You can sample the luxurious Cathay Pacific first class lounges in Hong Kong and get a taste for Cathay Pacific’s acclaimed first class product for only 14K Chase points. That’s a value worth considering if you’re in the area.
There are two limited-time deals that can be stacked to create this offer. First, British Airways has announced it is devaluing its Executive Club award chart on May 30, 2019. Rates for all redemptions will rise, but shorthaul redemptions will be hit hardest.
Currently, first class flights outside of North America up to 650 miles cost 18,000 Avios. By the end of the month, the price will rise to 24,000, a 33% increase.
Also available until June 16th is a 30% transfer bonus on Chase Ultimate Reward points to British Airways Executive Club.
Combine the limited-time transfer bonus with the limited-time award chart and you have yourself quite a deal…Cathay Pacific first class for actually a tad less than 14K points.
I’ve shared my positive assessment of Cathay Pacific first class before, but I’d say this experience is more about the ground than the air. I reviewed The Wing before, but have yet to review The Pier, which is a beautiful lounge I’ve been wanting to visit for many years.
images above: Cathay Pacific
But don’t think the 90-minute flight to Taipei is too short to enjoy it. Expect the same great first class seat aboard the 777, same great champagne and other beverages, and a decent three-course meal that you probably won’t even feel like after a hearty meal in the lounge.
How To Find Cathay Pacific First Class Award Space
Taipei is an on-again, off-again first class route for Cathay Pacific. Unlike flights to say Beijing or Tokyo Haneda, there is not necessarily first class service each day. To find the award space, I used ITA Matrix and constrained my search to Cathay Pacific and first class from Hong Kong to Taipei.
As you can see, first class is only offered on a sporadic basis:
Once I found the dates first class was operating, I pivoted to the British Airways Executive Club website and actually searched for award space. Not all dates had space, in fact, I only found availability on a small handful of dates.
You can see that at $58.57, taxes/fees were reasonable.
CONCLUSION
Even the “normal” price of 18K is also quite a steal. But with the price going up soon, I would not wait to experience Cathay Pacific first class on a budget.
Now of course, I’m not suggesting you fly out to Hong Kong for a visit to The Pier and a 90-minute flight. But if you’re passing through or going on vacation, why not? I’m now booked and look forward to sharing my shorthaul Cathay Pacific experience, which should stand out in the glut of longhaul reports coming in wake of the Da Nang fare deal.
> Read More: Cathay Pacific 777 First Class London to Hong Kong Review
> Read More: Cathay Pacific “The Wing” First Class Lounge (HKG) Review
Hi Matt the HKG-TPE is a very short flight. The total on air time is less than 1 hour. By the time the meal is done you’ll barely have time to lie down. The meal service is more business class like too; without the Krug, caviar, etc. Yes it’s a cheap way but I really don’t think you are getting a true first class experience. As for the Pier the food quality has gone down due to the change of catering company. The only difference vs the Pier business lounge is the 10 min. massage and the day room. The a la carte dining is marginally better than the buffet style food at the business lounge.
One last note is CX may change plane at last minute. It has happened and during the summer due to the possibility of typhoon some flights might be cancelled and combined, especially around noon time.
I dumped my Chase British Airways card the end of last year. None too soon I guess. I also used up the balance of my miles for my wife and I to travel from ATH-LAX this October. Unfortunately had to pay those outrageous taxes going through London!. I had always used these points for travel in Asia, especially Intra-Asia travel, where they offered solid value sans heavy taxes. This is a card you’ll want to churn and burn for sure.
Did BA block Cathay space within 7 days of travel?
Very often flights are waitlisted throughout Cathay. What’s the best thing to do before travel and transferring points? Thinking about going somewhere next month