Phantom award availability, how common?
May 4, 2026 | 6:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 60
Phantom award availability, how common?
Has there been a recent uptick on phantom award availability? Today, May 4, I saw availbilty on both finnair and Cathay Asia miles but when I go and try and snag the award on both it gives me errors. Occasionally would disappear and reappear if I toggle the days. I was specially looking at HKG to LAX
I always thought if you see it on 2 different platforms, it wouldn't be phantom. Is that the correct thinking
I always thought if you see it on 2 different platforms, it wouldn't be phantom. Is that the correct thinking
May 4, 2026 | 7:59 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Diamond (OW Emerald), former SQ Krisflyer Gold
Posts: 2,602
Yes, I'm seeing this happen increasingly more and more often on the CX website for CX flights even.
Award availability shows as available and you even get as far as a successful credit card authorisation, and then it just errors out.
When you then call into the CX hotline they just say that there is no award availability and that any authorised charges will not actually post. Extremely irritating when that happens, and it's not a lone occurrence.
Award availability shows as available and you even get as far as a successful credit card authorisation, and then it just errors out.
When you then call into the CX hotline they just say that there is no award availability and that any authorised charges will not actually post. Extremely irritating when that happens, and it's not a lone occurrence.
May 5, 2026 | 11:16 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2025
Posts: 83
So I just booked with Iberia a redemption flight from HKG to LHR in F cabin, on Iberia Avios promotion sale with 30% off. The Cathay status says waitlisted and not confirmed, yet Iberia took the Avios and payment from me already. My little Ai friend, Claude, tells me that I should not expect this booking to be confirmed as based on his data and research, my chances are almost impossible, and I should make alternative arrangements.
Do you guys agree? and how long usually it takes to have it rejected or confirmed? Or and I wasting my time and energy, should I just cancel the booking and get my Avios back?
Do you guys agree? and how long usually it takes to have it rejected or confirmed? Or and I wasting my time and energy, should I just cancel the booking and get my Avios back?
May 5, 2026 | 7:59 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 178
So I just booked with Iberia a redemption flight from HKG to LHR in F cabin, on Iberia Avios promotion sale with 30% off. The Cathay status says waitlisted and not confirmed, yet Iberia took the Avios and payment from me already. My little Ai friend, Claude, tells me that I should not expect this booking to be confirmed as based on his data and research, my chances are almost impossible, and I should make alternative arrangements.
Do you guys agree? and how long usually it takes to have it rejected or confirmed? Or and I wasting my time and energy, should I just cancel the booking and get my Avios back?
Do you guys agree? and how long usually it takes to have it rejected or confirmed? Or and I wasting my time and energy, should I just cancel the booking and get my Avios back?
May 5, 2026 | 10:26 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 60
So I just booked with Iberia a redemption flight from HKG to LHR in F cabin, on Iberia Avios promotion sale with 30% off. The Cathay status says waitlisted and not confirmed, yet Iberia took the Avios and payment from me already. My little Ai friend, Claude, tells me that I should not expect this booking to be confirmed as based on his data and research, my chances are almost impossible, and I should make alternative arrangements.
Do you guys agree? and how long usually it takes to have it rejected or confirmed? Or and I wasting my time and energy, should I just cancel the booking and get my Avios back?
Do you guys agree? and how long usually it takes to have it rejected or confirmed? Or and I wasting my time and energy, should I just cancel the booking and get my Avios back?
May 5, 2026 | 11:55 pm
#9
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 22,113
(Delete - I realise the redemption miles is Iberia Avios. Not that I think it will clear anyway either, but my original answer assumed the miles used were Cathay AM (no waitlisting))
May 7, 2026 | 1:27 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
Programs: Marriott Ambassador (Titanium Lifetime), BA GfL, EK Gold, HH Diamond, Ex-BD*G
Posts: 3,737
To add that I had this problem a few days ago too: Website showed 4xbusiness class seats, but website wouldn't book (after payment just went white screen and nothing, twice). Called up and only 3 seats are showing with the call centre. So had to book 3xmiles and 1xcash. This was CX metal for HKG-HGH. Annoying.
May 7, 2026 | 2:05 am
#11
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 22,113
To add that I had this problem a few days ago too: Website showed 4xbusiness class seats, but website wouldn't book (after payment just went white screen and nothing, twice). Called up and only 3 seats are showing with the call centre. So had to book 3xmiles and 1xcash. This was CX metal for HKG-HGH. Annoying.
May 8, 2026 | 1:41 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
Programs: Marriott Ambassador (Titanium Lifetime), BA GfL, EK Gold, HH Diamond, Ex-BD*G
Posts: 3,737