Somehow I lost the thread where I am supposed to be posting this message and since the CX Asia Miles is still not working - here is the next best place to post.

This message is specifically for Tedhl but all Marco Polo The Club members welcome:

After calling the toll-free number to HongKong, I have come to the conclusion that Cathay Pacific's the Club is the most expensive (US$50 join fee), and the most difficult to attain top elite if starting from scratch (requires 210,000 miles) and has the least benefits (no upgrade certificates, no mileage bonuses, no thresfold bonuses) and urge all current GREEN (applying members) to dump The Club and join some other OneWorld member instead.

After speaking to 2 different agents at the toll-free line in Hongkong today, it confirmed Tedhl's suspicions. The Club is good only if you have already attained Gold (1world's Sapphire status) and is aiming for Diamond (1world's Emerald). It is easier that way. All others - Silver (1world's Ruby) have to earn ridiculous amounts to attain their next level.

This is how Cathay Pacific calculates their miles.....

Just by joining in AsiaMiles does not qualify you to join The Club. First you have to pay an application fee of US$50. Then you will be issued with an "Entry Level" card.
There are no benefits at this level. You need to accumulate 30,000 miles to attain Silver (1world-Ruby). Once you attain this level, your mileage balance will be reset to zero, and your membership begins that month.

To get up to the next level, you need to accrue an additional 60,000 miles to reach Gold. You have one year from your membership expiry date to do so. Once you attain 60,000 miles, you will attain Gold (1world-Sapphire). Once again, your Club balance is reset to zero and your new membership expiry month is the month you attain the new level + 1 year.

Then to reach Diamond, you need to accrue 120,000 miles within that year.

For someone who is just starting out - that means you need to accrue 210,000 miles (and remember, discount economy counts for only 0.5 miles) just to reach Emerald status.

In true fact, this way of calculation is only beneficial if you already hold Gold and is trying to reach Diamond or simply retaining Gold. You have till the end of your membership to accrue the required ClubMiles to retain your status. But this is no way to welcome new members - who in my opinion is better off joining another oneworld partner and reaping Sapphire benefits when in the Cathay programme, you're only getting Ruby recognition.

I've voiced my displeasure to CX and have warned them that in time to come, there will be no new Marco Polo members once people know that they can get better deals elsewhere. Whether or not Cathay listens is another matter altogether.

[This message has been edited by Celestar340 (edited 04-19-99).]