Marriott Opens New Partnership, Limited-Time Status Match with Cathay Pacific

Joe Cortez February 26, 2024

Philadelphia, USA - October 21, 2011: The facade of the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown hotel seen from Market Street in Philadelphia, USA. Reception tables are visible behind the window facade. The Marriott logo is engraved in the centre on the facade. The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown hotel is a famous hotel in downtown Philadelphia and spans across two blocks in the city centre, connected by a bridge between the two buildings. Philadelphia has a population of 1.5m and was founded in 1682. (Photo: iStock)

Elite members of both Marriott Bonvoy and Cathay Pacific can now earn status with the other travel provider, along with a challenge to earn even higher rewards.

If you are a frequent guest of Cathay Pacific or Marriott Bonvoy, you could have some bonus status coming your way.

The hospitality giant and airline announced a new partnership with Cathay Membership program, the loyalty arm of Cathay Pacific.

Partnership Offers Reciprocal Status Match Across Both Programs

Under the agreement, members not only get a limited-time status match across both programs, but also the opportunity to earn more points through a seamless two-way conversion between hotel points and airline miles.

Starting immediately, travelers can transfer their points to either program. Two Asia Miles convert to one Marriott Bonvoy point with a minimum transfer of 2,000 Asia Miles. Points must be transferred in increments of 500 points, with a daily maximum of 240,000 miles.

From the Bonvoy side, points transfer at a rate of three Marriott Bonvoy points to one Asia Mile. For every 60,000 Bonvoy points converted, flyers can earn a bonus 5,000 Asia Miles.

Members of Cathay’s loyalty program can also earn miles while spending with Marriott. Staying at a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel at an eligible rate and charging qualifying hotel expenses to the room can yield two Asia Miles per $1 spent. Those who book a qualifying meeting or event can earn one Asia Mile per $1 spent.

The limited-time status match and challenge is open to all members of both programs who have qualified for a higher elite tier. Marriott Bonvoy members at the Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador levels can status match to Cathay Pacific at the Silver level. Cathay loyalists at the Silver, Gold, or Diamond tiers can match with Bonvoy for Gold status.

To upgrade, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn Cathay Gold status by earning 150 status points in 12 months with Cathay, or 300 status points in 12 months to reach Platinum+. For Cathay members matching to Marriott Bonvoy, they can reach Platinum status and earn 3,000 Bonvoy points by staying 10 nights within six months of starting the challenge.

On the downside, FlyerTalkers note that accepting the status match and challenge from Marriott to Cathay results in status points resetting to zero.

Are you taking advantage of the new partnership and status match? Share your thoughts on the FlyerTalk forums.