Nov 19, 2014, 9:27 am
Last edit by: Prospero
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 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 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. (2018-2022 archive)
Apr 29, 2019, 11:12 pm
#976
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
No, I do get the concept... I think QF just can't search DEL-SFO for whatever reason. It errors out and shows no availability, on any OW airline, not just CX. On JL, I was able to search DEL-SFO as a through journey on CX and my results matched what I got on QF and BA for DEL-HKG and HKG-SFO searched individually. Hence my comment that there doesn't seem to be any difference between married and unmarried for my dates for this journey at least.
Were you able to book the flights you wanted?
Apr 29, 2019, 11:50 pm
#977
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,032
I see. Sorry, I misinterpreted. I do see the QF website errorring out on a DEL-SFO points search. What is unusual is that when I use KVS to search using QF the DEL-SFO search works fine so it must be an issue with the QF website front end to the search engine. The actual engine is working. DEL-LAX search on the website works. The problem appears specific to SFO.
Were you able to book the flights you wanted?
Were you able to book the flights you wanted?
EDIT: Yes, booked the 3 CX flights I wanted before the 10% credit card rebate goes away. Fed the AA agent the dates and CX flight numbers. Now I just need to wait for last minute inventory to change them to dates and flights that are better...
Last edited by abcx; Apr 30, 2019 at 2:11 am
May 2, 2019, 2:16 am
#978
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: Asia Miles
Posts: 5
Seat Availability on CX270 departing 18 July 2019
Hi Everyone,
I'm planning to do a business class award redemption on CX270 departing AMS on 18 July 2019. Does anyone know about the seat availability on this particular flight?
Please advise. Many thanks!!
I'm planning to do a business class award redemption on CX270 departing AMS on 18 July 2019. Does anyone know about the seat availability on this particular flight?
Please advise. Many thanks!!
May 2, 2019, 9:35 am
#980
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: Asia Miles
Posts: 5
Thanks for reply millionmiler,
I mean the open seat availability, in order to predict the likelihood of waitlist clearing. Sorry for the confusion.
I mean the open seat availability, in order to predict the likelihood of waitlist clearing. Sorry for the confusion.
May 4, 2019, 2:47 pm
#981
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 3
Hello fellow travelers,
I'm aiming for a mid-Aug, 2019 travel from SFO --> HKG on Cathay. To-date, I haven't found any award availability using my AA points, and I've looked on BA and CX's site.
Any advice on whether to hedge my best and wait it out for Cathay (assuming more availability will open up), rather than just booking on AA?
The redemption rates on CX are just so much lower/a better deal...
Thanks for the guidance
I'm aiming for a mid-Aug, 2019 travel from SFO --> HKG on Cathay. To-date, I haven't found any award availability using my AA points, and I've looked on BA and CX's site.
Any advice on whether to hedge my best and wait it out for Cathay (assuming more availability will open up), rather than just booking on AA?
The redemption rates on CX are just so much lower/a better deal...
Thanks for the guidance
May 4, 2019, 4:41 pm
#982
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
Hello fellow travelers,
I'm aiming for a mid-Aug, 2019 travel from SFO --> HKG on Cathay. To-date, I haven't found any award availability using my AA points, and I've looked on BA and CX's site.
Any advice on whether to hedge my best and wait it out for Cathay (assuming more availability will open up), rather than just booking on AA?
The redemption rates on CX are just so much lower/a better deal...
Thanks for the guidance
I'm aiming for a mid-Aug, 2019 travel from SFO --> HKG on Cathay. To-date, I haven't found any award availability using my AA points, and I've looked on BA and CX's site.
Any advice on whether to hedge my best and wait it out for Cathay (assuming more availability will open up), rather than just booking on AA?
The redemption rates on CX are just so much lower/a better deal...
Thanks for the guidance
It does not look good right now. I found one seat from ORD on 8/14. The only award availability to pick this up from SFO leaves the night before.
[KVS Tool 9.3.0/Diamond - Awards/QF-OneWorld/Auto-OW/US]
Code:
ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl IL US [KORD] HKG Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH] WED 14 Aug 2019 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ CX 807 ORD 15:20 HKG 20:20 +1 0 FS- CS+
[KVS Tool 9.3.0/Diamond - Awards/JL-OneWorld/US]
Code:
SFO San Francisco Intl CA US [KSFO] HKG Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH] TUE 13 Aug 2019 Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ AA 1253 SFO 23:56 ORD 06:19 +1 738 0 FS1 YS4 -> CX 807 ORD 15:20 +1 HKG 20:20 +2 77W 0 CS1
May 4, 2019, 7:40 pm
#983
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 153
Hello fellow travelers,
I'm aiming for a mid-Aug, 2019 travel from SFO --> HKG on Cathay. To-date, I haven't found any award availability using my AA points, and I've looked on BA and CX's site.
Any advice on whether to hedge my best and wait it out for Cathay (assuming more availability will open up), rather than just booking on AA?
The redemption rates on CX are just so much lower/a better deal...
Thanks for the guidance
I'm aiming for a mid-Aug, 2019 travel from SFO --> HKG on Cathay. To-date, I haven't found any award availability using my AA points, and I've looked on BA and CX's site.
Any advice on whether to hedge my best and wait it out for Cathay (assuming more availability will open up), rather than just booking on AA?
The redemption rates on CX are just so much lower/a better deal...
Thanks for the guidance
With that having been said, your mileage may vary so I would suggest having a backup plan. China Airlines often has very reasonable refundable premium economy fares and has a very solid premium economy product so that’s often a good backup when waiting for CX availability to open up.
May 5, 2019, 9:15 am
#984
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 4,629
There seems to be 31 unassigned seats in J at the moment plus 2 seats that are blocked which may or may not be assigned. More than 2 months out though that is not a accurate indicator for business class.
May 5, 2019, 5:45 pm
#986
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,535
Business is i8 revenue fares at the moment so I would expect some openings (less so if it was i4), but economy is nearly cleaned out so also expecting op ups into premium economy and if needed, premium economy into business
May 6, 2019, 2:20 pm
#987
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: SFO
Posts: 54
multi segment redemption
Want to redeeming AA miles and have a few questions...
Thinking about redeeming some miles for this itin and saw that it only takes 85k asia miles using the Asia Miles award calculator
SFO - HKG Cathay business (with a 6-day stop over in hk)
HKG - DUB Cathay business
Wanted to confirm that I cannot do the same redemption with aa miles....
Thanks!
Thinking about redeeming some miles for this itin and saw that it only takes 85k asia miles using the Asia Miles award calculator
SFO - HKG Cathay business (with a 6-day stop over in hk)
HKG - DUB Cathay business
Wanted to confirm that I cannot do the same redemption with aa miles....
Thanks!
May 6, 2019, 2:59 pm
#988
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 4,629
Want to redeeming AA miles and have a few questions...
Thinking about redeeming some miles for this itin and saw that it only takes 85k asia miles using the Asia Miles award calculator
SFO - HKG Cathay business (with a 6-day stop over in hk)
HKG - DUB Cathay business
Wanted to confirm that I cannot do the same redemption with aa miles....
Thanks!
Thinking about redeeming some miles for this itin and saw that it only takes 85k asia miles using the Asia Miles award calculator
SFO - HKG Cathay business (with a 6-day stop over in hk)
HKG - DUB Cathay business
Wanted to confirm that I cannot do the same redemption with aa miles....
Thanks!
May 8, 2019, 12:29 pm
#989
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Hi Everyone,
Finally about to get serious about flying in my first ever Cathay redemption. The goal is getting to HKG in F and then on to the maldives in J.
The most ideal route would be GRR-ORD-HKG-MLE. I don't also mind leaving from ORD if needed.
I have a couple options/questions, and wanted your guys thoughts:
-ORD-HKG gets in after the daily HKG-MLE and HKG-CMB flights. So I would assume that it's still a valid routing, since it's less then 24 hours to connect, right?
-If that's the case, what I should do is try and get ORD-HKG, place on hold, then the next day call and add HKG-MLE or CMB on it (since the flight would be the "next" day)?
-The MLE flight gets in late, so I would have to spend a night at Male. That's why I mentioned CMB as well (and then a separate CMB-MLE ticket the next morning).
Alternatively, I suppose we could fly to Singapore instead, spend a day or two there, and buy a LCC ticket to Male. Of those three options, what might make the most sense? No stopover in HKG, but 23 hours for a connection.
-Looking at MPM, ORD-LAX/SFO/JFK-HKG-MLE are both more then 30% over ORD-MLE. Am I doing the MPM calculation correctly, or would it be based on ORD-HKG-MLE? If so, that provides very little flexibility (no ORD-hub-HKG).
-Would ORD-HKG-CMB-MLE be valid? That's within the 25% mpm and the AA award chart says travel can be on Sri Lankan as well
-This would be middle of August, middle of the week (next year). Anything that would impact availability during that time frame, or is one day better then the others to look at?
-And for adding a domestic segment to start if needed (GRR most likely) - I just need saver availability to get it tacked on? Or would I really be limiting my options by doing that.
Thanks guys!
Finally about to get serious about flying in my first ever Cathay redemption. The goal is getting to HKG in F and then on to the maldives in J.
The most ideal route would be GRR-ORD-HKG-MLE. I don't also mind leaving from ORD if needed.
I have a couple options/questions, and wanted your guys thoughts:
-ORD-HKG gets in after the daily HKG-MLE and HKG-CMB flights. So I would assume that it's still a valid routing, since it's less then 24 hours to connect, right?
-If that's the case, what I should do is try and get ORD-HKG, place on hold, then the next day call and add HKG-MLE or CMB on it (since the flight would be the "next" day)?
-The MLE flight gets in late, so I would have to spend a night at Male. That's why I mentioned CMB as well (and then a separate CMB-MLE ticket the next morning).
Alternatively, I suppose we could fly to Singapore instead, spend a day or two there, and buy a LCC ticket to Male. Of those three options, what might make the most sense? No stopover in HKG, but 23 hours for a connection.
-Looking at MPM, ORD-LAX/SFO/JFK-HKG-MLE are both more then 30% over ORD-MLE. Am I doing the MPM calculation correctly, or would it be based on ORD-HKG-MLE? If so, that provides very little flexibility (no ORD-hub-HKG).
-Would ORD-HKG-CMB-MLE be valid? That's within the 25% mpm and the AA award chart says travel can be on Sri Lankan as well
-This would be middle of August, middle of the week (next year). Anything that would impact availability during that time frame, or is one day better then the others to look at?
-And for adding a domestic segment to start if needed (GRR most likely) - I just need saver availability to get it tacked on? Or would I really be limiting my options by doing that.
Thanks guys!
Last edited by BThumme; May 8, 2019 at 12:41 pm
May 8, 2019, 3:01 pm
#990
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
-ORD-HKG gets in after the daily HKG-MLE and HKG-CMB flights. So I would assume that it's still a valid routing, since it's less then 24 hours to connect, right?
-If that's the case, what I should do is try and get ORD-HKG, place on hold, then the next day call and add HKG-MLE or CMB on it (since the flight would be the "next" day)?
-The MLE flight gets in late, so I would have to spend a night at Male. That's why I mentioned CMB as well (and then a separate CMB-MLE ticket the next morning).
Alternatively, I suppose we could fly to Singapore instead, spend a day or two there, and buy a LCC ticket to Male. Of those three options, what might make the most sense? No stopover in HKG, but 23 hours for a connection.
-Looking at MPM, ORD-LAX/SFO/JFK-HKG-MLE are both more then 30% over ORD-MLE. Am I doing the MPM calculation correctly, or would it be based on ORD-HKG-MLE? If so, that provides very little flexibility (no ORD-hub-HKG).
-Would ORD-HKG-CMB-MLE be valid? That's within the 25% mpm and the AA award chart says travel can be on Sri Lankan as well
-This would be middle of August, middle of the week (next year). Anything that would impact availability during that time frame, or is one day better then the others to look at?
-And for adding a domestic segment to start if needed (GRR most likely) - I just need saver availability to get it tacked on? Or would I really be limiting my options by doing that.
-If that's the case, what I should do is try and get ORD-HKG, place on hold, then the next day call and add HKG-MLE or CMB on it (since the flight would be the "next" day)?
-The MLE flight gets in late, so I would have to spend a night at Male. That's why I mentioned CMB as well (and then a separate CMB-MLE ticket the next morning).
Alternatively, I suppose we could fly to Singapore instead, spend a day or two there, and buy a LCC ticket to Male. Of those three options, what might make the most sense? No stopover in HKG, but 23 hours for a connection.
-Looking at MPM, ORD-LAX/SFO/JFK-HKG-MLE are both more then 30% over ORD-MLE. Am I doing the MPM calculation correctly, or would it be based on ORD-HKG-MLE? If so, that provides very little flexibility (no ORD-hub-HKG).
-Would ORD-HKG-CMB-MLE be valid? That's within the 25% mpm and the AA award chart says travel can be on Sri Lankan as well
-This would be middle of August, middle of the week (next year). Anything that would impact availability during that time frame, or is one day better then the others to look at?
-And for adding a domestic segment to start if needed (GRR most likely) - I just need saver availability to get it tacked on? Or would I really be limiting my options by doing that.
How you get there and "what makes the most sense" is really up to what you want to do and what the award availability looks like when you want to book it. If you find availability all the way to MLE on CX or UL then I see no reason to go to SIN and take a LCC to MLE.
For starters, I would forget about all the questions on what might be valid or not valid, MPMs, etc. That's putting the cart in front of the horse. Just find availability then call AA and see what it prices out as. Pretty much everything you've mentioned will be valid (and it does look like you're misinterpreting MPM). From ORD you should be able to connect at any CX gateway in North America and it also will be no problem to connect in CMB.
And from GRR, you need sAAver space to the gateway.