Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - School me on Cathay Asia Miles and Marco Polo Club

I usually take CX on my flights and just recently, I noticed that I don't have either Asia Miles or MPC(Yeah I'm an idiot I know lol). What exactly are the differences between the two and can I have both at the same time?

And also, am I able to get points/miles for the tickets I've purchased with Cathay within the past year or two?

Thanks!

The Marco Polo Club is Cathay Pacific’s official loyalty program. Asia Miles is an unaffiliated travel reward program comprising of a variety of airline and hotel partners, as well as credit and charge card companies, car rental agencies, telecommunications companies and other non-air partners.

Asia Miles - earn and burn only. thats pretty much it.

Marco Polo Club - loyalty program which you get all sorts of benefits. baggage allowance, priority upgrades, lounge use are pretty much one of the few benefits that goes along with it.

Hi Networkz,

Welcome to Flyertalk (and the CX section). ;) Most of your questions are answered in the FAQ. Check section 10 for the difference between MPC and AM (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/15321393-post12.html). Everything you could ever want to know about it is in there.

And if you read the CX official FAQ item 8 (http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_BH/faq/ffp), it says you can claim miles for up to 6 months after you fly. So sign up for AM first, then submit requests for mileage credit for all your flights in the last 6 months that qualify.

Note that with CX not all fare buckets are eligible to earn miles. If you simply bought the lowest possible economy fare each time, chances are that some of your flights might not even have miles for credit.

As long as you are a member of AM, CX will usually give you a free MPC membership as soon as you qualify (30k flight miles inside a year for most cases).

-RJ

Thanks for both of your responses!

I don't fly enough for 30k flight miles, probably 2 round trips in a year from YVR->HKG. So I guess I won't be able to get a free MPC than?

In my situation, I don't fly that much, 2-3 times a year(round trips), would it still be beneficial for me to apply for a MPC? The site shows $50 USD annually.

You should definitely join Asia Miles, just to collect miles and maybe someday earn a free flight or a free upgrade or something. AM doesn't cost anything to join.

I wouldn't pay $50 for MPC green. You can see the list of benefits here (https://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_BH/ffp/mpo/benefits) (not much for green members). If I remember correctly, HKG allows MPC green to check on the elite lines. So you might get a slightly faster check in experience there. Otherwise not much.

MPC Green is nothing to be scoffed at. I've seen many a time when Green members are getting op-up to Business. One time $50 fee is definitely worth it.

MPC Green is nothing to be scoffed at. I've seen many a time when Green members are getting op-up to Business. One time $50 fee is definitely worth it.

Absolutely agree. During my many years as a GR, I've been upgraded many times from Y to J - perhaps two or three times a year, usually during peak travel periods (Easter, Christmas, Dec 31 - Jan 1, Chinese New Year).

Just get an Amex Platinum card and you will get instant Gold tier.

Thanks for both of your responses!

I don't fly enough for 30k flight miles, probably 2 round trips in a year from YVR->HKG. So I guess I won't be able to get a free MPC than?

In my situation, I don't fly that much, 2-3 times a year(round trips), would it still be beneficial for me to apply for a MPC? The site shows $50 USD annually.

While I agree with others that GR (Green) has little benefit, the 50USD is not to be paid annually on reality as CX never cancels a GR membership. You can pretty much retain GR forever once you pay the 50USD fee unless CX changes its practive in the future.

Alo, 2 or 3 roundtrips for YVR-HKG is very different. For 2 you get nothing but for 3 you can get SL (Silver). Again, if you do fy over 30000mi a year CX will likely give you free SL if you are an AM member.

Alo, 2 or 3 roundtrips for YVR-HKG is very different. For 2 you get nothing but for 3 you can get SL (Silver). Again, if you do fy over 30000mi a year CX will likely give you free SL if you are an AM member.

It does not matter anymore. As chentaiman said, simply get a AMEX Platinum Canada and all issues will be resolved.

Just get an Amex Platinum card and you will get instant Gold tier.

Dont have 60k annually since I'm a student currently lol :( damn!

Dont have 60k annually since I'm a student currently lol :( damn!

Depending on class of economy, it might be better if you join American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines MVP programme if you don't fly that often.

Asia Miles has the disadvantage of expiring miles after 4 years.

I thought it was 3? did they change it?

Depending on class of economy, it might be better if you join American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines MVP programme if you don't fly that often.

Asia Miles has the disadvantage of expiring miles after 4 years.

Dont have 60k annually since I'm a student currently lol :( damn!

Unfortunately (to people here), it seems that AMEX Platinum Canada offers a "Permanent" MPC GO without actual mileage renewal requirement.

I thought it was 3? did they change it?

As far as I can tell, the expiration date always falls on the last day of the month the member joined. So mileage expiration is between 3 and 4 years.

So I guess, it's best for me to sign up both, AsiaMiles and MPC($50 USD for Green) just in case I get the lucky upgrade?

I usually fly during peak seasons, last year June and back end of August. This year, early-July to end of August. Does that make any difference in, if I should pay $50 USD for the MPC Green card?

Depending on class of economy, it might be better if you join American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines MVP programme if you don't fly that often.

Asia Miles has the disadvantage of expiring miles after 4 years.

Interesting! Thanks for the hint! How do AAvantage or AA MVP Programme work? Would I need to take AA for my trip to HKG/YVR, that's essentially where I travel 99% of the time. I don't recall seeing any AA planes in HKG lol

So I guess, it's best for me to sign up both, AsiaMiles and MPC($50 USD for Green) just in case I get the lucky upgrade?

I usually fly during peak seasons, last year June and back end of August. This year, early-July to end of August. Does that make any difference in, if I should pay $50 USD for the MPC Green card?

Actually, you have a pretty good chance for upgrades in your situation. YVR-HKG is well known as being good for op-ups at the end of the school year when many Asian students return home, then come back HKG-YVR at the end of vacation. As a general rule, anytime you have asymmetric passenger loads you will have better chances for a free upgrade. But keep in mind that if you only have MPC Green, you have a LOT of elites in line ahead of you for free upgrades. Don't get your hopes up, and you might be pleasantly surprised.

Interesting! Thanks for the hint! How do AAvantage or AA MVP Programme work? Would I need to take AA for my trip to HKG/YVR, that's essentially where I travel 99% of the time. I don't recall seeing any AA planes in HKG lol

CX and AA are both part of the OneWorld alliance, so even though you fly CX metal, you are allowed to give them your AA frequent flier number and all your points would go to your AA account. Every airline has different mileage expiration policies (or sometimes miles just last forever). So if you fly really infrequently you want to use a FF program that has a very long expiration date on miles.

That will work against you for free upgrades though -- if you put your AA FF# on your CX ticket, you can't put your MPC# on, so they will put you much further down the list for upgrades.

It sounds like you fly enough to earn a free flight before your miles expire, so I would stick with using your AM/MPC# instead of an AA#. YMMV of course. ;)

So I guess, it's best for me to sign up both, AsiaMiles and MPC($50 USD for Green) just in case I get the lucky upgrade?

I usually fly during peak seasons, last year June and back end of August. This year, early-July to end of August. Does that make any difference in, if I should pay $50 USD for the MPC Green card?



Interesting! Thanks for the hint! How do AAvantage or AA MVP Programme work? Would I need to take AA for my trip to HKG/YVR, that's essentially where I travel 99% of the time. I don't recall seeing any AA planes in HKG lol

1. If you join MPO you will automatically be an AM member, so no need to sign up for both.
2. To earn AAdvantage when flying on CX, you need to book in Y, B, or H if in economy, which are usually the more expansive fares, whereas for MPO / AM any fare above V earns miles. The good thing, though, is that while in MPO requires 30000mi (3 round-trips) to earn SL (which has lounge access), AAdvantage requires only 25000mi (2 round-trips) to earn GLD (which has no lounge access but has priority check-in etc.). You have to do your own calculation in what is the best for you. For op-up priority, SL is higher than AA GLD, which is higher than GR.
3. For ASMP, you can only earn award miles but nothing counts to your status.

Actually, you have a pretty good chance for upgrades in your situation. YVR-HKG is well known as being good for op-ups at the end of the school year when many Asian students return home, then come back HKG-YVR at the end of vacation. As a general rule, anytime you have asymmetric passenger loads you will have better chances for a free upgrade. But keep in mind that if you only have MPC Green, you have a LOT of elites in line ahead of you for free upgrades. Don't get your hopes up, and you might be pleasantly surprised.


I'm MPC Gold and always travel alone for work. Planning to fly with the family (2 adults, 2 kids) from YVR to HKG this X'mas, is there any chance to have op-ups for all four our us? Thanks!

I forgot to ask, but do you have to pay $50 annually for MPC or is it a one time fee?

I forgot to ask, but do you have to pay $50 annually for MPC or is it a one time fee?

It depends on how you join.

It can be waived usually if you have good reasons. In this case, you will need to email to MPC for that waiver directly instead of enrolling from the website.

It depends on how you join.

It can be waived usually if you have good reasons. In this case, you will need to email to MPC for that waiver directly instead of enrolling from the website.

Interesting! How would I get it waived? What kind of reasons? lol

As far as I can tell, the expiration date always falls on the last day of the month the member joined. So mileage expiration is between 3 and 4 years.
Are you sure about this? It's not what I remembered so I double checked the AM website and it says that AM's expire 3 years after they're credited.
Did I miss something?

I forgot to ask, but do you have to pay $50 annually for MPC or is it a one time fee?

It depends on how you join.

It can be waived usually if you have good reasons. In this case, you will need to email to MPC for that waiver directly instead of enrolling from the website.

Interesting! How would I get it waived? What kind of reasons? lol

First of all, it is a one-time fee. Even though CX stated that you need to have 4 CX segments to requalify, CX never enforces that. Second of all, common reasons for getting the 50USD waived is through CX co-branded credit cards, earning 30000+mi on OW FLTs in a year, corporate programmes, comped from other airline's elite status, etc.

Sorry to hijack the thread :D

I've flown CX recently (less than a year now) and I have about 21000 Asia Miles but I don't have MPC.

I have few trips coming up, how can I become MPC member without paying the 50$ joining fee and probably getting Silver status directly ?

Elite status on Skyteam is nice but would be so intresting to try Oneworld :D

Sorry to hijack the thread :D

I've flown CX recently (less than a year now) and I have about 21000 Asia Miles but I don't have MPC.

I have few trips coming up, how can I become MPC member without paying the 50$ joining fee and probably getting Silver status directly ?

Elite status on Skyteam is nice but would be so intresting to try Oneworld :D

If you can manage to get 30000+mi miles from OW airlines within 1 year from the time you join AM the consensus here is that CX will offer you MPO SL for free.

Alternatively, fly once in J or F sign up for MPC in lounge or on board.

Sorry to hijack the thread :D

I've flown CX recently (less than a year now) and I have about 21000 Asia Miles but I don't have MPC.

I have few trips coming up, how can I become MPC member without paying the 50$ joining fee and probably getting Silver status directly ?

Elite status on Skyteam is nice but would be so intresting to try Oneworld :D

Welcome to FT.

If you have a status with SkyTeam, you can go direct and ask them to comp SL immediately (providing you have an active reservations).

Second of all, common reasons for getting the 50USD waived is through CX co-branded credit cards, earning 30000+mi on OW FLTs in a year, corporate programmes, comped from other airline's elite status, etc.

Basically - if you can make up a reason that you can convince CX to give it out for free, feel free to use it.

First of all, it is a one-time fee. Even though CX stated that you need to have 4 CX segments to requalify, CX never enforces that. Second of all, common reasons for getting the 50USD waived is through CX co-branded credit cards, earning 30000+mi on OW FLTs in a year, corporate programmes, comped from other airline's elite status, etc.

Damnit! :( I don't qualify for any of those comps!! :mad::mad:

If you can manage to get 30000+mi miles from OW airlines within 1 year from the time you join AM the consensus here is that CX will offer you MPO SL for free.

Welcome to FT.

If you have a status with SkyTeam, you can go direct and ask them to comp SL immediately (providing you have an active reservations).



Basically - if you can make up a reason that you can convince CX to give it out for free, feel free to use it.

Thanks guys :cool: it worked ^

Emailed them with my AM number and they wavied the joining fee ;)

Thanks guys :cool: it worked ^

Emailed them with my AM number and they wavied the joining fee ;)

CX responded to you that quickly? Did you email to theclub@cathaypacific.com or somewhere else? How come even as a GO I do not get a reply that quickly (sometimes no reply at all).

CX responded to you that quickly? Did you email to theclub@cathaypacific.com or somewhere else? How come even as a GO I do not get a reply that quickly (sometimes no reply at all).

You are already trapped :p I'm being lured into the trap by the immediate reply :p

And yes, I emailed theclub@cx

You are already trapped :p I'm being lured into the trap by the immediate reply :p

And yes, I emailed theclub@cx

Just remember now - Unless you are CX DM, any status you have with CX basically is worthless as CX is giving out CX GO for free.

Enjoy.

One last question, been so busy with work and all.

If I apply for MPC today and my flight is on Friday, will I get it in time? Or will it be in the system after 48 hours etc?

Thanks

One last question, been so busy with work and all.

If I apply for MPC today and my flight is on Friday, will I get it in time? Or will it be in the system after 48 hours etc?

Thanks
You will usually get a membership number right away once you apply for MPC. You print out a temporary card and use the printed out card until they send you a real card.

It says:

Thank you for your application to join The Marco Polo Club - an exclusive club created for frequent travellers. USD50 (or the equivalent in HKD) will be debited from your credit/charge card account.

Please allow for four to seven days for your membership to be processed. Should you happen to fly in the interim, please remember to keep your original boarding pass and ticket in order to claim your missing miles and sectors.

Soon you will enjoy a number of exclusive benefits including advanced seat reservation and preferred check-in.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.


But I already got a confirmation email in my inbox? Or would I still need to wait 4-7 days before I become a full fledged member?

It says:

Thank you for your application to join The Marco Polo Club - an exclusive club created for frequent travellers. USD50 (or the equivalent in HKD) will be debited from your credit/charge card account.

Please allow for four to seven days for your membership to be processed. Should you happen to fly in the interim, please remember to keep your original boarding pass and ticket in order to claim your missing miles and sectors.

Soon you will enjoy a number of exclusive benefits including advanced seat reservation and preferred check-in.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.


But I already got a confirmation email in my inbox? Or would I still need to wait 4-7 days before I become a full fledged member?

yes, you need to wait, because they need to create profiles/cards and luggage tags then mail them to you. All this takes some time. But as it says in the email, you will be able to enjoy the benefits if you keep the boarding pass and credit them back, or if you already have an Asiamile number, you can use that in the mean time. It will be the same number, only the note beside it on your Boarding Pass will change from AM to MPC GR. Safe travels