How do you turn your Asia Miles into a flight ticket? From finding award seats and checking the miles required to paying taxes and confirming ticket issuance, these steps explain the process for a first-time redemption.
This guide focuses on Cathay Pacific flight awards to help you learn the basics.
1. Prepare these details before redeeming
- Your departure airport, destination and outbound/return dates.
- The number of passengers, names as shown on travel documents and preferred cabin.
- Alternative dates or flight times you can accept.
- The available miles already credited to your Cathay membership account.
Credit card points and your Asia Miles balance are separate. If you need to transfer points, check your bank's processing time first. Miles that have not yet been credited cannot be used for redemption.
For an initial estimate for Asian destinations departing from Hong Kong, see the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles redemption chart, then set a target based on your destination, cabin and number of passengers.
2. Sign in to Cathay and search for award seats
Visit the flight award redemption page, sign in and enter your itinerary details to see flights available for redemption.
A flight available for cash purchase does not necessarily have award seats. Cathay Pacific flights have no award blackout dates, but award seats remain subject to availability and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Cathay's award availability guidance
If your preferred date has no suitable seats, try nearby dates, other departure times or a different cabin. For two travellers, search for two passengers rather than assuming that one available seat means both can travel together.
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Pay rent through RentSmart using a card that earns Asia Miles or rewards convertible to Asia Miles. Eligible rent transactions may earn miles.
Explore miles rewards from rent payments
3. Check both directions and the miles required
After selecting flights, check:
- Whether the displayed miles are per passenger or the total for everyone.
- Whether suitable seats are available for both the outbound and return flights.
- Whether the cabin on each flight segment meets your expectations.
- Any connections, next-day arrivals or changes of airport.
For example, a return trip for two requires seats for both travellers in each direction, making four one-way seats in total. Avoid booking non-refundable accommodation after confirming only the outbound flight.
The final miles required are those shown in the actual redemption results.
4. What additional costs are payable?
Flight awards may still involve airport taxes, fuel surcharges and other applicable charges. Before paying, check both the total miles and the total cash payment, then compare them with the cash fare for the same itinerary.
Flight award redemption and Miles Plus Cash are different. Miles Plus Cash is a way to purchase a ticket. Even if you pay entirely with miles, the ticket is not treated as a flight award, and different conditions apply. Cathay's Miles Plus Cash explanation
5. Check passenger names, pay and confirm ticket issuance
Passenger names should match their travel documents. Before paying, check the dates, flights, cabins, passenger details, miles and cash amount again, then follow the instructions to complete your booking.
Keep the booking reference and e-ticket, and check your itinerary in Manage Booking. If no ticket confirmation arrives after payment, check the booking status before repeating the process.
6. Are there fees for changes or cancellations?
Changing an award flight still requires suitable award seats and may incur a handling fee. Cancellation and the return of miles are subject to conditions such as ticket usage and applicable deadlines.
If your holiday dates are not confirmed, read Cathay's change and cancellation rules first. Once you find seats, check the details, pay and confirm ticket issuance to turn your miles into a ticket you can travel on.
Use monthly rent to work towards your next flight
Once you know how many miles your trip requires, you can set a savings target. With RentSmart credit card rent payments and a card whose rewards earn or can be converted into Asia Miles, eligible rent spending may earn miles. Your regular monthly rent can help you work towards your next trip.
