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Despite Financial Woes, Cathay Pacific Launching Three New Routes to Europe
JT Genter
Contributor
JT is a location-independent digital nomad traveling 250,000+ miles each year with his wife Katie.
Aug. 31, 2017
•
4 min read
Despite Financial Woes, Cathay Pacific Launching Three New Routes to Europe
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Cathay Pacific may be facing financial problems, but it remains one of international standards for excellent seats and service onboard its flights. Now, the Hong Kong-based airline just announced three new European destinations: Brussels (BRU), Copenhagen (CPH) and Dublin (DUB).
Service between Hong Kong (HKG) and these three European capitals will be on Cathay Pacific's newest aircraft, the Airbus A350, starting on these dates:
- Brussels: March 25, 2018
- Copenhagen: May 2, 2018
- Dublin: June 2, 2018
The route to DUB is especially notable. As the Irish Times points out, this will be Dublin airport's first-ever direct flight to the Asia-Pacific region. (Not the first to Asia, though, because the ME3 carriers — Emirates, Etihad and Qatar — have been connecting Dublin to their Gulf home bases for years.)
Here are the flight schedules for Brussels:
- CX 339 — Hong Kong 12:35am Departure ⇒ Brussels 6:55am Arrival (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday)
- CX 338 — Brussels 1:10pm Departure ⇒ Hong Kong 6:55am+1 Arrival (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday)
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Copenhagen:
- CX 227 — Hong Kong 1:10am Departure ⇒ Copenhagen 6:30am Arrival (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
- CX 226 — Copenhagen 1:55pm Departure ⇒ Hong Kong (HKG) 6:35am+1 Arrival (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
and Dublin:
- CX 307 — Hong Kong 12:50am Departure ⇒ Dublin 6:45am Arrival (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday)
- CX 306 — Dublin 11:00am Departure ⇒ Hong Kong 7:30am+1 Arrival (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday)
Of course, points and miles aficionados will want to know how much these flights will cost. Using Cathay Pacific's own Asia Miles program, each of these flights falls in the 5,001 to 7,500-mile distance band. If you're just flying the nonstop, the flights will cost:
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | One-Way | Round-Trip |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 40,000 | 60,000 |
| Premium Economy | 48,000 | 72,000 |
| Business | 70,000 | 120,000 |
But, that's just nonstop flights. You might be able to add on a few more connecting flights for the same price using Asia Miles' excellent program.
Alaska's Mileage Plan will provide some great redemption options on these routes, especially in premium cabins. Booking Cathay Pacific flights between Asia and Europe with Alaska miles costs 30,000 miles one-way in economy, 35,000 miles one-way in premium economy or just 42,500 miles one-way in business class. And remember that you can book a stopover even on a one-way Alaska award.
If you're looking to use American Airlines AAdvantage miles for these routes, one-way economy flights between Asia Region 2 and Europe costs 35,000 miles and business class costs 75,000 miles. The AAdvantage award chart provides no discount for round-trip flights and still doesn't include premium economy awards.
Using British Airways Avios, the CPH flight just slips into "Zone 6" pricing, while DUB and BRU flights fall in "Zone 7" pricing:
| British Airways Avios | HKG-CPH (one-way) | HKG-DUB/BRU (one-way) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 25,000 | 30,000 |
| Premium Economy | 50,000 | 60,000 |
| Business | 75,000 | 90,000 |
Not planning to fly between Europe and Asia? You can still experience Cathay Pacific's newest aircraft on flights between Hong Kong (HKG) and North America. The airline has already announced A350 flights to:
- Vancouver (YVR), which started in March
- Newark (EWR) beginning October 29
- San Francisco (SFO) beginning October 29
When do you plan to check out Cathay Pacific's A350?
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.