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If Thailand has been on the list⦠it might be time to set down your coffee. Those are fighting words, but this deal is seriously great.
Right now, Cathay Pacific is offering round-trip flights from Chicago OāHare (ORD) to Phuket (HKT) starting at just $679 in economy. Thatās about 27% less than the typical fare, which usually ranges from $779 to over $1,000.
Travel Details
Airline: Cathay Pacific (yay!)
Route: Chicago (ORD) to Phuket (HKT), connecting in Hong Kong
Seat class: Economy
Best dates: October 29, 2025, and May 11, 2026, with other low fares in late 2025 and early 2026
Price: Starting at just $679
Why This Deal Is Amazing
Cathay Pacific is known for exceptional service, comfortable seating, and some of the best long-haul food in the sky. I flew with them for the first time this February and was handed a printed menu in the last row of the plane ā poor manās business-class for the win. š
Phuket itself is a freaking paradise, with insane water, beautiful beaches, and easy access to Thailandās other islands.
Finding a fare under $700 to Thailand (especially on a full-service carrier) is rare. If youāve been debating a winter escape or a spring vacation, this could be your sign.
If youād rather book with points, hereās what youāll need:
Chase Ultimate Rewards: about 45,300 points via the travel portal (at 1.5 cents per point with the Chase Sapphire ReserveĀ®)
American Express Membership Rewards: about 73,000 points via American Express TravelĀ®
Capital One miles: about 67,900 miles via Capital One Travel
Alaska Airlines Mileage PlanĀ® or Asia Miles: Transfer points from Chase, Amex, or Capital One to book Cathay Pacific directly.
Where to Stay in Phuket
Luxury Stay: Vignette Collection Dinso Resort & Villas Phuket
Cash: about $210 per night
Points: starting at 27,000 IHG points per night
Mid-Range Stay: Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort
Cash: about $150 per night
Points: starting at 12,000 Hyatt points per night
Budget Stay: Lub d Phuket Patong
Cash: about $40 per night
Points: Cover with Capital One or Chase points via travel portals
How to Book
Flights: The obvious choice? You can find this directly through your Daily Drop Pro account. You could also search via Google Flights, then book directly with Cathay Pacific. To book with points, use your credit cardās travel portal or transfer points to a Cathay partner like Asia Miles.
Hotels: Book Hyatt or IHG properties with points directly, or use cash for non-points hotels and cover costs through your travel portal.
Maximize Your Booking
Make the most of your rewards by using a card that earns bonus points on flights, like:
Chase Sapphire PreferredĀ® Card ā Earn 2x points on all travel purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ā Earn 5x miles on flights through Capital Oneās travel booking site
American ExpressĀ® Gold Card ā Earn 3x points on flights booked directly with the airline or via American Express TravelĀ®
Chase Sapphire ReserveĀ® ā Earn 4x points on flights booked direct
The Platinum CardĀ® from American Express ā Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express TravelĀ® (up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
š” Pro Tip: Turn This Into a 2-in-1 Trip. Since youāll connect through Hong Kong, you could a stopover on either leg of your trip. Cathay Pacific makes it super easy to extend your layover, so you could spend a couple of days there before heading to Phuket (without paying for extra flights).
Bottom Line
Anything below $700 for a flight (round-trip, might you) to Thailand on Cathay Pacific is a steal, and Phuket pretty much speaks for itself. Whether you pay cash or points, this is one of those deals thatās absolutely worth grabbing before itās gone.