alc

Mod: I did a few quick search and I can't seems to find the thread that address my question. If there is an existing thread, please merge it for me. Thanks.

I am not a CX guy hence this is really a newbie question I guess.

I had been checking every day (on BA.com) for a HKG-YYZ CX reward Y seat for Jan 2018. But it look like CX is not releasing them, only PE and J. I can get an AC flight with my AC*SE IKK, but the later departure time is better.

I found there is zero Y reward seat available from Dec 25,m 2017 to Jan 25, 2018. I had been monitoring daily since Mid-Dec as each day release. I did the same last year and actually monitor all the way until Sept 2016 and the same result, hence up just went with my AC option.

So my question - is it normal for CX not releasing any Y seat for this ~30 days period?

etkuo

Which part of Jan are you considering?

The first two weeks of Jan are filled with lots of students travelling from HKG back to YYZ for school, along with lots of Hong Kong immigrants travelling from HKG back to YYZ after spending Christmas/New Year in Hong Kong. The flight is always heavily overbooked during the first two weeks of Jan. I have had lots of op-ups on this route in the past due to over booking, and I have also had a couple offers from check-in staff to fly the next day flight. So in short, the chance of CX releasing a reward Y seat is unfortunately quite low.

gpia

Plenty of Y availability throughout January using AM, except around 3-8 Jan.

Chromie25

In addition, many people in HKG will look for award seats for HKG-YYZ. Personally I have a few friends who checks on CX website (they are MPC/AM members) more than daily.

alc

I am looking for the week of Jan 15, date are flexible. So, if they are showing on Asia Miles, is that means CX is not releasing it for OneWorld partners only?

etkuo

I believe it is fairly common that CX will release reward seats opened only to its own program (AM) before opening them up for all OW programs.

gpia

Don't know how the system works exactly but checked the dates and 15 Jan is available in Y using AM

alc

I guess I either need to get my miles into an Asia Miles account or go with my AC option then. Thanks everyone for their quick respond

alc

So, I finally login my Asia Miles account info and check the dates that I want and show the direct flight (CX 826) also are not available. All of them actually showing the same as what the BA screen showing me.

For those the respond stating they see Y being available, was that for CX826 (or CX828) for the week of Jan 15th, 2018?

Thanks.

watery

Checked and I probably see what you have seen: no direct Y availability 14-20/1/2018, all are HKG-LHR(or LGW/LHR)-YYZ. Some direct PEY availability though.

alc

Thanks, BA show PEY too. I had my points in BA and they only need 35K for Y, but 70K for PEY (and 105K for J).

So, I guess I will re-ask my original question, does CX normally not release these 2 direct flights (CX826 and CX 828) during these ~30 days (~Dec 25 to Jan 25) period? As mentioned on 1st post, I had been monitoring daily on BA as they release and they never have it available.

gpia

That was me, and apologies - I didn't catch you were looking for the direct flight.

alc

no need to apologies, it was me not specific about CX metal and direct flight n my 1st post.

All I want to know is whether CX does do this every year. As mentioned where last year, I keep searching every single day until Sept-ish and those days never get release. Hence, I wonder if CX actually has black out certain flights, I build up my BA balance a few years ago just so I can get CX direct between YYZ and HKG. I can get YYZ-HKG, but never be able to get HKG-YYZ, unless I am willing to use double or triple the BA Avios points for PEY or J. If I knew it will be this bad, I would have transfer my credit card points else where instead.

G-CIVC

If you really have to fly this route on these dates, I would look into part-pay (formally 'Avios and Money') options for PEY, which despite the devalued rates now is still pretty cheap (if pricing from ba.com hong kong, it should only be around $0.01 USD per Avios or even less.)

alc

Thanks for your help.

I have enough Avios balance to do the 70K PEY or 105K J, but we are fine with Y. Also I only value my Avios at CAD $0.01.

My family is one of those that rather get quantity over quality in regarding to reward ticket