Jun 28, 2017, 8:46 pm
Last edit by: eponymous_coward
Cathay Award Guide Using Alaska Airlines Miles
Note: Cathay flights cannot be booked using alaskaair.com. Mileage requirements in chart form available on alaskaair.com.
Routing Rules:
North American Gateway Cities:
Western
Vancouver
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Seattle (Spring 2019)
Eastern (Can not be used if traveling to west coast)
Boston
Chicago
New York (JFK & EWR)
Toronto
Washington
Award Chart Links*:
Asia
Australia
Europe
India/Middle East
North America
Anyone with 90 posts and 90 days can edit the wiki. Everyone else if you want something added to the wiki please comment in the thread.
Note: Cathay flights cannot be booked using alaskaair.com. Mileage requirements in chart form available on alaskaair.com.
Request your Partner Award reservation on Cathay Pacific by calling Alaska Airlines Reservations at 1-800-252-7522 (TTY: Dial 711 for Relay Services) 5:00 a.m. - Midnight (PT), daily.
- If it's not on the award chart, it's not allowed. For example EUROPE is To/From HKG only.
- Stopover are only allowed on any CX award for North America awards as destination or origin. For instance: intra-Asia awards do not get a stopover. It must be a North America->Somewhere or Somewhere->North America award to qualify for a stopover.
- The only awards that do not break at HKG are intra-Asia or North American ones. For instance, Australia-Europe/Middle East/Asia outside of HKG will be two awards (breaking at HKG). The AS award chart can be misleading about this and give you the impression you can fly an award like Australia/Europe-ICN, but the chart for these award types will show "Hong Kong".
- One stop-over allowed on one way award. You can build open jaw and other advanced routings by booking multiple one way awards. Please note change fee rule below.
- Allegedly stop-over only in Hong Kong, but some have posted success in other enroute cities such as YVR or SEA.
- As of 5 June 2018 changes/cancellations made to a booking will incur a $125 fee which is waived for MVPG/MVPG75K. Bookings made prior to 5 June will be allowed one complimentary change or cancellation for up to 60 days prior to date of travel.
- Awards can be booked 330 days in advance.
- Cathay and Alaska (or an Alaska flight operated by SkyWest/Horizon on behalf of Alaska) are the only airlines allowed on a Cathay award. No other partner airlines may be used on a single award (e.g. American, JAL, Emirates).
North American Gateway Cities:
Western
Vancouver
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Seattle (Spring 2019)
Eastern (Can not be used if traveling to west coast)
Boston
Chicago
New York (JFK & EWR)
Toronto
Washington
Award Chart Links*:
Asia
Australia
Europe
India/Middle East
North America
Anyone with 90 posts and 90 days can edit the wiki. Everyone else if you want something added to the wiki please comment in the thread.
Cathay Pacific (CX) Award Redemption, Booking and Availability – 2017 and Later
Jul 11, 2017, 11:48 pm
#871
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
FCO is by no means a new route. It was launched in 1986. MXP wasn't launched until 2010.
And both FCO and MXP are doing very well with incredible Chinese demand so it wouldn't be surprising that there is not much award inventory.
OP can actually think about BA as BA does not charge YQ/YR for awards on its own metal departing out of HKG (ie it won't be notably more expensive than CX). If you can ticket it as a roundtrip, I think YQ/YR will not be applied on the return sector(s) too.
And both FCO and MXP are doing very well with incredible Chinese demand so it wouldn't be surprising that there is not much award inventory.
OP can actually think about BA as BA does not charge YQ/YR for awards on its own metal departing out of HKG (ie it won't be notably more expensive than CX). If you can ticket it as a roundtrip, I think YQ/YR will not be applied on the return sector(s) too.
Jul 12, 2017, 7:46 am
#872
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Why are these routings not valid?
CGK-HKG-YVR (stopover)-SEA-LAX (this one I could probably see why as YVR is not the hub for both CX and AS).
CGK-HKG-LAX (stopover)-SEA-PDX or CGK-HKG-LAX (stopover)-PDX-SEA (why can't I layover PDX on the way to SEA or vice versa?)
In the end, I had to choose either CGK-HKG-LAX (stopover)-SEA or CGK-HKG-LAX (stopover)-PDX.
However, I'm glad to be able to do the YVR stopover on my way back from JFK-YVR (stopover)-HKG.
CGK-HKG-YVR (stopover)-SEA-LAX (this one I could probably see why as YVR is not the hub for both CX and AS).
CGK-HKG-LAX (stopover)-SEA-PDX or CGK-HKG-LAX (stopover)-PDX-SEA (why can't I layover PDX on the way to SEA or vice versa?)
In the end, I had to choose either CGK-HKG-LAX (stopover)-SEA or CGK-HKG-LAX (stopover)-PDX.
However, I'm glad to be able to do the YVR stopover on my way back from JFK-YVR (stopover)-HKG.
Last edited by CDKing; Jul 12, 2017 at 7:58 am
Jul 12, 2017, 11:17 am
#873
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
FCO is by no means a new route. It was launched in 1986. MXP wasn't launched until 2010.
And both FCO and MXP are doing very well with incredible Chinese demand so it wouldn't be surprising that there is not much award inventory.
OP can actually think about BA as BA does not charge YQ/YR for awards on its own metal departing out of HKG (ie it won't be notably more expensive than CX). If you can ticket it as a roundtrip, I think YQ/YR will not be applied on the return sector(s) too.
And both FCO and MXP are doing very well with incredible Chinese demand so it wouldn't be surprising that there is not much award inventory.
OP can actually think about BA as BA does not charge YQ/YR for awards on its own metal departing out of HKG (ie it won't be notably more expensive than CX). If you can ticket it as a roundtrip, I think YQ/YR will not be applied on the return sector(s) too.
Also thank you for reminding us HKG government forbids the airlines charge YQ on flights originating from Hong Kong. Need to keep this in mind myself!
Fwiw, AA recently erroneous charged an FTer who contacted HKG regulatory agency to finally get a refund from AA despite the AA CS morons continued denying his claim of refund despite he submitted all the necessary supports (emails from HKG regulatory agency).
This indeed makes BA an option as it would be rather easy to connect at LHR onto most parts of EU.
Jul 12, 2017, 11:44 am
#874
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
HKG-ZRH always has space, even in F too.
Jul 12, 2017, 12:41 pm
#875
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
Jul 13, 2017, 6:20 am
#876
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 276
FCO is by no means a new route. It was launched in 1986. MXP wasn't launched until 2010.
And both FCO and MXP are doing very well with incredible Chinese demand so it wouldn't be surprising that there is not much award inventory.
OP can actually think about BA as BA does not charge YQ/YR for awards on its own metal departing out of HKG (ie it won't be notably more expensive than CX). If you can ticket it as a roundtrip, I think YQ/YR will not be applied on the return sector(s) too.
And both FCO and MXP are doing very well with incredible Chinese demand so it wouldn't be surprising that there is not much award inventory.
OP can actually think about BA as BA does not charge YQ/YR for awards on its own metal departing out of HKG (ie it won't be notably more expensive than CX). If you can ticket it as a roundtrip, I think YQ/YR will not be applied on the return sector(s) too.
The same way they have just opened up BCN (seasonal summer route).
Jul 13, 2017, 4:42 pm
#877
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,053
Hello,
I've been looking for two award J tickets to Italy from US during the summer of '18. Departure point in the US isn't really important as I'm willing to position flight to the appropriate airport. I've basically given up on finding AA, AF, KLM inventory, and I'm not willing to pay BA's fees.
So now I'm focused on going the long way around on Cathay. I seem to have no issue finding inventory from the US to HKG, but finding the HKG to Italy (any airport) seems to be non-existent. Should I assume that this is just a case of summer inventory to popular European destinations being very slim, or is there something else I'm missing?
I'm using the BA website to search.
thanks
I've been looking for two award J tickets to Italy from US during the summer of '18. Departure point in the US isn't really important as I'm willing to position flight to the appropriate airport. I've basically given up on finding AA, AF, KLM inventory, and I'm not willing to pay BA's fees.
So now I'm focused on going the long way around on Cathay. I seem to have no issue finding inventory from the US to HKG, but finding the HKG to Italy (any airport) seems to be non-existent. Should I assume that this is just a case of summer inventory to popular European destinations being very slim, or is there something else I'm missing?
I'm using the BA website to search.
thanks
For maximum value fly BA via LHR and apply the AARP ($200) and Chase BA credit card (10%) discounts.
<edit> Found that you can fly JFK-LHR-VCE (Venice) in BA J for ~$2200 before applying above discounts. That would be about $1800 after discounts. Hard to argue with that <end edit>
And you will earn miles rather than spend them. So unless you really want to spend a few days in HKG en-route and spend loads-of-miles, I would seriously look into the paying real money option. Unless you have little of that of course.
DAK
Last edited by dkerr; Jul 13, 2017 at 4:51 pm Reason: Added comment about flying into VCE
Jul 13, 2017, 5:20 pm
#878
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
Okay, wow, extreme. And will cost you a lot of miles. Personally I'd never do this and I would also take a close look at actually buying a ticket. Right now e.g. JFK-ZRH round trip non-stop business class can be had for ~$2200 for next summer (I searched end may/early june). Non-stop JFK to Rome ~$2800.
For maximum value fly BA via LHR and apply the AARP ($200) and Chase BA credit card (10%) discounts.
<edit> Found that you can fly JFK-LHR-VCE (Venice) in BA J for ~$2200 before applying above discounts. That would be about $1800 after discounts. Hard to argue with that <end edit>
And you will earn miles rather than spend them. So unless you really want to spend a few days in HKG en-route and spend loads-of-miles, I would seriously look into the paying real money option. Unless you have little of that of course.
DAK
For maximum value fly BA via LHR and apply the AARP ($200) and Chase BA credit card (10%) discounts.
<edit> Found that you can fly JFK-LHR-VCE (Venice) in BA J for ~$2200 before applying above discounts. That would be about $1800 after discounts. Hard to argue with that <end edit>
And you will earn miles rather than spend them. So unless you really want to spend a few days in HKG en-route and spend loads-of-miles, I would seriously look into the paying real money option. Unless you have little of that of course.
DAK
Speaking of which, just booked 2F/4J on the same CX flight for a buddy, leaving in a week. Booked with AA but before that I rang AS and they could see the same inventory.
Jamie
Jul 13, 2017, 5:42 pm
#879
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: HNL <-> BOS
Posts: 382
DAK - once again your generosity amazes me. Shouldn't we encourage the OP to burn/waste as many miles as possible? Won't this strategy diminish the competition next time you or I are looking for lucrative awards?
Speaking of which, just booked 2F/4J on the same CX flight for a buddy, leaving in a week. Booked with AA but before that I rang AS and they could see the same inventory.
Jamie
Speaking of which, just booked 2F/4J on the same CX flight for a buddy, leaving in a week. Booked with AA but before that I rang AS and they could see the same inventory.
Jamie
Jul 13, 2017, 5:49 pm
#880
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 25
How far in advance can I book CX using Alaska miles
- I know Cathay Pacific posts scheduling 360 days in advance and Alaska only 331. If using Alaska miles to book CX flights, do I have to wait until 331 days out or can I do it before?
- I assume if I am able to book earlier than 331 days out then I cannot add on an Alaska Airlines flight to my itinerary later. For example, flying LAX-HKG-SGN on CX. Then, once 331 days out, booking DCA-LAX on AS. That won't work, right? I feel like I already know it won't, but I wanted to ask on the 1% chance that I am wrong about this scenario.
Thanks!
Jul 13, 2017, 6:12 pm
#881
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 1,204
Jul 13, 2017, 6:13 pm
#882
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
- I know Cathay Pacific posts scheduling 360 days in advance and Alaska only 331. If using Alaska miles to book CX flights, do I have to wait until 331 days out or can I do it before?
- I assume if I am able to book earlier than 331 days out then I cannot add on an Alaska Airlines flight to my itinerary later. For example, flying LAX-HKG-SGN on CX. Then, once 331 days out, booking DCA-LAX on AS. That won't work, right? I feel like I already know it won't, but I wanted to ask on the 1% chance that I am wrong about this scenario.
Thanks!
Jul 13, 2017, 6:24 pm
#884
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
JFKHKG approx one week out. Hardly unusual, actually. Flight was F4, so typical that 2 F awards would be available. My buddy is psyched. Even got the 4 kids in the mini-cabin.
Good luck on your next adventure - Jamie
Good luck on your next adventure - Jamie
Jul 13, 2017, 6:27 pm
#885
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
Or maybe it was an anomaly. But I DEFINITELY got the CX award ticketed before ANY AS flights were available either from res or on the site.
Jamie