Asia Miles vs Falconflyer: which loyalty program wins?

We score Asia Miles and Falconflyer on the same five factors — earning rate, redemption value, partner network, ease of use, and point expiry — to help you choose the right program for how you actually spend.

Verdict

Asia Miles is best for Premium-cabin redemption seekers who travel to East, while Falconflyer is best for Anyone with Bahrain travel routine.

Skip Asia Miles if Anyone wanting to earn through daily spend, and skip Falconflyer if Anyone wanting wide global partner network.

Overall rating

	Asia Miles	Falconflyer
Overall rating	3.9 / 5	2.9 / 5
Earning	3.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Redemption	5.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Network	5.0 / 5	2.0 / 5
Ease of use	3.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Expiry	3.0 / 5	4.0 / 5

Earning structure

Asia Miles	Members earn Asia Miles by flying Cathay Pacific (direct from Riyadh to Hong Kong) and on 15+ oneworld alliance partners including Qatar Airways, British Airways, American, JAL, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair, Cathay Pacific, and Royal Jordanian. Earning rate depends on flight distance, cabin class, and fare type (Economy: 25-100% of flown miles; premium cabins up to 200%). Status Points (separate from miles) are earned on Cathay/partner flights for tier qualification. Members can also transfer points to Asia Miles from Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 ratio, 5,000 bonus per 60,000 transfer), Hilton Honors, and Amex Membership Rewards (5:4 ratio, March 2026 update). No Saudi bank issues a Cathay co-branded credit card — the Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard is Hong Kong-only.
Falconflyer	Members earn Falconflyer Miles by flying Gulf Air (with class-of-service multipliers - Falcon Gold business class earns up to 250%) and on Etihad Airways operated flights (Falconflyer's primary partner airline). Tier bonus miles for higher tiers: Silver +25%, Gold +50%, Black +75%. Saudi-specific earning surfaces: every transaction on the stc pay app earns Falconflyer miles, and Mobily Neqaty points can be converted to Falconflyer miles. Members can also earn through hotel partners, car rental partners, and various other lifestyle partners. Loyalty Points are earned only on Gulf Air and Etihad-operated flights. Members can buy up to 50,000 miles per year at USD 25 per 1,000 miles. Family enrollment (up to 8 nominated family members) allows pooling 70% of regular mileage.

Redemption structure

Asia Miles	Asia Miles redeem according to three fixed award charts: Cathay Pacific-operated flights (distance-based), airline partners (zone/distance-based), and oneworld multi-carrier awards (for round-the-world tickets). Cathay's Economy short-haul Asia routes from 7,000 miles one-way; Business HKG-Sydney for 58,000; Business HKG-LHR for 88,000; First HKG-LHR for 125,000. Most premium-cabin partner awards deliver outsized value. Fuel surcharges apply on most redemptions and are priced by region. Online booking for Cathay and many oneworld partners; some partner awards require calling Asia Miles. Round-the-world award tickets uniquely available. Members can also redeem for cabin upgrades, extra legroom seats, baggage allowance, hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise.
Falconflyer	Falconflyer Miles redeem for award flights and upgrades on Gulf Air, award flights on Etihad Airways (partner), excess baggage, lounge access, and seat upgrades at airports. Members can also transfer Falconflyer Miles to ALL Accor hotel points for global hotel stays. Family members can use miles for awards at 70% of regular mileage rates. Award flight changes incur fees: USD 40/6,000 miles (Blue), USD 20/3,000 miles (Silver/Gold), USD 10/1,000 miles (Black). Date changes are free for Gold and Black tiers. Etihad Airways redemptions must be made through the Gulf Air contact center (+973 17 37 37 37) rather than online. All taxes and surcharges apply on top of mile redemption.

Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy

	Asia Miles	Falconflyer
Number of partners	0	0
Partners	—	—
Number of tiers	5	4
Top tier	Diamond Exec	Black
First-tier qualification	300 points	900 points
Point expiry	18 months inactivity (reset on earn)	36 months

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