Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Card
- Annual fee
- $95
- Recommended credit
- Excellent / Good
- Card network
- Visa
- Regular purchase APR
- 21.99% or 24.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate.
At a glance
The Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Credit Card is a solid airline rewards card for the frequent traveler to Asia. The card benefits from a good miles-earning rate (double miles for purchases with Cathay, 1.5X miles when dining out or using the card internationally, and single miles everywhere else), as well as no foreign transaction fees, and Elite membership status for one year – good for lounge access worldwide.
Our review of the Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Card
Maximizing rewards in the Asia Miles frequent flyer program with the Cathay Pacific Visa Signature® Card from Synchrony is a breeze. The airline rewards credit card benefits from double miles on Cathay Pacific flights, priority boarding, and check-in, no foreign transaction fees, and more for a $95 annual fee.
Bonus Miles Welcome Offer
New cardholders earn 35,000 Asia Miles (Cathay’s frequent flyer program) when they make at least $3,000 in purchases with the card in the first 90 days (three months) from account opening. Asia Miles is one of the more valuable award currencies, meaning this welcome offer has a cash value of around $400 when applied towards fares, incidentals, and other costs with Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon.
How to Earn Miles
The Cathay Pacific Visa Signature doesn’t offer the most lucrative of rewards for its $95 annual fee. Still, the bonus rates with the card are sure to please frequent flyers who prefer Cathay Pacific:
- 2X Asia Miles per $1 spent on eligible Cathay Pacific travel and in-flight purchases.
- 5X Asia Miles per $1 spent on dining in the U.S. or abroad
- 5X Asia Miles per $1 spent on purchases outside of the U.S.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles expire after 36 months (or three years). What’s frustrating about this policy is that you cannot keep miles active by making a qualifying purchase. With Cathay, your miles expire after three years – that’s it.
International Airline Card Comparison
Not sure which international credit card is right for you? Here is a side-by-side comparison of the Cathay Pacific credit card and another competitor:
| China Airlines Blue Mastercard | China Airlines Gold Mastercard | Cathay Pacific Visa Signature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | None | $59 | $95 |
| Rewards | 1X miles on China Airlines purchases; 1X miles per $2 spent everywhere else | 2x miles on China Airlines purchases; 1X miles everywhere else | 2X miles on Cathay Pacific purchases; 1.5X miles on US dining and international purchases; 1X miles everywhere else |
| Alliance | SkyTeam | SkyTeam | Oneworld |
How to Redeem Asia Miles
Asia Miles earned with the Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Credit Card are redeemable for flights with Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon and travel with other Oneworld airline alliance partners. Miles are also applicable towards bookings with hotels and rental car companies, as well as for merchandise from select retailers or as gift cards.
Asia Miles transfer to an impressive number of codeshare partners. Cathay Pacific Asia Miles is part of the Oneworld alliance. Oneworld is one of the three big airline alliances, with Cathay Pacific joining 13 other global carriers. Cathay Asia Miles also partners with another dozen airlines outside the Oneworld alliance.
Cathay Pacific Perks
The Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Credit Card is a very good airline card for anyone who plans to really use their card for travel. The card provides a wealth of Cathay Pacific benefits for cardholders, starting with priority boarding. The primary cardholder enjoys the same boarding line as Premium Economy class passengers on flights operated by Cathay Pacific, meaning you can access your seats ahead of non-members. Even better, that priority access also applies to check-in, with the primary account (and anyone on the same reservation) enjoying this benefit.
Other noteworthy travel features with the Cathay Pacific Visa includes:
- 10% redemption discount on hotel, car rental, and experiences awards with Asia Miles
- 10% savings on Asia Miles Gift Miles, Mileage Renewals, and Mileage Transfer Fee transactions
- No foreign transaction fees
Visa Signature Benefits
Cardholders also enjoy enhanced security courtesy of EMV chip technology and Visa. You’ll enjoy additional security at checkout thanks to EMV chip technology. This feature also lets the Cathay Pacific Card synch with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay mobile wallets. You’ll also enjoy enhanced benefits courtesy of Visa Signature:
- Zero Fraud Liability
- Cardholder Inquiry Services
- Emergency Card Replacement
- Luxury Hotel Collection
- Extended Warranty Coverage
- Roadside Dispatch
- Lost/Stolen Card Reporting
- ID Navigator from Norton
- Travel & Emergency Assistance
Should You Apply for the Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Card?
The Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Card is a quality airline rewards card for those who plan to use their card to book flights with Cathay Pacific regularly. While earning 2x miles on flights and 1.5x on dining is great; the card is hindered by its $95 annual fee. If you frequently travel with Cathay or another Oneworld partner, this may be the card for you. For everyone else, there may be better value elsewhere.
Card features
Benefits as listed on the original card page. They can change; confirm details with the issuer.
- Earn 35,000 bonus Asia Miles when you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days
- Earn 2 Asia Miles per $1 spent on eligible Cathay Pacific travel and in-flight purchases.
- Earn 1.5 Asia Miles per $1 spent on dining in the U.S. or abroad
- Earn 1.5 Asia Miles per $1 spent on purchases outside of the U.S.
Who this card may suit
- You frequently fly with Cathay Pacific or another Oneworld airline
- You like the idea of earning 1.5X miles when using your credit card abroad
- You want complimentary lounge access for a year
Rates, fees and terms
| Annual Fee | $95 |
|---|---|
| Regular Purchase APR | 21.99% or 24.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate. |
| Cash Advance APR | 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate |
| Cash Advance Transaction Fee | Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater |
| Late Payment Penalty Fee | Up to $41 |
| Return Payment Penalty Fee | $30 |
Confirm before you apply: rates, fees and offers change often. The figures above are the ones listed on the original card page, not a current quote from the issuer. APRs are typically variable, and the rate you receive depends on your creditworthiness. Recommended credit: Excellent Credit Good Credit.
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Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Card
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