Originally Posted by midlevels

I've booked a redemption ticket for a few months out, and I've given MPC the go ahead for ticketing. The MPC rep gave the the mileage requirement and an estimate (not exact amount) for the taxes+fuel, and said that they will pass a message to the ticketing department to issue the ticket.

I asked how long it would take. They said they do not know how long it will take, only that the ticketing department prioritises ticket issuance based on travel date.

Since the reward ticket is for a few months out, does it mean that I have to wait months for ticket issuance?

Luckily in this case a visa is not required for travel, otherwise what would I have done if I needed to show an eticket for a visa application? Most consular officers probably wouldn't put much faith in a statement that "the airline has promised to issue the ticket when they have some free time to do so".

Also, doesn't this give Cathay free license to charge whatever fuel surcharge they want? If I give the instruction to issue the ticket in August, but they don't issue the ticket for a few weeks, will I have to pay the September or October surcharge? What if it's higher? It doesn't make sense that they should be allowed to give an approximate tax/fuel amount and then charge whatever they want later.

I also realise that this topic has come up before on FT - but I can't find the previous references at the moment and I'm looking to see if anyone has any current information. I know in Feb/March around the time of system migration lead times for redemption ticketing were horrendous but I'm hoping things may have gotten better by now?