CX's Frequent Flyer Programs
 

First of all, I am truly sorry if this issue has been addressed already in the past. But since I'm considering switching from Star Alliance to One World, and CX's FFPs seem to interest me. As I was surfing through CX's website, I was confused by CX's FFPs, which were Asia Miles and The Marco Polo Club.

What are the real differences between two?

I was able to notice some differences, but would greatly appreciate more info from CX gurus here.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Marco Polo is for elite qualification. MPC members will automatically be Asia Miles members. Club Miles/Sectors are reset every membership year - mileage are earned into the Asia Miles programme.

Asia Miles is for mileage accrual and redemption.

Mod - I think we need a sticky for MPC and AM.

Asiamiles can also be accrued via non-flying consumption, for example, via a partner credit card. However, such consumption does not help your MPC status, which is based on sectors/miles flown.

You might want to check other OW airlines' FFP programs (such as JL) as MPC is quite stingy if compared to Star Alliance airlines. Elite tier qualification is quite harsh with CX MPC, and mileage redemption on award flights and upgrades is getting more difficult.

I personally have been an elite member with CP, AC, CX and now JL. It took me only 4 months to move up to JL Sapphire vs. 7 years with CX - still at Silver (OW Ruby).

But also, MPC has an application fee (well, the last time I checked, at least).

To sum it up:

Asia Miles - Free membership, you can get points from dining, shopping etc., redeem miles. No elite status is possible with just an Asia Miles card.

MPC - Everything from Asia Miles but also: can reach elite status, lounge access (for elite status).

Absolutely, currently USD $50.

MPC: Once you reach the next elite level, your sectors / miles are reset. So you have to start all over again for the next elite level. Ex : It takes 30K miles to silver, but once you reach there your miles are reset to zilch. So, to reach gold the same year, you will need an additional 60K miles i.e totally 90k miles :td:

-----csp

You can get the MPO Green Card if you apply successfully for the AMEX Cathay Pacific Credit Card online.

Free Marco Polo Club Green Tier membership
USD50 enrolment fee will be waived when Cardmember applies for membership online through www.cathaypacific.com after successful application of the Card. Free Green Tier membership is valid for 12 months and can be renewed upon traveling a minimum of 4 Club sectors.

Indeed....from cx.com:
A membership year lasts 12 months from the date you enrolled, renewed, upgraded or downgraded into your current tier. Upon renewal, upgrade or downgrade, your Club miles and Club sectors will automatically be reset to zero and a new membership year begins.

Upgrade occur as soon as you accrue enough miles to enter next tier threshold within a membership year. As multiple tier upgrades are not allowed, you can only progress one tier at a time.

That's such a cr*p.

Those of you who are Diamond (not sure if it's diamond or other name) with CX must be flying all the time. I know that many people spend half their lives on the plane, but that's such an unfair rule.

CX elite status
 

Your milage is nly set to zero at the end of 12 months so if you get silver you can carry on up to gold or whatever during the same 12 month period then it is re-set to zero.

Star Alliance is far more generous in miles (except SG).
CX is pretty mean - they dont give any bonus miles or upgrade certs for being top tier. They do give free upgrades if they are full and guaranteed seat with 24 hours notice - that is the best bit. oh, and a free bottle of water if you are in Y !!

there's an answer of that question in the FAQ sticky

MPO is generally known as one of the hardest FFPs to achieve elite status in oneworld, along with Finnair Plus.

If you do 210K in that same year, you'd get Diamond. As hard as that may sound, I have heard some people accomplished that achievement.

Heard from some people saying that an AM member can attain CX silver without joining MPC, can someone confirm that?

I went from nothing to gold in 4 months so its not so hard