HKG - PEK CX/KA codeshare: Which code to book?
 

Hi everyone!

Discounting the flights operated by CA for the time being. As you know most KA operated flights carry a CX code and vice versa on the HKG - PEK route. What differences does it make if you are booked on a KA operated flight on the KA code than on the CX code?

The reason I ask is I often do LHR-HKG-PEK and it is giving me both options choosing CX code or KA code on the same flight.

Is the op-up chance affected when you are travelling on a KA operated flight but booked on the CX code?

I think there's a slightly less chance in this scenario. If I remember correctly, in most cases the operating airline op-ups customers booked under the operating airline code, according to status/fare class/BN, and then if is comparable status on codeshare (dunno about CA scenario, *A).

Appreciate what you say above toyotaboy, however I don't normally see any difference for me in this scenario. Interestingly, on your BP it actually will now say "CXxxx", and then in smaller print it will say something like "ticketed as KAxxxx", or vice versa (four letter codes are when you're flying on metal different from where you booked).

I frequently have this happen with PEK, for example:

*I frequently book a KA round-trip on KA metal but change my schedule so I fly on the CX flight to/from PEK
*More rarely I'll book the round-trip on CX because of the timing but then switch one or both of the flights to KA metal.

In both of the scenarios above I have definitely been op-upped. Another example, from HGH:

*If I travel HGH personally, I buy at cathaypacific.com to get the double miles for Amex (I don't think dragonair.com can do that?). Hence, I buy the CX codeshare with KA metal, since only KA flies to HGH. I have hit numerous op-ups on this route, even though I booked the CX flight code.

Per http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/comm...tml#post162710

and a few threads on FT earlier asking a similar question.

Maybe CX/KA has a different policy as "one" airline?

Yea, very possible indeed I think that's a good explanation.

I wouldn't normally discount what I had read elsewhere, except that I usually fly HKG-PEK 3-4x monthly (as well as sometimes booking CX flight #s on KA metal to a number of other cities in mainland China, mainly being PVG and HGH) and have had gotten an op-up in this situation quite a few times. So maybe CX/KA are different from other airlines I suppose, sounds like at least different from QF or JL. I still can't say authoritatively though if it doesn't negatively (or positively, for that matter) affect my op-up chances, because I guess CX/KA only knows that. However, anecdotally from quite a few flights I do know I have gotten op-upped when I was on the CX codeshare # for a KA flight, and vice versa.

I have previously called MPO to see if I'd gain double miles if I'd booked on KA.com instead of CX.com and the answer was now. I now purchase KA flights on CX.com under the CX codeshare. Your BP will show KA123 with a small line of font directly underneath that reads "sold as CX1234". I am pretty certain it doesn't affect op-up chances.

Yea, agreed another odd random element for CX. Would be nice if they fixed that, especially since the sites appear exactly the same format.

I realized this sometime last year when I was booking some personal travel to China on KA, and I thought "hum, do I get double miles when I book on KA.com?" Although I never conclusively got an answer, American Express and MPC were both pretty sure the answer was no. So I have never risked it, always buying personal KA tickets on cathaypacific.com under the codeshare. The fares are exactly the same. And I have experienced op-ups, so yea I don't think it affects it either.

OP doesn't ask, but has the KA service airport service improved? Last time I used them - 2008 - their check in was a zoo (HKG, PEK, and PVG); staff didn't seem well trained (had trouble with simple things like seating assignments and lounge access).

OP's choice is KA operated flight on KA or CX code. So there is no difference. OP still has to check in at a KA counter.

KA's check-in staff is better now, but the line can still be long (occasionally even for F counters!). KA's system is still not really compatible with CX, e.g., they do not always have my MPC number although I can see my booking on my MPC page. KA's check-in agents never give me any buggy vouchers (CX agents will automatcially give me vouchers for a departure gate at 40+. KA agents never did, but I never asked them.)

I'm not sure about PVG, but it might be the same as PEK - both KA and CX there seem use the same contracted employees from BJCIA or whoever assigns staff in Beijing. The agents can be completely hit or miss.

Like every airline at PVG as far as I am aware, KA/CX use a local groundhandling company (China Eastern I think) to provide ground services. There will be a few managers actually employed by KA/CX but that's all. This is not something KA/CX have a choice about, if I recall correctly. I usually find the staff better than the average at PVG, and often quite proactive about getting me onto an earlier flight for example. Certainly miles ahead of the staff assigned to domestic check-in, which truly can be a zoo.

Queues are normal except in the evenings, though not that long usually. One problem with the J/F lines is that they seem to attract the more demanding people with nonstandard itineraries or problems, which can mean the Y line actually moves faster!