Intra-Asia MP Award Redemptions
May 25, 2020, 8:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 462
Intra-Asia MP Award Redemptions
I was wondering if anyone had experience or insight regarding intra-Asia MP award redemptions. I have a trip I am expecting to make next year that would involve a PEK-HKG segment, and I was hoping to fly CX F (short flight but just want to try CX F regardless). Does As allow for this type of award ticket, or must the flight originate in U.S.
May 25, 2020, 9:12 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
I was wondering if anyone had experience or insight regarding intra-Asia MP award redemptions. I have a trip I am expecting to make next year that would involve a PEK-HKG segment, and I was hoping to fly CX F (short flight but just want to try CX F regardless). Does As allow for this type of award ticket, or must the flight originate in U.S.
May 25, 2020, 9:16 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,281
I was wondering if anyone had experience or insight regarding intra-Asia MP award redemptions. I have a trip I am expecting to make next year that would involve a PEK-HKG segment, and I was hoping to fly CX F (short flight but just want to try CX F regardless). Does As allow for this type of award ticket, or must the flight originate in U.S.
May 26, 2020, 1:12 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
Some of those PEK-HKG flights are KA, not CX. Won't be able to book those with AS miles until AS joins oneworld, which is ????? (sometime in 2021 but AS is notorious for slipping dates). Also, CX doesn't make much intra-Asia F award inventory available for partners, as stated.
May 26, 2020, 1:49 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Some of those PEK-HKG flights are KA, not CX. Won't be able to book those with AS miles until AS joins oneworld, which is ????? (sometime in 2021 but AS is notorious for slipping dates). Also, CX doesn't make much intra-Asia F award inventory available for partners, as stated.
If the OP does manage to score a seat, and his flight is cancelled or doesn't have F, I would expect CX to rebook him on KA (they do have F, but the seat is the same as CX J) or CA without charge.
PEK-HKG is pretty good use of miles IMO, even if only Y is on offer. When paying cash, you're looking at about Y1000 for CZ, Y1200 for CA, and Y1500 for CX/KA. I'm okay with CZ myself, but KA is considerably nicer, and has a much higher schedule frequency.
May 26, 2020, 3:06 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
The ratio is actually more like 10 KA v 3 CX. I used to prefer the former back when KA had better food, but that gap is now pretty much non-existent.
If the OP does manage to score a seat, and his flight is cancelled or doesn't have F, I would expect CX to rebook him on KA (they do have F, but the seat is the same as CX J) or CA without charge.
If the OP does manage to score a seat, and his flight is cancelled or doesn't have F, I would expect CX to rebook him on KA (they do have F, but the seat is the same as CX J) or CA without charge.
May 26, 2020, 11:05 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
If the intent is to sample CX F though, getting CX longhaul J equipment as KA F might not really compare, though I am sure it wouldn’t be terrible for a three hour flight. The easiest way to sample CX F with AS miles was YVR-JFK or v.v (ridiculously so, which is why CX killed the route). Good luck to OP but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
F on PEK-HKG is not the same F on long haul flights.
meal and drinks are different, maybe worse than international long haul J. I took HKG-PEK on F, there was definitely no caviar in breakfast. Nothing special in the breakfast, either. It could be just one-tray service, I can't remember it exactly. There is nothing memorable about the flight, beside that it was delayed due to ATC for a few hours. Still breakfast was served instead of lunch. I was lucky to have breakfast in lounge before the flight.
the hardware is the same as international long haul F, though. But does it really matter that much for such a short flight?
May 26, 2020, 11:10 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,281
F on PEK-HKG is not the same F on long haul flights.
meal and drinks are different, maybe worse than international long haul J. I took HKG-PEK on F, there was definitely no caviar in breakfast. Nothing special in the breakfast, either. It could be just one-tray service, I can't remember it exactly. There is nothing memorable about the flight, beside that it was delayed due to ATC for a few hours. Still breakfast was served instead of lunch. I was lucky to have breakfast in lounge before the flight.
the hardware is the same as international long haul F, though. But does it really matter that much for such a short flight?
meal and drinks are different, maybe worse than international long haul J. I took HKG-PEK on F, there was definitely no caviar in breakfast. Nothing special in the breakfast, either. It could be just one-tray service, I can't remember it exactly. There is nothing memorable about the flight, beside that it was delayed due to ATC for a few hours. Still breakfast was served instead of lunch. I was lucky to have breakfast in lounge before the flight.
the hardware is the same as international long haul F, though. But does it really matter that much for such a short flight?
Best value might be Ex: HND - HKG followed by a (long) connection somewhere else. HND JAL lounge is fairly nice, followed by a reasonably long F flight, which happens to be just long enough to allow for F access in HKG (recommend the Pier).
but that’s again if you can find the unicorn F space on that route!
May 27, 2020, 6:44 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
If the intent is to sample CX F though, getting CX longhaul J equipment as KA F might not really compare, though I am sure it wouldn’t be terrible for a three hour flight. The easiest way to sample CX F with AS miles was YVR-JFK or v.v (ridiculously so, which is why CX killed the route). Good luck to OP but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
May 27, 2020, 11:21 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
F lounge ex-HKG is certainly an experience if you’ve never tried it before. But I agree, Ex-PEK may not be worth it.
Best value might be Ex: HND - HKG followed by a (long) connection somewhere else. HND JAL lounge is fairly nice, followed by a reasonably long F flight, which happens to be just long enough to allow for F access in HKG (recommend the Pier).
but that’s again if you can find the unicorn F space on that route!
Best value might be Ex: HND - HKG followed by a (long) connection somewhere else. HND JAL lounge is fairly nice, followed by a reasonably long F flight, which happens to be just long enough to allow for F access in HKG (recommend the Pier).
but that’s again if you can find the unicorn F space on that route!
May 28, 2020, 1:10 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
IMO CX shorthaul F isn’t really the F experience (I’ve done it BKK-HKG), unless OP is just dying to get into a HKG F Lounge and that 77W seat- but that doesn’t even happen necessarily ex-PEK.You’re not getting pajamas, Krug and caviar for sure.
May 28, 2020, 1:28 am
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
But then you have to get switched onto a KA flight, etc. I mean, is it really worth playing a lottery twice, finding partner F AND then getting switched to a KA F flight?
IMO CX shorthaul F isn’t really the F experience (I’ve done it BKK-HKG), unless OP is just dying to get into a HKG F Lounge and that 77W seat- but that doesn’t even happen necessarily ex-PEK.You’re not getting pajamas, Krug and caviar for sure.
IMO CX shorthaul F isn’t really the F experience (I’ve done it BKK-HKG), unless OP is just dying to get into a HKG F Lounge and that 77W seat- but that doesn’t even happen necessarily ex-PEK.You’re not getting pajamas, Krug and caviar for sure.
May 28, 2020, 3:40 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
If CX and KA merge into the CX brand as they would like to, the dynamics change, but it is unlikely that will happen soon.
Cathay Pacific's brand merger hits roadblock
James
May 28, 2020, 8:18 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
CX is an AS partner, KA & CA are not! If his award is canceled or downgraded, he can't switch to KA or CA. AS issued the ticket and it is AS who will have to reissue the ticket where no such options exist.
If CX and KA merge into the CX brand as they would like to, the dynamics change, but it is unlikely that will happen soon.
Cathay Pacific's brand merger hits roadblock
James
If CX and KA merge into the CX brand as they would like to, the dynamics change, but it is unlikely that will happen soon.
Cathay Pacific's brand merger hits roadblock
James
May 28, 2020, 9:28 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James