American Express and Cathay Pacific launch Co-Branded Credit Cards in Asia Pacific

American Express and Cathay Pacific have formed a strategic partnership to launch premium co-branded credit cards in Asia Pacific - the American Express Cathay Pacific Elite Credit Card and the American Express Cathay Pacific Credit Card. The two new cards, which will carry an array of rewards and special offers, are being launched initially in Hong Kong and Taiwan, with plans underway for other Asian markets.

The American Express Cathay Pacific Elite Credit Card and the American Express Cathay Pacific Credit Card are tailor-made for travelers, The Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles members. The co-branded credit cards offer them a faster way to earn flight awards and a wide array of lifestyle awards with all spending on the card automatically transferred into Asia Miles while enjoying an array of exclusive privileges and world class services.

“American Express Hong Kong starts a new chapter today by becoming the only Hong Kong co-brand card partner of Cathay Pacific, one of the world’s leading airlines and home carrier of Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific is a long-time business partner of American Express and we are pleased to take our partnership to new heights through this strategic card alliance,” said Mr. Yat-chung Koh, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Greater China and Southeast Asia, American Express International, Inc.

Dominic Purvis, General Manager Cathay Pacific Loyalty Programmes, added, “We have long recognised that our frequent travelers need a credit card that offers them attractive opportunities to earn miles as well as supporting them when they travel. We have worked hard with American Express to create a card which brings Cardmembers Marco Polo Club membership, free auto mileage conversion, worldwide lounge access through Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounge, bonus Asia Miles as well as discounted fees for various Cathay Pacific and Asia Miles services.”

The new co-branded credits cards allow Cardmembers to automatically transfer their card spending into Asia Miles and earn exclusive bonus Asia Miles when spending on Cathay Pacific services, helping them redeem flight awards faster and easier.

Asia Miles can be earned in a number of ways exclusive to the Basic Card member of the new credit cards:

- One Asia Mile for every HK$8 in local spend
- Two Asia Miles for every HK$8 in overseas spend (for American Express Cathay Pacific Elite Credit Card) 
- Two Asia Miles for every HK$5 spent on Cathay Pacific inflight sales purchases (with a minimum net purchase of HK$500) 
- Double Asia Miles for booking Cathay Pacific flights online at cathaypacific.com 
- Extra 1,000 Asia Miles for booking a ‘Discover the Difference Selection’ package from Cathay Pacific Holidays 
- Earn up to 68,000 Asia Miles in the first four months: 
- Double Asia Miles earn rate 
- Take Off Bonus of 1,000 Asia Miles for Marco Polo Club members or online applications made before August 16, 2008 
- Supplementary Card Bonus of up to 1,000 Asia Miles when applying for 2 fee-free supplementary cards at the same time as the Basic Cardmember 
- Activation Bonus of 6,000 Asia Miles for first purchase (for American Express Cathay Pacific Elite Credit Card with a minimum card spending of HK$100)

The new co-branded credit cards will offer the recognition and privileges that come with American Express Card membership, as well as a wide range of exclusive benefits including:

- Complimentary Green tier membership to The Marco Polo Club for the Basic Cardmember
- Free membership to Priority Pass for Basic Cardmember providing unlimited access to over 500 VIP airport lounges worldwide, and unlimited access of Plaza Premium Lounge for both Basic and Supplementary Cardmembers (for American Express Cathay Pacific Elite Credit Card) 
- Exclusive 10% discount for Basic Cardmember on the purchase of Asia Miles Gift Miles, Mileage Renewal fee, and Mileage Transfer fee when conducting the transactions online through asiamiles.com 
- No Worries Guarantee bringing greater shopping satisfaction and security to Cardmembers 
- Concierge service providing restaurant referrals & reservations, flower delivery, and information on events and shows 
- Travel Accident Insurance with coverage up to HK$3.5 million 
- Travel Inconvenience Protection with coverage up to HK$10,000 per year

Three Million Asia Miles Lucky Draw

From now until 31 December 2008, every time Cardmembers spend with their American Express Cathay Pacific Elite Credit Card or American Express Cathay Pacific Credit Card, their names will be entered into the “3 Million Asia Miles Lucky Draw” with a grand prize of 1,000,000 Asia Miles, which is enough for 4 First-Class round-trip tickets to New York or 8 First-Class round-trip tickets to Sydney.

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