The card favored by frequent flyers to Hong Kong and China

MANILA, Philippines - Choosing the best from among the five airline co-brand credit cards available in the Philippine market would most likely be a subjective decision. One’s choice of card is usually determined by needs, preferences, and loyalties, according to credit card industry studies.

The Cathay Pacific American Express Credit Cards, for instance, are favored by frequent travelers to Hong Kong, China, and the rest of the Asian region. With an earn rate per Asia Mile of P42 for the Standard credit card and P38 on the Elite credit card, they represent the faster way to earn miles and redeem for air tickets as well as other lifestyle rewards from Asia Miles, the travel reward program managed by Cathay Pacific.

For executives who often travel on business, Asia Miles allows easy redemption of air tickets from Cathay Pacific Airways, its sister company Dragonair and 18 other airline partners. Put altogether, Asia Miles airline partners entitle the executive doing business in Hong Kong and China to countless flight options. Moreover, Asia Miles is not just limited to Asia; it can take the frequent traveler to any major travel destination in the world such as New York or Paris. 

The good reviews of the Asia Miles program were key reasons that American Express launched a card co-branded with Cathay Pacific Airways, according to Ma. Nannette R. Regala, first vice president of BDO. The bank is the sole issuer of American Express Credit Cards in the Philippines.

In the Asia-Pacific region, frequent flyers who represent the readers of Business Traveller magazine selected Asia Miles for five years in a row as the best frequent flyer program. Business Traveller, which has 10 editions worldwide, is the leading magazine for executives who often travel and seek airline industry news and offers.

In addition, travelers have given high marks to Cathay Pacific Airways’ exceptional in-flight service and entertainment amenities, as well as online check-in and even mobile check-in through web-enabled mobile phones. 

“Both Cathay Pacific Airways and Asia Miles meet the lifestyle needs of our affluent card members who love to travel,” Regala explained. Cathay Pacific American Express Credit Card users also appreciate that all their spending on the cards are automatically transferred to Asia Miles, making it easier for them to redeem rewards. In contrast, some cards require card members to transfer their miles in blocks, which is very inconvenient and does not ensure that every peso spent can be converted into miles.

Better yet, card members enjoy complimentary green tier membership to Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club, which means they enjoy priority check-in and boarding privileges. “Altogether, the perks offered by the Cathay Pacific American Express Card are unmatched,” notes Regala.

Given the array of perks and benefits being offered to them to win their loyalty and patronage, airline credit card users are also comparing the privileges that come with each card. Targeting travelers, all cards issued by American Express are differentiated by the Selects program, which entitles users to enjoy more than 5,000 privileges and special offers globally. In the Philippines alone, American Express card members enjoy savings and perks from 41 hotel partners, 52 retail merchants, 142 dining outlets, and 25 wellness merchants in the Selects program.

For more information on Cathay Pacific American Express Credit Cards, call the 24-Hour Customer Service Hotline at 81-417.