Miles · Mastercard · $99 annual fee
Last verified 2026-09-09. Review issuer source
Synchrony Bank Cathay World Elite Mastercard is a $99-a-year miles card from Synchrony Bank. Its best everyday rates are 2x on dining; everything else earns 1x. There is also 3x on Cathay Pacific, a single-merchant rate. Rewards are Asia Miles miles that only spend inside that program, so we value them at roughly a third of a cent each.
On our reference budget of $24,600 a year its rewards come to $94, $5 short of the annual fee. That is normal at this price; the card only works if the perks replace spending you already do, or your bonus-category spending is far above a typical household's. The welcome bonus, 38,000 miles after $3,000 in 90 days, adds to the first year's return.
Get it if you already fly or stay with Asia Miles often enough to use the perks. A general travel card earns points that go more places.
Earn 3 per USD spent on all eligible Cathay Pacific travel and in-flight purchases
Earn 2 per USD spent on dining and eligible dining delivery services
Earn 3 per USD spent on all eligible Hong Kong Express travel and in-flight purchases
You can earn 38,000 bonus Asia Miles when you open an account and spend USD 3,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
10% redemption discount on hotel, car rental and experiences awards with Asia Miles.
10% savings on Asia Miles Gift Miles and Mileage Transfer Fee transactions.
Primary cardholders may use their Asia Miles to redeem access to Cathay Pacific Business Class lounges.
Primary cardholders can enjoy the same boarding line as Premium Economy class passengers on flights operated by Cathay Pacific.
Primary cardholders may check in at our Premium Economy class airport check-in counters. Travel companion(s) can also enjoy this benefit when travelling with the Primary cardholder.
Earn 10 Status Points for every USD5,000 in eligible purchases made each month, up to a maximum of 100 Status Points per calendar year
These come from Mastercard, not from Synchrony Bank. Every card on the World Elite Mastercard tier carries them, so they should not decide between two cards.
Call 1-800-MASTERCARD (1-800-627-8372) for 24/7 assistance to report a lost or stolen card.
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Benefit descriptions are the issuer’s and network’s own wording, trimmed for length. Limits and exclusions are in the guide to benefits.
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards earned | Net after fee | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathay World Elite Mastercard®This card · 2x on dining | $99 | $94 | −$5 | 1112th of 1,291 |
| Verizon VisaSynchrony Bank's most-held other card · 4% on dining | None | $606 | +$606 | 10th of 1,291 |
| Savor RewardsThe strongest no-fee card on this budget · 3% on dining | None | $642 | +$642 | 4th of 1,291 |
| Robinhood Gold CardHighest net return on this budget · 3% on everything | $50 | $798 | +$748 | 1st of 1,291 |
Reference budget: groceries $6,000, dining and restaurants $3,600, gas and ev charging $2,400, travel and transit $3,000, online shopping $2,400, entertainment and streaming $1,200, everything else $6,000. Points are valued at 1¢ unless the program is worth less; statement credits, welcome bonuses, and perks are left out. Run it with your own spending.
