US ↔ Japan
Firston JAL metal
777 First for 70k — one of the cheapest international First redemptions anywhere. Space is scarce.
~Miles one-way
70k
Best uses of Alaska / Atmos miles
The redemptions where Alaska / Atmos beats cash by the widest margin — premium cabins first.
US ↔ Asia
Firston Cathay Pacific metal
Cathay First at exceptional cents per point, with a free stopover allowed on the one-way.
~Miles one-way
70k
US ↔ Asia
Businesson Cathay Pacific metal
Cathay business to Asia runs $4.5k–7k cash. Free stopover on one-way partner awards (e.g. Hong Kong en route).
~Miles one-way
50k
US ↔ Australia
Businesson Qantas metal
Qantas business across the Pacific for 55k — strong against cash and against other programs’ Pacific pricing.
~Miles one-way
55k
US ↔ Japan
Businesson JAL metal
JAL business for 60k and ~$50 in taxes, no fuel surcharges. JAL partner space is increasingly hard to find via Alaska.
~Miles one-way
60k
US ↔ Hawaii
Economyon Hawaiian / oneworld metal
From ~10k miles ex-California on Hawaiian via Alaska. Hawaiian is now oneworld, so Avios works too. Low taxes (~$6).
~Miles one-way
10k–22k
Seed reference figures, not live quotes. Many programs use dynamic pricing — verify live before booking.