AAdvantage Now Lets You Route to India and Maldives via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific
Update: American Airlines has now separated the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent regions on its award chart. Both awards are still pricing at the same levels — from the US, you'll redeem 40,000 AAdvantage miles each way for economy, 70,000 for business class and 115,000 for first class when traveling to the following countries:
Great news for those of us with American Airlines miles — without any fanfare, American Airlines changed its award chart this week to allow transpacific routings when flying from the US to the "Indian Subcontinent."
Note that this option is only available for award flights on Cathay Pacific or American Airlines metal via Hong Kong (HKG). Otherwise, you're still limited to previous rules — requiring transatlantic flights when traveling to this region.
Why This is Great News
This is great news for a few different reasons and a variety of travelers:
1. For those on the West Coast looking for a much shorter routing. Prior to this change, flying from the US West Coast to this region would require crossing the US, flying transatlantic, before finally connecting to your destination. Now, you can save stops and time by routing across the Pacific via HKG.
2. Anyone who wants to fly Cathay Pacific. Whether it's in first class, business class or even economy class, Cathay Pacific service stands out from the rest. Remember, you can't search for Cathay Pacific award availability on AA's website, but you can use BA or Qantas to find availability.
3. Anyone on the East Coast looking to lengthen their premium-cabin experience. Flying from NYC to Mumbai (BOM)? Why settle for 16 hours on board a decent British Airways Club World product when you can spend over 22 hours on-board spectacular Cathay Pacific business class.
4. Avoiding British Airways fuel surcharges. Unfortunately, many transatlantic AA award flight options are on British Airways — infamous for its hefty fuel surcharges on award tickets. Although there are ways to avoid flying British Airways when flying to Europe, there are very limited non-BA options if you're required to fly transatlantic on your way to India. This week's award chart change now frees travelers up to avoid British Airways' fuel surcharges completely by routing through HKG.
Countries in the "Indian Subcontinent"
The American Airlines award chart region definitions lumps the Middle East with the Indian Subcontinent, as the award miles are the same to either region. I've confirmed with an American Airlines agent that the following countries are included in AA's definition of the "Indian Subcontinent":
- Bangladesh
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
However, not all of these countries are accessible through Cathay Pacific's routes. See the route map above for all of Cathay Pacific's flights from HKG.
How Many Miles?
Flights from the contiguous 48 US states to the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent cost:
- 40,000 one-way in economy (down from 45,000 pre-March 22)
- 70,000 one-way in business
- 115,000 one-way in first class
Bottom Line
While AA's award chart has recently gone through significant negative changes, there have also been some positive changes. We'll certainly count this change among them. The option of flying transpacific via Cathay Pacific should make it easier — and more comfortable — to make such a long journey to this region.
[card card-name='Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®' card-id='22144516' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees