Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - HKG-AKL or HKG-SYD-AKL

I am flying from Delhi into Hong Kong and then onto Auckland and I am tempted by these two routes

HKG-AKL in Business or;
HKG-SYD-AKL in First Class and then Business on QF

I am a BA Exec Club member and going via SYD would net me 200pts whereas going direct would net me 120pts towards status. Any recommendations? I really want to try F on CX and the F Wing Lounge.

Just another quick question, I wouldn't mind spending the evening in HK, the DEL flight gets in at 3pm and that would give me plenty of time to go into Kowloon and Central. Is there a maximum transfer time for baggage?

CX F is much better than J, making routing via SYD worth the effort (but also quite a bit higher cost!). You would have HKG F lounge access even if flying in Y due to BA Gold status. HKG-AKL in F was my favourite route on CX, nice long flight, great service, quiet cabin (often only 2 or 3 pax in F ... hence the dropping of F on the route).

Baggage transfer is automatic as long as you are in transit and not a stopover (under 24 hours). There is also a left-luggage service outside of customs if you do want to retrieve your luggage, though you shouldn't need to. Going into Kowloon or Central is well worth doing, though you don't want to eat in the city (F lounge dining room is quite good, perhaps not surprising as it is catered by the Peninsula, and the onboard food HKG-SYD is also quite good -- CX seems to make a special effort on this route to compete with QF).

Thanks for your help number_6,

It is a shame that the HKG-AKL route has no F. I think I am going to opt to go via SYD whether I take the 1910 or the 2350 I am not sure. Probably the late one as it gives me lots of time not only to enjoy the city but have dinner in the Wing and a bath in a Cabana as August in HK is very hot!

Someone told me there was a sushi bar in the Wing, Is that right?

Thanks for your help number_6,

It is a shame that the HKG-AKL route has no F. I think I am going to opt to go via SYD whether I take the 1910 or the 2350 I am not sure. Probably the late one as it gives me lots of time not only to enjoy the city but have dinner in the Wing and a bath in a Cabana as August in HK is very hot!

Someone told me there was a sushi bar in the Wing, Is that right?
No Sushi bar in the Wing or the Pier, But sometime they have Sushi @ the Buffet. There is a Long Bar (the longest Airport BAr int he world) where they serve Cocktails, drinks, spirits. There is also a Coffee Bar Where they also serve Haggen Daz Ice Cream.

The CX101 is slightly better as you can avoid the mad rush of the morning peak at the SYD airport (all the LAX and LHR flights arrive during that time!)

After the HKG-SYD you will feel absolutely terrible on the SYD-AKL flight (despite it is only 2-3 hrs in duration) The difference is just HUGE!

OH you can also use the QF F Class Lounge as you are BA Gold.

Why would I feel that terrible? A good nights sleep on a CX F bed having had a bath before hand, getting off have a shower and then head to AKL? :D

A lot of flying I know, I would want to get the quickest connection I could to AKL but am a bit confused by minimum connection times on OW partners.

The F side of the Wing/Pier always has sushi available, and the chef is happy to make more for you. It is the J side that doesn't always have sushi on the buffet. The J side has the noodle bar, though, which is quite good for a J lounge. On the F side there isn't much need to go to the bar as there are ample waiters prowling the lounge and service is better than in most restaurants. They can make smoothies if you want non-alcoholic drinks; the wines aren't quite as good as on the plane though (understandably so considering the expense).

The F side of the Wing/Pier always has sushi available, and the chef is happy to make more for you. It is the J side that doesn't always have sushi on the buffet. The J side has the noodle bar, though, which is quite good for a J lounge. On the F side there isn't much need to go to the bar as there are ample waiters prowling the lounge and service is better than in most restaurants. They can make smoothies if you want non-alcoholic drinks; the wines aren't quite as good as on the plane though (understandably so considering the expense).

I actually do recall they have shushi @ the F Class section, but it is not like the freshly made ones in the sushi bar. The reason why they don't provide the BEST wine in the F Class lounge is to avoid the other Oneworld Members abusing the system.

I actually do recall they have shushi @ the F Class section, but it is not like the freshly made ones in the sushi bar. The reason why they don't provide the BEST wine in the F Class lounge is to avoid the other Oneworld Members abusing the system.
I agree that the decision might have something to do with reserving the best for those who actually fly in CX metal, but I doubt that CX considers Emeralds' access to the F sections of the Wing / Pier as "abusing the system". ;) CX is very good at recognizing reciprocal privileges for partners' elites (in contrast to, say, my home carrier).

CX is excellet with reciprocal pivileges. I get what QF don't give me when travel on Y. As Ruby OW member, no J luggage tag with QF, on CX long haul to LAX I get a Business Class tag when traveling Economy.
Looking forword going to CX lounge after I reached Gold end of this month!

CX is excellet with reciprocal pivileges. I get what QF don't give me when travel on Y. As Ruby OW member, no J luggage tag with QF, on CX long haul to LAX I get a Business Class tag when traveling Economy.
Looking forword going to CX lounge after I reached Gold end of this month!


If you are a CX MPO Silver (oneworld Ruby) You would've got access into the lounge even in Y Class when travelling on CX!!!

Actually your point about priority tags I think CX is the only one that does it. Because according to the rules of Oneworld they said you can use the Business Class check in BUT they never said you will get priority luggage tags when travelling in Y Class. That applies to ALL levels incl Emerald.

However if you ask the agent nicely they will usually give it to you @ QF.

Good point. Actually after checking QF's website. I always thought the Priority Tag was a OW wide privilege. I'm always too lazy to read the rights.
Time to reconsider my FFP.