Also, since these are international trips on full-service carriers, passengers will get their first checked bag free and a complimentary meal during the flight.
Airlines: Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Singapore
Routes: LAX/BOS/ORD/LAX/JFK/SFO/EWR to HKG
Cost: $471+ round-trip in economy; $1,183+ round-trip in Cathay Pacific premium economy
Dates: January through May 2018
Booking Link: Orbitz, Expedia
Pay With: The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Hong Kong (HKG) for $471 round-trip on Hong Kong Airlines:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Hong Kong (HKG) for $472 round-trip on Cathay Pacific:
San Francisco (SFO) to Hong Kong (HKG) for $547 round-trip nonstop on Singapore:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Hong Kong (HKG) for $1,183 round-trip on Cathay Pacific in premium economy:
Chicago (ORD) to Hong Kong (HKG) for $1,183 round-trip on Cathay Pacific in premium economy:
Boston (BOS) to Hong Kong (HKG) for $1,183 round-trip on Cathay Pacific in premium economy:
Newark (EWR) to Hong Kong (HKG) for $1,183 round-trip on Cathay Pacific premium economy:
New York's JFK to Hong Kong (HKG) for $1,183 round-trip on Cathay Pacific premium economy:
American Airlines Elite Earning
Cheap partner premium economy flights are an excellent way to rack up American Airlines elite earnings, and this deal is no exception. According to the partner earnings chart on AA.com, Cathay Pacific flights will earn 1.5x Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) and 20% of flight miles as Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD). That means a round-trip from New York's JFK to Hong Kong (HKG) will earn 24,216 EQMs and around 3,230 EQDs, so one round-trip alone almost earns you AAdvantage Gold status. And you could find a lot of worse ways to mileage run than Cathay Pacific premium economy!
Maximize Your Purchase
Be sure to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Platinum Card (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
If you’re able to score one of these tickets, please share the good news in the comments below.
