Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles reliability program has recently declared a significant degrading — yet is basically giving a lot of notice to individuals.

The following changes will apply to reservations made on or after October 1 for Hong Kong-bound flights from the West Coast of the United States:

Economy: 27,000 miles (a diminishing of 3,000 miles)
Premium economy: Business class: 50,000 miles (an increase of 5,000 miles). First class: 85,000 miles (an increase of 14,000 miles). Prices for one-way flights between the East Coast of the United States and Hong Kong’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago will increase by 15,000 miles, or 125,000 miles, each way:

Economy: 38,000 miles, or a 4,000-mile decrease Premium economy: 75,000 miles (an increment of 15,000 miles)
Business class: 110,000 miles, or a 35,000-mile increase in first class: 160,000 miles (an increase of 35,000 miles) The fact that economy-class redemption rates are slightly decreasing and premium-cabin rates are not increasing much from the West Coast is a real improvement. However, if you intend to fly Cathay Pacific’s business- or first-class products with Asia Miles from the East Coast, the devaluation is significant.

Bookings made after October will also see price adjustments for flights operated by One world partner airlines like American Airlines, British Airways, and Alaska Airlines.

Taking a look at some popular routes that partner airlines fly:

Miami International Airport (MIA) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS): New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR): 35,000 miles in economy (an increase of 5,000 miles) or 85,000 miles in first class (an increase of 5,000 miles) San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT): 45,000 miles in economy (an increase of 10,000 miles), 80,000 miles in business class (an increase of 10,000 miles), or 110,000 miles in first class (an increase of 15,000 miles).

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Sydney Airport (SYD): 63,000 miles in economy (up 3,000 miles), 100,000 miles in business class (up 10,000 miles), or 150,000 miles in first class (up 10,000 miles). Flights booked before October 1 can be confirmed at the existing rates and will not be subject to the new pricing, even if the ticket is changed after this date. Flights booked before October 1 can be confirmed at the existing rates and will not be subject to the new pricing.

Asia Miles said that the choice was made as part of a “holistic review of the program that is based on the current market situation and the competitiveness of our offerings.”

It is important to note that Cathay Pacific currently offers very few award availability to its own members and those of its partner programs due to the high demand for Asia. As a result, this devaluation may have little effect on the majority of travellers in the short term.

However, partner inventory does not experience the same increase, which is disappointing considering how simple it is to earn Asia Miles through transferable points programs. Additionally, it joins United MileagePlus, Etihad Guest, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Alaska Mileage Plan in raising award prices so far in 2023 (once in May and again in June).

The good news is that Asia Miles is giving ample notice of the changes, despite the fact that devaluations are an unpleasant fact of the world of points and miles. Regardless of your travel dates, the current redemption rates will apply to any bookings made before September 30.

This allows you a while to book any Asia Miles recoveries you might have been putting something aside for, so don’t stand by to book.