Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - CX USA Centralized Reservations refused to answer questions since I booked online

I booked my LAX-HKG-LAX ticket online, and I called the USA Centralized Reservations number (800-233-2742) because I wanted to change my seat to an emergency exit seat since I'm a Oneworld Ruby. I was immediately told to call Online Reservations at 888-962-6688 because I booked my ticket online. I was really unhappy with this since I was on hold for so long and she refused to help me and said I must call Online Reservations. I have a hard time believing that she couldn't even have access to the seating assignment in my reservation. Last January, I also flew CX and booked my ticket online, and the USC Centralized Reservation agent was able to change my seat for me. I explained that to the agent and she said that the structure has now changed.

QUESTIONS:
1. Is it true that Online Reservations cannot help you if you booked your ticket online or did I just get an agent that doesn't know her stuff?
2. Please describe any similar or dissimilar occurances.

Actually it doesn't matter if all you want is to do a seat reservation. Any CX res agents can do it. But then again, CX res agents probably have been told not to touch online bookings as this is 'outsourced' to a third party.

Having said that, emergency exit row seats are blocked off mainly for CX's own elite members. In rare circumstances, do they offer it to OW elite members (and usually Sapphire and Emerald members only).

Just call CX next time and tell them that you want to do a seat selection. Do not mention that you have booked online.

Just call CX next time and tell them that you want to do a seat selection. Do not mention that you have booked online.

I didn't mention that I booked online. I just gave her the booking number and she immediately told me I have an online booking and I have to call Online Reservations.

This is actually the second time I called USA Centralized Reservations and was told to call Online Reservations both times. I called Online Reservations after the 1st time (a couple weeks ago) and was told 54C/H were available but cannot be booked until OLCI. I just called Online Reservations after writing my initial posting, and was told 54 C/H have both been spoken for but I can have 54 A/K. I turned down 54 A/K and kept my original seats because I read that passengers might have to angle legs due to exit slide (according to seatexpert.com).

QUESTION:
1. How many reservation agents does CX have in the USA? I spoke with the same lady both times when I called Centralized Reservations and I spoke with the same guy both time when I called Online Reservations. It also takes forever to wait for the agent.

2. Does anybody have experience with seats 54 A/K on the CX 773ER? Does the emergency slide really protrude into the passenger's footspace? Would I be better of in a standard window seat or 54 A/K?

Thanks!

2. Does anybody have experience with seats 54 A/K on the CX 773ER? Does the emergency slide really protrude into the passenger's footspace? Would I be better of in a standard window seat or 54 A/K?


Thanks!

54A/K does have a slide that protrudes into passenger space. if you look at cathay's virtual tour of the 77A you'll know what i mean. however i do know that 31 A/K doesn't have the slide blocking your legs (the other exit row). If you can get those, then you'll have nice legroom. however if you can't get that row, you'd be better off with a normal window seat. but if you want a window seat, remember that both 54 and 31 are missing windows because of the exit.

I always find the foreign country's representative office to be very "by the book" with help and changes. Even a seat change (to a pax with exsisting seat in their booking), which doesnt reflect any person's Air fare price or booking class, still they are difficult about doing this. I would suggest the OP to spend the long distance and call HK reservations and they are friendly and helpful to do the job and do take the effort to help your flight be a little more comfortable with a seat (subject to availability of course).....

I also see that CX's sales is by the book. The online ticketing, the res centres, codeshare partners, and their TAs have their own territories. While it is not convenient to some customers, it is fair to the sales agents.

Being a MPC member, I can call MPC to take care of certain items such as seat assignments. For OP, the online service is the one to call. Given OP's status, I would suggest getting a good seat first and try to get a better one by OLCI and try again at the airport.

Call their Hong Kong number. I'm not sure if they are 24/7 but they at least have long hours. Your wait on the phone will be minimal to nothing and they can pretty much help you with anything.

With any airline, I try calling their staff in various countries if I run into any issue.