Jan 1, 2024, 5:53 pm
Last edit by: JY1024
Awards: All Cathay Pacific / CX (Including First and Business Class)
Questions, Availability, Discussion
NOTE: Multiple reports starting in June 2021 that CX is allowing only a 24 hour hold and could cancel reservations not being ticketed beyond 24 hours.
Please feel free to use this thread for questions regarding CX Economy, Premium Economy, First and Business Class award redemption using AAdvantage miles, as well as questions regarding award availability, routings and related issues. Please go to the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Forum to discuss or ask about meals, equipment, service, etc. on CX, as there is an existing wealth of information there - and this is the American Airlines AAdvantage Forum
.
AA Flight award chart for oneworld® and partner airlines
Other related threads that may be of interest:
FT Discrepancy between CX Award Search and AA availability: Discrepancy between QF and CX award search and AA availability
FT How , When to Select CX Seats on CX Award: How / when to select seat on a Cathay (CX) award / flight (consolidated)
FT Cathay Pacific Experience - Seats / Interline/ Baggage FAQs: Cathay Pacific Experience / Seats / Interline / Baggage FAQs
Also, for Rules about awards, see AA oneworld and Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (2015 on).
Expert Advice:
Only "MileSAAver" awards apply to oneworld and AA partners.
Premium Economy seats are not available with AAdvantage awards, may be soon as AA sells Premium Economy Feb 2017.
Be aware that what you see on the BA, JL, or QF sites may not be visible to the AA reservations folks. You may want to note the flight on which the F award seat is shown as "available" on those sites and if the AA agent doesn't see any availability suggest that the AA agent check that specific one again. If the AA agent still cannot see it, thank them, hang up, and call back a little later.
Sometimes CX will make flights available for award booking to CX frequent flyers, but not release the seats immediately for other oneworld frequent flyers. Usually though, the seats, if not taken by CX frequent flyers, are released after a while to other OW programs.
Although CX may release seats for award earlier, AA can book them no more than 331 days prior to departure. The awards that CX does release are available as early as 355 days prior to departure for CX and BA frequent fliers, and sometimes that means the awards you want w AA miles will be snatched up prior to the 331 day mark.
*** AA does not have a set schedule to load flights. They can load it anytime after midnight 331 days out. Most of the time it is within a couple to 12 hours of that. Other times, it can be a full day or a day and a half afterwards, especially on the weekends where there's most variability. Unlike JL award space, it is not a specific time of day.
4Keep in mind that when booking eastbound space to North America that it's one day later in HKG so that space usually becomes available 330 days in advance to North America; this is not always true, since CX has already loaded the availability a month prior to AA - it is just up to AA to load and release the seats on SABRE, so it typically ends up being 330 days out, but not necessarily.
Similarly... if you are trying to book westbound, US->HKG->Somewhere then AA may not be able to book the HKG->Somewhere segment 331 days in advance of the US->HKG flight, if it is still 332 days out in HKG. As it is the flights from US->HKG that are hardest to get, if you find a seat US->HKG at the 331 day mark when it is first available for booking through AA but cannot book the continuation, you can just put that US->HKG segment on hold with AA, then call back the next day when connecting flights will be loaded into the system to try to book the onward flight from HKG.
AA does not charge "YQ" surcharges [what they sometimes call "fuel surcharge"] on CX award segments (BA Avios does), thus the taxes and fees on your "free" ticket on CX or KA are almost always significantly less than for the same routing on BA.
There is a Hong Kong Departure Tax (HK) of $120 HKD (approx $15.50 USD) on every segment departing Hong Kong. Exemptions apply. If your ticket includes this tax and you qualify for an exemption, a refund can be applied for either in person at HKIA landside or via post to Civil Aviation Department. AA charges this tax for children under 12 years of age despite the exemption. In order to obtain a cash refund at HKIA, you will need passenger passport, passenger boarding pass, passenger ticket receipt showing the fare calculation line which will show the HK tax being charged. This receipt can be obtained at any AA counter worldwide including HKIA as well as Airport Express in-town check-in (AA check-in). As the AA counter at HKIA operates only during limited hours, Airport Express in-town check-in would be the the convenient option.
Not all CX flights offer First class; CX Business is markedly different on long haul and regionally configured aircraft.
If you're looking for multiple seats in First on a particular flight but can find only some but not all that you're looking for, take what's available in F, then take the rest of the seats you want on J (if available) on the same flight, and check back periodically to see if an F seat has opened up for award. There is no additional charge (in money, although there will be in miles) to change to an award to a higher cabin of service (e.g., J to F, Y to F, Y to J) as long as the award keeps the same origin/destination airports.
Be aware your award must conform to some rules on a) MPM (Maximum Permitted Mileage - your award routing can not exceed 125% of the most direct routing available); a useful tool is Great Circle Mapper.
The Most Significant Carrier (transpacific usually, CX in most of these posts,) must offer a non-"constructed" fare between your origin and destination (you might find an unconstructed fare between DFW and SIN, but might not from Killeen to SIN).
If you can't pick your CX seats online, either due to them being blocked or you just want to call, you need to first get the CX PNR from AAdvantage at 1-800-882-8880. Then call CX at 1-800-233-2742. Some seats that are blocked on CX website are assignable via AA reservations. Close to departure AA can even assign 2A, 2K.
Note: if the Cathay Manage booking tool doesn't appear to recognize your CX PNR, you need to enter your first name AND middle name, separated by a space, in the "First Name" field.
AAward bookings containing CX flights that are put on hold will be restricted to only 24hrs, not the usual 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the patterns for west coast routes?
Because LAX has 4 daily flights to HKG, it tends to be the easiest option for blocks of 3 or more J award seats. SFO and YVR only have 2 daily flights and even if 5 award seats were initially released at 355 days prior to departure, some of those may be gone by the time the 331 day mark rolls around. If you need 4 or 5 J award seats on these west coast routes, either use Avios to book at 355 days or consider routing through LAX where there may still be availability at 331 days out.
Can I visit my companion in First Class if I'm in Business Class?
"Up-cabin visits" are not permitted per CX policy, though have been granted under special circumstances. But putting crew in the awkward position of being asked to violate policy is generally frowned upon. Down-cabin visits are permitted ex-USA. However, on flights to the USA, down-cabin visits are not permitted and this rule is vigorously enforced.
Posts made between 2018-2022 may be read in here
Posts made in 2017 may be read in ARCHIVE: 2017 AA Awards in Cathay Pacific / CX, KA...
Posts made in 2016 may be read in ARCHIVE: AA Awards on Cathay Pacific (2016).
Posts made in 2015 may be read in ARCHIVE: AA Awards on Cathay Pacific (2015).
Posts made in 2014 may be read in ARCHIVE: Awards: CX / Cathay Pacific / (inc. F and J) - 2014.
N.B. Older posts have been moved and archived to: Cathay Pacific / CX (inc. First and Business Class) award - ARCHIVED.
Questions, Availability, Discussion
NOTE: Multiple reports starting in June 2021 that CX is allowing only a 24 hour hold and could cancel reservations not being ticketed beyond 24 hours.
Please feel free to use this thread for questions regarding CX Economy, Premium Economy, First and Business Class award redemption using AAdvantage miles, as well as questions regarding award availability, routings and related issues. Please go to the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Forum to discuss or ask about meals, equipment, service, etc. on CX, as there is an existing wealth of information there - and this is the American Airlines AAdvantage Forum
.AA Flight award chart for oneworld® and partner airlines
Other related threads that may be of interest:
FT Discrepancy between CX Award Search and AA availability: Discrepancy between QF and CX award search and AA availability
FT How , When to Select CX Seats on CX Award: How / when to select seat on a Cathay (CX) award / flight (consolidated)
FT Cathay Pacific Experience - Seats / Interline/ Baggage FAQs: Cathay Pacific Experience / Seats / Interline / Baggage FAQs
Also, for Rules about awards, see AA oneworld and Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (2015 on).
Expert Advice:
Only "MileSAAver" awards apply to oneworld and AA partners.
Premium Economy seats are not available with AAdvantage awards, may be soon as AA sells Premium Economy Feb 2017.
Be aware that what you see on the BA, JL, or QF sites may not be visible to the AA reservations folks. You may want to note the flight on which the F award seat is shown as "available" on those sites and if the AA agent doesn't see any availability suggest that the AA agent check that specific one again. If the AA agent still cannot see it, thank them, hang up, and call back a little later.
Sometimes CX will make flights available for award booking to CX frequent flyers, but not release the seats immediately for other oneworld frequent flyers. Usually though, the seats, if not taken by CX frequent flyers, are released after a while to other OW programs.
Although CX may release seats for award earlier, AA can book them no more than 331 days prior to departure. The awards that CX does release are available as early as 355 days prior to departure for CX and BA frequent fliers, and sometimes that means the awards you want w AA miles will be snatched up prior to the 331 day mark.
*** AA does not have a set schedule to load flights. They can load it anytime after midnight 331 days out. Most of the time it is within a couple to 12 hours of that. Other times, it can be a full day or a day and a half afterwards, especially on the weekends where there's most variability. Unlike JL award space, it is not a specific time of day.
4Keep in mind that when booking eastbound space to North America that it's one day later in HKG so that space usually becomes available 330 days in advance to North America; this is not always true, since CX has already loaded the availability a month prior to AA - it is just up to AA to load and release the seats on SABRE, so it typically ends up being 330 days out, but not necessarily.
Similarly... if you are trying to book westbound, US->HKG->Somewhere then AA may not be able to book the HKG->Somewhere segment 331 days in advance of the US->HKG flight, if it is still 332 days out in HKG. As it is the flights from US->HKG that are hardest to get, if you find a seat US->HKG at the 331 day mark when it is first available for booking through AA but cannot book the continuation, you can just put that US->HKG segment on hold with AA, then call back the next day when connecting flights will be loaded into the system to try to book the onward flight from HKG.
AA does not charge "YQ" surcharges [what they sometimes call "fuel surcharge"] on CX award segments (BA Avios does), thus the taxes and fees on your "free" ticket on CX or KA are almost always significantly less than for the same routing on BA.
There is a Hong Kong Departure Tax (HK) of $120 HKD (approx $15.50 USD) on every segment departing Hong Kong. Exemptions apply. If your ticket includes this tax and you qualify for an exemption, a refund can be applied for either in person at HKIA landside or via post to Civil Aviation Department. AA charges this tax for children under 12 years of age despite the exemption. In order to obtain a cash refund at HKIA, you will need passenger passport, passenger boarding pass, passenger ticket receipt showing the fare calculation line which will show the HK tax being charged. This receipt can be obtained at any AA counter worldwide including HKIA as well as Airport Express in-town check-in (AA check-in). As the AA counter at HKIA operates only during limited hours, Airport Express in-town check-in would be the the convenient option.
Not all CX flights offer First class; CX Business is markedly different on long haul and regionally configured aircraft.
If you're looking for multiple seats in First on a particular flight but can find only some but not all that you're looking for, take what's available in F, then take the rest of the seats you want on J (if available) on the same flight, and check back periodically to see if an F seat has opened up for award. There is no additional charge (in money, although there will be in miles) to change to an award to a higher cabin of service (e.g., J to F, Y to F, Y to J) as long as the award keeps the same origin/destination airports.
Be aware your award must conform to some rules on a) MPM (Maximum Permitted Mileage - your award routing can not exceed 125% of the most direct routing available); a useful tool is Great Circle Mapper.
The Most Significant Carrier (transpacific usually, CX in most of these posts,) must offer a non-"constructed" fare between your origin and destination (you might find an unconstructed fare between DFW and SIN, but might not from Killeen to SIN).
If you can't pick your CX seats online, either due to them being blocked or you just want to call, you need to first get the CX PNR from AAdvantage at 1-800-882-8880. Then call CX at 1-800-233-2742. Some seats that are blocked on CX website are assignable via AA reservations. Close to departure AA can even assign 2A, 2K.
Note: if the Cathay Manage booking tool doesn't appear to recognize your CX PNR, you need to enter your first name AND middle name, separated by a space, in the "First Name" field.
AAward bookings containing CX flights that are put on hold will be restricted to only 24hrs, not the usual 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the patterns for west coast routes?
Because LAX has 4 daily flights to HKG, it tends to be the easiest option for blocks of 3 or more J award seats. SFO and YVR only have 2 daily flights and even if 5 award seats were initially released at 355 days prior to departure, some of those may be gone by the time the 331 day mark rolls around. If you need 4 or 5 J award seats on these west coast routes, either use Avios to book at 355 days or consider routing through LAX where there may still be availability at 331 days out.
Can I visit my companion in First Class if I'm in Business Class?
"Up-cabin visits" are not permitted per CX policy, though have been granted under special circumstances. But putting crew in the awkward position of being asked to violate policy is generally frowned upon. Down-cabin visits are permitted ex-USA. However, on flights to the USA, down-cabin visits are not permitted and this rule is vigorously enforced.
Posts made between 2018-2022 may be read in here
Posts made in 2017 may be read in ARCHIVE: 2017 AA Awards in Cathay Pacific / CX, KA...
Posts made in 2016 may be read in ARCHIVE: AA Awards on Cathay Pacific (2016).
Posts made in 2015 may be read in ARCHIVE: AA Awards on Cathay Pacific (2015).
Posts made in 2014 may be read in ARCHIVE: Awards: CX / Cathay Pacific / (inc. F and J) - 2014.
N.B. Older posts have been moved and archived to: Cathay Pacific / CX (inc. First and Business Class) award - ARCHIVED.
AA Award: Cathay Pacific / CX availability, etc. (master thread 2023 onwards)
Jan 2, 2023, 6:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,451
AA Award: Cathay Pacific / CX availability, etc. (master thread 2023 onwards)
Experimenting with booking BOS-HKG on 23-NOV-2023 (CX 811)
AA shows business availability for 70K (“2 seats left”), but when I select and try to continue, I receive
Also, when I check ExpertFlyer, it shows the business cabin fully available.
I’ve tried at various time of day yesterday, and also this morning. Any ideas?
AA shows business availability for 70K (“2 seats left”), but when I select and try to continue, I receive
Choose a different flight or fare
We're sorry but at least one of the flights or fares you chose is no longer available.Also, when I check ExpertFlyer, it shows the business cabin fully available.
I’ve tried at various time of day yesterday, and also this morning. Any ideas?
Jan 2, 2023, 6:55 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Experimenting with booking BOS-HKG on 23-NOV-2023 (CX 811)
AA shows business availability for 70K (“2 seats left”), but when I select and try to continue, I receive
Also, when I check ExpertFlyer, it shows the business cabin fully available.
I’ve tried at various time of day yesterday, and also this morning. Any ideas?
AA shows business availability for 70K (“2 seats left”), but when I select and try to continue, I receive
Choose a different flight or fare
We're sorry but at least one of the flights or fares you chose is no longer available.Also, when I check ExpertFlyer, it shows the business cabin fully available.
I’ve tried at various time of day yesterday, and also this morning. Any ideas?
With respect to Expert Flyer, that service does not show award inventory for CX, so no idea what you are looking at there. The fact that the business cabin is "fully available" does not, in any way, shape, or form mean there is business class award inventory available.
Regards
Jan 2, 2023, 7:05 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,451
It's widely reported that AA.com often shows "phantom availability" for CX (and other carriers). So given the error you are seeing that might be the case here. You can try cross checking with another carriers site (e.g. British Airways, etc.)
With respect to Expert Flyer, that service does not show award inventory for CX, so no idea what you are looking at there. The fact that the business cabin is "fully available" does not, in any way, shape, or form mean there is business class award inventory available.
Regards
With respect to Expert Flyer, that service does not show award inventory for CX, so no idea what you are looking at there. The fact that the business cabin is "fully available" does not, in any way, shape, or form mean there is business class award inventory available.
Regards
My Expert Flyer thinking (assumption) was that “If CX makes say 4 seats available for partner awards on a given flight, and expert flyer is showing EVERY seat in that cabin as available, how can the partner award seat be no longer available.” Improper assumption on my part.
Jan 2, 2023, 7:16 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Gotcha.
My Expert Flyer thinking (assumption) was that “If CX makes say 4 seats available for partner awards on a given flight, and expert flyer is showing EVERY seat in that cabin as available, how can the partner award seat be no longer available.” Improper assumption on my part.
My Expert Flyer thinking (assumption) was that “If CX makes say 4 seats available for partner awards on a given flight, and expert flyer is showing EVERY seat in that cabin as available, how can the partner award seat be no longer available.” Improper assumption on my part.
Second, a seating chart almost never has any direct correlation to actual award inventory...
Regards
Jan 2, 2023, 7:22 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,451
So... a few embedded assumptions there. First, not sure what causes you to draw the conclusion that "CX makes say 4 seats available for partner awards on a given flight" To my knowledge, that is not a thing. Sometimes they release award inventory on a given flight, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they release at the beginning of the schedule, sometimes only short notice. There really isn't a rule of thumb anymore (those days are long gone).
Second, a seating chart almost never has any direct correlation to actual award inventory...
Regards
Second, a seating chart almost never has any direct correlation to actual award inventory...
Regards
Still learning 🙂
Jan 2, 2023, 7:56 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Sure, of course, no worries. My only suggestion is just don't approach searching for awards with any assumptions, rules of thumb, etc. Most of that stuff was completely broken by covid.
My suggestion for CX award, is as mentioned, cross check what you see on AA.com with another OW carrier such as British Airways or Qantas or something. If you don't have an account with them just create a dummy one (if you don't want a real one). If you see it on AA.com but not on BA.com it's probably phantom inventory.
But keep in mind, with Hong Kong now fully reopening, the whole travel world has already started the "student body shift left" and it's likely CX award availability may dry up for awhile. They probably aren't going to have much trouble actually selling seats for a good while now.
Regards
My suggestion for CX award, is as mentioned, cross check what you see on AA.com with another OW carrier such as British Airways or Qantas or something. If you don't have an account with them just create a dummy one (if you don't want a real one). If you see it on AA.com but not on BA.com it's probably phantom inventory.
But keep in mind, with Hong Kong now fully reopening, the whole travel world has already started the "student body shift left" and it's likely CX award availability may dry up for awhile. They probably aren't going to have much trouble actually selling seats for a good while now.
Regards
Jan 2, 2023, 8:19 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,451
Sure, of course, no worries. My only suggestion is just don't approach searching for awards with any assumptions, rules of thumb, etc. Most of that stuff was completely broken by covid.
My suggestion for CX award, is as mentioned, cross check what you see on AA.com with another OW carrier such as British Airways or Qantas or something. If you don't have an account with them just create a dummy one (if you don't want a real one). If you see it on AA.com but not on BA.com it's probably phantom inventory.
But keep in mind, with Hong Kong now fully reopening, the whole travel world has already started the "student body shift left" and it's likely CX award availability may dry up for awhile. They probably aren't going to have much trouble actually selling seats for a good while now.
Regards
My suggestion for CX award, is as mentioned, cross check what you see on AA.com with another OW carrier such as British Airways or Qantas or something. If you don't have an account with them just create a dummy one (if you don't want a real one). If you see it on AA.com but not on BA.com it's probably phantom inventory.
But keep in mind, with Hong Kong now fully reopening, the whole travel world has already started the "student body shift left" and it's likely CX award availability may dry up for awhile. They probably aren't going to have much trouble actually selling seats for a good while now.
Regards
Jan 4, 2023, 11:49 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,451
For upcoming travel planning purposes, it looks like we can travel either BOS-HKG, or LAX-HKG. Either of the anticipated itineraries will require several hours (8+) in either LAX or BOS. We will be looking to get Business class tickets, so our thinking is we can use whatever lounges are available to us to pass the time. That being said, is one airport head and shoulders above the other regarding lounges?
Jan 4, 2023, 1:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,541
Originally Posted by WannaTheater;[url=tel:34892300
34892300]For upcoming travel planning purposes, it looks like we can travel either BOS-HKG, or LAX-HKG. Either of the anticipated itineraries will require several hours (8+) in either LAX or BOS. We will be looking to get Business class tickets, so our thinking is we can use whatever lounges are available to us to pass the time. That being said, is one airport head and shoulders above the other regarding lounges?
One thing to keep in mind is that the Airport in Boston it is like 5 to 10 minutes from the city so if you wanted to pop in for a quick visit or sone lobsters,, it’s really quick easy. Also, Little Italy is right there after the tunnel.
Keep in mind CX 811 Boston to Hong Kong leaves at 12:25 AM.
Jan 5, 2023, 8:49 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
For upcoming travel planning purposes, it looks like we can travel either BOS-HKG, or LAX-HKG. Either of the anticipated itineraries will require several hours (8+) in either LAX or BOS. We will be looking to get Business class tickets, so our thinking is we can use whatever lounges are available to us to pass the time. That being said, is one airport head and shoulders above the other regarding lounges?
https://onemileatatime.com/reviews/q...st-lounge-lax/
Regards
Jan 6, 2023, 12:42 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
For upcoming travel planning purposes, it looks like we can travel either BOS-HKG, or LAX-HKG. Either of the anticipated itineraries will require several hours (8+) in either LAX or BOS. We will be looking to get Business class tickets, so our thinking is we can use whatever lounges are available to us to pass the time. That being said, is one airport head and shoulders above the other regarding lounges?
Personally I actually prefer UA's LAX lounge due to its openness design with an outdoor terrace sitting area.
As someone mentioned, BOS flight leaves after Midnight - make sure you do not get the Date wrong. You would be surprised by people made mistakes on departure time when it is at such hour(s).
CX just releases quite a number of seats on the BOS route on both directions in Sept and Oct.
You can use QF website to have a calendar view, then use BA site to see the details of each day QF shows business class availability - because QF does not identify which partner when it is on Calendar view and it is time consuming and cumbersome to click thru it. However knowing which dates have J seats then hop over BA site to check the particular dates, would be much quicker.
QF and BA generally only show Real inventory. If they both sync up, those are real inventory that even the AS system can handle online booking without error. I would gladly pay the $12.50 partner booking fee to book with AS miles as the cost is cheaper plus you get a free stopover at HKG if the itinerary touch US soil at either direction. Though the stopover now is restricted to 14 days only versus unlimited in the past.
Jan 6, 2023, 6:18 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,451
QF F lounge at LAX is a OneWorld lounge and being EXP you can access it. My assessment from previous (multiple times before Covid era) on this lounge is, it is Very Big, with multiple sections that you could easily find some quiet and peace when it is not during the crazy QF banks of flights. Food-wise, well, it is a US based lounge... it certainly is better than your usual Admiral Clubs for sure.
Personally I actually prefer UA's LAX lounge due to its openness design with an outdoor terrace sitting area.
As someone mentioned, BOS flight leaves after Midnight - make sure you do not get the Date wrong. You would be surprised by people made mistakes on departure time when it is at such hour(s).
CX just releases quite a number of seats on the BOS route on both directions in Sept and Oct.
You can use QF website to have a calendar view, then use BA site to see the details of each day QF shows business class availability - because QF does not identify which partner when it is on Calendar view and it is time consuming and cumbersome to click thru it. However knowing which dates have J seats then hop over BA site to check the particular dates, would be much quicker.
QF and BA generally only show Real inventory. If they both sync up, those are real inventory that even the AS system can handle online booking without error. I would gladly pay the $12.50 partner booking fee to book with AS miles as the cost is cheaper plus you get a free stopover at HKG if the itinerary touch US soil at either direction. Though the stopover now is restricted to 14 days only versus unlimited in the past.
Personally I actually prefer UA's LAX lounge due to its openness design with an outdoor terrace sitting area.
As someone mentioned, BOS flight leaves after Midnight - make sure you do not get the Date wrong. You would be surprised by people made mistakes on departure time when it is at such hour(s).
CX just releases quite a number of seats on the BOS route on both directions in Sept and Oct.
You can use QF website to have a calendar view, then use BA site to see the details of each day QF shows business class availability - because QF does not identify which partner when it is on Calendar view and it is time consuming and cumbersome to click thru it. However knowing which dates have J seats then hop over BA site to check the particular dates, would be much quicker.
QF and BA generally only show Real inventory. If they both sync up, those are real inventory that even the AS system can handle online booking without error. I would gladly pay the $12.50 partner booking fee to book with AS miles as the cost is cheaper plus you get a free stopover at HKG if the itinerary touch US soil at either direction. Though the stopover now is restricted to 14 days only versus unlimited in the past.
You mention using AS point (cheaper), but on AS website searching for LAX-HKG is only showing Singapore and Korean flights- no Cathay Pacific. So how would one book?
Jan 6, 2023, 6:24 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,451
Looks like an alternate path would be to use AMEX membership rewards points (can transfer to Cathay Pacific)
Last edited by WannaTheater; Jan 6, 2023 at 7:14 am
Jan 6, 2023, 1:26 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75k, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 132
Boston is the BA lounge which is relatively new and pretty nice for a business class lounge.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Airport in Boston it is like 5 to 10 minutes from the city so if you wanted to pop in for a quick visit or sone lobsters,, it’s really quick easy. Also, Little Italy is right there after the tunnel.
Keep in mind CX 811 Boston to Hong Kong leaves at 12:25 AM.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Airport in Boston it is like 5 to 10 minutes from the city so if you wanted to pop in for a quick visit or sone lobsters,, it’s really quick easy. Also, Little Italy is right there after the tunnel.
Keep in mind CX 811 Boston to Hong Kong leaves at 12:25 AM.