Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - CX lounges in HK for overnight or at least part of it?

Hi - I usually fly with Star Alliance but due to a last minute change in plans may use miles to fly Business Class on CX from Bangkok to Chicago next Monday (that or go first on Thai/Lufthansa). The only catch is that I have a 12 hour layover in Hong Kong from about 11pm to 11am. I do not want to go into the city as I was just there and don't want to get a hotel room. Can I use the CX Lounges until they close and then again when they open? I have done this in other cities with Star Alliance but have no idea if there are different rules on CX.

Also, is it likely I will get the new Business Class seat on a flight from HKG to ORD?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Hi - I usually fly with Star Alliance but due to a last minute change in plans may use miles to fly Business Class on CX from Bangkok to Chicago next Monday (that or go first on Thai/Lufthansa). The only catch is that I have a 12 hour layover in Hong Kong from about 11pm to 11am. I do not want to go into the city as I was just there and don't want to get a hotel room. Can I use the CX Lounges until they close and then again when they open? I have done this in other cities with Star Alliance but have no idea if there are different rules on CX.

Also, is it likely I will get the new Business Class seat on a flight from HKG to ORD?

Thank you in advance for your help.

None of CX lounges in HK operates overnight - they all close after the last CX flight of the day departure (usually 1:30am). They will reopen at 5:30am.

The only lounge that opens overnight is the Traveller's Lounge. http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/passenger/transfer-transit/all/shower-pay-in-lounge/pay-in-lounge.html - if you have certain credit cards/priority pass card, you can get in for free.

Thanks. Another question. I have the option of traveling first rather than business but my mom will be in business. Can she visit me in first? I am trying to decide if it is worth it or if I should just save the miles for another trip when I am traveling alone.

The airport hotel at Hong Kong airport is quite good. There is also the Novotel citygate not far away.

Why would you want to sleep on a sofa in a lounge for 12 hours when you are in one of the best cities in the world, with the best selection of hotels?

I figured that by the time I got off the plane, through immigration, checked into hotel,showered, etc then I would have to turn around and head back to airport but maybe the airport hotel will work...

Thanks. Another question. I have the option of traveling first rather than business but my mom will be in business. Can she visit me in first? I am trying to decide if it is worth it or if I should just save the miles for another trip when I am traveling alone.

It depends on the ISM, but it's a safe assumption that, at best, there will be limited amount of hanging out in the F cabin - very unlikely, if not completely impossible that you'll be able to enjoy a few hours and a few meals together.

*Worst: I've seen a number of cases where it was flat denied.
*Middle: Saw a daughter of a couple permitted to come to F for the 25 minute landing sequence (presumably so they could all deplane together, we had extra seats in F).
*Best: Was in F once when the guy in front of me in 1A had a friend presumably in J or Y. I think they had cleared it with the ISM. That friend was allowed to come up for about 1 hour midflight, and they played cards together in 1A. The two of them had the light on and were chatting and laughing, not too rudely but loud enough to hear them in the whole F cabin and they were the only folks talking. I was in 2A, and know that I made eye contact a few times with pax in both 1D and 2D which seemed to say "are YOU going to say anything? No, are YOU going to say anything?" So the other pax were aware of it and I don't think anyone was hugely pleased, but before anyone said anything he went back to his seat. I think if it had gone on much longer one of the other pax would've had a chat with the ISM.

I figured that by the time I got off the plane, through immigration, checked into hotel,showered, etc then I would have to turn around and head back to airport but maybe the airport hotel will work...

No it is nothing like that, I often arrive late into HKG often, I am in town in no time, I would say the difference in time between a city or airport hotel will be 15minutes, ok 30 minutes tops

No it is nothing like that, I often arrive late into HKG often, I am in town in no time, I would say the difference in time between a city or airport hotel will be 15minutes, ok 30 minutes tops

Agreed, HKG is one of the best airports IMO for deplaning and being out quick.

Thank you so much for all the responses. Do you think it is worth flying in first? The mileage difference is not the issue really (have LOTS on miles) but more if I should just stick with my mom in business. I have read some comments where people were very impressed with business. I just always fly in coach (do development work in developing countries and tickets are paid for by others) so am wondering if I should splurge since I have the opportunity. If someone feels like commenting, would you always choose first given the option?

CX J is an excellent product. I have never flown First with CX, but when I asked a similar question to yours a few weeks back, there was a 100% consesus that, if you have the miles, DO IT!

Ha. I think I am going to do it. I only wish the flight were longer so I could appreciate it. I am currently holding business on Qatar, which is meant to be excellent, and it would have been two long flights (Hanoi-Doha and Doha-Houston) but unfortunately the date no longer works for me and there is no availability on my new date. There is availability in first on Lufthansa and Thai but looks like neither will be on planes with their upgraded seats. I read about the lounge in Frankfurt but want the whole experience so will save my miles for when all the planes are upgraded.

btw, this website is fantastic. I wish I was able to travel the way many of you do. I travel a lot for work and personal but never splurge on the flight (I'm tiny and almost always end up with a couple seats to myself in coach). I have Gold status on UA which is good for some stuff like lounge access but it doesn't get me upgrades. :(

LH first is far better than Thai in my opinion, and the First class terminal is great! :-)

But I think the LH 747 to Chicago is with the old first class and I figure that if I am going to go for it then I may as well get the full experience. Plus, with that routing, I can't travel with my mom.

As for Thai, my mom came over on Thai in first and, while it was nice, I heard they have rooms in first on some of their planes. I met someone in Burma who flew over in one of those. It did look nice (what I could see from his pictures).

I'd like to revive the thread with the same question. I'm looking at an overnight in HKG. In at 11 PM and out the next day at Noon. I can come in on an earlier flight and spend the day in Hong Kong.

Looking for options I ran across some thread about CX picking up the tab for airport hotels. Does anyone know anything about this? Perhaps its only for a particular promotion.

I'll be traveling in F on a OneWorld redemption.

I'd like to revive the thread with the same question. I'm looking at an overnight in HKG. In at 11 PM and out the next day at Noon. I can come in on an earlier flight and spend the day in Hong Kong.

Looking for options I ran across some thread about CX picking up the tab for airport hotels. Does anyone know anything about this? Perhaps its only for a particular promotion.

I'll be traveling in F on a OneWorld redemption.

On an award ticket? For someone redeeming against a different program (like AA)? Doubt it.

On an award ticket? For someone redeeming against a different program (like AA)? Doubt it.

I've done this before on a J redemption ticket from Alaskan Airlines in 2008. I recall watching the Olympics from the hotel room :).

It was a different case - Typhoon Nuri. The Wing lounge dragons (upstairs) were handing out Regal hotel chits on a first come, first served basis for hotel, dinner and breakfast (in hotel) due to flight cancellations. From memory I think it was for anyone in the lounge - not just those in C.

That's irops. Bit different, that.

CX picking up the tab just because you have a 12 hour layover??! :D:D:D


They won't even supply hotels when their aircraft have problems...
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1107786/engine-fault-leaves-cathay-passengers-stuck-airport-18-hours

CX picking up the tab just because you have a 12 hour layover??! :D:D:D


They won't even supply hotels when their aircraft have problems...
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1107786/engine-fault-leaves-cathay-passengers-stuck-airport-18-hours


The article says

The flight was delayed again with passengers forced to sleep at the airport as nearby hotels were full.


You seem to suggest that CX just decided not to put passengers up in a hotel, do you have some more information that isn't in the article?

The HKG website shows some lounges are 24 hours: http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/flight/airline-information/airline-lounges.html

For example, the Traverl's Lounge is 24 hours and lists JL and MH. If one travels on a CX F or C ticket and is in HKG the time the CX lounges are closed, would the person be able to use the lounge overnight since JL and MH are OneWorld?

It is an award ticket, does it make a difference?

Thanks.

For example, the Traverl's Lounge is 24 hours and lists JL and MH. If one travels on a CX F or C ticket and is in HKG the time the CX lounges are closed, would the person be able to use the lounge overnight since JL and MH are OneWorld?Thanks.

If one were travelling on CX, then most likely the lounge will be open.
They are only close for a short period of time...last flight (~0230) until 5:30AM.

What time's your flight and/or when are you planning to be at the airport?

If one were travelling on CX, then most likely the lounge will be open.
They are only close for a short period of time...last flight (~0230) until 5:30AM.

What time's your flight and/or when are you planning to be at the airport?

Thanks.

She is doing TPE-HKG-JFK and has to leave her home at TPE like 3:30 AM to catch the 6ish AM flight out of TPE to connect to the HKG-JFK nonstop. So, I was suggesting maybe she could take the last flight out of TPE to HKG and overnight in HKG instead - her night in TPE will be ruined anyway.

Thanks.

She is doing TPE-HKG-JFK and has to leave her home at TPE like 3:30 AM to catch the 6ish AM flight out of TPE to connect to the HKG-JFK nonstop. So, I was suggesting maybe she could take the last flight out of TPE to HKG and overnight in HKG instead - her night in TPE will be ruined anyway.

There is a paid travellers lounge with recliners, maybe worthwhile using it as she can sleep for 8 hours if she is getting the first JFK flight of the day

Is that the only day/time she can travel at? I would just go with

CX551/421/475 -> CX840
or
CX467/565/495 -> CX846

Arrive at JFK a bit later....but probably worthwhile if it means better rest.

Is that the only day/time she can travel at? I would just go with

CX551/421/475 -> CX840
or
CX467/565/495 -> CX846

Arrive at JFK a bit later....but probably worthwhile if it means better rest.

Actually can take CX888 as well?

Actually can take CX888 as well?

Taiwanese citizens would require a Canadian visit/transit visa.

Taiwanese citizens would require a Canadian visit/transit visa.

Ah yes there is a restriction in that flight

Taiwanese citizens would require a Canadian visit/transit visa.

Thanks. Taiwan ROC passport holders can go to US and Canada visa-free now. She is a US citizen anyway.

She already booked an F award ticket on these flights. She had to do it this way because it was the only seat available. I was just trying to think what is possible if award seats open p.

Thanks.

For example, the Traverl's Lounge is 24 hours and lists JL and MH. If one travels on a CX F or C ticket and is in HKG the time the CX lounges are closed, would the person be able to use the lounge overnight since JL and MH are OneWorld?

It is an award ticket, does it make a difference?

Thanks.

No, because that lounge is operated by a 3rd-party, so only available to eligible JL and MH customers. Award ticket does not make a difference.

Taiwanese citizens would require a Canadian visit/transit visa.

Thanks. Taiwan ROC passport holders can go to US and Canada visa-free now. She is a US citizen anyway.


Even before Canada became visa-free for Taiwanese people, ROC citizens did not need a visa to take CX888 or CX889. I did it many times back then.