Questions and Answers

Hi Ben: I love your blog and hoping you can help with this. I’m traveling with my 15-year old son this summer from SFO-CPT, and returning JNB-SFO. We are booked on Qatar business on the outbound from SFO-DOHA (777) and DOHA-CPT (787) and returning on CX biz from JNB-HKG and CX F from HKG-SFO.

Here’s the question. It is 150,000 AA miles on Qatar for biz on the way there–should we try to book CX biz/first as well on the outbound for 140,000 AS miles? I’ve heard great things about Qatar, would like to get the free tour of Doha during the layover, and AA miles are less valuable to me than AS miles. On the other hand–CX F (at least part of the way) and now that AS has devalued Emirates awards (which is what I had originally been holding out for), I’m not sure that AS miles are any more valuable. So all that said–which would you recommend?

And is it worth spending 200,000 (each) for Emirates F if it did become available on the outbound? Thank you so much!

HI Lucky: I am also traveling to South Africa with my son. We are flying Qatar biz there and CX biz/first class on the return to SFO.

Here’s my question–do you think it’s worth spending 140,000 Alaska miles to fly biz/first on the way out or stick with 150 AA miles for Qatar? I’m thinking that with AA miles devalued, it’s better to burn those first, plus we’d get to go through Doha (and maybe get the free tour on the layover) and I’ve heard good things about QR J. On the other hand–it’s CX first class (at least half the way). And AS miles are probably worth less today than they were yesterday (literally). I was hoping that last minute Emirates would open up for the AS miles, but obviously that plan is now shot . . . Would really appreciate your thinking. And love your blog.

Well, AS redemptions on CX haven’t changed and theres nothing wrong with flying QR in one direction and CX in the other direction. If anything, try to fly in/out of BOS/PHL/JFK on QR if there is award space on flights operated by their A350. QR also serves CPT with a 787 if I’m not mistaken. You can also try for a stopover in HKG if you’d like.