Cathay Pacific (CX) Award Redemption, Booking and Availability (2019-2022)
Jan 23, 2019, 4:10 am
#106
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
Sorry, AS doesn’t allow North America-HKG-Europe as one award on CX. I did fly to Europe like this once, but paid the 140K for F.
Also someone above said that if BA isn’t showing, it’s not available. I wouldn’t only rely on BA search. It can be wrong many times, and sometimes not show what’s actually available. I like to use and look both at the QF tool, and BA tool. The QF tool is much more user friendly and allows the calendar feature so you can actually find what days have F instead of doing it 5 days at a time on BA and clicking each individual day.
Also someone above said that if BA isn’t showing, it’s not available. I wouldn’t only rely on BA search. It can be wrong many times, and sometimes not show what’s actually available. I like to use and look both at the QF tool, and BA tool. The QF tool is much more user friendly and allows the calendar feature so you can actually find what days have F instead of doing it 5 days at a time on BA and clicking each individual day.
Jan 23, 2019, 7:27 am
#107
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: AS
Posts: 3
Appreciate all the feedback; makes much more sense now. I think I'll split my trip into two seperate vacations; postpone my plans to fly CX first until late 2019/2020 for an intra-asia trip.
Jan 24, 2019, 5:52 pm
#108
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Washington DC / Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP, Marco Polo Silver
Posts: 118
Has CX award redemption changed in the last 5 years?
I know CX threads are a dime a dozen on this forum. Before you roll your eyes, I'm only asking if things have changed.
I have 3 pax trying to go East Coast US - Singapore, ideally December 20, 2019.
I booked J and F in 2006, 2010 and 2014. I was always able to book 330 days out. But last night, as the clock rolled over to T-330 from my desired departure, nothing is available. Also nothing T-300, T-270, T-240, etc. Nothing from IAD, nothing from SEA, nothing from NYC. I also don't see anything on AsiaMiles.com, AA, JAL, etc.
Is CX no longer releasing seats at T-330? Is the game played differently now?
Thanks.
I have 3 pax trying to go East Coast US - Singapore, ideally December 20, 2019.
I booked J and F in 2006, 2010 and 2014. I was always able to book 330 days out. But last night, as the clock rolled over to T-330 from my desired departure, nothing is available. Also nothing T-300, T-270, T-240, etc. Nothing from IAD, nothing from SEA, nothing from NYC. I also don't see anything on AsiaMiles.com, AA, JAL, etc.
Is CX no longer releasing seats at T-330? Is the game played differently now?
Thanks.
Jan 24, 2019, 6:06 pm
#109
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I know CX threads are a dime a dozen on this forum. Before you roll your eyes, I'm only asking if things have changed.
I have 3 pax trying to go East Coast US - Singapore, ideally December 20, 2019.
I booked J and F in 2006, 2010 and 2014. I was always able to book 330 days out. But last night, as the clock rolled over to T-330 from my desired departure, nothing is available. Also nothing T-300, T-270, T-240, etc. Nothing from IAD, nothing from SEA, nothing from NYC. I also don't see anything on AsiaMiles.com, AA, JAL, etc.
Is CX no longer releasing seats at T-330? Is the game played differently now?
Thanks.
I have 3 pax trying to go East Coast US - Singapore, ideally December 20, 2019.
I booked J and F in 2006, 2010 and 2014. I was always able to book 330 days out. But last night, as the clock rolled over to T-330 from my desired departure, nothing is available. Also nothing T-300, T-270, T-240, etc. Nothing from IAD, nothing from SEA, nothing from NYC. I also don't see anything on AsiaMiles.com, AA, JAL, etc.
Is CX no longer releasing seats at T-330? Is the game played differently now?
Thanks.
James
Jan 24, 2019, 6:21 pm
#110
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Washington DC / Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP, Marco Polo Silver
Posts: 118
*edit* I know of the error fare, asking about the results
Jan 24, 2019, 6:31 pm
#111
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
However, i dont see a reason why they would sell the last available seat(s) to AS awards when they have yet to sell a full fare.
also, they have only released seats 1-by-1 to non oneworld partners lately
*Patricia Huang is CX’s GM or Revenue Management who is also behind their ad campaigns. she is also our bashing target on the cx forum
Jan 24, 2019, 7:03 pm
#112
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Besides any possible tightening of availability after the mistake fares, CX made some significant changes to redemptions through their own program last year that seemed to affect availability for everyone else as well.
Jan 24, 2019, 7:18 pm
#113
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Washington DC / Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP, Marco Polo Silver
Posts: 118
I just spoke to a booking agent for AA who was very knowledgeable. He said he books tons of CX award flights, and if CX was tightening up as a result of the New Years fiasco he would have heard about it. FWIW.
Last edited by joelpat; Jan 24, 2019 at 7:21 pm Reason: adding more info
Jan 24, 2019, 7:35 pm
#114
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,166
I observed that after the first class mistake fare incident, first class inventory for many JFK flights have become F1 or F0. (when they are usually F6 or F5)
I don't know if people actually bought that many Cathay first class tickets, or if Cathay's revenue management team decided to reduce first class inventory after the incident for whatever reason, but the reduction in first class inventory definitely happened after the mistake fare incident.
I suppose this is resulting in problems not just for award tickets but also for revenue tickets.
CX really should have not honored the mistake fare.
I don't know if people actually bought that many Cathay first class tickets, or if Cathay's revenue management team decided to reduce first class inventory after the incident for whatever reason, but the reduction in first class inventory definitely happened after the mistake fare incident.
I suppose this is resulting in problems not just for award tickets but also for revenue tickets.
CX really should have not honored the mistake fare.
Jan 24, 2019, 9:16 pm
#115
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Cathay very reliably releases 1F and 4J, but they release them at 360 (or is it 355?) days out. By the time AS fliers can book them, many seats will be taken by BA, CX and QF fliers, that have a month lead time.
I fly CX F or J to Hong Kong every Christmas for the past five years, I have noticed no difference. Just be a little flexible on dates, and I've always had luck.
Jan 24, 2019, 10:41 pm
#116
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
The error fare does not effect flights that are now being released. You can't book revenue seats more than 331 days in advance.
Cathay very reliably releases 1F and 4J, but they release them at 360 (or is it 355?) days out. By the time AS fliers can book them, many seats will be taken by BA, CX and QF fliers, that have a month lead time.
I fly CX F or J to Hong Kong every Christmas for the past five years, I have noticed no difference. Just be a little flexible on dates, and I've always had luck.
Cathay very reliably releases 1F and 4J, but they release them at 360 (or is it 355?) days out. By the time AS fliers can book them, many seats will be taken by BA, CX and QF fliers, that have a month lead time.
I fly CX F or J to Hong Kong every Christmas for the past five years, I have noticed no difference. Just be a little flexible on dates, and I've always had luck.
I am currently in the air flying JL6 F HND-JFK that I booked 10 days ago. I am using the free stopover in the US and will continue the award in March. A little off topic but only 4 in F today, everyone at the windows. Everyone got the suite across the isle for their bed, while the window suite is available for lounging & dining. The complimentary wifi in F is a nice touch too.
Happy flying, good luck to everyone on their searches.
James
Jan 25, 2019, 6:57 am
#117
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Washington DC / Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP, Marco Polo Silver
Posts: 118
Overnight the availability through AsiaMiles has improved. There are now some seats, but Alaska still doesn't have them. So maybe there's hope.
We build up a lot of miles flying transcon on Alaska, but if I can't use my miles to fly transpac anymore, or I can't get seats for my family of three, I have to question the value of staying with them. We've flirted with leaving for another carrier, this might do it.
We build up a lot of miles flying transcon on Alaska, but if I can't use my miles to fly transpac anymore, or I can't get seats for my family of three, I have to question the value of staying with them. We've flirted with leaving for another carrier, this might do it.
Last edited by joelpat; Jan 25, 2019 at 6:59 am Reason: grammar
Jan 25, 2019, 11:06 am
#118
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Overnight the availability through AsiaMiles has improved. There are now some seats, but Alaska still doesn't have them. So maybe there's hope.
We build up a lot of miles flying transcon on Alaska, but if I can't use my miles to fly transpac anymore, or I can't get seats for my family of three, I have to question the value of staying with them. We've flirted with leaving for another carrier, this might do it.
We build up a lot of miles flying transcon on Alaska, but if I can't use my miles to fly transpac anymore, or I can't get seats for my family of three, I have to question the value of staying with them. We've flirted with leaving for another carrier, this might do it.
Jan 25, 2019, 1:08 pm
#119
Join Date: May 2017
Location: YEG, SFO, VCA, JR JY-13
Programs: hahaha
Posts: 922
Kinda related, but I didn't want to make a new thread. I have BA Avios to burn and I'm looking for short haul flights from HKG to HAN/SGN in Jan 2020 in Y...and in my past experience I have to wait T-355. Is that still the case?
Jan 25, 2019, 1:29 pm
#120
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SAN
Programs: AS MVPG100K, UA Gold, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National Exec
Posts: 320
You're in the AS forum, so this isn't related at all. You'd be better off asking in the BA forum.