Cathay Pacific revamps customer loyalty scheme, with travellers required to shell out nearly 30 per cent more ‘miles’ for some free tickets
- Hong Kong’s flag carrier says the new requirements will take effect on October 1
- But economy-class tickets to destinations such as London, Paris, Vancouver, New York and Toronto will require fewer points
The city’s flag carrier, which joins the likes of United Airlines and rewards programme Avios in tightening redemption requirements for free tickets, on Thursday revealed the new requirements would take effect on October 1.
An aviation expert said the effect on customers was still hard to gauge but the airlines’ move was normal business behaviour given that flight capacity had not returned to pre-pandemic levels and demand was high.
Premium-economy, business- and first-class cabins are most affected in Cathay’s revamp. Some short-haul routes including Japan, Indonesia, India and Nepal will cost more mileage compared with Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai and Singapore.
For economy-class tickets to destinations such as Sydney, London, Paris, San Francisco, Vancouver, Chicago, New York and Toronto, the mileage required will be cut by about 10 per cent.
In an email to members, Cathay said it was the first time it had adjusted its Asia Miles scheme since 2018. Members can collect points, or miles, through flying with the airline, by staying at certain hotels or through credit card spending.