Cathay to merge existing loyalty programmes into a unified platform

Cathay will be merging its loyalty programmes Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles next summer, as the airline has launched the Cathay brand that offers a new range of offers in dining, shopping, hotels, and wellness in July. 

In an email to its member, the company said, "In July 2022, a new era of Cathay takes flight. We're bringing together the best of Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles under a single membership. We're changing with it, bringing everything you value, from benefits to rewards, together in the one place. We're making it simpler than ever to discover life-changing flights, meaningful experiences and curated products."

According to the airline's website, Marco Polo Club club points will become Status Points from July 2022. It will become the key to levelling up customers' membership status and accessing more exclusive benefits. In addition to flying, customers can earn Status Points on the ground, a new method to earn points after the revamp. 

Meanwhile, Asia Miles will become the currency that customers to earn and then redeem on a huge range of rewards. The company works with more than 800 lifestyle and travel partners to offer customers a wide variety of experiences, dining and lifestyle offers.

Members of current loyalty programmes do not need to take any action to merge the accounts. Current Asia Miles member will become a Cathay Green member in July 2022 if they are not a a Marco Polo Club member yet. In addition, members' Asia Miles balance will be transferred to Cathay member profile.

The company is also launching more ways to help more members to retain status. For Diamond, Gold, and Silver members, their membership status will be extended until 31 December 2022. In 2022, when they fly with Cathay Pacific, spend with their co-branded credit card, convert Asia Miles from credit card partners, or shop with Cathay, they will be able to enjoy another status extension until 31 December 2023. 

On the other hand, multiple reports including the Hong Kong Free Press said the airline has been facing pilot resignations in recent weeks due to the city's quarantine rules. Some pilots said they knew that their fellow pilots had tendered resignations as they were at their "breaking point". They airline has rolled out "closed loop" flights and crew chose to spend some five weeks in a plane-to-hotel bubble followed by two weeks at home.

Hong Kong has closed its border and foreigners coming to Hong Kong need to spend up to three weeks to quarantine themselves at a hotel. 

In November, crew members who stayed in Frankfurt was quarantined in a government facility for 21 days after three pilots on cargo flights from the German city tested positive. Later, the airline said it had fired the individuals involved for a serious breach during their layover. The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association said the incident led to more than 200 Cathay pilots and crew members quarantined at a government-run camp near Hong Kong Disneyland where people must remain locked in small rooms. 

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