The Cathay World Elite Mastercard powered by Neo is the only credit card in Canada that directly earns Asia Miles. It also comes with a host of travel benefits.

Here's a rundown of what it offers so that you can decide if it's right for you.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

With this credit card, you'll earn Cathay Pacific Asia Miles on all your purchases. Here's how it shakes out:

• 4 miles per $1 spent on Cathay Pacific flights
• 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases made in foreign currency
• Avg 5 miles per $1 spent at Neo retail partners
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

If you spend $2,000 per month, you're looking at earning around 25,200 Asia Miles per year.

Using your Asia Miles

If you're collecting Asia Miles, you're probably looking at using them for flights. In Canada, Cathay Pacific has scheduled flights to Hong Kong from Toronto and Vancouver.

But you can also use the points for flights on any oneworld alliance carrier. Some of the bigger names include:

• American Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• British Airways
• Qantas
• Qatar Airways

You won’t be able to use your Asia Miles for flights within Canada. While Cathay Pacific has a partnership with Air Canada, you’re only able to use their flights as part of a journey that involves Cathay Pacific.

You can also redeem them for free hotel nights and car rentals. Here is our value for the redemptions:

Learn more: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles program

Pros of the Cathay World Elite Mastercard

The Cathay World Elite Mastercard offers some great benefits that make it a worthy consideration.

1. Cathay Pacific benefits

Airline-branded cards usually include benefits with the associated airline – and the Cathay World Elite Mastercard is no exception. Here's what you'll get.

• Priority online check-in (allowing you to check in 48 hours in advance)
• Extra free baggage allowance where you can redeem Asia Miles for free bags
• Cathay Pacific business lounge redemption access

2. Terrific insurance

The travel insurance included is quite good, with 12 types offered. You can view the full details in the insurance tab above.

3. World Elite Mastercard benefits

All your standard World Elite Mastercard benefits are here. From lounge access with Mastercard Travel Pass (no free passes) to Priceless Cities, these are all included.

4. Secured version available

Have poor credit? You can apply for the secured version of this credit card. The card is the same but you’ll get guaranteed approval with a security deposit of at least $200 to open an account.

5. Solid welcome bonus

The welcome bonus will help you get closer to that next trip you’ve been craving. You can earn up to 60,000 bonus Asia Miles.

3 things to consider with the Cathay World Elite Mastercard

There are a few important things to keep in mind with the Cathay World Elite Mastercard

1. Limited-use rewards program

Asia Miles have some limited use for Canadians. For starters, you won't be able to use them on any flights within Canada – your itinerary must include a Cathay Pacific flight. Cathay Pacific only flies into 2 Canadian cities – Toronto and Vancouver – while oneworld carriers fly into a select few others.

On top of that, we've found rewards flight availability notoriously difficult to find through Asia Miles on flights departing Canada.

2. High annual fee

The annual fee for this World Elite Mastercard is a little higher than usual at $180. Most World Elite Mastercards fall within the $120 to $150 range.

3. High annual income requirements

This is typical of all World Elite Mastercards, but you'll face high income requirements of $80,000 personal or $150,000 household to qualify. The secured version of the card is no exception.

Other credit cards to earn Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Other credit cards can also earn you Asia Miles. You can convert points earned with an RBC Avion card 1:1 to Asia Miles, and Amex Membership Rewards convert at a 4:3 ratio.

While you'll give up the Cathay Pacific benefits with these cards, you’ll receive more rewards flexibility in exchange. You can use them for any travel – plus they have other airline transfer partners.

Here is the comparison between the leading cards from each program – the RBC Avion Visa Infinite and the American Express Cobalt Card.

	Cathay World Elite Mastercard	RBC Avion Visa Infinite	American Express Cobalt Card
Welcome bonus	Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms)	$100 GeniusCash + 55,000 bonus points (terms)	Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms)
Earn rates	* 4 miles per $1 spent on Cathay Pacific flights * 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases made in foreign currency * Avg 5 miles per $1 spent at Neo retail partners * 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases	* 1.25 points per $1 spent on travel * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases	* 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants * 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services * 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Asia Miles earned per year	25,200	24,300	40,500
Other airline transfer partners (transfer ratio)	None	* WestJet (100:1) * British Airways (1:1) * American Airlines (10:7)	* Air Canada (1:1) * British Airways (1:1) * Delta (4:3) * Air France/KLM (4:3) * Etihad (4:3)
Insurance included	12 types	12 types	10 types
Annual fee	$180	$120	$155.88
Income requirements	* $80,000 personal * $150,000 household	* $60,000 personal * $100,000 household	None

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FAQ

What can you use Asia Miles for?

You can use Asia Miles for flights on Cathay Pacific and other oneworld alliance partners, as well as towards hotels and car rentals.

What benefits does the Cathay World Elite Mastercard include?

The Cathay World Elite Mastercard benefits include priority online check-in, extra baggage, and World Elite Mastercard benefits.

Is the Cathay World Elite Mastercard the only credit card in Canada that earns Asia Miles?

The Cathay World Elite Mastercard is the only card that earns Asia miles directly. But if you have an Amex Membership Rewards card or an RBC Avion Visa you can transfer your points to Asia Miles.