Hello All,

Husband and I flying EWR to HKG on May 12th 1:45 am flight. Avios award J.

Reading this forum has me concerned about possibly being bumped. Some comments suggest Cathay is not so reliabe for award tickets. I am coming from MD that night to take this flight. I will have several expenses related to onward travel in Japan (on seperate ticket) so timing is key.

I understand I cannot OLCI as my etickets start with 125 and not 160. Is there a work around? Seems that any overbooking would see me at greater disadvantage due to late check in.

Also, so I am prepared. Would they be required to compensate at $650 per ticket?

How much should I be concerned Wed night flight? I do not get flexible time off and this is a big and expensive trip for me.

Thanks

Nonsense.
Well that will greatly depend how the weather plays out the next few days on the East Coast.

I think they resolved the issue...in Sep I was able to OLCI from Japan for KA397 (yes, KA not CX) on Avios tix.

In any case since you're ex-US CX isn't allowed to use last come first bumped (see below)

If ex-US they have to bump according to passenger status http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...l#post25949304

No status for me. Vacation flyer only 5/6 times per year. Most likely lowest of the low on that plane!

I'm inclined to agree with Daffie. Yes, there have been some recent stories in here which surprised me. Namely, 1.) A Cathay Diamond card member flying on Asia Miles (CX's own mileage currency) getting IDB / booted off EWR - literally, the guy/lady was booted out of the lounge pre-flight, and 2.) Another passenger IDB who was flying Cathay on AA points LAX-HKG.

#1 just sounded bizarre, and it sounds like Cathay apologized. No excuse here, but this was against Cathay's own Diamond member on Asia Miles - it makes zero sense. I feel quite certain saying there were AA mileage burners on board who didn't get bumped. The whole scenario just smells like an EWR staff screw up. The EWR staff - for lack of a better words - completely sucked in the two experiences I had with them, and I've seen other posters who fly a lot of CX share similar experiences. I haven't returned in 18 months as a result, although you can't beat EWR for convenience from the south like where you're coming from, and if I was in PHL or Maryland or whatever I'd still probably fly ex-EWR too. It just so happens the majority of my business is in NY, and as a result I have a "choice"....to which I choose JFK. But if I finished meetings in PHL, I'd still probably choose EWR instead of driving all the way over to JFK.

#2 sounds unfortunate, and I suspect it happens from time to time. But a few things to be aware of. 1.) LAX has more flexibility, and presumably they overbook heavier there too, because of 4x daily flights. The pax was accommodated on a flight later the same day and still made his connection in HKG, if I understand his story correctly. 2.) I strongly suspect a factor in this passengers' selection for IDB was because of his/her connection, and because the later flight would still accommodate the connection. So no biggie. And 3.) The passenger was flying the week after New Year. There are a few stretches each year when travel is just utterly horrendous. A few days during Chinese New Year, a few days before Christmas, and the first few days after Jan 1 fall into that category. It's always mayhem.

I'll also add that I bet 99%+ of partner awards on CX go off without a hitch. It's just the unfortunate circumstances you hear about here because FT is a useful public forum and extreme situations tend to be shared often.

There are a small number of members here who just like to complain about anything Cathay do.

There is a risk of getting bumped from any airline, paid ticket or otherwise. CX is no better or worse than any of them and you still have an overwhelming probability of getting away just fine. I have never had a problem of any sort. Don't worry about it.

I'm not blind:

and not Chinese-challenged:

https://www.facebook.com/cxsecret/posts/863787770366131
https://www.facebook.com/cxsecret/posts/828764817201760

And if you say I don't have a statistically-significant sample from the above then how about this:

http://centreforaviation.com/analysi...loyalty-240554



Load factor comparison for Cathay Pacific (green) and select major Asian (red) and global (blue) airlines: 2014

Datapoint - Current DOT statutory IDB compensation is $1350 if your next flight is 4 hours or later.

AVIOS ticket can do OLCI on CX websites at T-48.

If you have any BA status except blue, can pre- select seats anytime

I barely have status with my own family, much less any airline! BA blue.

Thank you for all of the comforting words, replies and correct comp information. Fingers crossed for no problems or just minor ones. Now I have some good info going forward. This site always comes through.

If you have a connecting flight, even if one a separate ticket, they will probably not IDB you since it will incur them a great expense. Just make sure they are aware of this at check-in.

yea, good point. EWR is once daily. They don't have the same flexibility they'd have ex-LAX or LHR, where they might be able to push you to a later flight but still accommodate your connection.

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All f and j members can pre select seats and olci

Actually everyone can olci

They still can, but to JFK. The next flight out of JFK is about 8 hours later though and in the morning.