Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Fare rules "K" on Cathay Pacific

Let me prefice this by saying I have never flown on Cathay Pacific, and most of my trip searches at other websites never turned up an attactive fare. I was quite surprised at this late date on Cathay Pacific's USA site that I found flights that meet my schedule requirements (ever changing...) at this late date at decent price. JFK-(HKG)-KUL - HKG (2 day stopover) - JFK for $990, and only 2 days in advance. Empower in economy and some aisle seats open. Good enough.

The fare is a "K" fare. So far I have figured out (if I am wrong, tell me):

1. I won't get AA miles,
2. I need to open open an asiamiles account (will also be flying Air China a over the next year)
3. I should also get membership in the Marco Polo Club ($50?) and accumulate tier miles and after 30K (1.55 RT's) I will be silver and have lounge access.

Are the "lowest economy" fares changeable in anyway, or once you buy them are you locked into that flight? I did not see that breakout on the Cathay Pacific site.

Any other tips apprciated! Thanks!

The fare is a "K" fare. So far I have figured out (if I am wrong, tell me):

1. I won't get AA miles
Yes, that's correct.

2. I need to open open an asiamiles account (will also be flying Air China a over the next year)
Correct if you'd like to earn 100% miles.

3. I should also get membership in the Marco Polo Club ($50?) and accumulate tier miles and after 30K (1.55 RT's) I will be silver and have lounge access.
Some people have reported that they got MPC membership automatically once they crossed the 30,000-mile threshold. I personally think the $50 is well-spent if you think you'll be flying CX and its partners sufficiently. And yes on the lounge access with MPC silver (probably the most generous ^ of the OneWorld Ruby levels, when it comes to FF perks).

Sorry, can't advise you on the intricacies of a K fare.

Are the "lowest economy" fares changeable in anyway, or once you buy them are you locked into that flight?

I don't think "K" fare is that low anyway. They have (also many airlines) M L V S N Q O G etc.... These are more "low" than "K" fare... And in my experience, "K" fare, in general, should be able to re-book (ie change dates/ flights) but sometimes can involve a fee. :)

I believe K fare is changeble and refundable with a $100 fee.
The lowest fare bucket I see ex US is M.
I'm sure GuyBesty know more than me :D

Finally figured out if I signed in with my cybertraveler ID and did a trial booking it would show the rules. For "K" it looks like $100 for change/no-show/refund. I would suspect fare bucket availability would be required.

Often if purchased via CX's website, tickets carry more restrictions than those bought over the phone from CX or bought from travel agents.

If you buy a K fare ticket for departure from North American gateway from CX North America over the phone, date changes are allowed free of charge with the exception of the first transpacific sector up to HKG. Data changes are allowed on other sectors. Stopovers at HKG are allowed both ways. A weekend surcharge of 25 dollars for a transpacific flight. Validity 180 days.

I also learned recently it can be upsold to a higher fare for an extended validity of one year after you start the journey.

There are many different fare rules associated with a "K" fare. Unless I know what the fare basis is, I cannot advise you accordingly.

If miles is just what you're after and not status, you may just join AS MVP programme. They award 100% miles on CX's K class.

I've been able to pay $200 more to get AA Mileage (H Class). This can - at times - work out cheaper than buying a straight H Class ticket.

I've been able to pay $200 more to get AA Mileage (H Class). This can - at times - work out cheaper than buying a straight H Class ticket.

U can also have CX upsell to B class as well, if u need extra status miles.

U can also have CX upsell to B class as well, if u need extra status miles.

hmmm.. interesting...

My agent booked me in H (transpacific) + K (intra-asia). The ticket (fare code HKWSPCL) was issued by Sabre. Can I pay $200 at the airport and charm the agent to put me to B class? Same mile credit out of CX's pocket but 50% more AA elite points :p

Umm, NO.

You need to do all that before you fly. You would have to get your ticket entirely reissued at where you bought it, and not at the airport. Sure you CAN do it at the airport - but it will be repriced at FULL fare which is sure to cost more than $200 per sector.

Umm, NO.

You need to do all that before you fly. You would have to get your ticket entirely reissued at where you bought it, and not at the airport. Sure you CAN do it at the airport - but it will be repriced at FULL fare which is sure to cost more than $200 per sector.

I should've known it is too good to be true. :eek:
Maybe the agent will say "Sir, are you sure you want to pay for it for another >$200? Since you are an OW elite, we can let you try our NBC this evening." :eek:
I think CX has a way to lure the customers coming back again and again... ^ ^

I don't think "K" fare is that low anyway. They have (also many airlines) M L V S N Q O G etc.... These are more "low" than "K" fare... And in my experience, "K" fare, in general, should be able to re-book (ie change dates/ flights) but sometimes can involve a fee. :)

Actually K class is VERY expensive. In CX HKG-LHR it costs like $11000 rtn,
plus a maximum stay of 1 year, in BA it is the most expensive economy class
for 50% mileage accural, one class above then you'll earn 100% of miles (the
price is around the same as CX, but for bundle tickets (3x anually) CX will be
$4000 more expensive ($24000 vs $28000)).

I've been able to pay $200 more to get AA Mileage (H Class). This can - at times - work out cheaper than buying a straight H Class ticket.Agent, thanks for the tip! I assume you do this over the phone since you can't rig their website to return H fares and not K's.