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)
#1111
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 86
Unfortunately, our return flight is still CX-operated, out of a city where CX is the only OW partner that flies the route. So far, the return trip has no changes, but who knows, with all the CX/Hong Kong/China issues.
#1112
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,459
These are excellent points. However, 845 is the only flight (besides the YVR flight) that allows me to connect to DPS. When traveling with family, and kids were younger, we always took the 1000 departure and then enjoyed a leisurely afternoon and overnight in HKG before continuing on to DPS.
Considering I’m flying solo and the goal is minimal elapsed time to DPS, do you think I should leave the night before on 865 at 2145 and endure the YVR stop? Solves for the Flagship Dining issue (I’ll finish work in Manhattan around 1800, so I’m free to do whatever). I suppose I could imbibe heavily at Flagship, sleep to YVR, then still enjoy 11-ish hours of good service. Arrives 0645 and DPS departs 1000...so still time to nap in HKG (though would rather power through and sleep on HKGDPS since product is mediocre).
Appreciate your input - Jamie
I just did CX 845 F for the first time last month and it's my least preferred direct flight. Here's my experience and you can judge what could work for you. AA Flagship Dining closes at 11 pm (last order is at 10:45 pm). The flight is at 1:30 am - yikes! You have another 2 hours to kill in the lounge. The best thing about Flagship Dining was Krug. The food is very mediocre (maybe I should have just ordered the burger in hindsight) and what I mean is just badly made/flavors/taste - they need a proper chef. It's better to have great meal in the city/home and just get to the airport at midnight. On the flight, I basically went to sleep after take off as I could barely stay awake. I got up after 7 hours and had some caviar and champagne for breakfast but you are awake at an odd time and soon you will be landing at 5 am and feel you need to sleep again to adjust to the timezone in Asia. I don't know how to explain but the timing didn't work for me. I fly for holidays and like to enjoy the flight too and I basically slept most of the flight. My return flight - 840 - was excellent. It was the last flight to take off before the airport shut down and I had almost 2 bottles of Krug and had a really good dinner etc. etc.... I find the 845 time just odd because you struggle to stay awake till 2 am and spend too much time in a lounge if you want eat in the dining room. On such long flights I like to be awake the first 30%, sleep the next 50% and then be awake for the last 20%...and CX 845 is meant for business folks that need to just sleep
#1113
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 57
These are excellent points. However, 845 is the only flight (besides the YVR flight) that allows me to connect to DPS. When traveling with family, and kids were younger, we always took the 1000 departure and then enjoyed a leisurely afternoon and overnight in HKG before continuing on to DPS.
Considering I’m flying solo and the goal is minimal elapsed time to DPS, do you think I should leave the night before on 865 at 2145 and endure the YVR stop? Solves for the Flagship Dining issue (I’ll finish work in Manhattan around 1800, so I’m free to do whatever). I suppose I could imbibe heavily at Flagship, sleep to YVR, then still enjoy 11-ish hours of good service. Arrives 0645 and DPS departs 1000...so still time to nap in HKG (though would rather power through and sleep on HKGDPS since product is mediocre).
Appreciate your input - Jamie
#1114
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WAS, LAX
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,330
Reporting in to say CX still not releasing close-in F awards to the US, with plenty of F4, F5, F6. Not sure what's going on, and it's too bad - but I imagine they're focused on bigger issues right now.
#1115
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
Unfortunately, it’s been like that the better half of the year. It appears this is the new norm.
#1116
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NY, NY & Long Island
Posts: 76
I wouldn't expect much last minute first space to open up for the rest of 2019 (at least to the US).. The F cabins on many routes are still pretty full from the New Years mistake fare.
#1117
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
But for those fortunate enough to book at the edge of the window (after the multi-week stress of watching awards disappear to CX, BA, QF members), the reality of a First cabin that is NOT full is truly glorious. There are few trips I enjoy more than the ones with just a couple of folks booked up front, regardless of the airline.
Good luck to all - Jamie
#1118
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
Public service announcement:
Recently put JFKHKG award on hold, at the very edge of booking window. Called back two days later due needed HKGDPS. Successfully added to the award-on-hold, sent to ticketing and was confirmed 30 hours later. Middle names properly recognized on CX site.
First time I've had such a quick ticketing for travel that is months out. Have waited 3-5 weeks in the past, which has been a point of consternation for some.
Hope it goes smoothly for all - Jamie
Recently put JFKHKG award on hold, at the very edge of booking window. Called back two days later due needed HKGDPS. Successfully added to the award-on-hold, sent to ticketing and was confirmed 30 hours later. Middle names properly recognized on CX site.
First time I've had such a quick ticketing for travel that is months out. Have waited 3-5 weeks in the past, which has been a point of consternation for some.
Hope it goes smoothly for all - Jamie
#1119
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,053
DAK
#1120
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
Arriving late to this discussion thread, but contrary to other posters CX845 is my preferred flight. Reason is that by the time it departs I am totally ready to fall asleep and I find that I sleep for quite a long time. You do arrive in HKG at a very early hour (some lounges may not have opened yet if you have a good tailwind) and you make the first connecting flight to wherever you are off to (in my case SIN). Also, travel to JFK late night is a breeze, unlike other time of day where the stress level can be off the charts if the Van Wyck and surrounding streets are at a standstill. Now it has been a while since I did this (CX was still in T7) so I don't know how things are on the Lounge front in T8 at that hour.
DAK
DAK
Probably head straight to sleep after takeoff, though I’ll put in my caviar order for later. Set alarm for 7 hrs as a precaution. Guessing I’ll be tired again on landing...have 4-5 hrs to kill, so maybe cabana for a nap. Will board HKGDPS either with a buzz or with a sleeping pill, seriously not a fan of five hours in regional J so hoping to get some shuteye.
Only ~300 days to wait!
#1121
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
Duplicate
Last edited by jamienbaker; Aug 25, 2019 at 2:29 pm Reason: Duplicate
#1122
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Phuket Thailand
Posts: 223
Does CX ever open up 2 F awards on same flight, I am looking for May 2020 and only see 1 F open on different dates, JFK, BOS or ORD
do they ever open up a second F if I book one now and hope for another?
Thanks
do they ever open up a second F if I book one now and hope for another?
Thanks
#1123
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
Take the 1 F now and hope for a second. I’ve claimed as many as 5 (on a single flight) in this fashion. That said, recent evidence suggests CX is no longer releasing additional seats close-in - or has meaningfully cut back. So grab 1 F and 1 J while you can. Good luck.
#1124
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 52
I'm trying to hold out for availability on two J-class tickets from BKK to LAX next July. According to BA, there are 2 spots on open on the HKG-LAX leg, but nothing on the short BKK-HKG leg! Does anyone know why those wouldn't be available this far out?
#1125
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: WAS/ Silver Spring, MD,USA
Programs: UA/AA
Posts: 857
There is no assurance of award space availability.
Have you considered buying a ticket from BKK-HKG ?
Then you could snag those J seats now while you see them, otherwise someone else will .
Have you considered buying a ticket from BKK-HKG ?
Then you could snag those J seats now while you see them, otherwise someone else will .