Reservation holding for CX DM members
Feb 20, 2024, 1:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,123
Reservation holding for CX DM members
I am always wondering about this. As a CX DM, I often ask CX reservations to help me create and hold a reservation until departure so that I can call in later to ticket it. When I do this, I am always told that the price is not guaranteed, although the specific fare class can be guaranteed. I wonder how much price change can be once a specific fare class is locked in. I understand that if I hold an Economy Class ticket in Fare Class L, I will always be ticketing in Fare Class L in the future. It is just that the specific fare basis can change. Will this still leave room for a huge change in the price?
Feb 20, 2024, 4:19 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, BA Silver, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 486
In general, the prices don't change much. There can be entire batch re-work of fares sometimes; recently a fare increased double in the same fare class so it is possible. Generally and most often speaking, the changes will be because of things like taxes and the fuel surcharge.
A less dramatic example is the recent New Years sale where there were £200 base fares from LHR-HKG in Q class, but now they're £270-ish.
They can hold the L seat but not the L fare.
A less dramatic example is the recent New Years sale where there were £200 base fares from LHR-HKG in Q class, but now they're £270-ish.
They can hold the L seat but not the L fare.
Feb 20, 2024, 5:23 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,123
In general, the prices don't change much. There can be entire batch re-work of fares sometimes; recently a fare increased double in the same fare class so it is possible. Generally and most often speaking, the changes will be because of things like taxes and the fuel surcharge.
A less dramatic example is the recent New Years sale where there were £200 base fares from LHR-HKG in Q class, but now they're £270-ish.
They can hold the L seat but not the L fare.
A less dramatic example is the recent New Years sale where there were £200 base fares from LHR-HKG in Q class, but now they're £270-ish.
They can hold the L seat but not the L fare.
- LR21WEAO (Economy Light): USD 449;
- LR31WEAO (Economy Standard): USD 574;
- LR41WEAO (Economy Flex): USD 715.
Feb 20, 2024, 7:03 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, BA Silver, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 486
Thanks for your reply! To further clarify, I pull up all the One-Way fares currently published by CX for the HKG-LHR flight. For the "L" fare class, I find the following fare basis:
- LR21WEAO (Economy Light): USD 449;
- LR31WEAO (Economy Standard): USD 574;
- LR41WEAO (Economy Flex): USD 715.
You're only locking in an L seat for HKG-LHR. Nothing else. You can add a flight on to make it a round trip/open jaw. The flex/standard/light product you choose is at the time of ticketing as that comes with the ticket you buy and not the seat that you hold.
Mar 10, 2024, 9:16 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,123
A follow-up question: as a Diamond member, can I call in to hold a ticket for another person (not traveling with me)? Or, can I only hold a ticket on which I am a passenger?
Mar 10, 2024, 10:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 859
Mar 11, 2024, 8:41 am
#8
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
For the fare question, another point to keep in mind is the 'advanced purchase requirement'. CX doesn't really use it that often. but there are fares, especially PEY ones, that require 7/14/30/50 days of AP. If your ticketing date falls within those cutoffs, it has to be changed to a higher fare with a less stringent AP requirement. Taxes and YQ/YR could also change between booking and ticketing.
CX has a 'hold your fare' function that used to be free for CX elites. For that function, the fare quote is saved as well as the the booking class is confirmed. For these bookings, there would be no subsequent change in fares at purchase
CX has a 'hold your fare' function that used to be free for CX elites. For that function, the fare quote is saved as well as the the booking class is confirmed. For these bookings, there would be no subsequent change in fares at purchase
Mar 11, 2024, 9:35 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,123
For the fare question, another point to keep in mind is the 'advanced purchase requirement'. CX doesn't really use it that often. but there are fares, especially PEY ones, that require 7/14/30/50 days of AP. If your ticketing date falls within those cutoffs, it has to be changed to a higher fare with a less stringent AP requirement. Taxes and YQ/YR could also change between booking and ticketing.
CX has a 'hold your fare' function that used to be free for CX elites. For that function, the fare quote is saved as well as the the booking class is confirmed. For these bookings, there would be no subsequent change in fares at purchase
CX has a 'hold your fare' function that used to be free for CX elites. For that function, the fare quote is saved as well as the the booking class is confirmed. For these bookings, there would be no subsequent change in fares at purchase
Mar 11, 2024, 7:03 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX MPC
Posts: 592
Can HK travel agents still hold CX reservations for long periods before ticketing?
Before the pandemic, Hong Kong travel agents routinely used to be able to hold CX reservations for long periods before ticketing (no CX status required). Indeed I used various different travel agencies to make reservations up to a year in advance, and was given a ticketing deadline only 1-2 months before departure. Does anyone know whether Hong Kong travel agents can still do this? (I haven't had any need to try since the pandemic)