Hi all!

I've just got my hands on 2 CX F tickets for next year (my girlfriend liked the Wing so much, she wanted to try the airline!). Can I pick the collective brains here on a few things?

I'm wondering if any regular flyers know the MAXIMUM check-in times (with bags) for CX at HKG, SIN and LHR? Are CX subject to the dreaded "3 Hrs Maximum" rule at LHR?
Can we Telephone check-in with bags? (at and outstation, that is, I realise we could do this at HKG). We will also need to "check-through" to a seperately ticketed connecting flight on our return, are CX stations cool (and indeed competent) with this, or will we have better luck in HKG?

How agressive are CX at "moving" passengers? Due to booking problems (read, call-centre problems) we've ended up with a split PNR, and are thus now on two completely different booking records. Since seating for couples in F is limited to two choices, I'm wondering how likely it is that we may get unilaterally moved to accomodate someone else, and if there is anything I can do to prevent this?

And, after reading B747's message about lounge access, if they deny us access to the Wing (leaving on the 00:35 LHR flight) anyone in the vicinity will hear the loud POP, which will be my head exploding

(Actually, due to a wierd twist of fate, it looks like I will be celebrating my birthday in the F-section Wing, do you think they'll let me have a party? )

Ken

'Why is it, "A penny for your thoughts," but, "you have to put your two cents in?" Somebody's making a penny....' - Steven Wright

in HKG, it is still 45 min, esp if u fly F and there wd be no line. (except to the USA, give 60-80 min for going to this stupid destination). however, if you are going to enjoy the Wing, i suppose you would should plan to arrive some 90-120 min before flying?

in other ports, there is no dedicated F counters and you should save a bit more time
not sure about LHR, as but since you are not flying HKG, i think 1.5-2 hr should be enough.

even in US, i cd check in 1 hr before the flight. but i havent check in at LHR lately. i can't speak for that

for seating, call CX to have your seat assigned in advance. tell them both PNRs
(you can check the seat map status in ITN)
if it is not available, the agent will put a "REQUEST" note, and your preference will be taken care of.

if you are MPO member so that they have your record, they may hold the party for you up 30k feet. perhaps cake + a bottle of champaign. otherwise, just inform them that you are spending your b-day on the flight, perhaps at tttthe check-in and to the F/A on board.

wing access should be no problem.

enjoy your flight!

[This message has been edited by pegasus8228 (edited 10-17-2002).]

I think he means "how early" you can check in prior to the flight. Online checkin opens 48 hours prior, but I think you can check in about a day earlier for baggage. Unless you are going to the USA, I believe "maximum" (earliest) you can check in is 4 hours.

Thangs for the birthday advice peg, I'll bear it in mind

Just to clarify, what I'm tying to find out is the MAX check-in, i.e. the earliest that they will allow us to check-in before the flight with bags. Strange concept, I know, but we got bitten by this with BA in HKG earlier this year, who refused to allow us to check-in at the airport more than 2Hrs before departure (?!). Confused the heck out of the Mandarin, who could not understand why we would want to cancel one of their Limos and instead fight our way to the city check-in with our bags and take the train....
And I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has been caught by the (relatively) new rules for short-haul at LHR which have you standing around with your bags for hours until BAA will "let" them check you in...

I'm going to reserve seats, but I'm aware that "apparently" single travellers sitting in couples' seats are fresh meat for being moved around to "better" seats (or perhaps I'm too used to BA). Since we're now on seperate PNR's we look like two seperate travellers, and unfortunately (or not, depending on your viewpoint) do not share a surname, or anything else that would make it obvious that we're a couple. I'm just wondering if anyone has an opinion as to how "sacrosanct" CX consider pre-assigned seats, and how regularly you've lost your requested seat at check-in.

We'll think about party invitiations closer to the time, for those who happen to be in HKG that day

Ken.

"I saw a subliminal advertising executive, but only for a second." - Steven Wright

In HKG you can checkin at the Airport Express station in HK Island or Kowloon on the day of or day prior to departure (for all destinations except USA). I think they would regard 00:35 as late in the day not early, so I believe you could, for example, check in at 07:00 on Thursday for a flight leaving 00:35 on Saturday.

I don't think there is a maximum at the airport within its opening hours, and you can online checkin up to 48 hours ahead.

Just pray that your bags end up in the right place at the right time... I wouldn't dare to take this avenue.

Can't see much chance of being ejected from the Wing - I've caught the late one to LHR a couple of times this year and had no problem.

Reguarding your fear of having CX change
your seat assignment : being solo taken up
a seat in the 2 pairs of seats in the
middle :
1st of all ..they would not dare take away
a FC pax seat assignment .
2nd : have the airline put an OSI message
in your PNR showing that this is TCP2 with
Mrs Mandarin ( To complete party of 2 )
and cross referenced the PNRs . If they
divided your PNR from one into 2 : this info
is already showing in both separated PNRs
by the computer .
And I have never had any trouble accessing
the FC lounge , at whatever time my flight
was , nor when I get there . Period.
Hope this helps .
PS : reguarding your birthday celebration
on board , plz have Mrs Mandarin call in
for you : like for special meal..you have
to ask them for the cake at least 24 hrs
in advance . Have her do it OK..looks funny
if you call in and ask for cake for yourself
!!! (:

[This message has been edited by AA2MM (edited 10-17-2002).]