From the luxury resorts and pristine beaches of Koh Samui to street markets and elephant sanctuaries of Chiang Mai—and the energy and world-class food scene of Bangkok, Thailand offers something for every type of traveler. The amazing food, friendly people, and unique culture make Thailand a must-visit destination for many travelers.

While the destination is relatively affordable once you’re there, getting to Thailand from the United States can be quite expensive, especially if you want to fly in business or first class. A round-trip economy ticket can easily cost over $1,200, while business-class fares often exceed $5,000.

Fortunately, points and miles can help you get there comfortably without breaking the bank. Even better, there are excellent premium cabin options available through multiple airline alliances, giving you flexibility in both routing and redemption options.

Getting to Thailand: Understanding Your Options

Before diving into specific programs, it’s helpful to understand the main routes to Thailand. While there aren’t any nonstop flights from the United States to Thailand, several major Asian airlines offer excellent one-stop service through their hubs:

These connections don’t have to be a drawback—think of them as an opportunity to experience some of the world’s best airlines (especially in business class) and possibly even add a stopover in another exciting destination.

Let’s look at the five best programs for booking your trip to Thailand:

Chiang Mai, Thailand

1. ANA Mileage Club

All Nippon Airways’ Mileage Club program offers some of the best value for flights to Thailand, particularly for business-class redemptions. While you can’t book one-way awards, the round-trip prices are so competitive that it’s still one of the best options available.

Award Pricing

For round-trip flights between the U.S. and Thailand:

  • Economy: 80,000 miles
  • Business: 136,000 miles
  • First: 240,000 miles

These rates apply when flying on ANA’s Star Alliance partners like United, EVA Air or Thai Airways. When flying on ANA’s own aircraft, prices can be even lower during off-peak seasons:

  • Economy: 55,000-70,000 miles
  • Business: 100,000-115,000 miles
  • First: 195,000-210,000 miles

Sweet Spots and Routing Rules

  • One stopover and one open-jaw allowed
  • Can mix ANA and partner airlines on the same ticket (at Star Alliance pricing levels)
  • No fuel surcharges on United or Air Canada flights
  • Lower rates during low season on ANA metal

Example Routes

  1. Chicago (ORD) – Tokyo (HND) – Bangkok (BKK) on ANA
    • Great option for trying ANA’s highly-rated business-class product
    • Low season business class for 100,000 miles round-trip
  2. Los Angeles (LAX) – Taipei (TPE) – Bangkok (BKK) on EVA Air
    • Excellent business-class product on EVA Air
    • 136,000 miles round-trip in business class

How to Earn Miles

The easiest way to earn ANA miles is through transfers from:

2. American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines AAdvantage program offers competitive rates and access to excellent Oneworld partners like Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific for reaching Thailand.

Award Pricing

One-way flights between the U.S. and Thailand:

  • Economy: 37,500 miles
  • Business: 70,000 miles
  • First: 110,000 miles

These rates apply to partner airlines, which often offer the best routes to Thailand through hubs like Tokyo (JAL) or Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific).

Sweet Spots and Routing Rules

  • One-way bookings allowed
  • Must travel via the Pacific
  • No stopovers allowed
  • Can mix American and partner airlines
  • Access to both JAL and Cathay Pacific premium cabins

Example Routes

  1. New York (JFK) – Hong Kong (HKG) – Bangkok (BKK) on Cathay Pacific
    • Outstanding first-class experience on the long-haul segment
    • Excellent business-class continuation to Bangkok
    • 110,000 miles one-way in first/business combination
  2. Los Angeles (LAX) – Tokyo (NRT) – Bangkok (BKK) on Japan Airlines
    • Renowned JAL first-class service to Tokyo
    • Solid business-class connection to Bangkok
    • 110,000 miles one-way in first/business combination

How to Earn Miles

You can earn American Airlines miles through:

Krabi, Thailand

3. Air Canada Aeroplan

Aeroplan’s program offers flexible routing rules and no fuel surcharges, making it an excellent choice for Thailand flights. The program’s stopover policy and extensive partner network make it particularly valuable for creative routings.

Award Pricing

One-way flights between North America and Thailand (prices vary based on total flight distance):

  • Economy: 60,000-85,000 points
  • Business: 75,000-105,000 points
  • First: 130,000-140,000 points

Sweet Spots and Routing Rules

  • One stopover allowed on one-way tickets for 5,000 points
  • No fuel surcharges
  • Can book mixed-cabin awards
  • Access to Air Canada, United, ANA, EVA and Thai Airways
  • Distance-based pricing means West Coast departures often cost fewer points

Example Routes

  1. San Francisco (SFO) – Taipei (TPE) – Bangkok (BKK) on EVA Air
    • One of the shorter transpacific routes
    • Outstanding EVA Air business-class service
    • 85,000 points one-way in business
  2. Vancouver (YVR) – Seoul (ICN) – Bangkok (BKK) with stopover
    • Explore Korea en route to Thailand
    • 90,000 points + 5,000 points for stopover in business

How to Earn Points

Aeroplan points are easy to earn through transfers from:

4. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

While not always the cheapest option, Singapore Airlines offers one of the best premium cabin experiences to Southeast Asia, with excellent connectivity to Thailand. Their renowned service and premium products make the slightly higher mileage rates worthwhile for many travelers.

Award Pricing

One-way from U.S. to Thailand (using Singapore Airlines metal):

  • Economy: 40,000-55,000 miles
  • Business: 107,000-115,000 miles
  • First/Suites: 148,500-157,000 miles

Sweet Spots and Routing Rules

  • Can book one-way awards
  • Stopover allowed on round-trip Saver awards
  • Access to Singapore’s premium cabins
  • Some fifth freedom routes available
  • Excellent availability for KrisFlyer members

Example Routes

  1. Los Angeles (LAX) – Singapore (SIN) – Bangkok (BKK)
    • Nonstop to Singapore in excellent business class
    • Short hop to Bangkok
    • 107,000 miles in business class
  2. New York (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Singapore (SIN) – Bangkok (BKK)
    • Opportunity to try Singapore Suites
    • Multiple stopover possibilities
    • 148,500 miles in Suites/First

How to Earn Miles

KrisFlyer miles can be earned through transfers from:

  • American Express Membership Rewards
  • Capital One Miles
  • Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Citi ThankYou Points
  • Marriott Bonvoy

All major transferable currencies transfer at a 1:1 ratio except Marriott Bonvoy (3:1).

Phuket, Thailand

5. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska’s program offers some of the best premium cabin sweet spots for travel to Thailand through partners like Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific. While earning Alaska miles can be more challenging, the redemption rates make it worthwhile.

Award Pricing

One-way from U.S. to Thailand:

  • Economy: 35,000 miles
  • Business: 60,000-65,000 miles
  • First: 70,000-75,000 miles

These rates specifically apply to partners like Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines, making them one of the best values for premium cabin travel to Thailand.

Sweet Spots and Routing Rules

  • One free stopover allowed on one-way awards
  • Access to both JAL and Cathay Pacific premium cabins
  • Can combine partners on the same award

Example Routes

  1. New York (JFK) – Hong Kong (HKG) – Bangkok (BKK) on Cathay Pacific
    • Optional stopover in Hong Kong
    • 70,000 miles in first class
  2. Los Angeles (LAX) – Tokyo (NRT) – Bangkok (BKK) on JAL
    • Optional stopover in Tokyo
    • 65,000 miles in business class

How to Earn Miles

Alaska miles can be earned through:

  • Bank of America co-branded credit cards
  • Marriott Bonvoy transfers
  • Alaska’s shopping portal and dining program
  • Mileage Plan Dining

Tips for Success

  1. Book well in advance, especially for premium cabins. Award space to Thailand is competitive, particularly during high season (November to March).
  2. Be flexible with your dates and routing. Sometimes flying through Tokyo might have better availability than through Hong Kong, or vice versa.
  3. Consider mixing and matching programs. You might find business-class space one way with ANA and return using American Airlines miles.
  4. Watch for transfer bonuses from credit card programs to airline partners, which can make your redemptions even more valuable.
  5. Remember that most programs allow you to put awards on hold while you transfer points, which can be crucial given transfer times.

To Sum it Up

Getting to Thailand using points and miles is very achievable, with options across all three major airline alliances. For the best value:

  • Use ANA miles for round-trip business class awards.
  • Book Alaska miles on Cathay Pacific or JAL for premium cabins.
  • Consider Aeroplan for flexible routing and stopover options.
  • Look to American Airlines for competitive partner awards.
  • Choose Singapore Airlines for a luxury experience.

Remember that award availability patterns can change, but having multiple options across different alliances gives you the best chance of finding space for your dates. Start planning early, be flexible with your routing, and you’ll be enjoying Thai beaches or exploring temples before you know it!