Cathay Pacific changes the Asia Miles redemption requirements for Japan flights! Cathay Pacific has announced that starting on October 1, 2023, it will adjust the Asia Miles flight award chart. The required “Asia Miles” mileage for redeeming reward tickets, cabin class upgrades, and oneworld Multi-Carrier Award will all be changed. Among them, the required mileage to redeem Hong Kong round-trip tickets to Japan in economy class will increase from the current 20,000 miles to 25,000 miles, an increase of 5,000 miles!
Check out the following to find out the details!
Table of contents: Asia Miles revamps mileage redemption
- Overview of Cathay Pacific Asia Miles flight award chart amendment
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles mileage for flight ticket redemption adjusted
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles cabin upgrade award
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles companion ticket award
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles oneworld multi-carrier award
- How to redeem Cathay Pacific Asia Miles for flights?
- Selected Air Miles credit cards
- Frequently asked questions: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Overview of Cathay Pacific Asia Miles flight award chart amendment
Cathay Pacific will adjust the flight reward conversion table starting October 1, 2023, and the flight distance region will also be modified, besides changing the required mileage for redeeming tickets with Asia Miles.
Short-haul region: Divided into 2 types
Currently, there is only 1 category for short-haul flights on the flight reward chart, covering most Asian regions, while there are 2 categories for long-haul flights.
In the upcoming adjustment, the short-haul region will be divided into 2 types: Type 1 and Type 2. Although the flight distance is the same at 751 to 2,750 miles, more miles are required to redeem tickets for Type 2 destinations such as Tokyo (including other places in Japan) and Jakarta.
Long-haul region: Merging 2 types into 1
As for the long-haul flights that were originally divided into two categories, they will be merged into one category after the adjustment, including some European and American locations, such as London, Paris, San Francisco, and Vancouver.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles flight distance zone update (effective October 1, 2023)
| Flight Distance Zone (Hong Kong as Origin or Destination) | Distance | Destination Example |
| Ultra-Short | 1-750 miles | Hanoi, Manila, Taipei, Xiamen |
| Short-Type 1 | 751-2,750 miles | Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore |
| Short-Type 2 | 751-2,750 miles | Jakarta, Mumbai, Tokyo (All other destinations in Japan) |
| Medium | 2,751-5,000 miles | Dubai, Sydney, Tel Aviv |
| Long | 5,000-7,500 miles | London, Paris, San Francisco, Vancouver |
| Ultra-Long | 7,501+ miles | Chicago, New York, Toronto |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles mileage for flight ticket redemption adjusted
Under the new policy, there are many adjustments to the required mileage to redeem a one-way ticket with Asia Miles:
- There will be no change in the required miles for ultra-short flights.
- For short-haul type 1, there will be no change for economy class but an increase of 2,000 to 3,000 miles for other cabins.
- Short-haul type 2 will see an increase of 2,500 to 7,000 miles for all cabins.
- Medium-haul economy class will decrease by 2,000 miles, while other cabins will increase by 8,000 to 20,000 miles.
- Long-haul economy class will decrease by 3,000 miles, while other cabins will increase by 5,000 to 25,000 miles.
- Finally, the ultra-long-haul economy class will decrease by 4,000 miles, while other cabins will increase by 15,000 to 35,000 miles.
Asia Miles Mileage for Flight Ticket Redemption Adjustment Flight Distance Cabin Change in Required Miles Ultra-Short All cabins No change Short-Type 1 Economy No change Other cabins Increase by 2,000 to 3,000 miles Short-Type 2 All cabins Increase by 2,500 to 7,000 miles Medium Economy Decrease by 2,000 miles Other cabins Increase by 8,000 to 20,000 miles Long Economy Decrease by 3,000 miles Other cabins Increase by 5,000 to 25,000 miles Ultra-Long Economy Decrease by 4,000 miles Other cabins Increase by 15,000 to 35,000 miles
Taking Japan, a popular travel destination for Hong Kong people, as an example, it currently requires 20,000 miles to redeem an economy class round-trip ticket between Hong Kong and Tokyo. Starting October 1, 2023, it will require 25,000 miles, which is an increase of 5,000 miles. To redeem a round-trip business class ticket from Hong Kong to Tokyo, it will require 64,000 miles under the new scheme, which is an increase of 14,000 miles.
However, some mileage flight redemption requirements will decrease. For instance, a round-trip business class ticket from Hong Kong to Sydney currently costs 44,000 miles. Under the new scheme, the required miles will only be 40,000, saving you 4,000 miles!
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles flight award chart—standard award (effective October 1, 2023)
Here is the updated flight award chart under the policy. You can see that most standard flight tickets now require more mileage to redeem.
| Flight Distance Range | Mileage | Destination Example | Economy Class | Premium Economy Class | Business Class | First Class |
| Ultra-Short | 1-750 miles | Hanoi, Manila, Taipei, Xiamen | 7,500 > 7,500 (No change) | 11,000 > 11,000 (No change) | 16,000 > 16,000 (No change) | 25,000 > NA |
| Short-Type 1 | 751-2,750 miles | Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore | 10,000 > 10,000 (No change) | 18,000 > 20,000 (+2,000) | 25,000 > 28,000 (+3,000) | 40,000 > 43,000 (+3,000) |
| Short-Type 2 | 751-2,750 miles | Jakarta, Mumbai, Tokyo | 10,000 > 12,500 (+2,500) | 18,000 > 23,000 (+4,000) | 25,000 > 32,000 (+7,000) | 40,000 > 50,000 (+7,000) |
| Medium | 2,751-5,000 miles | Dubai, Sydney, Tel Aviv | 22,000 > 20,000 (-2,000) | 30,000 > 38,000 (+8,000) | 45,000 > 58,000 (+13,000) | 70,000 > 90,000 (+20,000) |
| Long-Haul (compared to Long-Haul-Type 1) | 5,000-7,500 miles | London, Paris, San Francisco, Vancouver | 30,000 > 27,000 (-3,000) | 40,000 > 50,000 (+10,000) | 65,000 > 84,000 (+19,000) | 100,000 > 125,000 (+25,000) |
| Long-Haul (compared to Long-Haul-Type 2) | 5,000-7,500 miles | Other destinations | 30,000 > 27,000 (-3,000) | 45,000 > 50,000 (+5,000) | 70,000 > 84,000 (+14,000) | 110,000 > 125,000 (+15,000) |
| Ultra-Long | 7,501+ miles | Chicago, New York, Toronto | 42,000 > 38,000 (-4,000) | 60,000 > 75,000 (+15,000) | 85,000 > 110,000 (+25,000) | 125,000 > 160,000 (+35,000) |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles cabin upgrade award
With Asia Mile, you can request an upgrade to the next higher cabin class. However, under the new scheme, most upgrades require more mileage.
Here are the general changes to the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles cabin upgrade with mileage requirements:
- Short-Haul Type 1: Increased by 1,000 to 2,500 miles, varying by distance
- Short-Haul Type 2: Increased by 2,500 to 5,000 miles, varying by distance
- Medium-Haul: Increased by 6,000 to 19,000 miles, varying by distance
- Long-Haul: Increased by 5,000 to 25,000 miles, varying by distance
- Ultra-Long-Haul: Increased by 11,500 to 31,000 miles, varying by distance
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles mileage redemption chart—cabin upgrade award (effective October 1, 2023)
| Flight Zone | Economy to Premium Economy | Premium Economy to Business | Economy to Business | Business to First |
| Ultra-Short-Haul | 6,000 > 6,000 (No change) | 7,500 > 8,000 (+500) | 12,500 > 11,000 (-1,500) | 16,000 > 15,000 (-1,000) |
| Short-Haul Type 1 | 10,000 > 11,000 (+1,000) | 12,000 > 14,000 (+2,000) | 17,000 > 19,500 (+2,500) | 25,000 > 26,000 (+1,000) |
| Short-Haul Type 2 | 10,000 > 12,500 (+2,500) | 12,000 > 16,000 (+4,000) | 17,000 > 22,500 (+5,500) | 25,000 > 30,000 (+5,000) |
| Medium-Haul | 15,000 > 21,000 (+6,000) | 18,000 > 29,000 (+11,000) | 28,000 > 40,500 (+12,500) | 35,000 > 54,000 (+19,000) |
| Long-Haul (vs. Long-Haul – Type 1) | 22,000 > 27,500 (+5,500) | 25,000 > 42,000 (+17,000) | 41,000 > 59,000 (+18,000) | 50,000 > 75,000 (+25,000) |
| Long-Haul (vs. Long-Haul – Type 2) | 22,500 > 27,500 (+5,000) | 28,000 > 42,000 (+14,000) | 43,000 > 59,000 (+16,000) | 55,000 > 75,000 (+20,000) |
| Ultra-Long-Haul | 30,000 > 41,500 (+11,500) | 35,000 > 55,000 (+20,000) | 48,000 > 77,000 (+29,000) | 65,000 > 96,000 (+31,000) |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles companion ticket award
If you have purchased a Business or First Class ticket, you can use Asia Miles to redeem a companion ticket for your travel companion.
Under the new policy, the redemption mileage for a companion ticket in Business Class has increased by 4,000 to a range of 37,000 miles, varying by distance. For First Class, the redemption mileage has increased by 4,000 to a range of 52,000 miles, varying by distance.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles mileage redemption chart—companion ticket award (effective October 1, 2023)
| Flight Distance Zone (Hong Kong as Origin or Destination) | Business Class Companion Reward | First Class Companion Reward |
| Ultra-Short-Haul | 24,000 > 24,000 (No change) | 38,000 > N/A |
| Short-Haul Type 1 | 38,000 > 42,000 (+4,000) | 60,000 > 64,400 (+4,400) |
| Short-Haul Type 2 | 38,000 > 48,000 (+10,000) | 60,000 > 75,000 (+15,000) |
| Medium-Haul | 67,000 > 87,000 (+20,000) | 105,000 > 135,000 (+30,000) |
| Long-Haul (vs. Long-Haul – Type 1) | 98,000 > 126,000 (+28,000) | 150,000 > 187,400 (+37,400) |
| Long-Haul (vs. Long-Haul – Type 2) | 105,000 > 126,000 (+21,000) | 165,000 > 187,400 (+22,400) |
| Ultra-Long-Haul | 128,000 > 165,000 (+37,000) | 188,000 > 240,000 (+52,000) |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles oneworld multi-carrier award
When redeeming tickets, you can include award tickets from other oneworld Alliance member airlines in your itinerary. For example, your journey can include 2 oneworld alliance airlines (excluding Cathay Pacific) or 3 or more oneworld alliance airlines (including Cathay Pacific) with a total flight distance of up to 50,000 miles.
oneworld Alliance Member Award ticket update
The new policy requires more mileage to redeem most oneworld award tickets.
| Class | Increase in Required Miles (varying by airline) |
| Economy | 3,000 to 10,000 miles |
| Business | 5,000 to 65,000 miles |
| First | 5,000 to 70,000 miles |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles mileage redemption chart—oneworld multi-carrier award (effective October 1, 2023)
| Reward Zone | Actual Distance (Miles) | Economy Class | Business Class | First Class |
| 01 | 0–1,000 | 30,000 > 30,000 (No change) | 55,000 > 60,000 (+5,000) | 70,000 > 75,000 (+5,000) |
| 02 | 1,001–1,500 | 30,000 > 35,000 (+5,000) | 60,000 > 65,000 (+5,000) | 80,000 > 85,000 (+5,000) |
| 03 | 1,501–2,000 | 35,000 > 40,000 (+5,000) | 65,000 > 70,000 (+5,000) | 90,000 > 95,000 (+5,000) |
| 04 | 2,001–4,000 | 35,000 > 45,000 (+10,000) | 70,000 > 80,000 (+10,000) | 95,000 > 110,000 (+15,000) |
| 05 | 4,001–7,500 | 60,000 > 63,000 (+3,000) | 90,000 > 100,000 (+10,000) | 140,000 > 150,000 (+10,000) |
| 06 | 7,501–9,000 | 65,000 > 68,000 (+3,000) | 100,000 > 120,000 (+20,000) | 150,000 > 165,000 (+15,000) |
| 07 | 9,001–10,000 | 70,000 > 77,000 (+7,000) | 110,000 > 135,000 (+25,000) | 160,000 > 175,000 (+15,000) |
| 08 | 10,001–14,000 | 90,000 > 95,000 (+5,000) | 135,000 > 170,000 (+35,000) | 220,000 > 250,000 (+30,000) |
| 09 | 14,001–18,000 | 100,000 > 105,000 (+5,000) | 155,000 > 210,000 (+55,000) | 250,000 > 310,000 (+60,000) |
| 10 | 18,001–20,000 | 105,000 > 115,000 (+10,000) | 165,000 > 230,000 (+65,000) | 260,000 > 330,000 (+70,000) |
| 11 | 20,001–25,000 | 115,000 > 126,000 (+11,000) | 185,000 > 250,000 (+65,000) | 280,000 > 350,000 (+70,000) |
| 12 | 25,001–35,000 | 130,000 > 140,000 (+10,000) | 210,000 > 265,000 (+55,000) | 300,000 > 365,000 (+65,000) |
| 13 | 35,001–50,000 | 150,000 > 160,000 (+10,000) | 240,000 > 280,000 (+40,000) | 345,000 > 380,000 (+35,000) |
How to use Asia Miles to redeem Cathay Pacific flight tickets?
How to redeem flight tickets with Asia Miles? They are just a click away on the ‘Redeem Flight Awards‘ page!
You can redeem flight tickets from the Cathay Pacific’s partners, including:
- Air China
- Alaska Airlines
- British Airways
- Fiji Airways
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- LATAM
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian Airlines
- S7 Airlines
- SriLankan Airlines
Want to explore more with our other airline partners? Simply fill out the ‘Flight award request form‘, and the Customer Care team will get in touch with you to guide you through your ticket redemption process!
But if you are planning to redeem a standard flight using your miles, remember to mark the following dates before the tickets run out!
Starting July 13, 2023, Cathay Pacific will launch a new round of “Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Flight Redemption” for over 45,000 seats exclusively for “standard rewards” mileage redemption in 2 phases. The destinations include Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Taipei, Seoul, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Chengdu, Qingdao, and more cities.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles flight redemption details
Here are the details of the 2 phases of flight redemption:
First phase: July 13-August 11, 2023
| Redemption period | Redemption destinations | Travel Period |
| 10:00 on July 13, 2023, to 18:00 on August 11, 2023 | Cebu, Chengdu, Chongqing, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Penang, Phuket, Qingdao, Sapporo, Seoul, Tokyo (Narita), Xiamen, and Zhengzhou | August 28, 2023, to September 23, 2023 |
Second phase: July 28-August 11, 2023
| Redemption Period | Redemption Destinations |
| July 28, 2023, 12:00 to August 11, 2023, 18:00 | Bangkok, Nagoya, Osaka, Taipei, and all destinations from the first stage |
Selected Asia Miles credit cards
Starting in October 2023, the required mileage for redeeming airline tickets with Asia Miles is expected to increase. To prepare for this, it’s recommended that you choose a mileage credit card that suits your spending habits and patterns to accumulate more miles. Well, it’s time to stay ahead of the game and be MoneySmart!
Here is a list of selected credit cards to earn more air miles:
Standard Chartered Cathay Pacific Mastercard: Online/overseas spending HK$4=1 mile with a welcome offer of 60,000 miles
- Miles Conversion(Eligible spending on Cathay and HK Express)
- HK$2=1 mile
- Miles Conversion (Eligible spending on dining, online and overseas category)
- HK$4 = 1 mile
- Bank Welcome Offer
- 60,000 miles
【Free ACER Luggage!】From now until 15 May 2024, new cardholders who successfully apply for for Standard Chartered Cathy Mastercard now via MoneySmart to get ACER Trunk Sport 4-wheel Frame Luggage 20” (Retail Value: HK$1,298) or $900 ParkNshop vouchers / $900 Apple store gift card / AirSim sim card with $900 value!
【Limited time offer on 5,000 extra miles】From 26 April to 30 May 2024, Standard Chartered is giving away an extra 5,000 miles to new credit card holders!
【Referral Bliss: Treats for You and Your Loved Ones - Earn Extra HK$55 for Every Referral! 】Unlock extra rewards by referring your friends and family to our fantastic credit card deals! Not only will they enjoy the good deals, but you'll also be rewarded with a referral bonus of 555 SmartPoints for each successful application! No cap on the maximum reward amount!
Citi PremierMiles Credit Card: Online/overseas spending HK$4=1 mile
- Minimum Income Requirements
- HK$120,000
- Miles Conversion (local spend)
- HK$8 = 1 mile
- Miles Conversion (overseas spend)
- HK$3 = 1 mile
DBS Black World Mastercard: Overseas spending HK$4=1 mile
.jpg)
- Welcome Offer
- Up to 42,000 miles
- Upon meeting local and overseas spending goal*
- HK$3/mile
- Miles Conversion (overseas spend)
- HK$4/mile
From now until 10 May 2024, customers who successfully apply for DBS Blackworld Mastercard via MoneySmart, can enjoy HK$500 Apple Store Gift Card/ Klook Voucher/ PARKnSHOP Supermarket Voucher! You can also earn the bank welcome offer of up to 42,000 miles at the same time!
【Referral Bliss: Treats for You and Your Loved Ones - Earn Extra HK$55 for Every Referral! 】
Unlock extra rewards by referring your friends and family to our fantastic credit card deals! Not only will they enjoy the good deals, but you'll also be rewarded with a referral bonus of 555 SmartPoints for each successful application! No cap on the maximum reward amount!
Looking for more detailed tips about Asia Miles credit cards? Check out the Air Miles credit cards comparison!
Frequently asked questions: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Do I need to make up the mileage difference if I have redeemed a ticket for flights departing after October 1, 2023, and the flight reward conversion table is adjusted?
You don’t have to make up the mileage difference.
If I confirm ticket redemption or cabin upgrade after October 1, 2023, which mileage will be used to calculate the required mileage?
The adjusted mileage will be used for calculations.
If I change the ticket I have redeemed after October 1, 2023, which mileage will be used to calculate the required mileage?
If only the date of the ticket is changed, the required mileage remains the same. If the itinerary is changed, it will be calculated based on the adjusted mileage.
Related articles
Wanna enjoy a peaceful moment in lounge while waiting for your flight? Check out the top credit cards with unlimited airport lounge access here!
Yearning to stretch your wings and soar the skies with your accumulated miles? Dive into our blog post to unravel the mysteries of multifaceted mileage programs!
Wanna stay ahead of the herd? Let’s check out the MoneySmart blog for more financial tips!
MoneySmart—Your One-Stop Financial Products Platform
Homepage: www.moneysmart.hk/en/