CX £900 cheaper than BA to Sydney in J
Oct 10, 2011, 6:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London, Sydney
Programs: Muccihood de la Rotisserie Doree, BAEC Gold, SAS Eurobonus basic, Ansett Golden Wing :-(
Posts: 3,114
CX £900 cheaper than BA to Sydney in J
With work paying and a focus on costs, it's bye bye BA/QF and no real drama for me. The return CX fare is just £3.3k and flexible for a fee, vs £4.2k on BA/QF non-flexible. And I get to use the BA/QF lounges at either end anyway, and the nice CX lounge in HKG. The CX seats are private, flat and easy to access the aisle... I'm trying to think of downside? Fewer miles? Don't really need them. Anything else to watch out for? I last flew CX J in Dec 09.
James
James
Oct 10, 2011, 6:59 am
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA
Posts: 1,409
Current lowest fare to SYD is £4.2 in J with BA.
But, I recently bought a WTP ticket to SYD for £1.4, and was offered an upgrade to J in MMB for a further £1.4k hence a total >£3k. Flights for next May/June.
Should point out I'm actually on QF metal, but booked via BA.com
But, I recently bought a WTP ticket to SYD for £1.4, and was offered an upgrade to J in MMB for a further £1.4k hence a total >£3k. Flights for next May/June.
Should point out I'm actually on QF metal, but booked via BA.com
Oct 10, 2011, 7:07 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London, Sydney
Programs: Muccihood de la Rotisserie Doree, BAEC Gold, SAS Eurobonus basic, Ansett Golden Wing :-(
Posts: 3,114
Current lowest fare to SYD is £4.2 in J with BA.
But, I recently bought a WTP ticket to SYD for £1.4, and was offered an upgrade to J in MMB for a further £1.4k hence a total >£3k. Flights for next May/June.
Should point out I'm actually on QF metal, but booked via BA.com
But, I recently bought a WTP ticket to SYD for £1.4, and was offered an upgrade to J in MMB for a further £1.4k hence a total >£3k. Flights for next May/June.
Should point out I'm actually on QF metal, but booked via BA.com
Oct 10, 2011, 7:32 am
#4
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Oct 10, 2011, 8:00 am
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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The potential downside to this, though I would guess less than 25% chance, would be an irrops in terms of HKG arrival time. In which case there is a risk that the diverted Australia sector would be indirect and/or involve CX's old cradle seats rather than in the new Cirrus. One huge advantage BA has (and QF to a lesser extent) is that their hard CW product is universal, whereas CX has quite a variety of kit out there.
It happened to me a few months ago. It certainly wouldn't stop me going for the lower fare though, particularly in view of the flexibility. I don't much mind CX's old seats, apart from the lack of direct laptop power.
It happened to me a few months ago. It certainly wouldn't stop me going for the lower fare though, particularly in view of the flexibility. I don't much mind CX's old seats, apart from the lack of direct laptop power.
Oct 10, 2011, 8:16 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London, Sydney
Programs: Muccihood de la Rotisserie Doree, BAEC Gold, SAS Eurobonus basic, Ansett Golden Wing :-(
Posts: 3,114
I've heard of BA subbing a 767 with CE on routes that normally get CW but I take your point, maybe a greater chance on CX.
Oct 10, 2011, 8:23 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London, Sydney
Programs: Muccihood de la Rotisserie Doree, BAEC Gold, SAS Eurobonus basic, Ansett Golden Wing :-(
Posts: 3,114
Oct 10, 2011, 8:26 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
Dont fly that route on business any longer but Corporate Agent used to book everyone on CX to HKG as it was a lot cheaper. CX discount heavily to Corporate Agents.
CX J (herringbone seats) is OK and do not get excited over it. Find it about the same with BA at all levels. The old cradle seats were/are not comfortable for sleep and is at an angle. Have not tried the new J seats (configured like NF) but I do not believe they have been widely rolled out as yet.
CX J (herringbone seats) is OK and do not get excited over it. Find it about the same with BA at all levels. The old cradle seats were/are not comfortable for sleep and is at an angle. Have not tried the new J seats (configured like NF) but I do not believe they have been widely rolled out as yet.
Oct 10, 2011, 10:21 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: 64K or 2A
Programs: BA LT Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 785
I also use CX quite a bit for cost/flexibility reasons, and lately for the convenience of arriving/departing Tokyo Haneda at very sensible times of day (yes, albeit flying longer and changing in HKG, which I don't mind). My only concern is Cathay cancelling return HKG-LHR flights resulting in an enforced overnight in Hong Kong - happened a couple of times to me in the last year. That said I'm off to Haneda again in two weeks, so it can't bother me that much. The comment about variable hard product is also very true - despite the best planning I've been caught a few times.....
Oct 10, 2011, 11:15 am
#12
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With work paying and a focus on costs, it's bye bye BA/QF and no real drama for me. The return CX fare is just £3.3k and flexible for a fee, vs £4.2k on BA/QF non-flexible. And I get to use the BA/QF lounges at either end anyway, and the nice CX lounge in HKG. The CX seats are private, flat and easy to access the aisle... I'm trying to think of downside? Fewer miles? Don't really need them. Anything else to watch out for? I last flew CX J in Dec 09.
The only things to be aware are:
1) Skinny, rather worn out seats on the 747s (BA's CW seats are better)
2) No Club Kitchen/ limited snacking on the flight
3) Rather robotic cabin crew
4) The 1230 flight from LHR is a killer for jetlag
5) Half the miles you would otherwise earn
On the other hand:
1) AVOD that actually works
2) Nice main meals
3) Good transit procedure at HKG, although miles and miles of walking potentially
4) Choice of BA/CX Lounges at LHR/HKG
5) Loads more TPs
Oct 10, 2011, 11:18 am
#13
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA
Posts: 1,409
My post was really about the £2.8k J fare on BA.com for SYD(via MMB upgrade).
I can't justify double the ticket price though. I'd rather have £3k in my pocket for the holiday.
Oct 10, 2011, 11:21 am
#14
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Posts: 11,924
Another option, if you are craving TPs, is AY. They have a semi-flexible fare of £3200 (£2650+tax), with a variety of connections using BA/AY to HEL, AY to HKG/SIN/BKK and CX/BA/QF for the onward leg.
Or do the ARN shuffle for even more bonanza TPs.
Only EUR115 change fee.
Or do the ARN shuffle for even more bonanza TPs.
Only EUR115 change fee.
Oct 10, 2011, 11:42 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Mucci, BA-GGL, LH-Sen
Posts: 2,241
Another option, if you are craving TPs, is AY. They have a semi-flexible fare of £3200 (£2650+tax), with a variety of connections using BA/AY to HEL, AY to HKG/SIN/BKK and CX/BA/QF for the onward leg.
Or do the ARN shuffle for even more bonanza TPs.
Only EUR115 change fee.
Or do the ARN shuffle for even more bonanza TPs.
Only EUR115 change fee.