A well known consolidator (Chinese travel agent) in Vancouver can even offer First Class fares on CX for about 20% cheaper then bought directly from CX (whether it be website, or reservations center) in addition to the discounted economy class fares they offer. [They even sell to the smaller Chinese travel agents who will put on a mark-up]

The only restriction is that you must travel on the afternoon flights (CX838/839), which is a good deal for food lovers as these flights have better meal service compared to the evening flight.

But then I guess this is happening because the loads on the YVR-HKG-YVR flights in F aren't really that great.

Most Chinese people in Vancouver I know won't even think about buying their ticket direct from CX or online. Their habit is to just go shopping at Chinatown or one of the Asian shopping malls in Richmond and then walk into one of the travel agencies and buy the ticket. (at consolidator fares)

From my biased point of view, the CathayPacific.com online booking is only useful for price insensitive business travellers who don't have time to wait for a ticket to be issued and insist on it being "E-tickted" right away so they can use it "tonight". Also, some Caucasian people in North America or British expats in Hong Kong who are too intimidated to walk into a travel agency in Chinatown might even use it and be paying higher fares for their ticket to HKG compared to their Chinese counterparts. (Sorry for being too biased, but these are just examples)


[This message has been edited by daniellam (edited 10-04-2001).]