alphaod

Lack of news anything from CX is kind of pathetic.

I think instead of screwing with the mileage system into a pure revenue one, require say 50% mileage and sectors must be done on CX/KA (like JL/NH). To get DM someone would need 120,000 miles and at least 40 sectors OR 80 sectors and at least 60,000 miles. This would force people to actually fly CX/KA and credit to them instead of just crediting other programs to MPO.

If they want to make it harder to get DM, raise the requirement to 160,000 miles and 100 sectors, but introduce real benefits like upgrade vouchers. A loyalty program needs to go both ways.

KACommuter

Not at the silly prices that I saw for HKG LHR. Upgradeable PEY over HK$33k vs QR D at HK$31k.

percysmith

I just reviewed Y vs PEY fares to Syd over Easter (2-7 Apr):

Y: $6,070(S) - $8,100(L)
PEY: $13,640(E) - 17,470(W)

(more expensive fare is required for night flights on 2 Apr - conveniently it also shows what we need to pay for upgrade).

PEY is 216%-225% (116%-125% more) of Y, for 38% more room. Massive buck for not so much bang.

And even splurging for 17K is no guarantee J will show up. It's like paying 4K for a J lottery ticket!

I wonder since PEY is really just more space, can one simply buy two Y seats. Costs less than flying PEY in both instances.
How to book two Y seats tho - make a booking under Ted E. Bear? Or Panda A. Panda?

Guy Betsy

Actually you don't even need to pay the full fare for a second seat. Many people buy second seats for say their musical instruments that cannot be checked in or put in overhead compartment. Or people who want a guaranteed second seat to curl up and sleep. I know my uncle once upon a time ago used to do that (he's short). Mind you, he's rich enough to charter the whole plane if he wants to but he flies economy !

CX may be banking on the fact that perhaps people don't want to fly MH - cos MH's J class fares are HK$ 21,376 incl tax.

percysmith

But I probably have to get a TA to do this? Or CX phone agent?

Still forming the butt of jokes I'm afraid.

I was asked by a mate to help him fly back from HKG to SYD on 25-26/1. He couldn't have picked a worse weekend to fly back, all I can initially find was AK-D7 for paid airfare and HKG-(CX)KUL-(MH)BNE or DRW-(QF)SYD for redemption. I prefaced the results "after you crash over water would you like to have your body found or not?"

Eventually I found him a redemption HKG-(CX)BNE-(overnight stay required)(QF)SYD for 25/1. The hold is due tomorrow, what are my chances of pushing the deadline beyond T-4? He's still holding out for direct.

Cathay Boy

But for this to work you need to make sure PEY is actually sold out, which in EWR's case like I've said it barely sells more than 3-6 pax per leg!!! It's pathetic!!!

I'm only doing it because it's on company dime. No way would any logical sane human being pay extra $1000 USD for just a little bit more space.

brithk

Depending how this goes, I suspect there may be some Star Alliance (or even One World - though less likely) status match offers. A good opportunity to get some reliable spenders in their programmes.

jagmeets

Paid up for an R fare once- won't do it again unless CX starts opening up award inventory like they used to. (This was for upgrades requested well in advance, at a time when loadings were reasonably light).

1010101

Easiest solution that would bring them into line with the rest of Oneworld is to cut benefits for Silver members, especially lounge access.

I do find it a particularly off putting FFP program in all honesty. My other half has a US$75k travel budget and struggles to make Diamond. Meanwhile I can make the BA equivalent with ease for about 1/5 of that. Then at the other end of the scale I can qualify for lounge access and priority boarding with a couple of cheap economy long hauls. There is very little consistency, or incentive to book premium cabins.

Enhancements

Yeah I'm really not a big fan of the O fare fire sales that happen far ahead, while V availability is getting pinched pretty badly as CX knows it can sell you L/M/K instead if you want to switch closer to date of departure or peak seasons.

On the other hand, they have tons of capacity around Asia and they need to fill these seats to justify the frequencies they provide to biz travelers. And these seats aren't going to fill themselves at a legacy carrier price tier. Also for everyone not flying to HKG, a transit is involved and lower prices are needed too.

What you say is true. CX is gunning for a LCC mixed with premium classes, propped by economies of scale, while AM is gunning to open up much more via manufactured spend than actual mileage (they've just added Maybank for example)- and I suspect CX award availability is going to be a PITA to push spending towards "lifestyle" outlets instead.

tboons

HKG to SIN in J at 1k HKD? I would be keen!

KACommuter

Is that a OW standard? I don't think so. AY, MH and QR all offer their MPC SL equivalents lounge access.

My impression is that it's just BA that doesn't. AA and QF are outliers by having subscription based lounge access.

1010101

Only CX, AY, RJ and QR give full lounge access to Ruby level members.

AB, BA, IB, LA, S7, UL, JJ and US don't give it at all, the rest are chargeable/with restrictions.

Oneworld Ruby as a tier doesn't offer it.

sscywong

How about restrict SL lounge access to club miles / sector eligible class i.e. V and above? But probably this won't resolve morning peak lounge congestion... Or no Wing access for SL on Y during morning peak hours...

alphaod

Business trips doesn't mean J