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Amex Will Cut Transfers to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles to 5:4 Starting March 1, 2026

The move signals a broader shift toward less favorable bank-to-airline point conversions.

Overview

  • American Express confirmed that Membership Rewards transfers to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles will move from 1:1 to 1,000:800 effective March 1, 2026.
  • Thrifty Traveler estimates common awards will require more Amex points, such as LAXHKG business class rising from 88,000 to 110,000 and British Airways business to London from 63,000 to 79,000.
  • Other programs—Bilt, Capital One, Citi, and Rove—still show 1:1 transfers to Asia Miles, and Bilt says it has no plans to change its 1:1 ratios.
  • This follows recent changes tied to Emirates, with Amex and Citi cutting transfer ratios, Capital One announcing a reduction, and Chase removing Emirates as a transfer partner.
  • The front-end ratio cut makes the same airline awards effectively costlier in bank points even if mileage pricing at the airline remains unchanged.