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The increased bonus on this card has ended.
An increased signup bonus of up to 60,000 miles has been announced on the Cathay Pacific Visa Signature® card through June 30, 2018. The Cathay Pacific card is the only Asia Miles credit card available in the US and carries a $95 annual fee. This card is issued by Synchrony Bank, so you don't have to worry about 5/24, 2/3/4, 8/65, or any other weird application rules.
Improved Signup Bonus
The signup bonus is tiered and will set you back $10,000 in spending to earn a total of 60,000 Asia Miles:
- 35,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 in the first 90 days of account opening
- Earn a further 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $7,500 in the first 12 months of card membership
Maximizing your signup bonus will yield at least 70,000 miles (including the miles from meeting the spend requirement).
Key Features
- 2X Asia Miles per dollar spent with Cathay Pacific
- 1.5X Asia Miles per dollar spent on dining
- 1.5X Asia Miles per dollar spent on overseas transactions
- $95 annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Complimentary Green level membership to Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club
Stand Out Card Features
The Cathay Pacific card has two standout features. First, the increased earning (1.5X) on overseas spend combined with no foreign transaction fees. This can be lucrative if a significant amount of your overseas spending does not qualify for bonus category spending with other cards.
Next, the Marco Polo Green membership entitles you to priority boarding, designated check-in counters, and 2 checked bags on flights to the Americas. You can purchase lounge access for 9,000 Asia Miles per person—although this is a poor use of miles, and there are much better options for lounge access. Maintaining your Green level membership costs $100 per year or 20 club points.
Redemption Options
Asia Miles awards are distance based and offer several sweet spots. Glancing at the Asia Miles Award Charts, you can redeem 70,000 miles for a one-way Business class fare from Hong Kong HKG to London LHR. Crossing the Atlantic, you can fly New York JFK to Paris CDG with American Airlines for 80,000 Asia Miles roundtrip in Business class.
Asia Miles Transfer Partners
You can transfer points out of three of the four major points currencies to Asia Miles; American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points transfer at a ratio of 1:1, and points transferred from Marriott at 3:1. Points earned from The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Citi Prestige® Card, and the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card can all be used to top up your Asia Miles account.
Our Take
The Cathay Pacific Visa Signature® card can be beaten on earning in almost every case by other cards. However, it still offers a solid range of benefits and earnings for a card with a $95 annual fee. The Cathay Pacific card should appeal to Asia Miles flyers, who have a large overseas spend on non-bonus categories.
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
The IAD-HKG flight is great, even in Economy. The food is pretty good and the service is amazing.
Not a bad offer, I need to look more into the Asia Miles program.
@charles j says: “Synchrony Bank is an online bank that was formally GE’s bank. Kind of like Ally Bank was GMAC. They have high rates, similar to other online only banks) accounts. I don’t remember if it specifically had the name changed because GE was divesting it’s GE Capital financial assets, although that’s likely. I had a money market account and credit card with GE bank, probably at least 20 years ago, and they seemed good, but that was over 20 years ago”
Thanks for the backstory on Synchrony. Was just going to look that up.
Quite a nice bonus. Pity I can’t get this card where I live.
I am seriously considering this card. Great way to fly to Asia or NY to Vancouver
intriguing offer if you want Asia miles and don’t mind fee
Cathay Pacific making a splash. Even increased permanent offer in Canada to 35,000 at RBC.
Synchrony Bank is an online bank that was formally GE’s bank. Kind of like Ally Bank was GMAC. They have high rates, similar to other online only banks) accounts. I don’t remember if it specifically had the name changed because GE was divesting it’s GE Capital financial assets, although that’s likely. I had a money market account and credit card with GE bank, probably at least 20 years ago, and they seemed good, but that was over 20 years ago
Not a bad signup bonus, although you do have to spend a lot to get it all. At least they give you a year.
Thanks for the info. We travel to Asia a bit so may need to sign up.
Cathay Pacific offer great premium seats, I’m in on this card!
Sounds interesting but I’ve never heard of Synchrony Bank before
I have their Green status from a status match I did last year but it doesn’t seem like Green is much of any value.
And a great airline to have miles with. This card sounds quite attractive.
sounds interesting….since you didn’t mention the name of the issuing bank, I assume its not Chase (aka 5/24).
Ron, I just added a note about Synchrony Bank, the issuer.
Great deal, I want this card!
This looks like an interesting card. but who issues it?
Synchrony Bank; just added that.