Is award availability just nonexistent right now?
Aug 10, 2022 | 1:59 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold/OW emerald, QR
Posts: 17,064
Just by checking the website everyday for a few days. I booked in June for flights in September/October (so 3-4 months out) and saw a bit of award availability scattered around here and there. But of course you have to act fast if you see anything worth booking, as generally it would be gone within a day or so.
Lots of CX availability in Y and PE back in June. None now that I can find checking daily for the past month.
I believe that CX realizes that most pax are flying from/to HKG and need to fly anyway. The nonstop from Europe/America offers significant benefits. Hence, people are willing to pay rather than use miles. And fares to HK have skyrocketed on all airlines.
Aug 10, 2022 | 2:25 am
#47
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: CX Life Time,TG,
Posts: 344
A friend managed to get a round trip HKG/SYD/HKG, out Sep, rtn in Nov in economy. Since he is not a high status Marco Polo member I assume that he found them on-line. I managed to get a business MNL/HKG/MNL in Nov by contacting the chat box although none were available on-line, but I am one of the (probably) few remaining life time members.
Aug 17, 2022 | 5:00 am
#49
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: CX, SQ, QF
Posts: 344
Aug 18, 2022 | 9:15 am
#52
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 787
It's a pity that Cathay is in this position, and probably needs to severely restrict award seats. I'm ready to start international travel again and just starting to explore. I was generally monogamous with Cathay and would adjust my schedule to accommodate award availability and/or price. With their current operating model (no award, high cost) it's making me explore other options. I hate "cheating" on them, but after all, they are not the only bird in the air!
Aug 18, 2022 | 11:22 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold/OW emerald, QR
Posts: 17,064
It's a pity that Cathay is in this position, and probably needs to severely restrict award seats. I'm ready to start international travel again and just starting to explore. I was generally monogamous with Cathay and would adjust my schedule to accommodate award availability and/or price. With their current operating model (no award, high cost) it's making me explore other options. I hate "cheating" on them, but after all, they are not the only bird in the air!
Hard to find any availability on any of those airlines, given the tons of miles many of us had accumulated at cheaper prices.
Maybe an "enhancement" in award levels is in the work as many miles are "cheaply" earned by credit cards spending..
Aug 18, 2022 | 11:49 am
#54
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 787
Perhaps, although I found award availability on EVA and ANA in J, both in my first quick attempt at searching.. Singapore did not have any award flights. The Emirates website is not easy to use to search award, so I didn't spend much time.
Aug 19, 2022 | 7:54 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,658
I'm not 100% certain on entry/transit rules, but my guess is Taiwan (EVA) and Japan (ANA) are a lot less open than Singapore (SQ). That may be why.
Aug 19, 2022 | 9:07 am
#56
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 787