Rather new to the board, so here goes...

I'm looking at the buy 1 get 1 free offer from AMEX platinum on CX. The flight is going to be JFK-HKG. However, the most optimal date has their I class inventory out. I'm currently on the "waitlist" for that day, but I'm curious as to whether or not to expect it to clear. Will I have better odds of clearing it if I arrive at the airport, or would they rather give those seats to an upgraded passenger? I know that the Friday night outbound from JFK is much more comfortable than doing the Saturday out red-eye, especially since I'm working Monday.

Any thoughts?

It would be helpful if you can give us the exact date of travel.

Usually "I" class is reserved for CX's deep discount Business Class seats. When it's a Buy 1 for 1 offer, the "I" class passenger doesn't get any miles.. "I" class is also used for the AsiaPass upgrade to Business Class.

However, "I" class is used in Asia for their deep discounted Business Class seats, and those tickets earn mileage.

CX's system has a way of weeding out which tickets can earn mileage or not.

But in any case, putting yourself on waitlist is the best you can do right now. I believe both tickets must hold confirmed seats before the tickets can be issued. No standby is permitted.

I'm looking to be traveling outbound Dec 12, although using the ITN tool, I noted that it's I0. So I'm confirmed on Dec 13, waitlist on the 12th. Unfortunately, it took a while for the Platinum card to actually reach me, and by then the I2 went to I0. =(

Also, I believe that me (the paying PAX) will get mileage, while my SO (the non-paying PAX) won't. Isn't that correct?

I don't know. AMEX should have the answer for you.. or at least CX would. I don't understand this. You booked the reservation while waiting for your Platinum card to arrive? You COULD have booked it without having your Plat car on hand you know... AMEX travel would have just booked it for you first. They would after all have access to your cc number first and that would indicate that you are a Plat member. On top of which, it doesn't matter if you're a no body when you booked the res, as long as you're holding a Plat card when you issue the ticket is when it matters.

Get Amex Travel on the phone, and ask them to speak to their CX sales representative to get that one seat for your confirmed.

So then how much money is this ticket? per person? Curious minds would like an example...thanks

I think it works out to something like US$6300 for 2. That is when someone told me that they intended to buy a NY-HK-SIN rt ticket and they will get one free.

I think this is indeed the best deal around.

There are definitely US-Asia CX Business fares that are less than $3150 per person, that book into D or even J rather than I, that earn miles for both tickets (not just one), that earn bonuses too (recall that this offer yields no bonuses for either pax, in general, because of the I booking class). I wouldn't think such fares would cover a route as premium as JFK-HKG or JFK-SIN, but for BKK, TPE, etc. better fares are possible, with fewer restrictions & more miles & bonuses. No?

I think in order to get better than the $7500 RT of JFK-HKG, you have to be booking to TPE. Also, if you're traveling in D class, I was told by CX that you can't stop in HK. Hence, if you want to engineer an RT to HK by flying extra to TPE, then you'll have to get D on the outbound, J (or C?) on the return. However, based on things I've read here (thanks for all the info folks), I've seen people get cheap JFK-HKG-TPE flights and stay in TPE, so I guess the restrictions aren't the same. Or else i'm missing something.

Also, Guy Betsy, when I talked to AMEX platinum desk, they said that they won't even do the booking, unless the card # is available when I book. Thankfully, I got approved for the platinum same-day (great AMEX service) and got the card the next day. Interesting to note also: the booking *MUST* be done on the platinum card. However, the payment can be on *ANY* AMEX card.

Also, I'm currently confirmed on the 13th. Lost those nice 12th seats. Which comes back to my original question: What are my odds of the 12th "clearing"? And will it help to be at the airport that day, or will it just be a waste of time? I checked http://flyaow.com/classcathay.htm and noted that 12th JFK-HKG is sold out. Solid. Nothing. Nada. =(

As posted elsewhere [do a search on the AmEx board] the 2 for 1 offer isn't as good as it first appears.

The first ticket has to be full fare and the second is ineligible for mileage earn under any OW programme. By the time you tot up the per head figure, it's often cheaper to buy two deeply discounted J or F tickets through a TA or, on occasion, from the airline itself.

Chance isn't good - I know some people waitlisted in J class on the 12th, let alone I class.

Wow! Waitlisting on J! I guess there's *NO* chance of me clearing. And I guess it doesn't help that I'm OW Sapphire (AA Plat). Would it help if I pony up the $50 and join MPC? =)

Not unless you can do 210,000 status miles or 140 segments in the next week or so in order to get to Diamond.