CX889 Award
Jul 27, 2011, 8:35 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 1,470
CX889 Award
I keep running in to the same problem trying to book an award on flight CX889 and was wondering if you guys have any advice.
I see available inventory on the flight using KVS. Call British Airways to book it and am told that the flight doesn't have any availability. This is the flight that stops in YVR on its way from JFK to HKG. If I look up JFK-HKG I see availability. If I look up individual legs I see availability on JFK-YVR but not on YVR-HKG.
Now my question is if/when booking this flight JFK-HKG is that a separate award inventory bucket as opposed to JFK-YVR and YVR-HKG buckets? Or must there be available inventory on the individual legs in order to get the flight booked the way I want it?
Thanks
greendx
I see available inventory on the flight using KVS. Call British Airways to book it and am told that the flight doesn't have any availability. This is the flight that stops in YVR on its way from JFK to HKG. If I look up JFK-HKG I see availability. If I look up individual legs I see availability on JFK-YVR but not on YVR-HKG.
Now my question is if/when booking this flight JFK-HKG is that a separate award inventory bucket as opposed to JFK-YVR and YVR-HKG buckets? Or must there be available inventory on the individual legs in order to get the flight booked the way I want it?
Thanks
greendx
Jul 27, 2011, 8:30 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,231
Typically the inventory is managed separately, although obviously there needs to be space on both segments for them to sell a ticket (revenue or award).
The other issue, and the one that you're probably facing, is that Cathay generally has more award availability for its own members than it does for partners like BA or AA. I'm not sure where KVS is pulling the inventory from, but it's possible (if not likely) that there is availability for Asiamiles redemption on those segments but CX hasn't made those seats available for partners. Unfortunately this happens quite frequently.
The other issue, and the one that you're probably facing, is that Cathay generally has more award availability for its own members than it does for partners like BA or AA. I'm not sure where KVS is pulling the inventory from, but it's possible (if not likely) that there is availability for Asiamiles redemption on those segments but CX hasn't made those seats available for partners. Unfortunately this happens quite frequently.
Jul 27, 2011, 8:55 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 1,470
Well I'm new to KVS but from what I read so far when using the Amadeus: Awards/CX method if it shows availability via KVS it's the same as what CX members see. In fact I can pull up same availability for JFK-HKG flight 889 on the asiamiles site and also can see JFK-YVR availability but not YVR-HKG.
Something tells me that JFK-YVR should be bookable and maybe I'm just having bad luck with the BA agents. I'm hoping someone here has run into this and knows more considering how many people book these flights using BA miles.
Something tells me that JFK-YVR should be bookable and maybe I'm just having bad luck with the BA agents. I'm hoping someone here has run into this and knows more considering how many people book these flights using BA miles.
Typically the inventory is managed separately, although obviously there needs to be space on both segments for them to sell a ticket (revenue or award).
The other issue, and the one that you're probably facing, is that Cathay generally has more award availability for its own members than it does for partners like BA or AA. I'm not sure where KVS is pulling the inventory from, but it's possible (if not likely) that there is availability for Asiamiles redemption on those segments but CX hasn't made those seats available for partners. Unfortunately this happens quite frequently.
The other issue, and the one that you're probably facing, is that Cathay generally has more award availability for its own members than it does for partners like BA or AA. I'm not sure where KVS is pulling the inventory from, but it's possible (if not likely) that there is availability for Asiamiles redemption on those segments but CX hasn't made those seats available for partners. Unfortunately this happens quite frequently.
Jul 28, 2011, 1:11 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Originally Posted by greendx
Well I'm new to KVS
I see available inventory on the flight using KVS. Call British Airways to book it and am told that the flight doesn't have any availability. This is the flight that stops in YVR on its way from JFK to HKG. If I look up JFK-HKG I see availability. If I look up individual legs I see availability on JFK-YVR but not on YVR-HKG.
The KVS Tool has 3 (soon increasing to 4) user-switchable sources for CX Award Availability, so you can see the inventory from just about every possible perspective.
Jul 28, 2011, 1:19 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
I keep running in to the same problem trying to book an award on flight CX889 and was wondering if you guys have any advice.
I see available inventory on the flight using KVS. Call British Airways to book it and am told that the flight doesn't have any availability. This is the flight that stops in YVR on its way from JFK to HKG. If I look up JFK-HKG I see availability. If I look up individual legs I see availability on JFK-YVR but not on YVR-HKG.
Now my question is if/when booking this flight JFK-HKG is that a separate award inventory bucket as opposed to JFK-YVR and YVR-HKG buckets? Or must there be available inventory on the individual legs in order to get the flight booked the way I want it?
Thanks
greendx
I see available inventory on the flight using KVS. Call British Airways to book it and am told that the flight doesn't have any availability. This is the flight that stops in YVR on its way from JFK to HKG. If I look up JFK-HKG I see availability. If I look up individual legs I see availability on JFK-YVR but not on YVR-HKG.
Now my question is if/when booking this flight JFK-HKG is that a separate award inventory bucket as opposed to JFK-YVR and YVR-HKG buckets? Or must there be available inventory on the individual legs in order to get the flight booked the way I want it?
Thanks
greendx
Jul 28, 2011, 1:27 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 1,470
I'm trying to book in F leaving JFK on December 12th. Here is the info that I am seeing. As you can see the YVR-HKG leg is the problem but I'm hoping that the fact that JFK-HKG (CX889) shows as available that the issue is simply with the BA agents, in which case I need some advice on how to convince them to book this.
[KVS Availability Tool 6.3.0.R2/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/CX]
Code:
JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl NY US [KJFK] HKG Hong Kong Intl HK [VHHH] MON 12 Dec 2011 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------ CX 889 JFK 22:00 HKG 07:55 +2 773 1 FS+ CS@ CX 845 JFK 00:20 HKG 05:15 +1 773 0 FS+ CS@ CX 841 JFK 09:15 HKG 14:25 +1 773 0 FS@ CS@ CX 831 JFK 13:55 HKG 19:00 +1 773 0 FS+ CS@
[KVS Availability Tool 6.3.0.R2/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/CX]
Code:
JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl NY US [KJFK] YVR Vancouver Metro / Intl BC CA = YVR CXH [CYVR] MON 12 Dec 2011 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------ CX 889 JFK 22:00 YVR 00:55 +1 773 0 FS+ CS+ CX 841 JFK 09:15 HKG 14:25 +1 773 0 FS@ CS@ -> CX 838 HKG 16:25 +1 YVR 11:50 +1 744 0 FS@ CS@ CX 831 JFK 13:55 HKG 19:00 +1 773 0 FS+ CS@ -> CX 888 HKG 01:00 +2 YVR 20:30 +1 773 0 FS@ CS@ CX 841 JFK 09:15 HKG 14:25 +1 773 0 FS@ CS@ -> CX 888 HKG 01:00 +2 YVR 20:30 +1 773 0 FS@ CS@ CX 845 JFK 00:20 HKG 05:15 +1 773 0 FS+ CS@ -> CX 838 HKG 16:25 +1 YVR 11:50 +1 744 0 FS@ CS@ CX 845 JFK 00:20 HKG 05:15 +1 773 0 FS+ CS@ -> CX 888 HKG 01:00 +2 YVR 20:30 +1 773 0 FS@ CS@ CX 831 JFK 13:55 HKG 19:00 +1 773 0 FS+ CS@ -> CX 838 HKG 16:45 +2 YVR 12:30 +2 744 0 FS@ CS@
[KVS Availability Tool 6.3.0.R2/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/CX]
Code:
YVR Vancouver Metro / Intl BC CA = YVR CXH [CYVR] HKG Hong Kong Intl HK [VHHH] TUE 13 Dec 2011 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------ CX 889 YVR 02:10 HKG 07:55 +1 773 0 FS@ CS@ CX 839 YVR 13:20 HKG 18:45 +1 744 0 FS@ CS@
Jul 28, 2011, 1:29 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 1,470
Other flights are available on this date but that would mean I need to take another day off of work. I'm already pushing it with what I've taken so far
Currently booked on ORD-HKG but I don't have any status with BA so it'll cost me $70 for each change that I make. Also they are charging me $20 for calling in the request even though it's impossible to book these online (I have a stop over and continuing on to BKK from HKG)
Jul 28, 2011, 1:39 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
Other flights are available on this date but that would mean I need to take another day off of work. I'm already pushing it with what I've taken so far
Currently booked on ORD-HKG but I don't have any status with BA so it'll cost me $70 for each change that I make. Also they are charging me $20 for calling in the request even though it's impossible to book these online (I have a stop over and continuing on to BKK from HKG)
Currently booked on ORD-HKG but I don't have any status with BA so it'll cost me $70 for each change that I make. Also they are charging me $20 for calling in the request even though it's impossible to book these online (I have a stop over and continuing on to BKK from HKG)
Jul 28, 2011, 2:56 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,756
Other flights are available on this date but that would mean I need to take another day off of work. I'm already pushing it with what I've taken so far
Currently booked on ORD-HKG but I don't have any status with BA so it'll cost me $70 for each change that I make. Also they are charging me $20 for calling in the request even though it's impossible to book these online (I have a stop over and continuing on to BKK from HKG)
Currently booked on ORD-HKG but I don't have any status with BA so it'll cost me $70 for each change that I make. Also they are charging me $20 for calling in the request even though it's impossible to book these online (I have a stop over and continuing on to BKK from HKG)
I have not seen any airlines would waive the phone booking fee even when the booking cannot be made online. If they are not possible online to begin with, they dont waive fee. They only waive fee if bookings normally can be done online but due to website glitch that cannot be done. Otherwise, the phone fee is always levied. I guess they have to make up for the time agent has to spend with some callers - that could be an hour long affair!
Jul 28, 2011, 3:03 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 1,470
So now BA ups its change fee from $30 to $70? I thought it was only $30 last year.
I have not seen any airlines would waive the phone booking fee even when the booking cannot be made online. If they are not possible online to begin with, they dont waive fee. They only waive fee if bookings normally can be done online but due to website glitch that cannot be done. Otherwise, the phone fee is always levied. I guess they have to make up for the time agent has to spend with some callers - that could be an hour long affair!
I have not seen any airlines would waive the phone booking fee even when the booking cannot be made online. If they are not possible online to begin with, they dont waive fee. They only waive fee if bookings normally can be done online but due to website glitch that cannot be done. Otherwise, the phone fee is always levied. I guess they have to make up for the time agent has to spend with some callers - that could be an hour long affair!
Jul 28, 2011, 3:12 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,756
This is my first time using BA miles and yes it is $70 now. I've read somewhere that people have gotten BA to waive the $20 I don't know. My gripe was that I wasn't even told about it initially. I was quoted ~$240 or so in taxes and then next day got an email with the price saying ~$220. Charges haven't posted on my card yet so I haven't seen the breakdown yet. I have been able to get Continental to wave a similar fee before for an itinerary that can't be booked online but I'm not sure if that is their policy.
$70 change fee is a bit steep but still much cheaper than the $250 change fee US Airways charges! Makes you really appreciate the free changes AA and UA/CO still offer.
CO award booking portal is more robust than BA's. It normally can handle most award booking online. CO also tends to be a bit more accommodating. For example I have seen CO waived cancellation fee on revenue tickets when there is medical condition involved even though the fare rules dont have such provision.
Jul 28, 2011, 9:27 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Glad you're enjoying your KVS Tool membership!
Unfortunately, there is no Award Availability on CX 889, as the other 2 engines confirm:
[KVS Availability Tool 6.3.0.R2/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/OneWorld/AU-QFA-SP1]
[KVS Availability Tool 6.3.9901/Diamond - Axess: Awards/JL-OneWorld]
I'm trying to book in F leaving JFK on December 12th. Here is the info that I am seeing. As you can see the YVR-HKG leg is the problem but I'm hoping that the fact that JFK-HKG (CX889) shows as available that the issue is simply with the BA agents, in which case I need some advice on how to convince them to book this.
[KVS Availability Tool 6.3.0.R2/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/OneWorld/AU-QFA-SP1]
Code:
JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl NY US [KJFK] HKG Hong Kong Intl HK [VHHH] MON 12 Dec 2011 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------- CX 845 JFK 00:20 HKG 05:15 +1 773 FS+ CS- YS- CX 831 JFK 13:55 HKG 19:00 +1 773 FS+ CS- YS- BA 178 JFK 08:30 LHR 20:15 744 FS+ CS- YS- -> QF 30 LHR 22:30 HKG 18:25 +1 744 AA 319 LGA 10:00 ORD 11:50 M83 FS+ CS+ YS+ -> CX 807 ORD 14:20 HKG 20:20 +1 773 AA 313 LGA 08:55 ORD 10:45 M80 FS+ CS+ YS+ -> CX 807 ORD 14:20 HKG 20:20 +1 773 AA 309 LGA 07:57 ORD 09:50 M80 FS+ CS- YS- -> CX 807 ORD 14:20 HKG 20:20 +1 773
Code:
JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl NY US [KJFK] HKG Hong Kong Intl HK [VHHH] MON 12 Dec 2011 Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------- CX 845 JFK 00:20 HKG 05:15 +1 77A 0 FS2 CS- YS- CX 841 JFK 09:15 HKG 14:25 +1 77A 0 FS- CS- YS- CX 831 JFK 13:55 HKG 19:00 +1 77A 0 FS1 CS- YS- CX 889 JFK 22:00 HKG 07:55 +2 77A 1 FS- CS- YS-
Jul 29, 2011, 8:25 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 1,470
Thanks for confirming.
Luckily availability juts opened up on the 13th and I'm on the phone now changing my reservation so I no longer have to worry about the flight on the 12th.
ETA: BA did not charge me the $20 phone booking fee for this call and looks like I wasn't actually billed for the first call either.
Last edited by greendx; Jul 29, 2011 at 9:40 am Reason: BA fee