Hmmm... don't understand why you have to call so many numbers!? I just call the MPC (diamond) line, short wait, and if seats are available, a reservation is made and confirmed. I do HKG-LHR at least twice a year tagging along with my partner. True, seats are hard to come by, especially in the summer months. But if you book well ahead (we do), with 4-5 flights/day we have no problems getting confirmed seats right away (round trip). Required miles are reasonable (75,000), but taxes are quite outrageous!