Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - To move or not to move to MPC

I'm moving to HK and figured that I'll be travelling a lot with Cathay and was considering abandoning QantasFF(silver) for MPC.
What are the Pros & cons of doing this? Is this a wise move?

I'm moving to HK and figured that I'll be travelling a lot with Cathay and was considering abandoning QantasFF(silver) for MPC.
What are the Pros & cons of doing this? Is this a wise move?

First, I'd find out if CX MPC will compy you to an equivalent level that you're with QF FF now. If not, you'll have to earn your way through and you'd have to decide for yourself if it's worth it.

It also depends on your travel patterns. Do you travel mostly in economy or premium classes. If it's the latter, then perhaps you'd prefer to look at AA's programme as they offer loyalty bonuses if you're an elite member. CX's MPC offer no loyalty bonus at all.

If you're travelling around the region on short notice and in economy mostly, CX's MPC Gold and Diamond levels are useful as they offer guaranteed seats on any fare bracket within a certain amount of time frame. The MPC also is good when redeeming award seats or upgrades in that it allows one to waitlist on CX flights.

If you're happy with QF FF, then there really is no reason to abandon ship.

I moved to HK a few years ago and maintained my QF membership at the time. Since then, I quickly moved to QF gold, and maintained that status level.

Because of the recent QF FF changes, I decided to change over to MPC. There are a number of reasons for this:

Advantages of MPC/Asiamiles:
- The miles required to redeem a flight are now much lower in MPC than with QF. 45,000 points to Sydney versus 60,000 post May
- There never seems to be availability on QF for award flights rendering earned mileage almost worthless. Availability on CX seems to be much higher.
- If there are no CX award flights available you can pay 60,000 miles (instead of 45,000 for a standard ticket HKG-SYD) to get an "unconditional economy" ticket - an option not available on QF
- If you want to fly anywhere else apart from Australia, CX has many destinations available from HK. QF only has Aust and London. Yes you can use points on OW partners, but QF charges you more points to do so.
- MPC doesn't charge you extra points if you redeem on a OW partner.
- I can earn asia miles on many HK credit cards. I am currently earning 1 mile per HKD 4 with Amex.

Disadvantage of MPC:
- I need to start earning status again with MPC. I tried getting a status match, but no success.
- Status is much harder to earn on MPC vs QF. You require more miles and flights to attain. However, anecdotally, CX tends to treat CX Silver (OW Ruby) better than QF Gold (OW Sapphire) when it comes to upgrades etc.
- CX is anecdotally ruthless when it comes to downgrading your elite status if you have not met the annual requirements. QF tends to be a lot more lenient.
- You do not get a status mileage bonus on CX. However this is not an issue for me as I mostly fly CX and not QF, so I was not earning a status mileage bonus anyway.
- Quite a few discount economy fares on CX do not earn any mileage at all, whereas QF always gives mileage when flying QF.

There are of course more pros/cons, but those are the ones that did it for me. Its going to boil down to how much travel you will do in your new job, and how important status is to you. If you are only in it for the miles and are a low volume flyer, it may be worthwhile changing to MPC as you will be able to earn asia miles in HK in many different ways apart from flying, the credit card route being one of the easiest ways.

I'm relocating to Hong Kong for a period of 12 - 24 months.

I'm an AA Plat. member Oneworld Sapphire.

From what I've read here, it seems like my best bet is to stick with AAdvantage so that I get the elite 100% bonus. If my understanding is correct, MPC is not as generous?

Much of my travel will be in paid J, with occasional long weekend trips around SE Asia in Y (I'll just book Y,B, or H).

My only concern is the lack of CX service into China. Am I correct that Dragon Air flights will earn Asia miles, but they wont count towards status?

I should be back in the states at least twice a year and get my 4 AA segments to maintain status.

It seems like my best bet is to stick with earning AA miles on CX flights and get an Asia Miles account for the odd Dragon Air flight?

Any advice, thanks.

Studio76, yes, your best bet would be staying with AA and if you have an US address, then, stick with your US address.

Dragonair miles can be credited into Asia Miles a/c, but they don't count as status. If you don't travel a lot into China, then don't worry about KA miles... you only get peanuts out of it.

Studio76, yes, your best bet would be staying with AA and if you have an US address, then, stick with your US address.

Dragonair miles can be credited into Asia Miles a/c, but they don't count as status. If you don't travel a lot into China, then don't worry about KA miles... you only get peanuts out of it.

Having an US address makes no difference with AAdvantage. Booking on CX may be problematic as Y, B, H fares are usually so much more expensive than the special fares.

Having an US address makes no difference with AAdvantage. Booking on CX may be problematic as Y, B, H fares are usually so much more expensive than the special fares.


I was under the impression that H fares weren't that expensive? I've checked US-Asia and they weren't bad, but have never looked at intra-Asia fares...

It is also my understanding that discount fares only earn 50% in either Asia miles or MPC.

Regardless, for now I think my best bet will be to stay with AAdvantage. There is a chance of me making EXP this year, and my planned stay in HK is only 12-24 months, so I think I should just stick to my program.

Thank you for the advice.

It is also my understanding that discount fares only earn 50% in either Asia miles or MPC.Wrong. CX flights in YBHKLMV earn 100% miles and status in MPC. That covers all the fares you're likely to use if you want any sort of flexibility or availability at short notice.

Asia Miles is of course the everyday loyalty scheme for Hong Kong, and it is so easy to rack up loads of miles through local credit cards, dining scheme (5 miles per HK$8), PCCW, Netvigator and CSL bills, Airport Express tickets, zuji.com, retail promotions etc etc.

So worth enrolling in basic Asia Miles even if you don't put a single flight sector on it. Read all about it at http://www.asiamiles.com

As for earning status on CX, it may be harder to get than other OW, but if you travel in premium classes frequently, you won't have to wait long. It is worth it.

Oh and MPC members get priority booking for 'Saturday Night Fever' - what more could we ask for ?? ;)

I'm relocating to Hong Kong for a period of 12 - 24 months.

I'm an AA Plat. member Oneworld Sapphire.

From what I've read here, it seems like my best bet is to stick with AAdvantage so that I get the elite 100% bonus. If my understanding is correct, MPC is not as generous?

Much of my travel will be in paid J, with occasional long weekend trips around SE Asia in Y (I'll just book Y,B, or H).

My only concern is the lack of CX service into China. Am I correct that Dragon Air flights will earn Asia miles, but they wont count towards status?

I should be back in the states at least twice a year and get my 4 AA segments to maintain status.

It seems like my best bet is to stick with earning AA miles on CX flights and get an Asia Miles account for the odd Dragon Air flight?

Any advice, thanks.


One thing to keep in mind is is tha 12-24 month posting often turns into a 5 year posting.

I wish I had jumped ship from UAL immediatley for CX.

One thing to keep in mind is is tha 12-24 month posting often turns into a 5 year posting.

I wish I had jumped ship from UAL immediatley for CX.

Exactly my experience...

CX seems to have great offers for oz-residents, so it may be worth keeping membership after you return.

As for China: CX is flying to BJS and XMN will be flying to PVG next year. Also, expect a CX/CA deal on mileage accrual by mid 2005. Keep you fingers crossed that it will be full oneworld membership. @:-)