Cathay, the new name of Cathay Pacific's loyalty program, offers members the opportunity to earn frequent flyer points called Asia Miles and status points to enhance their travel experience on Cathay Pacific and its partner airlines.
The new Cathay program combines the old Marco Polo Club program and the Asia Miles program, allowing members to earn and redeem miles and upgrade their status tier in one place.
Several rewards programs have Cathay as an airline transfer partner. Review your options for credit cards that earn Asia Miles in Australia, the easiest way to get more Asia Miles without flying.
Key takeaways
- Joining the Cathay rewards program is free and open to residents around the world.
- Asia Miles can be earned from everyday spending and sign up bonuses using a credit card.
- Cathay often requires fewer Asia Miles compared to Qantas Points for the same flight.
- Asia Miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. The expiry can be extended by earning or spending a mile within 18 months.
Earning Asia Miles
The easiest way to earn Asia Miles in Australia is with a credit card, although there are a few other ways to pick up points.
Credit cards linked with Asia Miles
While there is no dedicated Asia Miles credit card in Australia, there are a few schemes with Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific as a transfer partner. These include American Express Membership Rewards, Westpac Altitude Rewards, ANZ Rewards and others. These programs allow members to transfer points to Asia Miles.
How to earn points through everyday spending
Apart from flying on Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and other oneworld or partner airlines, Asia Miles can be earned through everyday spending by:
- Using a credit card with a rewards program that allows its points to be converted to Asia Miles
- Shopping online at the Asia Miles iShop
- Booking hotel stays with partner travel organisations
- Booking a car rental with many rental companies
- Using some airport transfer services
Bonus point offers and promotions
Rewards credit cards that allow points to be converted to Asia Miles will often have sign-up bonus point promotions. New cardholders can earn hundreds of thousands of extra points for meeting a specified spending target within the first few months of holding the card.
Redeeming Asia Miles
There are several ways to redeem Asia Miles. The most advantageous is to redeem them for flights or upgrades. It is the case that often fewer Asia Miles are required than would be Qantas Points for a flight on the same route.
Redeem points for flights, hotels, and other travel
The best value comes from redeeming Asia Miles for flights on Cathay Pacific and its partners, such as Qantas, American Airlines, Qatar Airways and British Airways. Asia Miles are also good for booking hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses.
Cathay Pacific has several non-oneworld airline partners, including Lufthansa. This gives you some extra availability when looking for redemption options that can be extremely useful.
Merchandise and gift cards
Redeem Asia Miles for merchandise from an online catalogue and gift cards from various retailers. This is a great option for those who may not have enough points for a flight or other travel-related redemption.
Asia Miles status tiers
The Asia Miles program has three tiers of membership: Green, Silver, and Gold. Each tier offers its own set of benefits and perks, and members can advance to higher tiers by earning a certain number of Status Points.
FAQs
Can I join the program if I am not a Hong Kong or China resident?
Yes, the program is open to residents from around the world.
Are there any restrictions on earning or redeeming Asia Miles?
Yes, there may be restrictions on certain earning and redemption options, such as expiration dates on points or blackout dates for flight bookings. It is important to check the Asia Miles website for the most up-to-date information.
Can I transfer points from other loyalty programs to Asia Miles?
Yes, you can transfer points from certain programs such as American Express Membership Rewards, Westpac Altitude Rewards, and ANZ Rewards.
What happens if my Asia Miles expire?
If your Asia Miles expire, they will be removed from your account and cannot be reinstated. To prevent expiration, earn or spend at least one mile within 18 months.
How do I check my Asia Miles balance or redeem points?
You can check your balance and redeem points through the Asia Miles online portal.
