How do the big reward programs stack up when the rubber hits the road for premium travelers?
These days, most people are fans of either Amex Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards points, although many collect both with some percentage split between the two.
This reminds me of the age-old Ford vs Chevy debate. You’re either a Ford person or you’re a Chevy person. Most people tend to stay loyal to their side, but in the air mileage game, it’s really good to be flexible.
So let’s line ‘em up at the starting line and play chicken for First Class travel to Asia.
Under the Hood: Chase and Amex Similarities
Both programs’ points can be transferred to the following airlines: Air Canada (a new development for Chase), British Airways, Iberia, Singapore, and Virgin Atlantic.
Where Chase Is Ahead
(On Paper)
Chase gives you points-to-miles transfer access to United miles, whereas Amex does not. However, United miles don’t net that much advantage for travel on United or other Star Alliance airlines to Asia compared to what miles with Amex partner ANA and Air Canada can get you. So, for free award travel, Amex travelers lose almost nothing by not having access to United miles. But there is one exception: United mileage upgrades to Business Class. That said, we found that 21 of 23 routes had almost no upgrade seat availability to Asia. So, while United may theoretically be a benefit of the Chase program, in reality there is no benefit for First Class travel to Asia.
Where Amex Is Ahead
Amex First Class Edge to Asia #1:
Cathay Pacific 47% / 192,000 points less
Cathay Pacific has long been at the top of FCF’s leaderboard when it comes to First Class comfort to Asia. Sure, Hong Kong isn’t very high on everyone’s list right now but their route network expands well beyond Hong Kong. Plus, anyone would be happy to fly Cathay Pacific First Class, as its hub airport has not had any issues or risks. Their U.S. hubs are Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, with countless connections on partner American Airlines.
With Amex’s partnership with Cathay you can get a First Class ticket for between 220,000 and 250,000 miles depending on the hub — for a ticket that goes for as much as $19,400.
With Chase, your best bet costs you 162,000-192,000 more points for First Class on Cathay via transferring points to British Airways.
Amex First Class Edge to Asia #2:
Japan Airlines Availability
Booking through Cathay Pacific (Amex partner) versus British Airways (Amex/Chase partner) for First Class travel on Japan Airlines gives you access to better availability (aka better odds of getting your desired dates).
Amex First Class Edge to Asia #3:
Cathay Pacific Availability
Booking through Cathay Pacific (Amex partner) versus British Airways (Amex/Chase partner) for First Class travel on Cathay gives you access to better availability and the ability to book a little further out than British Airways.
Amex First Class Edge to Asia #4:
The Ultimate Mileage Award Ticket
Why just end your trip in Asia? If you’re going that far, about halfway around the world, why not return home by circling the globe? How many times have you done that? You might as well pick a few more awesome spots while you’re already on the road — especially when you can do it for no additional cost, with Amex points.
Amex’s partner All Nippon Airways offers The Ultimate Mileage Award Ticket. Imagine flying First Class to Asia and continuing around the world to a bunch of other inspiring or rejuvenating (or both) places for half the price Delta charges for Business Class. Or for the same price as United charges for Business Class. Wouldn’t you call that the Ultimate Award Ticket? You simply can’t do this — or anything remotely close to it — with Chase points.
AMEX BONUS ADVANTAGES
Transfer Bonuses
Amex often runs transfer bonus promotions, frequently offering up to a 40% bonus with British Airways, Iberia, and Virgin Atlantic. This transfer bonus goes a long way to make up for any shortfall on the spend-bonus you might miss out on with Chase or other cards, such as at supermarkets or gas stations, for example. So with Amex you make up for much of the bonuses you lose; more on that here.
Access to 500,000 Discount Savings Miles Annually
If you’re reading this it’s because you know that the miles and points game can shave massive costs off your First Class travel, which can cost up to $25,800 for a ticket (you could buy a Ford and a Chevy with that). Most people can never accrue enough points. This chart shows how you can you buy Amex points–a feature Chase doesn’t offer–to get a $25,800 ticket for just $6,000.
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Conclusion
Feel free to get a Chase card as a backup — especially for making purchases with a merchant that doesn’t accept Amex.
Or if you spend a zillion dollars at the gas pump and carrying an extra credit card in your wallet for that particular higher spend category bonus, or one like that, and you’re happy to remember when and where to use that extra credit card in your wallet, to net perhaps another few thousand points a year, that might be worth ~$100 to $200 a year, then go for it! That’s fine! but it’s not the main game for First Class travelers to Asia.
That’s why we’re a big fan of Amex over Chase, especially for First Class to Asia.
It’s the 80-20 rule in practice. With Amex Rewards you get 80% of the pie with only around 20% of the effort. Our recent special report and its ramifications for other credit cards is here.
