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Usually, transfer bonuses are offered by credit card programs to a specific travel rewards program (ie, Amex Membership Rewards to Asia Miles), but another promo is being offered by Cathay Pacific Asia Miles for points redeemed from multiple credit card partners. When you transfer points from any of Asia Miles’ partners (that aren’t in Hong Kong), you’ll get a 10% bonus…up to ten weeks later.
Since this promotion is issued directly from Asia Miles, you won’t see it when you go to the credit card rewards pages to transfer points and registration is required with Asia Miles before transferring.
The Deal
- Cathay Pacific is offering a 10% transfer bonus when converting credit card points into Asia Miles.
- Registration Required.
- Expires 3/31/24
Direct Link to Registration (must log-in)
Key Details
- The 2023/24 Points Conversion Campaign (Rest-of-the-world) (“Promotion Offer”)
provided by Asia Miles Limited (“AML”) is valid from 29 December 2023, 00:00 to
31 March 2024, 23:59 (GMT+8), both dates inclusive (“Promotion Period”). - This Promotion Offer is only applicable to members whose preferred mailing
country is outside Hong Kong (“Selected Members”). - Under the Promotion Offer, Selected Members who have fulfilled the following
requirements (“Eligible Members”) can enjoy an extra 10% Asia Miles (“Bonus
Miles”):
i. Register for the Promotion Offer via the designated link on or before 31
March 2024, 23:59 (GMT+8); AND
ii. Convert credit card points (“Points”) from Eligible Finance Partners (see
definition in Clause 4) into Asia Miles based on the regular miles conversion
rate (“Eligible Miles Conversion”) within the Promotion Period. - Finance partners outside of Hong Kong (“Eligible Finance Partners”) refer to
partners featuring under “Other Partner Credit Cards” at the Asia Miles website >
select your “Location” > select “Earn Miles” > select “Finance & Insurance” under
“Ways to earn” > Click on “Other Partner Credit Cards”). - AML will credit the Bonus Miles earned under this Promotion Offer to Eligible
Members’ Cathay membership accounts within 8 to 10 weeks after 31 March
2024. In cases where the information submitted by Eligible Members is incorrect
or insufficient for the purpose of delivering the Promotion Offer, AML will not be
liable for any compensation after 30 June 2024. - There is no limit to the number of conversions and number of Points that can be converted within the Promotion Period.
Quick Thoughts
The terms say the the bonus miles could take up to 10 weeks, and the last time Cathay offered this it indeed took that long for some folks. So, don’t count on using the extra 10% as part of a redemption anytime soon.
Given the long wait and the relatively small bonus amount, this will mainly be useful for folks topping off for specific awards or for those who need to combine points from multiple programs in order to reach an award. The problem is that the extreme wait for the bonus means that you probably can’t use it for any availability that you see now.
While this specific promotion isn’t terribly attractive (in my opinion), this is the third time that Asia Miles has offered this multi-partner bonus and do I love the concept. Hopefully we’re see more of it in the future…with faster turnaround times.
We have added this to our current point transfer bonuses.
Best Uses of Asia Miles
- Oneworld Multi-carrier award: Asia Miles can be used for terrific value on a round-the-world trip (RTW) using a Oneworld multi-carrier award. Oftentimes, a RTW award can end up being 50% or more cheaper when compared to the mileage cost of booking the included legs individually. You can see the Asia Miles Oneworld multi-carrier chart here to get an idea of pricing. Most RTW itineraries will price between 165,000-210,000 Asia Miles.
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- You can use two different Oneworld airlines if Cathay Pacific is not one of the carriers in the itinerary.
- You can use three or more Oneworld airlines if Cathay Pacific is one of the carriers in the itinerary.
- Total flight distance cannot exceed 50,000 miles
- Maximum of 5 stopovers
- Maximum of 2 layovers
- Maximum of 2 open-jaws
- You must start and end in the same city
- Europe on AA: A one-way American Airlines flight from the Midwestern or East Coast U.S. to Europe is 61,000 Asia Miles in business class or 25,000 miles in economy. Flights from the West-coast are more expensive at 75,000 Asia Miles in business or 40,000 in economy. Taxes and fees one-way are ~$30.
- US to Australia on Qantas: Business class one-way from the US to Australia starts at 75,000-90,000 Asia Miles one-way. Flights to Brisbane price out at 75,000 miles, while flights to Melbourne are 90,000 miles. Sydney is 90,000 from LAX and 75,000 from SFO. It's best to use British Airways or Alaska Airlines to search for Qantas award space, then move to the Cathay site if you find availability. Sometimes, it's necessary to call Cathay. Availability can, of course, be very difficult to find and taxes and fees one-way are ~$420-450.
- Southern South America on AA or LATAM: Business class one way from the US to Chile, Brazil and Argentina is 50,000 Asia Miles one-way on AA or LATAM. Traditionally, it was best to use British Airways or Qantas to search for award space, but LATAM availability on BA has become tricky, either showing phantom availability or none at all. Some folks have found better luck searching for space on ExpertFlyer. Taxes and fees one-way are ~$30.
- Early Oneworld availability: Cathay Pacific opens up award bookings 360 days before departure, as opposed to 331 days for American Airlines. This can allow you to reserve award seats using Asia Miles almost one month before AAdvantage members.
Things to Know
- How to find awards: Search for available space at AsiaMiles.com (you’ll need to create a free Asia Miles frequent flyer account to search). For some awards, it can be easier to locate space on BritishAirways.com first.
- How to book awards: Book online at AsiaMiles.com for Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Iberia, Qatar, Qantas, Alaska and Finnair. All other partners or complex itineraries (and some awards for the previous carriers) should be booked via phone (Asia Miles U.S. office is 866-892-2598).
- Key warnings: Fuel surcharges are moderate depending on route and origin, but can be $200-$400 on some carriers.
- Transfer from: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Citi, Marriott
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I thought I signed up before transferring points, but it appears there was one more link to click on the page.
Do you think it counts for retroactive transfers made in the time period after signing up? It doesn’t seem to call that out in the terms at least.
I twitter messaged them and they said np as long as enrolled
I only see Citi & Amex on the Asia Miles partner list. Does that mean that Capital One Venture Mile transfers won’t generate the 10% bonus? Also will this be added to the Current transfer bonus list? Or is that only for when the bonus are given by the bank?
I clicked on the registration link from your article and other similar articles but the link doesn’t work. It sends you to Cathay but it keeps loading the sign-in page. Is there another link?
Sign-in to your account, then click the link. It should work.
I signed in before clicking the link, but the same thing happened as described by Kevin. It finally worked properly after I opened the link in incognito window and then signed in.
FYI, with OneWorld multi-carrier chart you aren’t required to do RTW. I did US-Tokyo-Hong Kong-Malaysia-Tokyo-US booking JAL/CX and MH
Thanks Tim — I agree the 10% bonus isn’t much use. Maybe a small windfall for people transferring points for an Asia Miles redemption now, who plan to book another redemption in the future. Comment regarding oneworld multi-carrier pricing, which you say will typically price between 165-210k miles. To be clear, you mean for business class. Also, looking at the chart it doesn’t look like 165k miles is an option, and most true RTW itineraries would price between 210k Asia Miles (for 14-18k mile itineraries) and 265k (for 25-35k).
Thank you points?