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The Best NZ Credit Cards for Earning Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

We explain the cards on offer, their fees, interest rates, perks, and how converting points to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles works.
Updated 3 August 2024

​Important: This guide is being relaunched by 10 September 2026 as part of our credit card guide refresh. We are waiting on AMEX to confirm some details. The figures here will be confirmed and the guide is being rewritten to the standard of our relaunched pages - confirm details on the issuer's site before you apply.
Summary
  • The only credit cards that earns Cathay Pacific Asia Miles in New Zealand is the American Express Gold Rewards, earning 2 Membership Rewards Points per NZ$1 spent, and selected BNZ cards. For AMEX, can then convert Membership Rewards Points into Asia Miles at a rate of 2:1 (2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Asia Mile). The estimated transfer time is up to one business day, and the minimum transfer amount is 500 Membership Rewards Points.
  • For the BNZ, 250 BNZ Points = 50 Asia Miles, and there is a minimum transfer of 500 BNZ Points. Two cards earn BNZ points, as outlined on the BNZ website, but the rate of earning is very low. For example, a $100 spent = 100 and 167 BNZ points with the BNZ Advantage Visa Classic and BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum, which translates to 20 and 33.4 Asia Miles. This is 20% to 33% of the points an AMEX card earns for the same spend, which we deemed to be very poor. For this reason, we have not focused on the BNZ cards, but you can review them here.
  • We calculate that both American Express cards effectively earn Asia Miles at a rate of $1 spent = 1 point, given the American Express earning rate ($1 = 2 Amex points) and the conversion rate (2 Amex points = 1 Asia Mile).

What can I get for every $1 I spend on my credit card?
  • With a return Cathay Pacific business class flight from Auckland to Auckland costing 130,000 Asia miles plus around $500 in taxes (other destinations outlined on their reward chart), you'd need to spend $130,000 on the card to earn the reward. Given that the flight cost in cash is around NZ$7,500 including taxes, we calculate the earn rate at around 5.4 cents per $1 spent, which is high and beneficial for cardholders. However, you'll need to spend above-average amounts and want to redeem Cathay Pacific business class tickets to benefit from the value, and there needs to be available seats, something which Cathay Pacific is scaling up as it returns to New Zealand post the pandemic.
  • American Express periodically offers signup bonuses of Membership Rewards Points, which can be automatically converted into Asia Miles, reducing the amount of spend to fund a flight award redemption.
  • With Cathay Pacific flying from Auckland (year-round) and Christchurch (over summer) to 100+ destinations in Asia and Europe, more New Zealanders are looking at Cathay Pacific-related credit cards to boost the miles you'll earn from flying.

In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of having an American Express credit card, the Asia Miles-earning options and must know facts. Our guide covers:
Read this First
  1. Our guide has been written to appeal to anyone looking to earn Asia Miles beyond flying Cathay Pacific, a OneWorld Alliance carrier or a partner airline.
  2. Cardholders earn Membership Rewards points; what you earn depends on how much you spend.
  3. Our guide is informational only and does not constitute financial advice.
  4. As stated above, American Express credit cards are provided directly by American Express. This means cards are not available through banks or finance companies.
  5. Cathay Pacific Asia Miles is one of many partners American Express offers points. You can transfer to any of the partners, as outlined in our review here.

Advertising Disclaimer: We may receive a payment if you sign up for a credit card via MoneyHub - please read our advertising policy for more details. 

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his views about the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Program and Choosing a Miles-Earning Credit Card:

"New Zealand banks have never offered Cathay Pacific Asia Miles credit cards and left American Express to own the space with two credit cards. You'll earn 'Membership Rewards Points' which can be transferred into Asia Miles for free (at a rate of 2:1) on demand. This means 1 NZD spent on a points-earning American Express card = 1 Asia Mile".

"There's a lot to like about Cathay Pacific - its 10+ weekly flights from New Zealand to Hong Kong, extensive North Asian network and European footprint as well as competitive pricing for business class makes it a New Zealand favourite. It's arguable that Cathay Pacific sees New Zealand as a focus region".

"American Express helps bridge the gap by swapping its Membership Rewards points for Asia Miles. However, as with any credit card, all the benefits are lost if you don't pay the balance in full every month".

"Whatever you decide, make sure it's the best for your immediate needs. There's no point getting a card "for later," as you'll either overpay and/or get the wrong rewards. For this reason, we've explained the cards in detail to help your decision-making process. If you are in any doubt about what you can afford, it's likely that the best credit card is "no credit card".
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

American Express Credit Cards - General and Specific Pros and Cons

MoneyHub's Cathay Pacific Asia Miles-Earning American Express Cards - apply in minutes for a credit card that delivers the best value for money based on your needs:

  • Our research highlighted two leading AMEX cards that reliably and consistently reward New Zealanders with Asia Miles and offer many benefits, perks and award-earning opportunities.
  • Please note both cards earn at a rate of 2 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent. You can convert your balance to Cathay Pacific's Asia Miles; 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Asia Mile.
  • For example, if you spend around $4,000 a month on your credit card, you'll earn around 48,000 Asia Miles per year.
  1. Our pick for earning Asia Miles (most popular): The American Express Gold Rewards Card - $200/year fee. You'll also get a $200 statement credit when you apply online, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new card within the first 3 months. New Card Members only.
  2. ​Important: MoneyHub suggests that anyone unable to pay off a monthly credit card balance should look for an alternative source of credit. Most credit cards, with AMEX being no exception, charge interest rates that can make repayments challenging to manage.
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

The Best Asia Miles Earning Credit Cards

Best Card for Diners and Travellers: The American Express Gold Rewards Card

Basics:
​Annual Fee: $200
Reward program: Membership Rewards
Annual percentage interest rate: 19.95% p.a.
Bonus offer: $200 statement credit when you apply online, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Card within the first 3 months. New Card Members only. 
Earn Membership Rewards: The Gold Card earns at a rate of 2 points for every $1 spent. You can use Membership Reward points to pay for travel with American Express directly, or you can convert them to other airline and hotel programs.
Conversion Rate: 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Asia Mile

Read more: AMEX Gold Rewards Card Review

​Benefits include:
  • Two $100 dining credits every year - American Express has a number of dining partners throughout New Zealand. If you visit them and spend over $100 on one bill, you’ll get $100 credited to your statement. The dining credit resets every six months. The participating restaurants are located all over New Zealand, although Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown have the widest choices.
  • Comprehensive domestic and international travel insurance.
  • There is no supplementary card fee.

Learn more or apply

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit cards can earn Asia Miles?

All American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards Points can have the balance converted to Asia Miles.

Is an AMEX card worth the annual fee to earn Asia Miles?

Asia Miles credit cards have value if you can earn a decent number of miles and redeem them for business or first class flights. However, it all depends on how much you spend per year - the more you do, it's likely the greater the rewards relative to the annual fee.
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