Cathay Pacific and Marriott Bonvoy launch status match and fast-track offer

Cathay Pacific and Marriott Bonvoy have launched a new partnership that offers two-way points transfers and status matching, with a fast-track up to Cathay Gold or Marriott Bonvoy Platinum.

Details

In the direction of Cathay to Marriott Bonvoy: 

• Cathay Silver, Gold and Diamond members can enjoy instant Marriott Bonvoy Gold, with a further upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and 3,000 Bonvoy points by completing 10 nights in six months

In the direction of Marriott Bonvoy to Cathay:

• Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, Titanium and Platinum members can enjoy instant Cathay Silver, with a further upgrade to Cathay Gold by earning 300 Status Points in 12 months
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold members do not receive instant status, but can upgrade to Cathay Silver by earning 150 Status Points in 12 months

The broad strokes are similar to the partnership that Marriott Bonvoy launched with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer late last year, but there are some important differences. Namely, it’s much harder to qualify for Cathay Gold than KrisFlyer Elite Gold, and there’s an availability clause which limits the number of complimentary Cathay Silver memberships that will be awarded. 

From Cathay to Marriott Bonvoy

Cathay Tier	Instant Match To…	Status Accelerator Challenge
Diamond	Gold	Platinum (10 nights in 6 months) + 3,000 bonus Points
Gold
Silver

Cathay Diamond, Gold and Silver members can register to receive an instant status match to Marriott Bonvoy Gold, which usually requires 25 qualifying nights per calendar year.

Should they subsequently stay at least 10 qualifying nights in a six-month period, they will be further upgraded to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, which usually requires 50 qualifying nights per calendar year. An additional 3,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points will also be awarded.

Only paid nights will count towards qualification; award nights and cash + points awards will not qualify. If you’ve signed up for Marriott Bonvoy’s Q1 promo which offers double elite nights and 1,000 bonus points per night, do note that you will still need to stay 10 nights to complete the status accelerator, not five. 

Is it worth it?

Unlike the KrisFlyer partnership where matching starts at Marriott Bonvoy Silver, eligible Cathay members are guaranteed Marriott Bonvoy Gold. However, I personally feel the benefits are rather underwhelming:

• 25% bonus on points earning
• Room upgrade, subject to availability
• 2 p.m late check-out, subject to availability
• Welcome gift of 250/500 bonus points, depending on brand
• Premium Wi-Fi

The Bonvoy pyramid is very top-heavy, especially in the USA where you can get instant Platinum status just by holding a credit card, so you’ll be very far down the pecking order for room upgrades.

However, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum is definitely worth having. The key benefits include:

• 50% bonus on points earning
• Room upgrade, subject to availability (including Select Suites)
• 4 p.m late check-out, guaranteed (except at resort and convention hotels)
• Complimentary daily breakfast for 2 adults per room (subject to Marriott’s byzantine list of exclusions)
• Lounge access
• Premium Wi-Fi

Breakfast, lounge access and 4 p.m guaranteed late check-out are enticing indeed, and the ability to achieve this with just 10 nights is well worth considering. 

The qualifying night requirement for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum under this partnership is identical to the one for Solitaire PPS, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members.

How long is status valid for?

Marriott Bonvoy Gold or Platinum status earned through this campaign will be valid all the way till 28 February 2025. 

To be clear, you cannot register for a status match first, then start the status accelerator at a later time. The status accelerator clock starts ticking once your status match is confirmed.

Status matched members will need to fulfill the regular requalification criteria under Marriott Bonvoy’s rules to maintain status beyond the match period.

• Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite: 10 qualifying nights in a calendar year
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite: 25 qualifying nights in a calendar year
• Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite: 50 qualifying nights in a calendar year

What if I already hold status?

Cathay Diamond, Gold and Silver members who already hold Marriott Bonvoy Gold status will enjoy a 12-month extension of status from the date of registration.

If you hold Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status (or higher), you cannot use this offer to further extend your membership.

From Marriott Bonvoy to Cathay

Marriott Bonvoy Tier	Instant Match To…	Status Accelerator Challenge
Ambassador	Cathay Silver	Cathay Gold (300 Status Points in 12 months)
Titanium
Platinum
Gold	N/A	Cathay Silver (150 Status Points in 12 months)

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador members can register to receive an instant status match to Cathay Silver, which usually requires 300 Status Points in a 12-month period. There are a limited number of complimentary Cathay Silver status registrations available, so if you’re interested, you might want to register quickly. 

Should they subsequently earn 300 Status Points in a 12-month period, they will be further upgraded to Cathay Gold, which usually requires 600 Status Points in a 12-month period.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold members do not receive any instant status, but can register and receive Cathay Silver when they earn 150 Status Points in a 12-month period.

Is it worth it?

Cathay Silver is the equivalent of oneworld Ruby, and offers benefits such as:

• Access to Business Class lounges when flying on Cathay Pacific
• Priority waitlisting
• Priority check-in at Business Class counters
• Priority boarding at Business Class boarding line
• Priority baggage handling
• 10kg extra baggage allowance

Do note that lounge access isn’t a standard perk of oneworld Ruby status, but Cathay Silver members can still enjoy this perk when travelling on Cathay Pacific.

Cathay Gold is the equivalent of oneworld Sapphire, and offers all the benefits of Cathay Silver plus:

• Access to Cathay and oneworld Business Class lounges when travelling on Cathay Pacific or oneworld airlines, including one guest
• Guaranteed Economy seat up to 72 hours before departure

Compared to the KrisFlyer x Marriott Bonvoy partnership, where KrisFlyer Elite Gold can be earned with just four eligible flights, it is significantly harder to earn Cathay Gold status. 

For perspective, flying between Singapore and Hong Kong in Economy Class would earn anywhere from 8-30 Status Points. Flying between Hong Kong and San Francisco in Economy Class would earn anywhere from 25-70 Status Points. So accumulating 300 Status Points is still a tall order, even if you’re given 12 months to do so. 

That said, unlike the KrisFlyer Elite Gold fast-track which only recognises Singapore Airlines flights, the Cathay Gold fast-track recognises flights on Cathay Pacific or its partner airlines. 

To see how many Status Points you’ll earn on a given flight, refer to this calculator.

How long is status valid for?

Matched status will be valid for 12 months from the day of registration, with status ending on the last day of the 12th month. For example, a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum member who registers on 13 February 2024 will receive Cathay Silver till 28 February 2025.

Status matched members will need to fulfill the regular requalification criteria under Cathay’s rules to maintain status beyond the match period.

• Cathay Silver: 300 Status Points in a membership year
• Cathay Gold: 600 Status Points in a membership year

What if I already hold status?

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador members who already hold Cathay Silver will enjoy a 12-month extension of status from the date of registration. 

Existing Cathay Gold members cannot use this offer to further extend their status.

Terms & Conditions and FAQs

You can refer to the following links for the full T&Cs of this partnership, as well as FAQs.

• Terms and Conditions
• FAQs

Do note that the first and last names on your Cathay and Marriott Bonvoy accounts must match for the registration to be processed. If you have different names on both, contact customer service to get them updated.

Conclusion

Cathay Pacific and Marriott Bonvoy are now offering a two-way status match and accelerator challenge, which offers instant Marriott Bonvoy Gold or Cathay Silver, plus a fast-track to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum or Cathay Gold.

If you’re eligible for the Marriott Bonvoy status accelerator, I say go for it since the requirement of 10 nights is a significant cut from the usual. However, accumulating the 300 Status Points required for Cathay Gold is still a significant hurdle, even if it is half the usual. 

Only a limited number of complimentary Cathay Silver status registrations are available, so those who are eligible should register as soon as they can.

What do you make of the Cathay x Marriott Bonvoy partnership?