According to recent Amex card statement notifications (as shared by Danny Deal Guru), the transfer ratio from American Express Membership Rewards to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles will be 5:4 (as opposed to the current 1:1) starting March 1, 2025.
This is disappointing. Not because there are no other transfer partners (a check of the MilesTalk transferable point matrix shows Chase, Citi, and Capital One as well as Bilt al remain 1:1 options – for now), but because it’s a bit of a disturbing trend.
One has to assume that Amex and Cathay Pacific renegotiated their contract recently and Cathay upped the cost of the miles. Amex also reduced Emirates to 5:4 recently.’
5:4 transfers are not only worse value (which is obvious) but confusing to keep track of.
Let’s hope we don’t see this evolve as a bigger trend.
Side note: there is a very targeted 15% transfer bonus on now to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles from Amex if you want to get out in front of this, but it’s *very* targeted so login and see if it is there. If you don’t see it, you aren’t targeted.
Thoughts?
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