Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Flight booked with CC - sponsor not present at checking

Credit card issue

Hi CX FTers, this is my first post on your board – hello everybody.

I booked a CX flight LAX-HKG-SIN rt for a friend of mine currently living in LAX and paid with my credit card since I want to offer the flight to him. I booked online on the CX homepage 2 weeks ago. I realized that my credit card needs to be presented at checking. That's not a big deal for me; I can just send him my credit card. But CX (call center in FRA) just told me that I too have to be present at LAX during the checking, since I am the owner of the CreditCard.

That's impossible since I'll be in SIN! They told me that I have to cancel the flight and rebook a new one with the credit card of my friend. This is not an option for us, since he's currently short of money :)

Can you please tell me what my options are? Can I identify myself as a sponsor at a local CX office here in SIN? I don't want to cancel the flight and rebook a new one.

Thanks for your help!

f4freeJunior

Can I identify myself as a sponsor at a local CX office here in SIN? I don't want to cancel the flight and rebook a new one. I've done exactly this in HKG once for a online-booked flight originating in LHR, however, it wouldn't surprise me if SIN CX refuses to do this. Best to call them up and ask. (Alternatively, you can call the e-service centre on 2747 2200, I am sure they have come across many such cases)

I believe that you should be able to go to the CX ticketing facility in Singapore (I'm not sure if there is an in-town office, you may need to go to the airport) and they should be able to update the record to show that they have verified your card. I and my colleagues have done this a number of times in HKG (at the CX counter by the HK Airport Express check-in) for flights originating elsewhere.

Credit card issue

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That's impossible since I'll be in SIN! They told me that I have to cancel the flight and rebook a new one with the credit card of my friend. This is not an option for us, since he's currently short of money :)

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Yes. But where are you now? And when is your friend travelling? As christep suggests, go to the CX office in Singapore - they are located at OCEAN BUILDING at RAFFLES PLACE. 18th Floor I believe.

Usually in situations as such, when you book through a travel agent, you won't have to go through such ordeals..

Also just to be save, you should photo copy ur CR card and a copy of your Passport. state on it you authorise this charge for the ticket and then send it to your friend.

That is whay the CX SYD people told me to do in circumstances when the credit card holder is not present at checkin. But best to visit your local CX office to verify this.

CX needs to get rid of this unpopular policy and come to realise not many school kids under the age of 18 have their credit cards.

If the response is to use a travel agent then they should stop promoting their online services.

CX needs to get rid of this unpopular policy and come to realise not many school kids under the age of 18 have their credit cards.

If the response is to use a travel agent then they should stop promoting their online services.

Actually it is not only CX that does it. I know SQ have a similar policy. It is not just school kids that can commit itnernet fraud. You will be surprised how often these things happen. I think as long as there is a sensible way to sort through this (eg. contacting the local CX office to verify the cardholder) then it is no big deal.

Sorry, I missed out the word "own" in the sentence. Should have read "not many school kids under the age of 18 have their OWN credit cards."

What I meant was, since very few kid have credit cards before their 18 b'day, parents sending their kid to boarding schools may want to purchase tickets for their children directly from CX (tel or Internet) for them to travel alone.

I think as long as there is a sensible way to sort through this (eg. contacting the local CX office to verify the cardholder) then it is no big deal. Agree but preferably one that doesn't cause more inconvenience that the convenience gained form booking online / direct from CX.

I once bought a CX ticket and later lost the CC. I only had the replacement when I went to check in with CX and the CX agent had no interest in verifying that it was the replacement of the same card. MAJOR HASSLE. CX insisted on re-ticketing me and re-charging me - which took about an hour. It took three months of calls to get the original ticket refunded.

I once bought a CX ticket and later lost the CC. I only had the replacement when I went to check in with CX and the CX agent had no interest in verifying that it was the replacement of the same card. MAJOR HASSLE. CX insisted on re-ticketing me and re-charging me - which took about an hour. It took three months of calls to get the original ticket refunded.

Next time perhaps get a letter from your bank stating that you had lost your card and to have both sets of numbers on it.

Ok - the "civilised" world does not need it - but dealing with asian carriers (CX, TG, SQ etc) are a whole different kettle of fish.. so best be prepared.

Does anyone know whether "Our Most Favorite Airline" BA has the same show me your CC policy too? Wheneven I am unfortunate enough to have to take BA I get the ticket through my office TA. I don't have the gut to deal directly with BA on or offline.

Does anyone know whether "Our Most Favorite Airline" BA has the same show me your CC policy too? Wheneven I am unfortunate enough to have to take BA I get the ticket through my office TA. I don't have the gut to deal directly with BA on or offline.
No it doesn't. The only time I use a credit card to prove my identity is when I don't have the booking reference at hand at the SSCI machines and I've used my CX number in the booking.

I once bought a CX ticket and later lost the CC. I only had the replacement when I went to check in with CX and the CX agent had no interest in verifying that it was the replacement of the same card. MAJOR HASSLE. CX insisted on re-ticketing me and re-charging me - which took about an hour. It took three months of calls to get the original ticket refunded.

I had a similar instance where I lost a credit card and turned up at HK for a flight to London on a cheapo Y ticket. The (admittedly First-Class) check-in agent escorted me personally to the ticket desk and had them re-issue the ticket at the same cheap fare on my replacement card and they immediately credited the charge on the lost card. The check-in agent waited with me for the 5 minutes while this happened and then she took me back and completed check-in. I was most impressed - sorry to hear you didn't get quite the same experience.

I was most impressed - sorry to hear you didn't get quite the same experience.

I was at the TPE transfer desk. Perhaps that's why. I'm glad it's better in HK.

Thanks for your answers. I am in SIN now.
CX in LAX told my friend that I can show-up at the local CX office here in SIN and identify myself with my CC. Then they will be able to put the info into their reservation system (or what ever that is) and my friend won't have any problems in LAX.
I report back once I met the CX agents in SIN.
Stay tuned.

Try bringing a notarized statement to the airport ;)

No it doesn't. The only time I use a credit card to prove my identity is when I don't have the booking reference at hand at the SSCI machines and I've used my CX number in the booking.

When booking onlin with BA, the website asks if the cardholder is travelling on the booking. This I would therefore imagine is stored in the booking. My experience is that when I am travelling on the booking they will ask for the CC to verify. Friends that I booked tickets for (and clicked the "Not travelling on booking" field) did not have a problem.

I had to show up @ Cathays office at the Ocean Building here in SIN to identify myself. Now my friend should be ok at checkin in LAX. They will not even ask him about a CC or so.

I have an award booking for my father. It needs to be ticketed soon. I asked MPC about paying the taxes and fuel surcharge with my CC, but I may not be present at the airport. The MPC agent said that would be OK for award ticket - the sponsor needs not be present to show the CC, unlike a revenue ticket.

I have an award booking for my father. It needs to be ticketed soon. I asked MPC about paying the taxes and fuel surcharge with my CC, but I may not be present at the airport. The MPC agent said that would be OK for award ticket - the sponsor needs not be present to show the CC, unlike a revenue ticket.


If its your points and your creditcard, and your father is a nominee on your account, then yes, person paying the taxes on ticket need not be present at airport. No forms to fill out, no letter to show either.

Quick question. If a AONE is ticketed by BA in MRU (paper ticket), do I still need the credit card for the New York-Vancouver flight?

Thanks

No - the credit card is only needed for tickets issued over the phone by a CX office or on the CX website.

No - the credit card is only needed for tickets issued over the phone by a CX office or on the CX website.

Thanks for the quick response