Change fee for TPE to HKG?
Oct 22, 2019, 1:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northern Ireland
Programs: BA Silver, A3
Posts: 1,101
Change fee for TPE to HKG?
We are keeping an eye on the HKG situation as we have one overnight in HKG while returning from TPE (all flights are using Avios). That leg is currently on Saturday 23rd November with the homebound flight on 24th.
It's s separate PNR and only booked so as to eat in a couple of particular restaurants!
There are currently lots of seats available on CX so the decision will be made later on whether to stay one more day in Taiwan.
From the sticky / ba link the fee is dependant on the departure country but nowhere can I see Taiwan! Am I missing something?
It's s separate PNR and only booked so as to eat in a couple of particular restaurants!
There are currently lots of seats available on CX so the decision will be made later on whether to stay one more day in Taiwan.
From the sticky / ba link the fee is dependant on the departure country but nowhere can I see Taiwan! Am I missing something?
Oct 22, 2019, 2:08 pm
#2
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,804
The change fee relates to your BAEC country of residence, which I suspect to be the UK.
Oct 22, 2019, 6:22 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,129
That might be online availability only though? IIRC you can still get the seats over the phone.
Alternatively, if your Avios balance allows, book both now and cancel "for peanuts" if that indeed is the case?
Alternatively, if your Avios balance allows, book both now and cancel "for peanuts" if that indeed is the case?
Oct 22, 2019, 7:09 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kendal, Cumbria and Luzon
Programs: BA Silver, PR Elite, Avis Preferred Plus, PC Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 1,125
A few data points you may find useful
1. Cash price OW TPE - HKG on CX is only £117 (today's exchange rate). That can even be got on the day of travel (HKG - TPE is £398!!!! A return with 2 nights in TPE is usually £171). That makes an Avios redemption pretty marginal in value terms.
2. The fixture list for rioting on that weekend hasn't been published yet. BUT they usually keep the airport express running between Central -only - and the Airport.
Personally I wouldn't risk Island side or Kowloon on a Sunday. Saturday pm onwards is also highly risky.
An option could be to get over to Macau via the bridge. Macau is trouble free and highly unlikely to change. I can get to Central Macau in about 90 minutes from landing in HKG. I'm usually in the lounge in HKG - same 90 minutes ex Macau. But I can use the egates at HKG The Robuchon at The Grand Lisboa has 3 Michekin stars. It is a very pleasant experience with a great view. But even 2* is pushing it. The Eight in the same building also has 3*. The Dim Sum is pretty special and amazing value.
The CX lounge staff at TPE are fantastic. Monday I was booked on the 17.45 to HKG. I arrived early at 14.30 having been rerouted via Brunei on Royal Brunei by MH following a cancellation. They managed to get me and baggage on the 15.20 - totally inflexible ticket.
1. Cash price OW TPE - HKG on CX is only £117 (today's exchange rate). That can even be got on the day of travel (HKG - TPE is £398!!!! A return with 2 nights in TPE is usually £171). That makes an Avios redemption pretty marginal in value terms.
2. The fixture list for rioting on that weekend hasn't been published yet. BUT they usually keep the airport express running between Central -only - and the Airport.
Personally I wouldn't risk Island side or Kowloon on a Sunday. Saturday pm onwards is also highly risky.
An option could be to get over to Macau via the bridge. Macau is trouble free and highly unlikely to change. I can get to Central Macau in about 90 minutes from landing in HKG. I'm usually in the lounge in HKG - same 90 minutes ex Macau. But I can use the egates at HKG The Robuchon at The Grand Lisboa has 3 Michekin stars. It is a very pleasant experience with a great view. But even 2* is pushing it. The Eight in the same building also has 3*. The Dim Sum is pretty special and amazing value.
The CX lounge staff at TPE are fantastic. Monday I was booked on the 17.45 to HKG. I arrived early at 14.30 having been rerouted via Brunei on Royal Brunei by MH following a cancellation. They managed to get me and baggage on the 15.20 - totally inflexible ticket.
Oct 23, 2019, 2:51 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 534
The CX lounge staff at TPE are indeed fantastic. I had an issue with my luggage and they were liaising with security for me, even showing me a photo of the relevant item, so I could sort the matter out all from the lounge. It is worth definitely considering business class avios redemptions in this region as the taxes/fees are low.
Oct 23, 2019, 3:49 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Oct 23, 2019, 6:24 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, M&M, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,223
I had no free roaming in Taiwan, so it didn't cross my mind to call any call centre. Wanted to book new flight to cut trip short and there was nothing for next few days, which is know thing. So the only way around it, was to change my existing flight booked for two weeks later and there was no problem in availability in that case. Could choose most flights on desired date. It was emergency, co couldn't plan it. But if I was at planning stage and wasn't sure when to fly back from TPE, I would certainly book couple of flights and then cancel those not needed.