Cathay Pacific, a oneworld alliance member, has been anything but pacific this month.
To get specific, the carrier just increased (effective June 22) the mileage redemption cost for award travel on its own flights, oneworld multi-carrier flights, and airline partners flights.
Cathay Pacific flights: For example, transpacific flights to Hong Kong from the U.S. will increase by 30,000 to 40,000 miles in First Class and by 20,000 to 25,000 in Business Class. See the chart below for sample increases on U.S. to Hong Kong routes.
Airline partner flights: Take the San Francisco to Sydney route on Qantas: It increases from 120,000 miles round-trip in Business Class to 150,000, 30,000 more miles, and in First Class from 180,000 to 240,000, 60,000 more miles.
The new higher rates take effect for mileage award bookings made on or after June 22. For details go to Cathay Pacific’s Asia miles page.
However, if you book your mileage award ticket before June 22 and need to change the travel dates on or after June 22, the mileage rate won’t change. For more details go here.
Also, go here to use Cathay Pacific’s calculator with the new award rates.
May was not pacific when it came to blue-chip mileage programs, as Cathay's move came on the heels of Japan Airlines' mileage-program devaluation.
Cathay Pacific has been one of FCF’s favorite airlines because:
- It offers solid Business and First Class seats.
- It often has Business and First Class award availability (go here and here for details about recent scores).
- Cathay Pacific is a oneworld member, offering redemptions with miles on American, British Airways, Iberia, and the other members.
- It is a points-transfer partner with Amex Rewards.