How to Buy Asia Miles in Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Have you been saving your points and frequent flyer miles for a while? Are you still short on points? Many Canadians run into this problem while attempting to tap into international airline programs. To meet your mile goals, you can always purchase additional points. If you are looking to travel in Asia, you may want to use Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, for example. 

At first, it might seem complicated, but don’t worry – buying Asia Miles from Canada is not only possible, but also a wise move, if done correctly. 

In this guide, you will discover how Canadians can buy Asia Miles, when it is a smart idea  to do so, and how to get the best value for your money.

What Are Asia Miles?

Before we dive into the buying process, let’s briefly break down Asia Miles, Cathay’s point system. Let's begin by answering the question, “What exactly is the Cathay Pacific frequent flyer program?” 

As part of the Oneworld alliance, Cathay allows you to earn Asia Miles then redeem those miles for flights not just from the airline itself but also with its partners like American Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways, and Japan Airlines. This flexibility makes Asia Miles valuable for Canadians who frequently travel to Asia, the Middle East, or Europe. Additionally, Asia Miles can even be a solid option for those who fly on domestic routes operated by Cathay’s partners.

Can You Buy Asia Miles in Canada?

Yes — Canadians absolutely can buy Asia Miles! In fact, anyone with a Cathay membership account can purchase Asia Miles directly through the airline’s website, no matter their location.

Cathay Pacific allows members to buy Asia Miles in bulk to top up their accounts for upcoming redemptions. The best part? Everything is completed online, making the process simple and accessible for Canadian residents.

How to Buy Asia Miles Step-by-Step

Let’s examine exactly how you can buy Cathay Pacific miles in Canada.

To make this type of purchase, you’ll want to follow these steps:

1. Join Cathay Pacific’s loyalty program
   If you haven’t already, create a free Cathay membership account via the airline’s website. It only takes a few minutes.
2. Log in
   After you join the loyalty program, you will be able to log in to your account. Under the Membership section, click “Manage Miles.” Here, you will be able to choose either “Gift Asia Miles” or “Top up Asia Miles.”
3. Choose your purchase amount
   You can select how many miles you want to buy; however, you must already have 70% of the miles you need for your award.
4. Complete payment
   Enter your payment details — typically a credit card. Please note that purchases are made in U.S. dollars. Therefore, Canadians should factor in foreign exchange rates and possible credit card foreign transaction fees.

How Much Do Asia Miles Cost?

In this section, let’s explore the Asia Miles price per mile. 

For top-ups, Cathay typically sells Asia Miles in blocks of 2,000 miles for a price of $60 USD each. This equates to a cost of $0.03 USD per mile (or approximately $0.04 CAD per mile, depending on the exchange rate). Of course, this price excludes any relevant taxes and processing fees.

Airlines – including Cathay Pacific – occasionally run promotional sales on buying loyalty miles. If you're interested in purchasing Asia Miles, check Cathay’s website for their latest promotions. You can also sign up for their newsletter to stay informed about upcoming sales and special offers. At times, you may be able to find a promotion that earns you up to 30% more miles for the same price.

Important note for Canadians: Because Cathay prices miles in U.S. dollars, your final charge may vary based on your credit card’s exchange rate and any foreign transaction fees (typically 2.5% for most Canadian-issued cards). To minimize these costs, consider using a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card to make your purchase.

Is Buying Asia Miles Worth It?

Debating whether or not you should buy points and miles can be tricky. The value of purchasing Asia Miles depends entirely on how you plan to use them.

The best time to buy Asia Miles is when:

• You’re short a few thousand miles for a high-value redemption
• You want to book premium cabin seats (business or first class), where Asia Miles offers significant savings compared to paying cash
• There’s a limited-time sale offering bonus miles
• Award flights are readily available, and you're looking to lock in a redemption before the availability changes

Purchasing Asia Miles may not be worth it when:

• Booking short-haul economy flights where cash prices are already reasonable
• Randomly buying miles with no immediate redemption plan
• You are unfamiliar with Cathay Pacific and Oneworld redemption charts

Alternatives to Buying Asia Miles in Canada

If you want to collect Asia Miles, purchasing them is not your only option. You can earn these miles in different ways – and sometimes, at a much better value!

Here are some alternative options to earn Asia Miles in Canada:

1. Earn Asia Miles with a Canadian credit card

One of the simplest ways for Canadians to earn Asia Miles is by using a Cathay Pacific credit card. Take the Neo Cathay World Elite® Mastercard®, for example – it offers up to 60,000 miles as a welcome bonus. The card also allows you to earn additional Asia Miles on your everyday spending.

Currently, the Neo Cathay World Elite Mastercard is the only Canadian credit card that lets you accumulate Asia Miles directly.

2. Transfer from Canadian credit cards

Canadians can also earn points with certain credit cards and then transfer points to Asia Miles. For example, American Express Membership Rewards points in Canada allow transfers to Asia Miles at a 1:0.75 ratio.

Check out our points calculator to compare other credit cards and find one with flexible point transfers.

3. Hotel loyalty program transfers

Programs like Marriott Bonvoy let you convert hotel points into Asia Miles. The transfer ratio typically sits at 3:1, but it's best to monitor their website, as they occasionally offer bonuses.

4. Earn Asia Miles by flying

You can earn Asia Miles by booking flights directly with Cathay Pacific (or Oneworld partners). The critical step here is to remember to credit your miles to your Cathay account.

5. Partner Promotions

Cathay Pacific partners with car rental agencies, hotel chains, and retail outlets. By using these partners, you can accumulate Asia Miles through your daily spending.

How to Save When Buying Asia Miles

Cathay Pacific frequently offers Asia Miles bonus sales – so keep an eye out! During these promotions, you may receive:

• Up to 30% bonus miles
• Lower price-per-mile costs
• Exclusive elite member offers

For Canadians, these sales are especially valuable because they can help offset currency exchange losses and foreign transaction fees.

Pro tip: Sign up for the Cathay Pacific newsletter to stay informed about upcoming sales and special offers.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Tips

While buying Asia Miles can be a great way to expand your travel opportunities, it’s essential to keep a few things in mind:

• The expiration policy. From January 2020 Asia Miles’ expiry policy now operates on an 18-month activity-based system. Your miles stay active as long as you either earn or use at least one mile within an 18-month period.
• Foreign transaction fees. Consider using a credit card with no foreign exchange fees to minimize your total cost when buying miles in USD.
• Remember, don’t purchase without a plan! Avoid buying miles without a specific redemption in mind. Award availability can change at any time, and leaving miles unused is less than ideal.
• Do your (redemption) research! Always check award availability before buying miles to ensure your desired trip is eligible.

Conclusion

Buying Asia Miles in Canada is entirely possible. At times, it can also be a smart way to top up your balance for a dream vacation! As long as you understand the costs, watch for promotions, and have a clear redemption plan in place, buying Asia Miles can lead to some incredible travel experiences. Whether you're aiming for a first-class seat to Hong Kong or looking to redeem for partner flights, Asia Miles remains one of the most flexible loyalty programs for Canadian travellers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you buy Asia Miles in CAD?

No. Cathay Pacific charges everyone (including Canadians) in USD when they buy Asia Miles. You’ll want to factor in exchange rates and foreign transaction fees when making a purchase.

How quickly do purchased miles post to my account?

Usually, it takes 1-2 business days for Asia Miles to appear in your account. Occasionally, though, it may take up to one week, especially during busy sales periods.

Do Asia Miles expire if I don’t use them?

Asia Miles earned or purchased after January 1, 2020, are subject to an inactive membership policy. But your miles will only expire if your account remains inactive for 18 consecutive months. Earning or redeeming even a small number of miles resets the clock.

What’s the best way to earn Asia Miles in Canada without buying them?

You can earn Asia Miles through credit card transfers (including from American Express Membership Rewards) and hotel loyalty program transfers (such as Marriott Bonvoy). 

Another effective way to earn Cathay Miles is from flights with Oneworld airlines.