Are F and C class on U.S. to Hong Kong flights ever oversold?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 75
Are F and C class on U.S. to Hong Kong flights ever oversold?
Are F and C class on U.S. to Hong Kong flights ever oversold?
The reaons I'm asking is that the flight I'm booked on is completely sold out in first/business/coach. The CX reservation rep told me that there's not a seat available at any price.
I'm pretty sure they oversold coach, but what about first and business?
The reaons I'm asking is that the flight I'm booked on is completely sold out in first/business/coach. The CX reservation rep told me that there's not a seat available at any price.
I'm pretty sure they oversold coach, but what about first and business?
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 768
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Actually the fare paid seems to be irrelevant to the compensation, from what I've heard (I've never been invol downgraded on CX). At most airports you are given an envelope at the gate with the fare difference between published one-way J and Y or F and J, in cash. Doubt it happens more than a few times per year, certainly nothing like bumps on some other carriers. Usually when it happens it is due to DM exercising their purchase rights for a sold-out flight.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,323
What routes were you on? I've always thought CX was good with preventing involuntary downgrades (given the obscene amount of cash they are willing to pay for a voluntary downgrade), and twice IV seems like a lot!
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,305
believe me.. it rarely happens.. less than 100 times a year I would imagine on all route.. the actuaries who plan oversold @ CX are very good. There is a 99.9999999 chance you will fly in your ticketed cabin. CX takes that very seriously. They don't want to lose a buck, but they also appreciate the customer POV.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,191
Now, my understanding is that SQ is loathe do to even operational upgrades, so seems that they either (1) don't overbook C or (2) do overbook and sometimes have to downgrade, pay compensation and probably lose a customer for good. Neither seems like a financially optimal way to run an airline.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Beaverton OR
Programs: GE, AA PLT/2.6MM, BR Gld, Royal Carib. DM+, Celebrity Elite, NCL PLT, Princess Elite
Posts: 1,643
When I've been on an overbooked flight in C class, one of two things happen: At check in I am asked if I want to downgrade (I've been offered either two seats or a row to myself to make up for the inconvenience, plus cash - I have never taken this option BTW), or upgrades happen for some lucky passengers, occasionally even me.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 1,140
It's much more likely that C is overbooked based on unsold capacity in F, and the passenger will be involuntarily upgraded to F. When C is sold over capacity, the F seats are usually taken out of inventory. I think it's pretty rare that the combined F/C cabins will be overbooked except on flights where they have a pretty good idea of how many no-shows there will be.
Now, my understanding is that SQ is loathe do to even operational upgrades, so seems that they either (1) don't overbook C or (2) do overbook and sometimes have to downgrade, pay compensation and probably lose a customer for good. Neither seems like a financially optimal way to run an airline.
Now, my understanding is that SQ is loathe do to even operational upgrades, so seems that they either (1) don't overbook C or (2) do overbook and sometimes have to downgrade, pay compensation and probably lose a customer for good. Neither seems like a financially optimal way to run an airline.
My Singapore colleagues' stories about SQ suggest their "never upgrading" policy is true. I know someone who has been PPS for > 10 years and has never been upgraded even once. Most similar customers can count the no. of upgrades on the fingers of one hand. However, I hear they upgrade government linked VIP's instead.
#12
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: No longer Diamond and missing the good old days of CX
Posts: 1,521
When I've been on an overbooked flight in C class, one of two things happen: At check in I am asked if I want to downgrade (I've been offered either two seats or a row to myself to make up for the inconvenience, plus cash - I have never taken this option BTW), or upgrades happen for some lucky passengers, occasionally even me.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: No longer Diamond and missing the good old days of CX
Posts: 1,521
#15
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Beaverton OR
Programs: GE, AA PLT/2.6MM, BR Gld, Royal Carib. DM+, Celebrity Elite, NCL PLT, Princess Elite
Posts: 1,643
If BR ever implodes, I'll be back. Or since I can no longer get reimbursed for C tickets and have to buy Y+/Y tickets, when CX gets a Y+ that's affordable, I'll be back. Whichever comes first.