Cathay Pacific’s New Credit Card Promises Big Rewards For U.S. Frequent Flyers

Published on April 4, 2025

Cathay Pacific’s U.S. credit card program is entering a new chapter. Previously issued by Synchrony Bank, the Cathay Pacific Visa® Credit Card stopped accepting applications toward the end of 2024, signaling a shift in the airline’s co-branded credit card strategy.

While rumors had circulated that a revamped product was on the way in 2025, official details were kept under tight wraps—until now. Cathay Pacific has confirmed plans to unveil a new credit card specifically for the U.S. market “soon,” marking the return of its co-branded offering in collaboration with Synchrony.

The upcoming card will be known as the Cathay World Elite Mastercard®, and it’s designed to reward everyday spending with Asia Miles and additional perks tailored to frequent travelers. However, an exact launch date has not yet been made public.

Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming Cathay World Elite Mastercard and how it aims to benefit U.S.-based customers looking to earn more miles and travel privileges.

The upcoming Cathay World Elite Mastercard® is expected to carry an annual fee of $99 and will offer a tiered rewards structure to help cardholders accumulate miles faster. Travelers can earn:

• 3x miles on qualifying purchases made with Cathay Pacific or Hong Kong Express, including in-flight transactions
• 2x miles when spending on restaurants and approved food delivery platforms
• 1x mile per dollar spent on all other purchases globally where Mastercard is accepted

In addition to earning miles, the card provides an opportunity to climb the elite status ladder. Cardholders will earn 10 Status Points for every $5,000 in qualifying monthly spending, with a yearly cap of 100 Status Points.

Enhanced Travel Perks with the Revamped Cathay Pacific U.S. Credit Card

The new version of Cathay Pacific’s U.S. co-branded credit card will offer a range of travel-focused perks tailored to frequent flyers with the airline. Cardholders can look forward to priority boarding on Cathay Pacific flights, enjoy a 10% savings on Asia Miles gift miles and mileage transfer fees, and take advantage of zero foreign transaction charges. Additionally, miles earned can be redeemed for access to Cathay Pacific’s signature business class lounges—known for their comfort and premium service.

As an added bonus, cardholders will receive a 15% discount on airfare to Asia and other destinations. This promotional offer will be available from the launch date until December 31, 2025, and can be redeemed using the promo code CXSYF15OFF.

What We Know About the Card’s Release

As of now, Cathay Pacific has not shared details about a potential welcome bonus for new applicants. It remains to be seen whether the launch will include an incentive offer to help justify the annual fee and draw interest from U.S. consumers. The official application opening date is also yet to be announced. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.

Closing Thoughts

While the official release date for the Cathay World Elite Mastercard® remains unannounced—and there’s no word yet on whether a compelling sign-up bonus will be offered—it’s evident that this card is crafted with devoted Cathay Pacific flyers in mind, particularly those based in the U.S.

However, for many frequent travelers who value flexibility and broader redemption options, a general travel rewards card may offer more overall value than a co-branded airline option tied to a single carrier.