Does CX release more award seat close in?
Jul 15, 2012, 9:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 583
Does CX release more award seat close in?
I am looking to book a J award in August.
Of course, there is no award availability given that August is high season.
Do CX release more award seat when the flight is closing in? Say, 1 week or even 2 days before the flight?
( The seat map is still showing plenty of open seats on the flight )
Of course, there is no award availability given that August is high season.
Do CX release more award seat when the flight is closing in? Say, 1 week or even 2 days before the flight?
( The seat map is still showing plenty of open seats on the flight )
Jul 15, 2012, 10:08 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: AA PLT, AC E35k
Posts: 469
Yes, but it depends on load.
The seat map is not a good way of judging load, as many passengers may not have selected a seat yet or they are not eligible for seat pre-booking.
You can check loads using a website like ExpertFlyer (paid) or FlightStats (free).
http://www.flightstats.com/go/Flight...vailability.do
The seat map is not a good way of judging load, as many passengers may not have selected a seat yet or they are not eligible for seat pre-booking.
You can check loads using a website like ExpertFlyer (paid) or FlightStats (free).
http://www.flightstats.com/go/Flight...vailability.do
Last edited by yamanote8; Jul 15, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Jul 15, 2012, 1:05 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
CX can release seats if available, even at the last moment. However, August is peak. Flights are often overbooked depending on destinations. It is better to secure an upgradable economy seat, then upgrade if available. At least you can make it to the destination. The catch is that you may be paying a more expensive ticket if not upgraded.
Jul 15, 2012, 2:53 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 583
You can check loads using a website like ExpertFlyer (paid) or FlightStats (free).
http://www.flightstats.com/go/Flight...vailability.do
http://www.flightstats.com/go/Flight...vailability.do
Flight Stats shows J/9 C/9 D/9 I/9 for the flight I want
If they do release more seats later, in general, would it be for Asia Miles / MCP members only? Or would I be able to book those seats with AA miles?
Thanks again!
Jul 15, 2012, 3:14 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Plat Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Club Carl Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,002
I have been tracking F award availability for CX for a July flight. It appears that all unused F space EXCEPT one seat are released to partners at T minus 5 to 8 days. The final space seems to be released to partners at T minus 1 day. i don't know if the same is true for J space but thought this info might be helpful.
Jul 15, 2012, 5:35 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
Asia Miles and MPC members who are waitlisted will get those seats first. And any leftover might then be released in the general pool for other FFP members.
Jul 15, 2012, 5:40 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AS, BA, AA
Posts: 3,670
I have had very good luck with booking a sub-optimal route on AA, then switching to CX when the open up availability a week or two before the flight (free routing changes!). But then again, I've never tried it during a peak season.
Jul 15, 2012, 8:48 pm
#10
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
I have been tracking F award availability for CX for a July flight. It appears that all unused F space EXCEPT one seat are released to partners at T minus 5 to 8 days. The final space seems to be released to partners at T minus 1 day. i don't know if the same is true for J space but thought this info might be helpful.
Jul 15, 2012, 9:07 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: hong kong
Programs: Centurion, Lan Platinum, ANA Mileage Club, HHonors D, SPG G
Posts: 401
corporate travellers dont wait til the last minute just to snap up a cheap fare... The fact that they're in the office at a certain date is much more important than playing a waiting game where they decide to see whether a seat opens up.
Also, corporations let employees keep the miles they earn on travel
Also, corporations let employees keep the miles they earn on travel
Jul 16, 2012, 9:52 am
#12
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
By "last-minute J", I meant revenue J get snapped up by companies. CX knows that so my impression is that getting an award F seat last minute is greater than getting an award J.
Jul 17, 2012, 1:25 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
6 F awards on SFOHKG tomorrow. 4 available on each flight on the 22nd. Why bother looking for J if F is this easy to score?
Last edited by jamienbaker; Jul 17, 2012 at 1:28 pm Reason: typo
Jul 17, 2012, 1:27 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
I have been tracking F award availability for CX for a July flight. It appears that all unused F space EXCEPT one seat are released to partners at T minus 5 to 8 days. The final space seems to be released to partners at T minus 1 day. i don't know if the same is true for J space but thought this info might be helpful.
Jul 17, 2012, 1:36 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536