SIN-HKG equipment lottery [Regional Equipment Swaps]
Jul 1, 2013, 9:17 pm
#106
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Ugh, just found out by accident that my CX690 next week has been downgraded from 77W F to regional 333 J. The fare difference for a one-way SIN-HKG is SGD800, but this is a revenue ticket as part of a complex itinerary that I can't reprice now. What sort of downgrade compensation should I expect?
There is another flight with F three hours later but my schedule is inflexible.
There is another flight with F three hours later but my schedule is inflexible.
Jul 9, 2013, 9:01 pm
#107
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: LX, BA, SQ, MH
Posts: 333
I also experienced the CX equipment lottery on my recent flight. One day before departure the plane got changed from an A343 to an old A333. As I was in Y I was not too bothered and the seats are probably more comfortable than the fixed shell ones. On the return it was scheduled to be a B777-200 and that did not change. However I was lucky and got an op-up to C as Y was fully booked. 
Jul 9, 2013, 10:29 pm
#108
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,377
Jul 11, 2013, 2:26 am
#110
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: LX, BA, SQ, MH
Posts: 333
I used to be Silver but got downgraded to Green. Therefore I was really surprised to be upgraded. I guess it was quite last minute as I changed my flight a few hours before as I was on a flexible Y ticket so perhaps that has helped as well or there were just no other pax with higher status. I even did online check-in so they knew I was going on that flight. I guess the 1.30AM flight is not very popular with many pax. But still surprising that Y was fully booked.
Jul 11, 2013, 2:33 am
#111
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC/SIN
Programs: CX DM, SQ KF
Posts: 2,171
CX 714: I've seen pax in biz class with I (op-up) on their boarding pass, without even an Asiamiles number on the bp, the one time I took that flight - packed to the gills with tour groups.
Pity that I was on a paid, even if cheapo, biz class ticket - they did do a decent job though - I think that the only empty seat on the plane was next to me.
Pity that I was on a paid, even if cheapo, biz class ticket - they did do a decent job though - I think that the only empty seat on the plane was next to me.
Jul 11, 2013, 8:33 am
#113
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,831
I also experienced the CX equipment lottery on my recent flight. One day before departure the plane got changed from an A343 to an old A333. As I was in Y I was not too bothered and the seats are probably more comfortable than the fixed shell ones. On the return it was scheduled to be a B777-200 and that did not change. However I was lucky and got an op-up to C as Y was fully booked.
Jul 11, 2013, 7:21 pm
#115
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC/SIN
Programs: CX DM, SQ KF
Posts: 2,171
And perfectly adequate for the upto-4h flights the CX uses them for. I liked the new regional biz - nowhere near SQ's regional hardware- but a) CX uses this for shorthaul, vs the 7-8 hr flights that SQ uses its regional flights for, b) the service is that much warmer and nicer!
Jul 12, 2013, 12:24 am
#116
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,513
And perfectly adequate for the upto-4h flights the CX uses them for. I liked the new regional biz - nowhere near SQ's regional hardware- but a) CX uses this for shorthaul, vs the 7-8 hr flights that SQ uses its regional flights for, b) the service is that much warmer and nicer!
Jul 12, 2013, 2:12 am
#117
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,831
I used to be Silver but got downgraded to Green. Therefore I was really surprised to be upgraded. I guess it was quite last minute as I changed my flight a few hours before as I was on a flexible Y ticket so perhaps that has helped as well or there were just no other pax with higher status. I even did online check-in so they knew I was going on that flight. I guess the 1.30AM flight is not very popular with many pax. But still surprising that Y was fully booked.
Jul 12, 2013, 2:15 am
#118
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,831
Which Y classs? With SQ Y class on A330 or A380? I think SQ Y class has better IFE. At least it is AVOD.
CX B772 does not even AVOD in C class and no "remote" as the controller is on the side on your seat. And the TV quality is sucks. Like 5-6" TV
Only the seat is bigger, that's all
CX B772 does not even AVOD in C class and no "remote" as the controller is on the side on your seat. And the TV quality is sucks. Like 5-6" TV
Only the seat is bigger, that's all
Jul 12, 2013, 2:19 am
#119
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,831
And perfectly adequate for the upto-4h flights the CX uses them for. I liked the new regional biz - nowhere near SQ's regional hardware- but a) CX uses this for shorthaul, vs the 7-8 hr flights that SQ uses its regional flights for, b) the service is that much warmer and nicer!
I would pay extra $100 to avoid any surprise on flying very ancient C class...
If time is not really an issue, I would rather fly MH and take their A380 service to HKG which only cost $1,526.20
Jul 12, 2013, 3:22 am
#120
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC/SIN
Programs: CX DM, SQ KF
Posts: 2,171
Actually CX biz class fares on SIN based corp contracts, for SIN-HKG are fairly cheaper than SQ. Atleast been the case with my current and last employer.
And cheaper yet, when they are a part of a multi-segment I class fare (not originating in SIN).
While I agree that for SIN-HKG specifically, SQ hardware beats the pants off CX, my decision is based on my overall flying (where CX for longhaul, LCCs for leisure trips nearby, SQ redemptions for redeyes from India works well for me). Perhaps take choosing CX for SIN-HKG biz trips as my way of paying back, for I do feel loved by CX.
Current corp policy is for HKG trips in coach - I'd rather book CX knowing that I have a good shot at getting upgraded.
And having done roundtrips between the 2 places over a 100 times on CXin the last few years, I am well in my comfort zone, despite the cr@ppy T1, sad Skyview lounge, and weak CX hardware.
(I do go to the QF lounge, time permitting)
Oh..and the last time I was booked in biz on SQ for a SIN-HKG trip, it took me 40 minutes at check-in, to change to an earlier flight. (was not-the-cheapest-fare, changes were permitted, seats were available).
The worst I had while trying to standby on a full CX flight (in coach), when I was GO was a 'Sir, it looks tough, why dont you go and relax in the lounge, and we'll try to figure things out'.
(I got a biz class seat - would SQ ever do, even for PPS?)
And cheaper yet, when they are a part of a multi-segment I class fare (not originating in SIN).
While I agree that for SIN-HKG specifically, SQ hardware beats the pants off CX, my decision is based on my overall flying (where CX for longhaul, LCCs for leisure trips nearby, SQ redemptions for redeyes from India works well for me). Perhaps take choosing CX for SIN-HKG biz trips as my way of paying back, for I do feel loved by CX.
Current corp policy is for HKG trips in coach - I'd rather book CX knowing that I have a good shot at getting upgraded.
And having done roundtrips between the 2 places over a 100 times on CXin the last few years, I am well in my comfort zone, despite the cr@ppy T1, sad Skyview lounge, and weak CX hardware
.(I do go to the QF lounge, time permitting)
Oh..and the last time I was booked in biz on SQ for a SIN-HKG trip, it took me 40 minutes at check-in, to change to an earlier flight. (was not-the-cheapest-fare, changes were permitted, seats were available).
The worst I had while trying to standby on a full CX flight (in coach), when I was GO was a 'Sir, it looks tough, why dont you go and relax in the lounge, and we'll try to figure things out'.
(I got a biz class seat - would SQ ever do, even for PPS?)