Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Booking Specific CX Fare Class for AA Credit?

I am thinking about traveling on CX and accruing miles on AA. However, only certain fare class on CX qualifies for AA credit.

My question is, Is there a way to book a specific fareclass on cathaypacific.com? I have done search where I have turned up lower fare on CX's site, but they are not fare classes that will accrue miles on AA. Do I have to wait closer to the departure date to see if the other more expensive but eligible fare classes open up, or is there a way to book specific fare class?

I have done some searches, but I didn't see anything that discuss the act of booking specific fare class.

You can book Y class fares on CX by picking "Economy", instead of "Lowest Economy". But for the more reasonable H class fares, you (usually) have to call up. There are no phone booking fees for CX, so that's your best way to go.

There are threads on that, but I do not know how to search for this topic myself.

The answer is that you need to book through a TA for booking class H - make sure this is the booking class and not the leading character in the fare code (I had booking class M with fare code Hxxxxxx, but that is not a mileage eligible fare on AA).

Thanks for the answers.

Is there a way to find out what the prices are for other fare classes, before calling up CX? Better yet, is there a tool that will list the various fare class prices? (Similar to kayak.com, but list more than just the lowest fare).

I find it odd that web site users can't book a higher class fare online, even though we are willing to pay a little more for it.

I believe expertflyer does list fares, but that is for reference only. Note that fares for the same booking classes tend to be lower than the reference prices when booked through a TA, except for promotions or special fares (e.g., xDONEx).

As mentioned, Expertflyer will give the fare for each class, but also remember that it's just the base fare, and won't include tax (which will vary depending on routing).

CX.com will give H fares when you select "Lowest Economy" and everything below H is sold out or not applicable. This is often true when buying 1-3 weeks out but usually not more than that. Of course that time frame is only a very rough rule.

One other option is to check out AA.com. They sell CX tix (not AA codeshare on CX metal, but CX flight number and everything) including those with no AA segment attached (e.g. I've had no problem booking HKG-TPE r/t there). I believe they will not sell anything lower than H class on CX, although I've never heard that formally. You can see the fare class before booking. It may still spit out a Y fare if H is still available, but it's worth a shot if listening to "I can fly" on repeat isn't your thing.

The AA.com website is pretty powerful in terms of what you can book (variety of airlines on one ticket) but it may take a few tries to get the CX flights to come up on a CX flight number. Make sure you've selected "All Carriers".

You can book Y class fares on CX by picking "Economy", instead of "Lowest Economy". But for the more reasonable H class fares, you (usually) have to call up. There are no phone booking fees for CX, so that's your best way to go.

AFAIK there are phone booking fees on CX, but I think they would be waived if you're making a reservation for a higher fare class than is available online. If they won't waive them, then you can still make an "online" reservation and request a fare class if you talk directly to the CX eService Centre. Their number is on the CX website. Just realize it is a long distance call to Hong Kong.

The AA.com website is pretty powerful in terms of what you can book (variety of airlines on one ticket) but it may take a few tries to get the CX flights to come up on a CX flight number. Make sure you've selected "All Carriers".

Actually, even just selecting "AA, American Eagle, etc and ONEWORLD" will display CX coded flights. I've done that a few times before when I used to hold AAdvantage as my main program. The AA website is my favorite part of the entire AA experience.

I have done booking H fare by calling Cathay agent, cx.com, and expedia.com
I suggest call them.
If you are OW elite, you can choose some good seat.
If you bookvia cx.com, you have to call web support to choose some premium seat.

The CX segments that I've bought through AA in the past have always booked into B. I've called AA and have tried to see if they can issue CX tkts in cheaper classes and at the time it wasn't possible. Of course, there may have been changes in the last six months.

On a booking site in Taiwan (www.eztravel.com.tw) you can see the specific booking class for the ticket. The website will show you probably 10 Economy Class fares ranging from the cheapest to the more expensive (H) to the most expensive (Y). However, all of those prices are ex-Taipei/Kaohsiung. The site doesn't offer tickets originating outside of Taiwan.

Bummer. I just booked an M class fare last week before I realized I can't get AA miles on it. Shame on me for not researching this more.

Bummer. I just booked an M class fare last week before I realized I can't get AA miles on it. Shame on me for not researching this more.

Call CX on this one. I *think* they waive rebooking fees if you move up to a higher fare class, so you may be able to do this. See if the fare difference is worth the miles/EQM to you.

Also, AA.com is, at least in theory, capable of booking H class on CX. I booked SAN-(AA)-LAX-(CX)-HKG a few weeks ago there (CX flt number on LAX-HKG). But it can be buggy - I've had it return Y/B when lower is available on CX.com. Not foolproof, but perhaps worth a try.

I was able to book 'H' class coach seats on CX website for travel in June recently.

Thanks for the answers.

Is there a way to find out what the prices are for other fare classes, before calling up CX? Better yet, is there a tool that will list the various fare class prices? (Similar to kayak.com, but list more than just the lowest fare).

I find it odd that web site users can't book a higher class fare online, even though we are willing to pay a little more for it.Get the M (or whatever) price on the website: then call, and ask the rep how close to that price he/she can get with H. Always works for me.

And I agree that it shouldn't be that hard for CX to add that feature to their website.

AFAIK there are phone booking fees on CX, but I think they would be waived if you're making a reservation for a higher fare class than is available online. If they won't waive them, then you can still make an "online" reservation and request a fare class if you talk directly to the CX eService Centre. Their number is on the CX website. Just realize it is a long distance call to Hong Kong.I've never paid for phone service.

Bummer. I just booked an M class fare last week before I realized I can't get AA miles on it. Shame on me for not researching this more.Ouch.


http://www.angrybackhand.com

There are no phone booking fees for CX, so that's your best way to go.

What are 'phone booking fees?'

What are 'phone booking fees?'
It is a service charge if you book via phone.
Most of US carriers charge this fee.
It is basically a service fee that they charge to buy their product.:confused:

Does the 1-800 Centralized Reservation Number listed for the US works? The last time I called (for another issue unrelated to booking specific fare), the number was not in service.

I haven't used it in a while, but yes, the centralized reservation number is in service still. The US airlines charge a booking fee if you use the phone instead of the net. I'm pretty sure CX in the USA does this too because when I was booking a trip last year, and CX had lower fares than my TA for summer travel, I called up to put a reservation on hold. They informed me that to book by phone it is a $30 per ticket booking fee. I eventually found the same fare online, and of course that was minus the booking fee that the agent told me would be added for phone reservations.

Does it really matter if the fare is booked through a consolidator and is infact booked in H class?

Will you still get credit?

Are consolidator H class fares cheaper than H fares bought on AA.com or CX.com?

Trying to book LAX-HKG-MNL and back in december. Current AA and CX prices are in the 2000+ range. Called TA and has me waitlisted for Consolidator H fare for same dates.

Drew

Does it really matter if the fare is booked through a consolidator and is infact booked in H class?

Will you still get credit?

Are consolidator H class fares cheaper than H fares bought on AA.com or CX.com?

Trying to book LAX-HKG-MNL and back in december. Current AA and CX prices are in the 2000+ range. Called TA and has me waitlisted for Consolidator H fare for same dates.

Drew

Unless otherwise stated, which I have never seen, you should get the credit. Just make sure that is the H booking class, not fare class.

I do not know about AA.com. I used them only for domestic flights. For CX.com, consolidator fares for M & L classes are normally cheaper. I think you can still get better deal with H class with a consolidator. Note that it is very difficult to get a H booking class ticket on CX.com. Their booking engine is so dumb.

Regardless of where you book, H booking class in mid-December is likely to be $2000 or higher after taxes and surcharges.