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Cathay Pacific bank card overview
Cathay Pacific could also be a world-class airline, however its U.S. bank card falls flat. From a lackluster welcome provide to underwhelming perks, this card struggles to compete with the highest journey rewards bank cards. I would not advocate this card, even to loyal Cathay flyers. Card score*: ⭐
*Card rating relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
Cathay Pacific is considered one of my favourite worldwide airways — I’ve flown it in each first and business class and have constantly been impressed. Primarily based in Hong Kong, the service serves six U.S. cities with robust connectivity throughout Asia and the South Pacific.
However whereas the airline has a premium status, its bank card would not maintain up. The Cathay World Elite Mastercard, issued by Synchrony Financial institution and carrying a $99 annual charge, was refreshed and reopened to new candidates in April 2025. It sometimes requires a credit score of 620 or increased.
Let’s get into why I imagine this card falls in need of the mark.
The data for the Cathay World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Cathay Pacific bank card professionals and cons
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Cathay Pacific bank card welcome provide
The Cathay Pacific bank card is at present providing (a really precise) 38,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.
In accordance with our Could 2025 valuations, this welcome bonus is price a paltry $494. If you wish to earn a stash of Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, you are higher off applying for a general travel rewards credit card from American Specific, Bilt, Capital One or Citi and transferring your rewards to this system.
Synchrony Financial institution doesn’t publish application restrictions, so it’s laborious to foretell your possibilities of approval. Since there is not any approach to test for those who prequalify, making use of will most certainly end in a hard inquiry in your credit score report.
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Cathay Pacific bank card advantages
Here is a rundown of the perks you get from the Cathay Pacific bank card:
- Precedence check-in: You and your journey companions can test in on the premium economic system check-in desk when flying Cathay Pacific.
- Priority boarding: You — and solely you (no journey companions) — can board with the premium economic system group when flying Cathay Pacific; it’s essential to current your bodily bank card to take action.
- World Elite Mastercard benefits: You will get pleasure from concierge entry and gives with manufacturers like Instacart (by means of August), Peacock (by means of December) and ShopRunner.
- No foreign transaction fees: You need to use your card overseas with out accumulating further costs (that is customary for many prime journey rewards playing cards).
- Spend your way to status: Earn 10 standing factors for each $5,000 spent on the cardboard (as much as a most of 100 standing factors every calendar yr).
- Redemption low cost: Obtain 10% off automotive rental, expertise and resort awards.
- Present and switch miles low cost: Get pleasure from 10% off of charges incurred when gifting or transferring miles to a different member.
These are poor advantages so far as an airline credit card is anxious. The most effective airline bank cards provide lounge entry, companion certificates and useful methods to spend your approach to standing.
Whereas precedence check-in and boarding are helpful, you will solely get them with this card when a premium economic system cabin is working from the airport you are at (which is the case for all U.S. routes however just for about half of flights inside Asia).
The standing shortcut is meager. You’d have to spend $50,000 on the cardboard in a yr simply to get a 3rd of the way in which to Silver standing, which gives entry to Cathay Pacific business-class lounges, check-in and boarding.
Silver is equal to Oneworld Ruby standing; for those who’re going for Oneworld status, I would advocate the extent above (Cathay Pacific Gold, which matches to Oneworld Sapphire) at a minimal. For that, you’d want 600 standing factors in a yr, so maxing out spending on this card would solely get you about 16% of the way in which; the remainder would must be earned organically (by means of flying, buying, and so on.).
This card’s phrases and circumstances state that it might take as much as six months for the standing factors to be mirrored in your account after they’re earned, so this card shouldn’t be a dependable approach to attain elite standing with the airline.
If standing is prime precedence for you, a greater various is the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card (with a $499 annual charge), which gives Oneworld Sapphire standing for the primary yr.
Lastly, the redemption low cost for automotive leases, experiences and resorts — which, not like Delta Air Lines’ 15% award flight discount, doesn’t apply to flights — is not very helpful as a result of redeeming your Asia Miles for nonflight redemptions gives poor worth.
The data for the Qatar Airways Privilege Membership Visa Infinite Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Incomes miles on the Cathay Pacific bank card
As with most airline cobranded playing cards, you will earn probably the most bonus miles when spending instantly with the airline. You will earn:
- 3 miles per greenback spent on Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Specific* flights and inflight purchases
- 2 factors per greenback spent on dining (together with eligible supply providers)
- 1 level per greenback spent on every thing else
*Hong Kong Specific is Cathay Pacific’s low-cost subsidiary, working completely on intra-Asian routes.
Primarily based on our Could 2025 valuations, you will obtain a 3.9% return on flight purchases. Evaluate that to the over 6% return I get when utilizing my Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) for flight purchases (3 factors per greenback), together with that card’s strong travel protections, and it is easy to see why the Cathay Pacific card falls quick.
The two.6% return on eating pales compared to our top recommendation for a dining card, the American Express® Gold Card, which earns 8% on this class†, in line with our valuations.
†Earns 4 factors per greenback spent on eating at eating places worldwide (on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback spent for the remainder of the calendar yr).
In abstract, this card doesn’t pack a punch within the incomes division.
Redeeming miles on the Cathay Pacific bank card
Cathay Pacific is a member of the Oneworld alliance, so you may redeem your miles with carriers similar to American Airways and British Airways, in addition to a number of nonalliance companions like Air Canada, LATAM and Lufthansa.
Nonetheless, the Asia Miles program is obscure. For those who’re new to it, take a look at our full guide to Asia Miles for all this system’s nuances and nitty-gritty particulars.
For those who suppose redeeming Asia Miles is the best-value approach to fly in premium cabins with Cathay Pacific, suppose once more. For instance, a one-way first-class flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong requires 125,000 Asia Miles or 110,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles — and the taxes by means of AAdvantage are lower than 1 / 4 of these when reserving with Asia Miles.
Nonetheless, whereas reserving Cathay Pacific flights by means of American or Alaska Airways can provide higher worth, the airline releases extra award availability in its premium cabins to its personal members. I booked the flight above in January 2025 and had to make use of Asia Miles as a result of it wasn’t obtainable by means of American or Alaska.
So, for those who discover an itinerary you want, my recommendation is to name Asia Miles at 833-933-2244 to place the award on maintain for as much as 72 hours. For those who want extra Cathay miles to cowl the associated fee, convert one of these transferable rewards currencies to Asia Miles (that are much more worthwhile throughout a transfer bonus promotion):
Lastly, you may redeem Asia Miles for automotive leases, experiences and resorts, in addition to lounge entry — however none of those choices are worthwhile.
Which playing cards compete with the Cathay Pacific bank card?
Provided that Asia Miles companions with all the most important transferable rewards packages apart from Chase, my recommendation is to get one of many following playing cards as an alternative:
For extra choices, see our full record of the best airline credit cards.
Associated: Why transferable points and miles are worth more than other rewards
Is the Cathay Pacific bank card price it?
The Cathay World Elite Mastercard is the one U.S.-issued bank card that permits you to earn Asia Miles and standing factors instantly. Nonetheless, even frequent Cathay Pacific flyers can have hassle getting substantial worth from this card. My recommendation is to get a common travel rewards credit card and switch your rewards to Asia Miles as an alternative.
Backside line
Cathay Pacific soars within the sky, however its bank card barely lifts off. Regardless of North America being its most lucrative market exterior Asia, the airline has failed to supply a compelling product for U.S. shoppers.
With a poor welcome bonus, disappointing journey perks and a sluggish path to elite standing, I might hesitate to advocate the Cathay Pacific bank card to even frequent Cathay Pacific flyers.
If you need to make use of miles to fly Cathay Pacific (in addition to enjoy lounge access throughout your journey), I would counsel getting a general travel rewards credit card and transferring your rewards to both Asia Miles or one other Oneworld loyalty program.
Associated: How to choose an airline credit card
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on here.