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 21, 2019, 6:48 pm
#961
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
Looking for advice, on best course of action for an upcoming day of flying in CX F.
My husband and I are both flying to HKG out of LAX in about a week. He on CX885 (12:30p Departure), and I on CX883 (22:30 departure). I'm sure this phenomena isnt new to this thread as it was the only way we could secure two CX F seats in advance when we booked back in June of 2018. Ideally, i'd move up to the earlier flight in advance if space becomes available, though the odds of that happening seem highly unlikely. We are flying in from SEA on the 06:00 AS flight. So here's my question, should I:
1) Monitor space on the earlier flight, and if seats go unsold right up to departure time, see if the GA will move me up from the later flight to the earlier flight? Is this even a thing? Will agents make this change, if we booked through AA? If it matters, I am a OW Emerald....
2) Sit in the QF lounge all day and work and relax for.....14 hours.....
3) Leave LAX and get a day room at a hotel to sleep/workout before my flight that evening?
3a) If I choose this option, how hard is it to clear security at ~8p at TBIT, I have GE/TSA Pre-Check.
Obviously I'm keeping close tabs (hourly) on the opening of additional CX award space, however, given the recent Vietnam mistake fare I am not counting my Krug before it's poured.
Thanks in advance for any guidance
My husband and I are both flying to HKG out of LAX in about a week. He on CX885 (12:30p Departure), and I on CX883 (22:30 departure). I'm sure this phenomena isnt new to this thread as it was the only way we could secure two CX F seats in advance when we booked back in June of 2018. Ideally, i'd move up to the earlier flight in advance if space becomes available, though the odds of that happening seem highly unlikely. We are flying in from SEA on the 06:00 AS flight. So here's my question, should I:
1) Monitor space on the earlier flight, and if seats go unsold right up to departure time, see if the GA will move me up from the later flight to the earlier flight? Is this even a thing? Will agents make this change, if we booked through AA? If it matters, I am a OW Emerald....
2) Sit in the QF lounge all day and work and relax for.....14 hours.....
3) Leave LAX and get a day room at a hotel to sleep/workout before my flight that evening?
3a) If I choose this option, how hard is it to clear security at ~8p at TBIT, I have GE/TSA Pre-Check.
Obviously I'm keeping close tabs (hourly) on the opening of additional CX award space, however, given the recent Vietnam mistake fare I am not counting my Krug before it's poured.
Thanks in advance for any guidance
It never hurts to ask. I would think they would be more likely to accommodate on a CX ticket but who knows? I would ask at the LAX check-in counter, the lounge (if CX has help there), and the gate. Check all your luggage with your husband on the earlier flight. They will much more likely to move you if they do not have to offload baggage.
Apr 21, 2019, 6:55 pm
#962
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: ORD (formerly SAN)
Programs: Hilton Diamond; IHG Platinum; Bonvoy Gold; AA Platinum Pro and United Premier Silver (DH = AA EXP)
Posts: 1,928
@TravelLawyer, EF does show open availability, but given historical trends CX does not normally open tons of award space on TPAC routes from the US (or so I've seen through the BA tool).
Apr 21, 2019, 7:01 pm
#963
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AA Ex Platinum
Posts: 161
Good call on the multiple asks.
On the earlier flight CX885- F2/A2
On the later flight CX883- F3/A3
On the earlier flight CX885- F2/A2
On the later flight CX883- F3/A3
Apr 22, 2019, 7:17 am
#965
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AA Ex Platinum
Posts: 161
Apr 22, 2019, 9:46 am
#966
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
I just took a look at flights within the next few days from LAX. CX is being incredibly stingy with releasing award space. There is a flight leaving tonight at F5 and no award space released. It looks like you are going to have to take your request to the airport.
Apr 23, 2019, 3:35 pm
#967
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Programs: AA, DL, AK, UN, CN
Posts: 967
Does being OW Sapphire / AA-Plat get us any flight benefits when booking award tix on CX? Upgrade to Premium Econ or preferred seating/exit-row?
Apr 28, 2019, 9:04 pm
#968
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 83
I'm still having trouble figuring out if there really is CX availability for my May 15 PVG-JFK itinerary, which I currently have booked with AA awards in coach via DFW. I'm seeing 2 PE seats for PVG-HKG-JFK on the BA website. I don't see the complete PVG-HKG-JFK itinerary on QF, but I do see 2 seats as separate segments on QF: PVG-HKG (CX365, CX367), and HKG-JFK (CX846).
I've called AA a number of times and have been told that it takes longer for award seats to appear in their system. Would that really be the issue in this case? Or am I misreading the availability somehow?
I'm leaving town in less than 2 days and really don't want to be trying to re-book my return from China if I can avoid it. I'd appreciate any insight.
BA screenshot
I've called AA a number of times and have been told that it takes longer for award seats to appear in their system. Would that really be the issue in this case? Or am I misreading the availability somehow?
I'm leaving town in less than 2 days and really don't want to be trying to re-book my return from China if I can avoid it. I'd appreciate any insight.
BA screenshot
Apr 28, 2019, 9:57 pm
#969
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I'm still having trouble figuring out if there really is CX availability for my May 15 PVG-JFK itinerary, which I currently have booked with AA awards in coach via DFW. I'm seeing 2 PE seats for PVG-HKG-JFK on the BA website. I don't see the complete PVG-HKG-JFK itinerary on QF, but I do see 2 seats as separate segments on QF: PVG-HKG (CX365, CX367), and HKG-JFK (CX846).
I've called AA a number of times and have been told that it takes longer for award seats to appear in their system. Would that really be the issue in this case? Or am I misreading the availability somehow?
I'm leaving town in less than 2 days and really don't want to be trying to re-book my return from China if I can avoid it. I'd appreciate any insight.
BA screenshot
I've called AA a number of times and have been told that it takes longer for award seats to appear in their system. Would that really be the issue in this case? Or am I misreading the availability somehow?
I'm leaving town in less than 2 days and really don't want to be trying to re-book my return from China if I can avoid it. I'd appreciate any insight.
BA screenshot
Apr 28, 2019, 10:18 pm
#970
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 83
I'm clearly way out of my depth. Thanks for clarifying.
Apr 29, 2019, 1:54 pm
#971
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,029
Does anyone know if there would be *more* favorable married segment availability on DEL-HKG-SFO and vice versa compared to individual segments DEL-HKG and HKG-SFO? And if so, how do I check that married segment availability? QF errors out and BA doesn't show anything when I search DEL-SFO even on days when there is availability on DEL-HKG and HKG-SFO individually that connects. The JL website reportedly shows married segments (from what I've read at least) but is a PITA to use!
Apr 29, 2019, 2:03 pm
#972
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
Does anyone know if there would be *more* favorable married segment availability on DEL-HKG-SFO and vice versa compared to individual segments DEL-HKG and HKG-SFO? And if so, how do I check that married segment availability? QF errors out and BA doesn't show anything when I search DEL-SFO even on days when there is availability on DEL-HKG and HKG-SFO individually that connects. The JL website reportedly shows married segments (from what I've read at least) but is a PITA to use!
Apr 29, 2019, 2:05 pm
#973
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,029
Thanks. JL website through AwardNexus matches what BA.com shows for individual segments, at least for the dates that I checked in June, so doesn't look like there is married segment stuff gong on then at least.
Apr 29, 2019, 6:19 pm
#974
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
If QF shows segments available individually you should be able to book them individually. If you want to know whether AA can book them together you need to check availability together on QF (or call AA and ask).
Apr 29, 2019, 6:22 pm
#975
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,029
You are not getting the married concept. Married means you check them together, not separately. QF will check married segments when you search end to end. When you search individual segments it obviously cannot search for married segment availability since it does not know about the other segments unless you tell it. You need to search for the complete CX journey on QF (or another platform that supports married segment availability checks) to check married segments.