News

Cathay eyes loyalty programmes revamp

14 Jan 2015 by GrahamSmith

Cathay Pacific is reportedly looking to revamp its two loyalty programmes, the Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles.

According to the South China Morning Post, sources from the airline suggest the proposed changes will include implementing a revenue-based accrual system for the Marco Polo Club that favours big spenders and premium cabin travellers over discounted-economy flyers.

Proposed service model of Marco Polo Club will reward big spenders

The current model allows Marco Polo Club cardholders to earn club miles and sectors by flying on Cathay Pacific, its sister airline Dragonair, fellow Oneworld carriers, and other airline partners.

While discounted fares accrue fewer miles than flexible fares, any points or sectors earned (regardless of travel class) still contribute to a Marco Polo member's tier status.

There are currently five tiers in the Marco Polo Club — Green, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Diamond Plus — each offering an increased number of frequent flyer benefits.

While many have complimented the Cathay Pacific loyalty programme for offering a healthy number of attractive benefits even for its silver tier status — for example, use of the airline's business class lounges (when booked on flights marketed and/or operated by Cathay Pacific or Dragonair), priority check-in, extra baggage allowance etc — this has also alienated premium customers that travel frequently and pay more for their flights.

Details have yet to be confirmed, but it is believed that the proposed new system would bear strong resemblance to the PPS Club offering by fellow Asian carrier Singapore Airlines.

Known as Priority Passenger Service, the unique tier status is awarded to passengers who have accumulated a total of SG$25,000 worth of PPS Value within a single year.

PPS Value is earned solely through flying in SIA's premium cabins — suites, first class and business class, as well as business class on Silk Air, the airline's regional carrier. Mileage earned from flying SIA's fellow Star Alliance members, or its airline partners, do not contribute to PPS Value.

Existing club miles & sectors accrual rates

Marco Polo Club existing tier benefits

In the same way, Marco Polo Club is expected to introduce restrictions on how its members earn points toward their tier status.

Tier points will only be awarded to travellers who pay for premium seats, or buy the most expensive economy fares available. In addition, this would only apply to flights on Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, and not on other Oneworld carriers, or partner airlines.

Meanwhile, those who continue purchasing discounted economy fares would instead be directed to a revamped version of Asia Miles.

Under the existing model, Asia Miles is a free-to-join programme that does not feature any of the tier levels the Marco Polo Club has in place — meaning that regardless of the number of miles one earns, one does not qualify for any frequent flyer benefits.

The new version would allow customers to pool their air miles earned from economy class travel on Cathay Pacific or Dragonair, as well as points earned from flying other Oneworld carriers. However, the programme perks would be inferior to those extended to the upgraded Marco Polo Club members.

cathaypacific.com

Clement Huang

Loading comments...

Search Flight

See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls