Cathay Pacific Asia Miles offering 1,500 miles sign-up bonus

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Last month Cathay Pacific offered a rare 1,000 miles sign-up bonus for new members joining its Asia Miles programme, but it turns out the deal may now be less rare than we think, with a fresh offer now running for the rest of 2022 and 50% more bonus miles available this time round.

The deal is good for 1,500 bonus Asia Miles on first signing up for the recently rebranded Cathay programme, and comes just as Hong Kong has taken its most significant step yet to reopen to tourists from overseas, paving the way for the airline to significantly increase its services.

1,500 miles sign-up bonus

Simply sign up as a new Cathay member via the dedicated link here, between 14th December 2022 and 31st December 2022 and you’ll earn an 1,500 Asia Miles welcome bonus in your account.

However, these miles won’t be credited straight away, with the terms and conditions stating that they will be credited within eight weeks after signing up, which is by 25th February 2023 for those doing so right at the end of the promotion period.

There is no geographical restriction on your account’s registered address for the sign-up bonus, so it’s available to all new members globally, including those residing in Singapore.

Terms and conditions

Here are the full terms and conditions for this bonus welcome miles offer for new Asia Miles members:

• This promotion is only applicable to clients who successfully enrolled as Cathay member through designation enrolment page. Only new Cathay members are eligible for the offer. Member will not be eligible for bonus miles if they enroll through other channels.
• The promotion period is from 14 Dec 2022 00:00am (HKT) to 31 Dec 2022 11:59pm (HKT), both dates inclusive (“Promotion Period”).
• Every eligible new members will receive 1,500 Asia Miles.
• Each eligible new Cathay member will be entitled to the New Joiner Bonus once only.
• Asia Miles will be credited to the eligible members who have fulfilled the relevant requirements stated in the clauses above, within 8 weeks.
• Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. reserves the right to suspend, amend or modify these terms and conditions at any time and at their sole discretion, without prior notice or liability.
• Other Cathay terms and conditions apply.

Asia Miles has some great award ‘sweet spots’

If you’re not a member of the Asia Miles award programme – you probably should be, since there are some valuable ‘sweet spots’ when flying with Cathay Pacific.

Even though Cathay Pacific has reinstated its fuel surcharges lately, adding to the cash cost of awards, here are a few examples that still offer great value compared to programmes like KrisFlyer.

	Asia Miles ‘Sweet Spots’ Cathay Pacific
Route	Cabin	Miles	Taxes & Fees
Singapore – Hong Kong	Economy	10,000	S$103
	Business	25,000
Hong Kong – Taipei	Economy	7,500	S$91
	Business	16,000	S$102
Sydney – Hong Kong	Economy	22,000	S$280
	Business	45,000
Singapore – Amsterdam	Business	65,000	S$340
Singapore – Frankfurt	First*	92,300	S$340
Bangkok – London	Business	65,000	S$310
	First*	94,700	S$310
Bangkok – Vancouver	Business	70,000	S$331
Sydney – London	Business	85,000	S$517
	First*	107,600

* Business Class to Hong Kong, then First Class from Hong Kong

You can also redeem Asia Miles on oneworld carriers at some attractive rates, like Qatar Airways Business Class from Singapore to Europe for 70,000 miles, though Qatar’s high fuel surcharges apply, or even better Finnair’s latest Business Class from Helsinki to Bangkok for 61,000 miles + S$44.

Asia Miles: Other things to know

• Asia Miles earned, or transferred from your credit card, from 1st January 2020 no longer expire, provided you earn or redeem at least one mile every 18 months (an NTUC LinkPoints transfer is an easy way to refresh the validity of your stash).
• You can change the date of your Asia Miles Cathay Pacific award booking for US$25 per person per sector (online) or US$40 per person per sector (over the phone).
• You can change the destination of your Asia Miles Cathay Pacific award booking for US$100 per person per ticket.
• You can cancel your Asia Miles Cathay Pacific award booking and have your miles redeposited and taxes / fees refunded for US$120 per person per ticket.

You can transfer credit card points into Asia Miles from seven banks in Singapore, with OCBC and Standard Chartered being the only major exceptions.

Asia Miles Transfer Partners

Hong Kong has relaxed its entry requirements

If it’s a Hong Kong trip you’re looking at with Asia Miles, last week the city-state made its most significant relaxation yet for international arrivals, with no more movement restrictions as soon as travellers have received a negative result from the free on-arrival PCR test.

Here’s a summary of the latest process, if you’re planning to visit.

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Travel to Hong Kong

Eligibility & Vaccination

Non-residents aged 12+ must be fully vaccinated, with the minimum dosage outlined here. Some nationalities require pre-arrival registration or a visa (see here for details). Travel insurance is not mandatory. Tourist stays are limited to 7-180 days, depending on your nationality. Singapore Citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. All international arrivals must complete the e-Health declaration form, up to 96 hours prior to departure.

COVID-19 Tests

Self-swab pre-departure ART test is required (no supervision, clinic visit or certificate is needed). PCR test (throat swab) at the airport on arrival (Day 0), free of charge. Self-administered ART test on Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 and Day 5 (if still in Hong Kong on those days). Reporting is optional, regardless of the result, but you are required to keep a photo of each test result. Professional PCR test (throat swab) on Day 2, free of charge.

Restrictions

You must wear a face mask on board flights to and from Hong Kong, except while eating or drinking. Take any mode of transport from the airport to your accommodation. Remain in your accommodation until you receive a negative result from the on-arrival PCR test. Free to roam on receipt of a negative test result. Mask-wearing is required in both indoor and outdoor settings in Hong Kong.

  Hong Kong Entry Requirements

Transits in Hong Kong are easy again

While Hong Kong itself has only recently opened restriction-free for tourists (albeit with testing), it’s been a different story for transit passengers, like those redeeming Asia Miles awards on Cathay Pacific from Singapore to the USA, who have benefitted from a straightforward process for a few months now.

This is despite earlier restrictions, including a total ban on most transit passengers at one point earlier this year!

Provided you have a confirmed onward flight booking, no testing or special forms are required, unless your final destination needs them.

At HKIA, Cathay Pacific is operating The Wing First Class lounge for those transiting from the Chinese Mainland and The Pier Business Class lounge for those transiting from other countries, like Singapore.

Booking a transit itinerary with the carrier is therefore a good option again for many of our readers, as Cathay gradually ramps up flights, including to Europe and the USA.

If you’re not a member of Cathay’s frequent flyer programme, this is a good time to sign up with a bonus 1,500 welcome miles available for all new members joining between now and 31st December 2022.

Asia Miles has some great award ‘sweet spots’ for trips to and from the region, and transits through Hong Kong are hassle-free again, with a simpler process now also in place for those visiting the city.

Hat-tip to Dan’s Deals.

(Cover Photo: Cathay Pacific)