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
Oct 8, 2017, 3:04 pm
#1263
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,053
Datapoint -
Two J HKGDPS awards popped up on BA overnight for Aug travel. AS could see them so I grabbed them. Subsequently refunded the 2 Y awards I had made with Avios when AS couldn’t see those (miles returned, cash not since taxes were below he $55 BA threshold. I care more about the 25K UR points I transferred, but it was still good insurance).
Anyhow, I recall reading anecdotal reports that AS has particular trouble book Y on this route, but J inventory typically syncs with BA (I know have the family of four booked, all with AS).
Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
Two J HKGDPS awards popped up on BA overnight for Aug travel. AS could see them so I grabbed them. Subsequently refunded the 2 Y awards I had made with Avios when AS couldn’t see those (miles returned, cash not since taxes were below he $55 BA threshold. I care more about the 25K UR points I transferred, but it was still good insurance).
Anyhow, I recall reading anecdotal reports that AS has particular trouble book Y on this route, but J inventory typically syncs with BA (I know have the family of four booked, all with AS).
Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
DAK
Oct 8, 2017, 3:09 pm
#1264
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
Actually, may split wife off and let her fly solo in F from JFK while I take the kids from EWR (unless we can complete the party ex-JFK). We have 4+ hr layover in HKG and this way we could all visit F Pier (wife due F, me due OWE, one guest each). Only issue is added transit expense (two car services to two different airports).
Oct 8, 2017, 6:56 pm
#1265
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Actually, may split wife off and let her fly solo in F from JFK while I take the kids from EWR (unless we can complete the party ex-JFK). We have 4+ hr layover in HKG and this way we could all visit F Pier (wife due F, me due OWE, one guest each). Only issue is added transit expense (two car services to two different airports).
Glad it's coming together ^ Keep a sharp eye 2 weeks out, 1 week out and every couple of hours as it gets closer in.
Oct 8, 2017, 11:56 pm
#1267
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
Actually, may split wife off and let her fly solo in F from JFK while I take the kids from EWR (unless we can complete the party ex-JFK). We have 4+ hr layover in HKG and this way we could all visit F Pier (wife due F, me due OWE, one guest each). Only issue is added transit expense (two car services to two different airports).
(I admire your dedication to vacation. I think I am being foresighted if I am somewhat early to the airport and have alternate flights mapped out if things go wrong...)
Oct 12, 2017, 12:13 am
#1268
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North America
Posts: 2,265
Hi all.
A couple of questions ... I did try searching but it is 2am.
1) Is it true we can upgrade an award (J>F) within the close-in period without having to pay the $125 change fee? According to my AS rep it's true, but it sounded too good to be true.
2) Can I switch to a different flight, same route fee-free? i.e. currently on a 10:50a departure NRT>HKG, now I see availability on the 5:05p flight ... will the $125 change fee apply? And if no, will the change fee apply if I were to also change the date of my flight?
Many thanks!
A couple of questions ... I did try searching but it is 2am.
1) Is it true we can upgrade an award (J>F) within the close-in period without having to pay the $125 change fee? According to my AS rep it's true, but it sounded too good to be true.
2) Can I switch to a different flight, same route fee-free? i.e. currently on a 10:50a departure NRT>HKG, now I see availability on the 5:05p flight ... will the $125 change fee apply? And if no, will the change fee apply if I were to also change the date of my flight?
Many thanks!
Oct 12, 2017, 12:32 am
#1269
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
Hi all.
A couple of questions ... I did try searching but it is 2am.
1) Is it true we can upgrade an award (J>F) within the close-in period without having to pay the $125 change fee? According to my AS rep it's true, but it sounded too good to be true.
2) Can I switch to a different flight, same route fee-free? i.e. currently on a 10:50a departure NRT>HKG, now I see availability on the 5:05p flight ... will the $125 change fee apply? And if no, will the change fee apply if I were to also change the date of my flight?
Many thanks!
A couple of questions ... I did try searching but it is 2am.
1) Is it true we can upgrade an award (J>F) within the close-in period without having to pay the $125 change fee? According to my AS rep it's true, but it sounded too good to be true.
2) Can I switch to a different flight, same route fee-free? i.e. currently on a 10:50a departure NRT>HKG, now I see availability on the 5:05p flight ... will the $125 change fee apply? And if no, will the change fee apply if I were to also change the date of my flight?
Many thanks!
Dates and time changes should surely trigger the fee. You’re not using AA miles where as long as you do same destination you’re fine.
Oct 12, 2017, 8:03 am
#1270
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Hi all.
A couple of questions ... I did try searching but it is 2am.
1) Is it true we can upgrade an award (J>F) within the close-in period without having to pay the $125 change fee? According to my AS rep it's true, but it sounded too good to be true.
2) Can I switch to a different flight, same route fee-free? i.e. currently on a 10:50a departure NRT>HKG, now I see availability on the 5:05p flight ... will the $125 change fee apply? And if no, will the change fee apply if I were to also change the date of my flight?
Many thanks!
A couple of questions ... I did try searching but it is 2am.
1) Is it true we can upgrade an award (J>F) within the close-in period without having to pay the $125 change fee? According to my AS rep it's true, but it sounded too good to be true.
2) Can I switch to a different flight, same route fee-free? i.e. currently on a 10:50a departure NRT>HKG, now I see availability on the 5:05p flight ... will the $125 change fee apply? And if no, will the change fee apply if I were to also change the date of my flight?
Many thanks!
Oct 12, 2017, 4:34 pm
#1271
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: HNL <-> BOS
Posts: 382
This. I have a mixed cabin award and will hopefully upgrade the J leg to F when it becomes available close-in. Have confirmed with multiple reps that since the award is a F ticket/level, it will be free to move J --> F. Otherwise, you will most likely have to pay if there is no status.
Oct 13, 2017, 12:11 am
#1272
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,083
Datapoint -
Two J HKGDPS awards popped up on BA overnight for Aug travel. AS could see them so I grabbed them. Subsequently refunded the 2 Y awards I had made with Avios when AS couldn’t see those (miles returned, cash not since taxes were below he $55 BA threshold. I care more about the 25K UR points I transferred, but it was still good insurance).
Anyhow, I recall reading anecdotal reports that AS has particular trouble book Y on this route, but J inventory typically syncs with BA (I know have the family of four booked, all with AS).
Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
Two J HKGDPS awards popped up on BA overnight for Aug travel. AS could see them so I grabbed them. Subsequently refunded the 2 Y awards I had made with Avios when AS couldn’t see those (miles returned, cash not since taxes were below he $55 BA threshold. I care more about the 25K UR points I transferred, but it was still good insurance).
Anyhow, I recall reading anecdotal reports that AS has particular trouble book Y on this route, but J inventory typically syncs with BA (I know have the family of four booked, all with AS).
Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
AS was unable to see Y award on this route when both JL and BA showed space.
As soon as J became available though, was able to book with AS.
Oct 15, 2017, 11:12 am
#1274
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,610
Datapoint on successful booking which might help people.
Called at midnight seattle-time on the dot 1 year out when alaska calendar opens for JNB-HKG flight. Agent saw business class space matching BA/Qantas, and created an alaska record locator for me, but couldn't confirm the space. Since it was midnight, and partner international desks for her weren't picking up the phone, asked me to call back in the morning with my record locator to confirm the space she saw.
Slept, called next morning 8am, and the agent very easily confirmed the space seen and created as alaska record locator last night. Agent was also able to add HKG - YVR business class segment even though it was technically 331 days out Seattle timezone, but maybe due to it leaving in hongkong it worked? (all in 62500 miles & $75).
Very easy process, besides the stress of the midnight agent seeing the space but not being able to "confirm" it with a cathay record locator, and asking me to call in the morning. Clearly morning agents have some more power/tools that midnight ones don't.
Called at midnight seattle-time on the dot 1 year out when alaska calendar opens for JNB-HKG flight. Agent saw business class space matching BA/Qantas, and created an alaska record locator for me, but couldn't confirm the space. Since it was midnight, and partner international desks for her weren't picking up the phone, asked me to call back in the morning with my record locator to confirm the space she saw.
Slept, called next morning 8am, and the agent very easily confirmed the space seen and created as alaska record locator last night. Agent was also able to add HKG - YVR business class segment even though it was technically 331 days out Seattle timezone, but maybe due to it leaving in hongkong it worked? (all in 62500 miles & $75).
Very easy process, besides the stress of the midnight agent seeing the space but not being able to "confirm" it with a cathay record locator, and asking me to call in the morning. Clearly morning agents have some more power/tools that midnight ones don't.
Oct 15, 2017, 3:09 pm
#1275
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Programs: AA ExPlat, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 909
Called back today after confirming via KVS F availability on CX 881. Transferred to supervisor who was able to see the seat and explicitly confirmed the need for AS agents to input 1am to see early am award availability.
Thought about adding this important tip to the CX award wiki, but will leave to greater minds.
Last edited by mczlaw; Oct 15, 2017 at 3:58 pm