Flying with Cathay Pacific (CX) as a British Airways Executive Club member offers a great opportunity to earn both Avios and Tier Points. This guide will help you understand exactly how many Avios and Tier Points you can collect, whether you are looking to buy a ticket or already have one.
Earning Avios on Cathay Pacific Flights
The amount of Avios you earn depends on the cabin class of your ticket and your fare type. Here’s how it breaks down:
Avios Earned as a Percentage of Miles Flown
From 1 November 2023, the Avios you earn on Cathay Pacific flights are based on the following percentages:
- Economy Lowest (K, L, M, N, Q, S, V): 25% of miles flown
- Economy Low (Y, B, H): 100% of miles flown
- Premium Economy Lowest (R, E): 100% of miles flown
- Premium Economy Flexible (W): 110% of miles flown
- Business (J, C, D, I, P): 125% of miles flown
- First (F, A): 150% of miles flown
Note: The minimum Avios you can earn on a flight is 500, though this may vary with discount economy fares.
Example Calculation
If you fly 2,000 miles in business class (J, C, D, I, P), you will earn:
2,000 miles * 125% = 2,500 Avios
If you fly 2,000 miles in the lowest economy class (K, L, M, N, Q, S, V), you will earn:
2,000 miles * 25% = 500 Avios
To find out the distance of your flight, you can use the Great Circle Mapper tool. This tool allows you to enter your departure and destination airports to calculate the flight distance.
Collecting Tier Points on Cathay Pacific Flights
The number of Tier Points you earn varies based on the fare class. For an exact calculation, you can use the British Airways Flight Calculator.
Tier Points Earned by Cabin Class
- Economy (Discounted): Typically fewer Tier Points, varies by fare
- Economy (Flexible): Standard allocation
- Premium Economy (Lowest and Flexible): Higher allocation than standard economy
- Business: Higher allocation reflecting the premium cabin
- First: Maximum Tier Points allocation
The British Airways 2,000-Mile Rule
British Airways has a 2,000-mile rule where flights under 2,000 miles earn different Tier Points compared to those over 2,000 miles, with a few exceptions. For instance, short-haul flights typically earn fewer Tier Points than long-haul flights, even in the same cabin class.
Important Note on Avios Tier Bonuses
When flying with Cathay Pacific, you will not receive an Avios tier bonus based on your British Airways Executive Club status. This means that Bronze, Silver, and Gold members will not receive anything extra on top of the mileage percentages quoted above. It’s a key detail to consider when planning your travels and maximizing your Avios collection.
Summary
Whether you’re planning to buy a ticket or already have one, understanding the Avios and Tier Points you can earn on Cathay Pacific flights helps you make informed decisions. Check your ticket class and use the British Airways Flight Calculator to determine the exact earnings. Happy flying!
