How Much Does Cathay Overbook
May 14, 2007 | 11:39 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Washington D.C.
Programs: AA 1MM, AA Plat, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 450
Overbooking does not hurt CX, it contributes to their profitability. It is beneficial to the occasional traveler seekin low priced fares as it makes more discounted seats available. It is unfortunate when they have to involuntarily bump pax but overall the system works for everyone. A larger fleet will not make a bit of difference as CX will continue the practice.
I agree that the concept of overbooking may be profitable, but it has to be handled appropriately. I was bumped from J to Y on a recent flight from HKG to US. I was given cash, and they refunded the difference between a oneway J and Y ticket. I am not sure what type of fares they used (walk up vs. advanced) to calcluate it, because they gave me 75% of my ticket back to me in cash which they said was the difference between a oneway J and Y ticket. To me this seems to me that they will be losing on every bump or breaking even depending on how much they charged the passenger who took my seat.
May 17, 2007 | 7:14 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP,2MM, DL Gold,Starwood PLT
Posts: 3,876
I agree that the concept of overbooking may be profitable, but it has to be handled appropriately. I was bumped from J to Y on a recent flight from HKG to US. I was given cash, and they refunded the difference between a oneway J and Y ticket. I am not sure what type of fares they used (walk up vs. advanced) to calcluate it, because they gave me 75% of my ticket back to me in cash which they said was the difference between a oneway J and Y ticket. To me this seems to me that they will be losing on every bump or breaking even depending on how much they charged the passenger who took my seat.
May 17, 2007 | 8:15 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 246
The perils of overbooking, eh?
May 18, 2007 | 1:07 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Overbooking does occur, and it may not matter whether it happens after one's booking (or even ticketing). That is not CX alone. CX's situation is bad because they have their J cabin full so often. With J full and there is not enough room in F for J upgrade, downgrade happens.
In order to avoid downgrade, unless the passenger is an elite MPC or OW member (and have the FF number on record already), one should do OLCI as soon as possible. Once committed with boarding pass with a boarding number and seat assignment, I doubt whether CX will do anything to downgrade the passenger.
Check in as soon as possible...
In order to avoid downgrade, unless the passenger is an elite MPC or OW member (and have the FF number on record already), one should do OLCI as soon as possible. Once committed with boarding pass with a boarding number and seat assignment, I doubt whether CX will do anything to downgrade the passenger.
Check in as soon as possible...
May 18, 2007 | 1:24 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,797
In order to avoid downgrade, unless the passenger is an elite MPC or OW member (and have the FF number on record already), one should do OLCI as soon as possible. Once committed with boarding pass with a boarding number and seat assignment, I doubt whether CX will do anything to downgrade the passenger.
Check in as soon as possible...
Check in as soon as possible...
May 18, 2007 | 1:25 am
#21
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 246
Overbooking does occur, and it may not matter whether it happens after one's booking (or even ticketing). That is not CX alone. CX's situation is bad because they have their J cabin full so often. With J full and there is not enough room in F for J upgrade, downgrade happens.
In order to avoid downgrade, unless the passenger is an elite MPC or OW member (and have the FF number on record already), one should do OLCI as soon as possible. Once committed with boarding pass with a boarding number and seat assignment, I doubt whether CX will do anything to downgrade the passenger.
Check in as soon as possible...
In order to avoid downgrade, unless the passenger is an elite MPC or OW member (and have the FF number on record already), one should do OLCI as soon as possible. Once committed with boarding pass with a boarding number and seat assignment, I doubt whether CX will do anything to downgrade the passenger.
Check in as soon as possible...
May 18, 2007 | 2:01 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
I mentioned this in another thread a few months back, but a friend of mine did OLCI the night before a morning flight to The Philippines (in J) over Chinese New Year, and when she got to the airport the next morning (with boarding pass in hand) CX told her that the flight was full and that they could send her and her travelling partner to Bali if they wanted (not an option as they were meeting others for the holiday). From memory she was not an elite MPC. Not sure what she could have done to avoid being denied a seat on that flight.
I saw people got bumped or being asked to be bumped. The fact that they never ask me make me feel that being a MPC member does help. I do feel sad about those getting bumped without a choice.
Apr 19, 2016 | 10:57 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 3,087
Apr 20, 2016 | 2:34 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Programs: SQ,CX,LX
Posts: 343
We were first to check in for AKL-HKG on the 4th April (the flight that was eventually delayed for 5 hours) and were approached by a chap in uniform and offered $NZ 2000 for J-PEY or $NZ 4000 for J-Y each. We needed a good sleep that night so declined but would have been open to being put on the next days NZ flight if they could have coveredall the changes to the onward flights/hotels too.
Apr 20, 2016 | 6:50 am
#28
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
With the new seat guarantee, what you are paying for the lower cabin may cost more than what you may end up paying for the upper cabin.
I don't think they bump MPC members involuntarily.
I don't think they bump MPC members involuntarily.
Apr 20, 2016 | 7:30 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SYD | HGH
Programs: CX DM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton DM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,151
I don't think they bump any elite MPC members. Actually I wouldn't mind to be asked as long as they offer the right compensation for my return to work flight. i.e. Hotel + upgrade voucher ( or cash). So I could spend bit more time in Hkg, and return to work one day late because the flight that the company booked for me did not have a seat for me.
Apr 20, 2016 | 9:16 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
I don't think they bump any elite MPC members. Actually I wouldn't mind to be asked as long as they offer the right compensation for my return to work flight. i.e. Hotel + upgrade voucher ( or cash). So I could spend bit more time in Hkg, and return to work one day late because the flight that the company booked for me did not have a seat for me.
Told them I'd be happy to be bumped and they did! Got a hotel, an upgrade for the next day and cash. Since then, I sometimes proactively ask if they are looking for anyone to be bumped
