Hi everyone

Here is my story and I am asking for your opinions on what I should do here based on your experiences.

I have tried to book a ticket redemption from Vancouver to Manila last March 2013 for June 29, July 2, July 3 flight (still on waitlist until now)
and return ticket on Aug 3, 4, 5 Manila to Vancouver (still on waitlist)

I went online recently and checked if I can redeem tickets again and it seems that it has opened up until June 26 redemption tickets. However, flights coming back are all stuck at wait-list.

My question is, when it is nearing the date, will my chances of getting a redemption ticket become bigger? If ever I can get a ticket any day between June 29 until July 4 from Vancouver to Manila confirmed I would take it. But what will happen on the return trip? Cathay Pacific is saying that I can redeem one way for 40k miles and pay taxes and surcharge then buy a one way return ticket for August. As compared to redeeming round trip of 60k miles and paying around $450 for taxes and surcharge which one is worth it?
OR can they book and confirm my outbound and waitlist my inbound until the last minute? One way ticket is around $1100? Round trip cheapest right now is $1680?

What should I do and what are your experiences?

Thanks in advance

Hi hdms,

The way the handle waitlist places great emphasis on your status with them. Your profile does not indicate your status.

Are you a Marco Polo member and if so, what level ?

Base on the mileage requirement, i suppose that you are redeeming for y. It shows on expertflyer that there are limited seats in y on those flights therefore your chance to get the waitlist cleared is less than 50% IMO.

It has been reported that CX will charge you one way for both flights and refund the difference to you after you have completed all flights. You may ask the agent. But as mentioned, you have to bear in mind that the chance of getting a seat for inbound is not that high.

One more thing you may want to consider is about married segment issue. While there may be HKG-YVR avilaiability CX may not release seat for mnl - hkg - yvr. I have come across such situation where i have confirmed the long haul and would like to add a TPE-HKG immediately before my HKG-LHR flght; the agent said all tpe hkg flights were "full" within that 24 hours while i am seeing them wide open for straight redemption. Therefore you may consider changing hkg on inbound to a stopover (and visit the city for one day or two) to avoid such problem.

lowly marco polo green club member. I am trying to redeem economy class. I don't know what those letter stands for. Yes. I do not mind stopping over at hong kong and I will try to call them to see what they say. I hope it works out.

Thanks again

Those are airport codes.

My point is even there are availability for both Manila to Hong Kong and Hong Kong to Vancouver, it doesn't necessarily follow that flight is available from Manila to Vancouver via Hong Kong due to something called married segment.

I would say the chance for redeeming economy class on the flights back to Vancouver are not high. Btw, you may considering ask the agent about the premium economy cabin because it does not show up on their page even there is availability, and the mileage difference between economy and premium economy is small.

PE: use BA Avios http://www.britishairways.com/hk

But YVR availability is shxt...to the extent my ex-Canadian friends in HK don't actively accumulate miles even with family in Canada.

Actually just 12,000 additional miles (60K to 72K)
(even HKG-TPE costs 15K miles)
I would say that is bargain.