To redeem Asia Miles for Cathay Pacific flights to the US or Canada, start with your destination city. Nonstop flights from Hong Kong to Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles fall within the Long band, with an Economy reference of 27,000 miles per person one-way. Ultra-long destinations such as Toronto and New York require a reference of 38,000 miles.
This guide lists Cathay's nine nonstop destinations from Hong Kong to the US and Canada, from the lower to the higher award band, with cabin references and return-trip examples. For destinations in Asia, see our Cathay Asia award chart.
How many miles do Cathay flights to the US and Canada require?
These are the current Cathay Standard Award references, in Asia Miles per person one-way:
Distance band and flight distanceEconomyPremium EconomyBusinessFirstLong: 5,001–7,500 miles27,00052,00091,000125,000Ultra-long: 7,501 miles or more38,00078,000119,000160,000
The four cabin figures are band references only. They do not mean every US or Canada route offers First or any other listed cabin for redemption. Confirm the actual cabin, miles required and award availability in the redemption results for your selected dates.
Cathay nonstop destinations from Hong Kong to the US and Canada
Distance bandCountryDestination and airport codeLongCanadaVancouver (YVR)LongUnited StatesSeattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX)Ultra-longCanadaToronto (YYZ)Ultra-longUnited StatesBoston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), New York John F. Kennedy (JFK)
The codes in brackets identify the airports. When searching for New York, note that this list refers to John F. Kennedy (JFK); it does not treat all New York airports as Cathay nonstop destinations from Hong Kong.
The chart applies only to Standard Awards on the listed Cathay-operated nonstop routes from Hong Kong. Check the miles separately for other US or Canadian cities, connecting itineraries or partner airline flights.
Why do Vancouver and Toronto require different miles?
Award bands are based on flight distance, so “flying to Canada” or “flying to the US” is not enough to estimate your miles. Vancouver is in the Long band, while Toronto is Ultra-long. The US destinations also span two bands: you cannot use Los Angeles figures for Chicago or Dallas/Fort Worth.
In Economy, the difference is 11,000 miles per person one-way. For two people travelling return, that becomes 11,000 × 2 × 2 = 44,000 miles. Knowing the miles can help you compare cities, but your choice should still fit your family visit, holiday or work plans and account for local travel costs.
How many miles should two people budget for a return trip?
Assuming both directions are Cathay nonstop flights in Economy and enough Standard Award seats are available:
- Two people, Vancouver return: 27,000 × 2 × 2 = 108,000 miles.
- Two people, New York return: 38,000 × 2 × 2 = 152,000 miles.
For different cabins, add each leg separately. For example, one person flying to New York in Economy and returning in Business would need a reference total of 38,000 + 119,000 = 157,000 miles. Do not use an Economy return figure to estimate an entire mixed-cabin itinerary.
These calculations cover miles only and exclude taxes, surcharges and other applicable fees. Check the full amount before paying.
Check both directions before fixing your itinerary
A trip to the US or Canada usually needs outbound and return dates that work together. After finding an outbound award, also confirm the return cabin and seats for everyone travelling. Cash tickets remaining on sale does not mean the same flight offers an equivalent number of award seats.
If your dates are flexible, check nearby departure and return dates, but do not treat the chart as a seat guarantee. Finally, confirm the arrival airport, whether the flights are nonstop and the operating airline, then compare cash tickets for the same dates, cabin and itinerary.
Sign in through Cathay's flight redemption page to check the actual miles, seats, taxes and fees for your itinerary.
Include monthly rent in your US and Canada miles plan
After comparing Long and Ultra-long destinations, set a miles target based on your city, cabin and number of travellers. Monthly rent can be one source: with a credit card that earns Asia Miles or rewards convertible to Asia Miles, eligible rent payments through RentSmart may earn miles under the card's applicable reward terms, helping you gradually prepare for a trip to the US or Canada.
