Jun 26, 2016, 2:02 pm
Last edit by: BlueThroughCrimp
BA and CX have jointly blocked close in booking between HKG and Taiwan and parts of China with a minimum of 5 days before departure.
It is not sure that when this limit will be lifted and people are advised to phone up to book their flights if it is short to departure (even though it may not work)
UPDATES:
- 12/07/2016 The block has been lifted for flights to and from Taiwan.
- 28/10/2016 Looks like there is a 7 days block for flights between HKG and PEK, PVG, XIY (Xi'an), CKG (Chongqing). There may also be a 5 days block on TPE again...
- 28/10/2016 Flights to CTU and WUH still face the 7 days block afaik
- 30/11/2016 Even for TPE there is a 7 days block
- 13/12/2016 Basically everything is blocked, including TYO, LHR and so on.
- 28/02/2017 RIP redemptions to MAINLAND CHINA T-5
- 11/03/2017 Blocked all CX/KA online & phone redemptions to/from All Mainland China, TPE, Malaysia & Singapore flights 9 days from departure !
- 14/03/2017 Ok, folks. CX is blocking ON MOST award spaces for BAEC members (whether online or phone) up to 9 days prior to departure now.
- 15/03/2017 CX (or rather BA) is blocking CX/KA redemptions blocking ON MOST award spaces between HKG and USA, EU, Japan, Taiwan flights for BAEC members (whether online or phone) up to 22 days prior to departure! Each destination is inconsistent with availability. Some are not available less than 7 days, some as in the case of Japan is 22 days prior to departure.
- 11/08/2017 All CX/KA redemptions are blocked online when close to departure. While most can be booked by phone, Chinese routes may still be blocked when close to departure.
.
Unfortunately as a result of significant levels of fraudulent activity CX have removed access to redemption availability -5 days to departure until further notice. (BA Executive Club)
UPDATES:
- 12/07/2016 The block has been lifted for flights to and from Taiwan.
- 28/10/2016 Looks like there is a 7 days block for flights between HKG and PEK, PVG, XIY (Xi'an), CKG (Chongqing). There may also be a 5 days block on TPE again...
- 28/10/2016 Flights to CTU and WUH still face the 7 days block afaik
- 30/11/2016 Even for TPE there is a 7 days block
- 13/12/2016 Basically everything is blocked, including TYO, LHR and so on.
- 28/02/2017 RIP redemptions to MAINLAND CHINA T-5
- 11/03/2017 Blocked all CX/KA online & phone redemptions to/from All Mainland China, TPE, Malaysia & Singapore flights 9 days from departure !
- 14/03/2017 Ok, folks. CX is blocking ON MOST award spaces for BAEC members (whether online or phone) up to 9 days prior to departure now.
- 15/03/2017 CX (or rather BA) is blocking CX/KA redemptions blocking ON MOST award spaces between HKG and USA, EU, Japan, Taiwan flights for BAEC members (whether online or phone) up to 22 days prior to departure! Each destination is inconsistent with availability. Some are not available less than 7 days, some as in the case of Japan is 22 days prior to departure.
- 11/08/2017 All CX/KA redemptions are blocked online when close to departure. While most can be booked by phone, Chinese routes may still be blocked when close to departure.
.
CX blocking award availability when it's close to departure?
Dec 11, 2017, 1:09 am
#151
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
- 1 week ago could call up BA to book a close in ticket (<48 hours) for a HKG - Europe route. AM/QF online had availability. BA obviously not online. But BA agent could see + ticket over the phone
- it is true that AM availability (can be, but not necessarily) > BA availability. But strangely the other day, BA agent + QF online could apparently (note the word apparently because we did not proceed to ticketing) see 3x award spare whereas AM agent could not see any for a booking slightly over 24 hours to departure (and to complicate these matters - I saw AM availability online just a few hours prior and was making preps to book, but alas when I recheck a few hours later, there was none online or over the phone)
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...tners-see.html
i think the strategy is to search AM first, then if it is available, search QF (to confirm if seat is made available to partners), then try to call BAEC to book for a close in booking.
Jan 23, 2018, 10:34 pm
#152
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 797
One thing that seems new is that QF doesn't seem to allow or show award flights departing within the next two days. Example, today is Jan 24, can only select Jan 26 or later, and the calendar view doesn't allow you to click on Jan 24 or 25 either.
Does anyone know if BA would still be able to search the next day? (or same day, even?)
Jan 29, 2018, 1:15 am
#153
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 797
To update on my own question: BA is able to book CX awards as late as the day prior to departure and is able to search availability. Very annoying that you can't book these on the website anymore and have to call, as each call is easily 30-60 minutes. The phone agents don't generally seem to be aware that CX doesn't show up on the website close-in, but are happy to waive the fee (after they confirm it themselves by trying). JL doesn't show availability within 3-4 days it seems and QF shows up to 2-2.5 days in advance. (You have to click the earliest date, select flexible dates, and sometimes a day earlier than what shows on the initial calendar is availble to view)
Jan 29, 2018, 1:47 am
#154
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,940
To update on my own question: BA is able to book CX awards as late as the day prior to departure and is able to search availability. Very annoying that you can't book these on the website anymore and have to call, as each call is easily 30-60 minutes. The phone agents don't generally seem to be aware that CX doesn't show up on the website close-in, but are happy to waive the fee (after they confirm it themselves by trying). JL doesn't show availability within 3-4 days it seems and QF shows up to 2-2.5 days in advance. (You have to click the earliest date, select flexible dates, and sometimes a day earlier than what shows on the initial calendar is availble to view)
Jan 29, 2018, 2:00 am
#155
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: UK
Programs: BA EC
Posts: 524
To update on my own question: BA is able to book CX awards as late as the day prior to departure and is able to search availability. Very annoying that you can't book these on the website anymore and have to call, as each call is easily 30-60 minutes. The phone agents don't generally seem to be aware that CX doesn't show up on the website close-in, but are happy to waive the fee (after they confirm it themselves by trying). JL doesn't show availability within 3-4 days it seems and QF shows up to 2-2.5 days in advance. (You have to click the earliest date, select flexible dates, and sometimes a day earlier than what shows on the initial calendar is availble to view)
Jan 29, 2018, 2:57 am
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
Jan 29, 2018, 3:49 am
#158
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold
Posts: 1,073
My experience is any call centres know about this. India centre worked, HK centre worked (Cantonese and English and mandarin should go to the same people as many people speak all three) and UK centre.
You can book as late as you want, up to 60 minutes. No booking fees either.
You can book as late as you want, up to 60 minutes. No booking fees either.
Jan 30, 2018, 3:12 am
#160
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 797
Not sure about China routes. This was BKK-HKG which did not show on BA.com around 5-6 says out. I remember being able to call in to book a China route close-in last year by calling in (i forget how many days in advance).
Mar 26, 2018, 6:41 pm
#164
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold
Posts: 1,073
Mar 27, 2018, 2:31 am
#165
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
USA agents are incapable of doing this. I've tried calling US after the HK office shuts and the UAE system doesnt like how i call in using skype and UK had too hong waiting time.
they "simply cannot see availability" and CX had a ton of availability.
same applied another time but i could connect to the UK line after a short wait.
they "simply cannot see availability" and CX had a ton of availability.
same applied another time but i could connect to the UK line after a short wait.