Cathay Pacific overhauls Marco Polo Club

Oneworld alliance member and Qantas partner, Cathay Pacific, will make a number of alterations to its Marco Polo Club, including free upgrades for both Gold and Diamond members, and the opportunity to earn points in economy class. A Cathay Pacific statement reads, “Travelling well means understanding your needs. That’s why we’ve retained all popular benefits of the club, such as unlimited lounge access for Silver members and above, priority bookings and check-in. We also retained Guaranteed Seat Reservation for Gold and Diamond members, but with adjustments to the fare classes available.”

Cathay Pacific first class

Club Points replace Club Miles, Club Sectors

‘Club Points’ will become the currency in the Marco Polo Club, replacing both ‘Club Miles’ and ‘Club Sectors’. According to Cathay Pacific, with the new points-based system, “members will be able to earn faster in premium classes, and with more eligible fare classes on Cathay Pacific and Dragonair than before.” Members can continue to earn and redeem Asia Miles as they can today. The number of Club Points you earn depends on the airline you travel with, class, fare type, and the distance of your flight. The new Marco Polo system awards more points to those travelling with Cathay Pacific and Dragonair than Oneworld partner airlines.

Free upgrades for Gold and Diamond members

As a Gold member, earning 1,000 club points rewards you with four free one-way upgrades each year on ‘ultra-short’ to ‘medium’ Cathay Pacific and Dragonair flights. Diamond members will also receive four yearly one-way upgrades on Cathay Pacific/Dragonair services, valid to any destination. Each upgrade is valid to the next-highest cabin class – economy to premium economy (or economy to business class where premium economy isn’t offered), premium economy to business class or business class to first class.

Cathay Pacific business class

Extra Lounge Passes can be earned across all tiers

After accruing 200 Club Points, Green members, who also enjoy priority check-in and boarding, will get a one-off Cathay Pacific lounge pass to any Cathay Pacific, Dragonair or eligible partner Business Class lounge. Silver members will continue to enjoy unlimited Business Class lounge access when flying with Cathay Pacific or Dragonair, and can also earn two lounge passes for their travel companion to any Cathay Pacific, Dragonair or eligible partner Business Class lounge after reaching 450 club points. Gold members can earn two more business class lounge passes for travel companions when they get 800 Club Points, while Diamond members are awarded two first class passes of their own at 1,400 Club Points.

Earn more Club Points in Economy

Members can now earn points in economy class with the cheaper S, N and Q fare types. This was not previously the case.

Marco Polo Club joining fee increases

The joining fee for the Marco Polo Club will increase to US$100 annually, compared to the previous one-off US$50 fee.

Cathay Pacific lounge

Additional benefits

•       Additional Gold companion card for Diamond members •       “Membership Holidays” enabling members to retain their status for one year •       Lower qualifying age for young members, down from 18 to 12 Overall, it would seem that Cathay Pacific is attempting to save money by making it harder to qualify to become a top-level flier, while incentivising benefits for premium travellers. A number of tools, including a club points calculator, have been developed to help members understand the changes, available on Cathay Pacific’s website.