It does say Jan 31 now (all my data points verified there), so I'm safe for Jan 31?

Yes

I am about to book a business class seat from HKG to LHR but unsure which dates have companion tickets. When I check the normal ticket redemption, there are no availability but a friend of mine mentioned companion tickets are treated differently. Does anyone know award redemption work differently between normal vs. companion tickets?

Yes.

Companion availability > upgrade availability > priority two availability > priority one availability > normal AM availability > partner availability.

I believe reservation call centre agents and travel agents can see the inventory. On when whey can see available do you need to book revenue and add companion next to it.

Catch is obviously you have to buy a revenue fare (even if I) to be eligible for companion.

I'm trying to redeem some orphan miles for HKG-PEN/KUL, but waitlisted in Y for the flights I'm eyeing.

16 Feb:
KA731 (HKG-KUL): J9 C7 D6 I3 Y9 B9 H9 K7 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0
KA691 (HKG-PEN): J0 C0 D0 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K4 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0

17 Feb:
KA633 (HKG-PEN): J8 C7 D6 I4 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0

How conservative are they with Y redemption on full-ish flights, for a regular AM member? I know it doesn't look very good at this point, but I was just curious to know if there's even a chance they'll clear it given how they tend to oversell Y. Deadline seems to be quite soon - 6 or 7 Feb.

Tight on New Year holidays.

Waitlisting for the below in Economy one way. Would it be better if I redeemed in Business?

23/02/18
CX772 (SGN-HKG): J9 C9 D9 I9 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0
KA882 (HKG-SHA): J2 C0 D0 I0 Y9 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0

If it was to PVG, seems I may have better chances in Business class?

KA874 (HKG-PVG): F7 A7 J6 C5 D4 I0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0

I think you might need to look at alternatives - with HKG-PVG or SHA selling so well in the back, business seats will be cannibalised to fill Economy (which is all you really need for that distance)

Damn prices are so high, guess I'll have to bite the bullet...

Actually KA882 seat map does look empty...seems like KA can't even push fares to "group" tours. You may have a chance over next week

Okay, will wait in the meantime.

Does having OWE but not with CX increases my chances of clearing? Specifically would I be treated as if I am a DM?

I am looking to fly from HKG-BKK and arrive by midnight of 30 March so I can fly out on QR around 8 am on 31 March.

No. Wrt partners your status in your home program has nothing to do with priority.

Waitlisted a 2 leg itinerary A-B-C

First leg A-B shows up available just on a single leg search.

Tried calling asiamiles to confirm the first leg but won't let me as if they search for the whole journey both legs are waitlisted

Is that the norm?

CX's IT is known to have room for improvement. The fact that A-B showed up as available does not necessarily mean that you can get it if you continue on to ticket... That does not only happen to award redemption. It also happened to revenue booking a few times for me.