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 2, 2018, 3:33 pm
#286
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
Considering Qantas is offering me two separate JFKHKG flights in F for a party of two TOMORROW, my response would have to be, “no, times aren’t changing”.
Jamie
Apr 2, 2018, 11:27 pm
#287
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
delete
Last edited by Red259; Apr 2, 2018 at 11:32 pm
Apr 15, 2018, 12:52 pm
#288
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
You know that BA doesn’t show anything inside of six days, right? And F3/4 flights typically release inside of 7 days. It’s F5/6 that releases closer to T-14.
Considering Qantas is offering me two separate JFKHKG flights in F for a party of two TOMORROW, my response would have to be, “no, times aren’t changing”.
Jamie
Apr 17, 2018, 11:48 am
#289
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HH Gold, Marriott Gold, PC Plat, Emirates Silver
Posts: 2,679
Looking for 2 F seats JFK-HKG for late Aug. Knowing I can not get 2 F seats now and there is some availability in both F an J on multiple flights for my desired date I have 2 choices.
1) Book 1 F seat on 2 separate flights. This gives us flexibility of 1 more F seat opening up on either flight but means the connection (to SIN) needs to be after the latest flight gets in. Worst case is we both fly F but separately and have extended lounge time
2) Book 1 F and 1 J seat on the same flight. This ensures we would be on the same flight, helps with the connection but limits the F opportunity to that single flight. Worst case is one may fly in J.
Since the flights are with my brother and not wife, I think flying F trumps being on the same flight. Are there other strategies or issues for JFK departures I am missing. Having multiple flights certainly helps.
1) Book 1 F seat on 2 separate flights. This gives us flexibility of 1 more F seat opening up on either flight but means the connection (to SIN) needs to be after the latest flight gets in. Worst case is we both fly F but separately and have extended lounge time
2) Book 1 F and 1 J seat on the same flight. This ensures we would be on the same flight, helps with the connection but limits the F opportunity to that single flight. Worst case is one may fly in J.
Since the flights are with my brother and not wife, I think flying F trumps being on the same flight. Are there other strategies or issues for JFK departures I am missing. Having multiple flights certainly helps.
Apr 17, 2018, 12:28 pm
#290
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
Option 3 - Consider flying separately on JL F as well.
Apr 17, 2018, 12:35 pm
#291
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
OP mentioned connection to SIN, in which case I wouldn't choose JL given the duration spent in J onwards from Tokyo. I'd rather spend 16 hours in CX F, then 3.5 more in CX regional J, than 13 hours in JL F and 7 more in their regional J.
I say take the separate flights, within reason. I.e. the 10a and the 2p flights...but not 10a and 1a. You'll have lounge time together (presumably), plus once on board it really isn't that easy to interact. Granted, the dine-together thing is novel, but not particularly pleasant for the guest in the suite. I adore my family, but when the four of us have been in F, I don't recall spending much time with one another at all. That's what the vacation is for.
Good luck - Jamie
I say take the separate flights, within reason. I.e. the 10a and the 2p flights...but not 10a and 1a. You'll have lounge time together (presumably), plus once on board it really isn't that easy to interact. Granted, the dine-together thing is novel, but not particularly pleasant for the guest in the suite. I adore my family, but when the four of us have been in F, I don't recall spending much time with one another at all. That's what the vacation is for.
Good luck - Jamie
Apr 17, 2018, 1:11 pm
#292
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HH Gold, Marriott Gold, PC Plat, Emirates Silver
Posts: 2,679
Thanks for the feedback. I think for 2 male adults that not flying together is not a big deal. I think I am going to go for the 2 F and hope 1 more opens on either. If not, the one who gets the extra lounge time in HKG vs JFK buys the 1st round in SIN - which will be the biggest punishment of all.
Apr 17, 2018, 7:08 pm
#293
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
Looking for 2 F seats JFK-HKG for late Aug. Knowing I can not get 2 F seats now and there is some availability in both F an J on multiple flights for my desired date I have 2 choices.
1) Book 1 F seat on 2 separate flights. This gives us flexibility of 1 more F seat opening up on either flight but means the connection (to SIN) needs to be after the latest flight gets in. Worst case is we both fly F but separately and have extended lounge time
2) Book 1 F and 1 J seat on the same flight. This ensures we would be on the same flight, helps with the connection but limits the F opportunity to that single flight. Worst case is one may fly in J.
Since the flights are with my brother and not wife, I think flying F trumps being on the same flight. Are there other strategies or issues for JFK departures I am missing. Having multiple flights certainly helps.
1) Book 1 F seat on 2 separate flights. This gives us flexibility of 1 more F seat opening up on either flight but means the connection (to SIN) needs to be after the latest flight gets in. Worst case is we both fly F but separately and have extended lounge time
2) Book 1 F and 1 J seat on the same flight. This ensures we would be on the same flight, helps with the connection but limits the F opportunity to that single flight. Worst case is one may fly in J.
Since the flights are with my brother and not wife, I think flying F trumps being on the same flight. Are there other strategies or issues for JFK departures I am missing. Having multiple flights certainly helps.
In your scenario I would just book the two separate flights and enjoy the extra lounge time at the Pier.
Apr 20, 2018, 11:35 am
#294
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 130
Planning for trip next year, was going to book 1 F and 1 J and wait. Might have to think of backup plan now.
Apr 20, 2018, 12:23 pm
#295
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
Good luck - Jamie
Apr 20, 2018, 4:07 pm
#296
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
I am!! She did let me know that she did not sleep that well when I went back towards the end of the flight. More the drunk dude on whiskey in front of her, less the seat comfort. The purser was nice enough to shower her in champagne once I shared that she was back in the mini-cabin.
Apr 20, 2018, 7:09 pm
#297
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
This isn't the first time I've read where the husband was in a higher class than their spouse kinda shocked at this.
Apr 20, 2018, 10:35 pm
#298
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, National EE, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 20
For our honeymoon this summer, I offered to get her the only F seat while I slum it in J hoping another F seat opens up, but she just said to get 2 J seats so we could stay together if nothing opens.
Apr 20, 2018, 11:55 pm
#299
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
Apr 21, 2018, 5:46 am
#300
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
Bad strategy. You should get 1F and 1J, and if you can’t secure additional F then just swap with J passenger. Small loss of wasted miles. Finding two simultaneous F awards isn’t impossible, but it’s less likely. Fix this.