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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Matt Moffitt is a contributing editor and expert in getting the most out of credit cards and points (he carries at least 25 cards in his wallet at any given time). Originally from Sydney, Australia, he won the Green Card Lottery and lived in Austin, Texas for 10 years before relocating to Spain in 2025.
June 4, 2025 • 11 min read
PAUL YEUNG/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
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Quick summary
Cathay Pacific offers a U.S. airline card, but it is considered underwhelming compared to leading travel rewards options.
The card provides priority check-in and boarding, no foreign transaction fees and discounts on select nonflight redemptions, but lacks lounge access and companion certificates.
Earning and redemption rates are less competitive, and achieving elite status through spending is slow and inefficient.
Asia Miles can be transferred from most major flexible points programs, making general travel rewards cards a better fit for most travelers.
What to consider
A significant amount of spending is required to earn meaningful status points, and status points may take up to six months to post.
Discounts apply only to nonflight redemptions, which typically offer poor value compared to flight awards.
Asia Miles can be redeemed with Oneworld alliance partners, but taxes and fees may be higher than booking through other programs.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of earning, redemption and status benefits versus other travel rewards cards, plus tips for maximizing Asia Miles value.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Cathay Pacific may be a world-class airline, but its U.S. credit card falls flat. From a lackluster welcome offer to underwhelming perks, this card struggles to compete with the top travel rewards credit cards. I wouldn't recommend this card, even to loyal Cathay flyers. Card rating*: ⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Cathay Pacific is one of my favorite international airlines — I’ve flown it in both first and business class and have consistently been impressed. Based in Hong Kong, the carrier serves six U.S. cities with strong connectivity across Asia and the South Pacific.
But while the airline has a premium reputation, its credit card doesn't hold up. The Cathay World Elite Mastercard, issued by Synchrony Bank and carrying a $99 annual fee, was refreshed and reopened to new applicants in April 2025. It typically requires a credit score of 620 or higher.
Let's get into why I believe this card falls short of the mark.
The information for the Cathay World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Cathay Pacific credit card pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Reasonable annual fee
No foreign transaction fees
Priority boarding and check-in
Ability to spend your way to status
Discount on select nonflight award redemptions
Has an annual fee
No lounge access
No statement credits
No companion certificate
Other travel rewards cards offer higher earning rates
Significant amount of spending needed to reach status
Asia Miles can be transferred from most flexible points programs
Cathay Pacific credit card welcome offer
The Cathay Pacific credit card is currently offering (a very exact) 38,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
According to our May 2025 valuations, this welcome bonus is worth a paltry $494. If you want to earn a stash of Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, you're better off applying for a general travel rewards credit card from American Express, Bilt, Capital One or Citi and transferring your rewards to the program.
Synchrony Bank does not publish application restrictions, so it is hard to predict your chances of approval. Since there's no way to check if you prequalify, applying will most likely result in a hard inquiry on your credit report.
Cathay Pacific credit card benefits
Here's a rundown of the perks you get from the Cathay Pacific credit card:
Priority check-in: You and your travel companions can check in at the premium economy check-in desk when flying Cathay Pacific.
Priority boarding: You — and only you (no travel companions) — can board with the premium economy group when flying Cathay Pacific; you must present your physical credit card to do so.
World Elite Mastercard benefits: You'll enjoy concierge access and offers with brands like Instacart (through August), Peacock (through December) and ShopRunner.
No foreign transaction fees: You can use your card abroad without accumulating extra charges (this is standard for most top travel rewards cards).
Spend your way to status: Earn 10 status points for every $5,000 spent on the card (up to a maximum of 100 status points each calendar year).
Redemption discount: Receive 10% off car rental, experience and hotel awards.
Gift and transfer miles discount: Enjoy 10% off of fees incurred when gifting or transferring miles to another member.
EMILY MCNUTT/THE POINTS GUY
Earning miles on the Cathay Pacific credit card
As with most airline cobranded cards, you’ll earn the most bonus miles when spending directly with the airline. You'll earn:
3 miles per dollar spent on Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Express* flights and inflight purchases
2 points per dollar spent on dining (including eligible delivery services)
1 point per dollar spent on everything else
*Hong Kong Express is Cathay Pacific's low-cost subsidiary, operating exclusively on intra-Asian routes.
CATHERINE FALLS COMMERCIAL/GETTY IMAGES
In summary, this card does not pack a punch in the earning department.
Redeeming miles on the Cathay Pacific credit card
Cathay Pacific is a member of the Oneworld alliance, so you can redeem your miles with carriers such as American Airlines and British Airways, as well as several nonalliance partners like Air Canada, LATAM and Lufthansa.
However, the Asia Miles program is difficult to understand. If you’re new to it, check out our full guide to Asia Miles for all the program's nuances and nitty-gritty details.
Cathay Pacific's newest business-class product. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
If you think redeeming Asia Miles is the best-value way to fly in premium cabins with Cathay Pacific, think again. For example, 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 through AAdvantage are less than a quarter of those when booking with Asia Miles.
However, while booking Cathay Pacific flights through American or Alaska Airlines can offer better value, the airline releases more award availability in its premium cabins to its own members. I booked the flight above in January 2025 and had to use Asia Miles because it wasn't available through American or Alaska.
Cathay Pacific first class. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY
Finally, you can redeem Asia Miles for car rentals, experiences and hotels, as well as lounge access — but none of these options are valuable.
Which cards compete with the Cathay Pacific credit card?
Given that Asia Miles partners with all the major transferable rewards programs except for Chase, my advice is to get one of the following cards instead:
If you prefer American Express: is one of the highest-earning cards for flight purchases and the best personal card for lounge access. A plethora of statement credits helps offset its high annual fee (see rates and fees). For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
If you prefer Citi: The (see rates and fees) is an underrated product that earns solidly across a broad range of categories (including airfare and dining) for a modest $95 annual fee. For more details, check out our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.
The Cathay World Elite Mastercard is the only U.S.-issued credit card that allows you to earn Asia Miles and status points directly. However, even frequent Cathay Pacific flyers will have trouble getting substantial value from this card. My advice is to get a general travel rewards credit card and transfer your rewards to Asia Miles instead.
Bottom line
Cathay Pacific soars in the sky, but its credit card barely lifts off. Despite North America being its most lucrative market outside Asia, the airline has failed to offer a compelling product for U.S. consumers.
With a poor welcome bonus, disappointing travel perks and a slow path to elite status, I would hesitate to recommend the Cathay Pacific credit card to even frequent Cathay Pacific flyers.
If you would like to use miles to fly Cathay Pacific (as well as enjoy lounge access during your trip), I'd suggest getting a general travel rewards credit card and transferring your rewards to either Asia Miles or another Oneworld loyalty program.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
