1. normal awards for AADV ex-hkg is the same as Asiamiles (although AM offers 30% discount on J awards in tourist seasons quite often)
2. cx j-f upgrade from FULL FARE Y-J is only for ex-USA i believe. (25K for Y to J, 40K for J-F)
3. the "incredible CX fare" i was refering to was the 140k mile for F usa-jfk-hkg-jnb, which is in addition to the normal OW mileage awards, and only avaialble for ex-USA, i believe
[so you still have all the normal ex-hkg awards, on top of that you will have the upgrade from full fare, and the 'ex-usa cx award']
[note BA also have the same CX ex-USA award, but AA offers you free connection on AA domestic. e.g. mia-jfk-hkg-syd on F for 140k miles, for US based BA, you have to start from CX ports]

4. i dont think it worths the hassle of getting a US address (the only difference is BA M class), vs a HK address. the Canadian address worths the hassle, if you have a lot of CX LMN classes

5. i think number6's strategy is worth considering, although there is some hassle of switching back and forth. GB's strategy also work, BUT you need to have 60 segments shorthaul on top of the 100k you put into AADV

6. citibank plat visa: the CX cobrand does not work. it has to be a non-co-brand, hk-based, card. if you have a citigold account, they will waive the annual fee (for both cards, i think).
Daoheng platinum visa gives you the Priority Pass for free (1-year, i think). But Plaza Premium is too small and crowded. It is useful for getting into F lounges in PEK/SHA though.
Banks in HK want you to take as many plastics as you could, it makes no sense for me, but that is what they do.
i have all those cards in my wallet (and a few more), but CX cobrand is the one i mainly use

hope this makes sense



[This message has been edited by pegasus8228 (edited 01-05-2003).]