You can now use Asia miles on Fiji Airways flights

Cathay Pacific and Fiji Airways are becoming firmer friends, quietly launching a deeper partnership with reciprocal benefits — but most importantly, the ability to use Asia miles on Fiji Airways flights.

In a news update to Cathay’s Marco Polo Club members, as initially reported on FlyerTalk and sighted by Point Hacks, the airline revealed that the partnership actually started earlier the month before.

From 22 February 2021, when travelling with the oneworld connect partner Fiji Airways you can earn club points and Asia miles to redeem flights online with the airline as well as continue to enjoy benefits such as using priority check-in desks and select lounges depending on your club tier or fare class.

As Cathay Pacific is one of Fiji Airways’ oneworld sponsors, you can also take advantage of through check-in for your journey when connecting between Cathay Pacific and Fiji Airways flights.

Using Asia miles for Fiji Airways flights

Here are the rates for using Asia miles on Fiji Airways flights that are relevant to most Australian readers:

There are two sweet spots which are both 40,000 Asia miles in Economy and 75,000 miles in Business Class:

• Sydney-Los Angeles (via Nadi)
• Brisbane-Los Angeles (via Nadi)

That’s a great deal because the Nadi-Los Angeles leg itself requires the same number of miles, meaning the Sydney or Melbourne to Nadi flights are essentially ‘free’ in terms of Asia miles cost (though additional taxes and charges may apply). Unfortunately, the same route from Melbourne costs more miles due to increased distance.

Read more about using Asia miles to book flights from Australia to the US →

Earning Asia miles and club points on Fiji Airways flights

Are you a Marco Polo Club or Asia miles member looking to earn on Fiji Airways flights instead? Asia miles are earned based on distance flown and cabin class, while club points (similar to Status Credits) are earned according to the table below.

Cathay Pacific and Fiji Airways lounge access

As Fiji Airways is part of oneworld connect, not a fully-fledged oneworld member airline, alliance-wide lounge access does not apply.

A very specific set of rules are in place instead, which depend on your frequent flyer status, class of travel, operating airline and the flight number booked.

To work out if you’re entitled to lounge access, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Fiji Airways page on oneworld connect
2. Scroll to the bottom where it says ‘lounge access’
3. Choose your frequent flyer program or class of service
4. Choose the airline’s lounges you wish to access
5. Find the location of the airport you’re departing from
6. Read the information on who can access lounges

Summing up

Though international borders are still closed for now, it’s good to see another way for Asia miles customers to use their balance. Fiji Airways is a great ’boutique’ airline with new Airbus A350s on certain routes.

Through this new partnership, you’ll be able to earn and redeem Asia miles on flights from Australia to Fiji, and even onwards to the States.

Will you be saving up Asia miles for Fiji Airways, or perhaps continue waiting patiently to fly around the world? Let us know in the comments below!