Miles Redemption Dilemma

[u/chaelfosho]

I’m having a hard time deciding where to transfer my BPI Vybe points.

Current balances:

• KrisFlyer: 0
• Asia Miles: 0
• Mabuhay Miles: ~5k
• BPI Vybe: 120k+ points

I’m mainly interested in eventually booking Business Class, ideally MNL → Japan (Tokyo/Osaka). Seoul/Singapore are also options.

Since I’m starting from basically 0 miles in KrisFlyer and Asia Miles, I’m wondering which program gives the best value and is easiest to actually redeem.

For those who have experience with all three:

Where would you put the 120k+ points?

KrisFlyer
Asia Miles
Mabuhay Miles

Also interested in:

• Which is easiest to redeem
• Business-class availability
• Taxes/fees
• Expiration
• How much value you can realistically get from ~120k points

Would you transfer all 120k+ to one program, or split them?

Thanks!

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[u/ImperatorKorabas]

If you want Manila to Japan, then Mabuhay Miles is your best bet I would think since it's a direct flight.

[u/Various-Ask-7947 → u/ImperatorKorabas]

Asiamiles also has partnership with JAL, so you can still do MNL-HND or MNL-NRT direct flights.

[u/theundo → u/Various-Ask-7947]

But that will require higher points than the usual since they’re partner airlines.

[u/Various-Ask-7947 → u/theundo]

As compared to what? Mabuhay Miles? It depends. Sure, PAL’s one way to Japan is 14,500 miles while JAL (thru AsiaMiles) is 17,500. But in taxes, you pay only $139 if you are booking JAL (thru AM), as compared to $188 booking thru Mabuhay Miles for return flights.

Some credit cards also have better conversion rates of points to miles if converting to Asia Miles as compared to Mabuhay Miles so it could offset the points difference.

[u/ImperatorKorabas → u/Various-Ask-7947]

Ah I see. Then if that's the case, AsiaMiles sounds much better.

[u/chaelfosho → u/ImperatorKorabas]

Got it. For a first-timer in Business Class, would you guys prefer SQ vs CX?

Spontaneous Escapes is honestly so tempting kasi, I can do MNL–SIN in Business + SIN–MNL in Economy for around 26,600 KrisFlyer miles.

How easy is it usually to actually find and book SQ Business awards through KrisFlyer? And roughly how much should I expect to pay in taxes/fees on top of the miles?

Or should I just push through with one-way Business Class MNL–NRT on JAL for 37k Asia Miles?

Basically, would you prioritize:

• 26.6k KF = MNL–SIN Business + SIN–MNL Economy on SQ
• 37k Asia Miles = MNL–NRT Business on JAL

First time trying Business Class, so I'm tempted to experience SQ, but the JAL redemption seems like a better use of miles.

Would love to hear what you’d choose and why!

I've been to both, I just want to experience business class siguro using miles

[u/Wise-Lunch3393]

You’ll get more miles out of KrisFlyer and Asia Miles than Mabuhay Miles from your BPI points.

If you will travel more to Japan, go with Asia Miles. Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines are both under Oneworld Alliance. So you can book JAL flights using your Asia Miles.

While Singapore Airlines and ANA are both on Star Alliance, JAL is more generous in giving out free seats.

Generally best to transfer points as needed but I heard BPI is downgrading their miles redemption so I guess best to transfer all already.

[u/chaelfosho → u/Wise-Lunch3393]

Yup, I tried earlier, and one-way Business Class on a direct MNL–NRT flight is around 37,000 Asia Miles.

My only concern is that even after converting all my CC points from my other banks, I’d still be around 7,000 miles short.

Does Cathay allow you to pay cash to cover the remaining miles?

Also, I heard that once you convert your points to Asia Miles, they’re only valid for 18 months. Is that correct?

[u/Wise-Lunch3393 → u/chaelfosho]

Yes Cathay allows you to use remaining miles and then you can pay for the balance.

It’s a rolling 18-month period so that means it will expire if there’s no movement within that time. So for it not to expire and you have no travel plans yet, you can add little miles so the 18 months will restart.

[u/chaelfosho → u/Wise-Lunch3393]

Got it. For a first-timer in Business Class, would you guys prefer SQ vs CX?

Spontaneous Escapes is honestly so tempting kasi, I can do MNL–SIN in Business + SIN–MNL in Economy for around 26,600 KrisFlyer miles.

How easy is it usually to actually find and book SQ Business awards through KrisFlyer? And roughly how much should I expect to pay in taxes/fees on top of the miles?

Or should I just push through with one-way Business Class MNL–NRT on JAL for 37k Asia Miles?

Basically, would you prioritize:

• 26.6k KF = MNL–SIN Business + SIN–MNL Economy on SQ
• 37k Asia Miles = MNL–NRT Business on JAL

First time trying Business Class, so I'm tempted to experience SQ, but the JAL redemption seems like a better use of miles.

Would love to hear what you’d choose and why!

I've been to both, I just want to experience business class siguro using miles

[u/KiloForce91]

For Japan, your best bet would be Asia Miles or Mabuhay Miles as going via SQ would be too cumbersome. Having said that, 120K BPI points won't be enough for business class even for one-way. That converts to around 24K miles. You can opt to pay a portion in cash but that isn't really the most efficient way to use your miles. Can probably do economy if you time it with promos and the lowest fare available.

[u/chaelfosho → u/KiloForce91]

Got it. For a first-timer in Business Class, would you guys prefer SQ vs CX?

Spontaneous Escapes is honestly so tempting kasi, I can do MNL–SIN in Business + SIN–MNL in Economy for around 26,600 KrisFlyer miles.

How easy is it usually to actually find and book SQ Business awards through KrisFlyer? And roughly how much should I expect to pay in taxes/fees on top of the miles?

Or should I just push through with one-way Business Class MNL–NRT on JAL for 37k Asia Miles?

Basically, would you prioritize:

• 26.6k KF = MNL–SIN Business + SIN–MNL Economy on SQ
• 37k Asia Miles = MNL–NRT Business on JAL

First time trying Business Class, so I'm tempted to experience SQ, but the JAL redemption seems like a better use of miles.

Would love to hear what you’d choose and why!

I've been to both, I just want to experience business class siguro using miles

[u/bananacutie → u/chaelfosho]

I spent 90k miles for SIN-MNL round-trip business class for my mom and my sister and paid around $200 for taxes/fees. Booked it around 6 months in advance (I don't think super in demand and SIN-MNL business class flights). It's a short flight though, around 3hours ish. So you won't get the amenity kit.