Vietnam to US mistake fare discussion - 2019 Cathay New Year's gift
#391
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 557
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, Cathay does not allow class changes on redemption tickets. In fact, on a previous occasion when I had a one-way F ticket from TPE to HKG and needed to travel the day before I planned, no F was offered on the route that day and as they would not simply downgrade me to business class I instead ended up buying a ticket.
#392
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 810
As a regular paid CX flyer I was already unhappy that CX sold what were clearly mistake fares and honoured them on what seemed to be a large scale.
Now I find myself needing to push back the U.S. leg of a multi-carrier award ticket by just a few days. However, Marco Polo informs me that there is zero F availability HKG-JFK between now and mid-August (when the ticket expires). Being unable to change the U.S. flight date means that it will be a no-show and the subsequent sectors, for which I redeemed hundreds of thousands of miles, will be forfeited. The only solution Cathay offers is to waitlist which in my experience is unlikely to throw up a seat. So Cathay's decision to fill a large part of its F inventory with non-Cathay loyalists flying on what they mostly know to be a mistake fare turns out to be very damaging for the feeling about Cathay of a Hong Kong based near weekly Cathay passenger like myself.
Now I find myself needing to push back the U.S. leg of a multi-carrier award ticket by just a few days. However, Marco Polo informs me that there is zero F availability HKG-JFK between now and mid-August (when the ticket expires). Being unable to change the U.S. flight date means that it will be a no-show and the subsequent sectors, for which I redeemed hundreds of thousands of miles, will be forfeited. The only solution Cathay offers is to waitlist which in my experience is unlikely to throw up a seat. So Cathay's decision to fill a large part of its F inventory with non-Cathay loyalists flying on what they mostly know to be a mistake fare turns out to be very damaging for the feeling about Cathay of a Hong Kong based near weekly Cathay passenger like myself.
#393
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,495
If your fare does not allow stopovers, I doubt that you could do it.
#394
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,495
I have managed to book my positioning flight to HAN, and will spend one night in Hanoi staying at the Hilton Hotel.
The following day, I am doing HAN-HKG-JFK // 3 hours turn around in JFK-HKG-HAN. I am planning to miss the flight in HKG, and continue on to DOH on QR. Will it be a problem "over" staying in either The Pier og The Wing lounge ?
My QR flight departs at 19:00 hours so I will eventually have 12-13 hours in the First Class lounges before proceeding to the QR-Doha Transit stop.
The following day, I am doing HAN-HKG-JFK // 3 hours turn around in JFK-HKG-HAN. I am planning to miss the flight in HKG, and continue on to DOH on QR. Will it be a problem "over" staying in either The Pier og The Wing lounge ?
My QR flight departs at 19:00 hours so I will eventually have 12-13 hours in the First Class lounges before proceeding to the QR-Doha Transit stop.
#395
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC/SIN
Programs: CX DM, SQ KF
Posts: 2,152
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, Cathay does not allow class changes on redemption tickets. In fact, on a previous occasion when I had a one-way F ticket from TPE to HKG and needed to travel the day before I planned, no F was offered on the route that day and as they would not simply downgrade me to business class I instead ended up buying a ticket.
#396
Join Date: May 2014
Location: OSL
Programs: SAS EBD, QR Platinumr, HH Gold, Intercont Platinum Ambassador,CC Gold
Posts: 158
#397
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
#398
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: delta skymiles SM
Posts: 21
This has not been my experience. I booked my ticket through Expedia. I have tried to change the outbound twice, and even though Cathays own website is showing J and A availability, the agents with Expedia still are trying to reprice to several thousand dollars higher. I even read back their own terms and conditions and when they call Cathay they still will not change without repricing. Anyone else had any luck changing a ticket booked through Expedia only having to pay the $100 change fee?? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
#399
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: delta skymiles SM
Posts: 21
This has not been my experience. I booked my ticket through Expedia. I have tried to change the outbound twice, and even though Cathays own website is showing J and A availability, the agents with Expedia still are trying to reprice to several thousand dollars higher. I even read back their own terms and conditions and when they call Cathay they still will not change without repricing. Anyone else had any luck changing a ticket booked through Expedia only having to pay the $100 change fee?? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
#400
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 6
Spoiler
#401
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,740
As a regular paid CX flyer I was already unhappy that CX sold what were clearly mistake fares and honoured them on what seemed to be a large scale.
Now I find myself needing to push back the U.S. leg of a multi-carrier award ticket by just a few days. However, Marco Polo informs me that there is zero F availability HKG-JFK between now and mid-August (when the ticket expires). Being unable to change the U.S. flight date means that it will be a no-show and the subsequent sectors, for which I redeemed hundreds of thousands of miles, will be forfeited. The only solution Cathay offers is to waitlist which in my experience is unlikely to throw up a seat. So Cathay's decision to fill a large part of its F inventory with non-Cathay loyalists flying on what they mostly know to be a mistake fare turns out to be very damaging for the feeling about Cathay of a Hong Kong based near weekly Cathay passenger like myself.
Now I find myself needing to push back the U.S. leg of a multi-carrier award ticket by just a few days. However, Marco Polo informs me that there is zero F availability HKG-JFK between now and mid-August (when the ticket expires). Being unable to change the U.S. flight date means that it will be a no-show and the subsequent sectors, for which I redeemed hundreds of thousands of miles, will be forfeited. The only solution Cathay offers is to waitlist which in my experience is unlikely to throw up a seat. So Cathay's decision to fill a large part of its F inventory with non-Cathay loyalists flying on what they mostly know to be a mistake fare turns out to be very damaging for the feeling about Cathay of a Hong Kong based near weekly Cathay passenger like myself.
From an airline's perspective, one would think they would prefer cash coming in instead of giving that same seat in exchange for miles.
#402
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: delta skymiles SM
Posts: 21
#403
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Vancouver
Programs: CX DM, SQ TPP, QF GO LIFE, OZ*G LIFE, Marriott TIT LIFE, WOH GLOBALIST LIFE, HH DM, BA GO LIFE
Posts: 598
I can’t believe how many on this forum think that CX can change the mistake fares at no cost when the change fee and date change fare repricing is clearly well understood.
If one purchases such tickets on impulse knowing that it is a deal of the year, then be prepare to pay the fare difference or the cancellation fees.
If one purchases such tickets on impulse knowing that it is a deal of the year, then be prepare to pay the fare difference or the cancellation fees.
#404
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: delta skymiles SM
Posts: 21
@380 flyer.
For those of us that are misinterpreting the T&C, please explain. When I read it, it clearly says that if the origin/destination remain the same, and there is availability in same fare class, then there is $100 change fee but the price doesn't not increase as "any historical fare" is to be used and the fare can be "the same, higher or lower" depending on the historical fare utilized. The price on the tickets I bought is a "historical fare." Why should it not be used? Not trying to be flip, just trying to understand.
For those of us that are misinterpreting the T&C, please explain. When I read it, it clearly says that if the origin/destination remain the same, and there is availability in same fare class, then there is $100 change fee but the price doesn't not increase as "any historical fare" is to be used and the fare can be "the same, higher or lower" depending on the historical fare utilized. The price on the tickets I bought is a "historical fare." Why should it not be used? Not trying to be flip, just trying to understand.
#405
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,495
@380 flyer.
For those of us that are misinterpreting the T&C, please explain. When I read it, it clearly says that if the origin/destination remain the same, and there is availability in same fare class, then there is $100 change fee but the price doesn't not increase as "any historical fare" is to be used and the fare can be "the same, higher or lower" depending on the historical fare utilized. The price on the tickets I bought is a "historical fare." Why should it not be used? Not trying to be flip, just trying to understand.
For those of us that are misinterpreting the T&C, please explain. When I read it, it clearly says that if the origin/destination remain the same, and there is availability in same fare class, then there is $100 change fee but the price doesn't not increase as "any historical fare" is to be used and the fare can be "the same, higher or lower" depending on the historical fare utilized. The price on the tickets I bought is a "historical fare." Why should it not be used? Not trying to be flip, just trying to understand.
Be aware that there is no T&C governing an "A" fare. There are many A**** fare and each can have different conditions. You would have to know your specific A***** fare.
Above you get the specific T&Cs for Fare basis code AAARRCA8 from Canada. Yours would be different and should have been indicated at time of booking. The only good way to know is by asking Expedia to print your specific fare conditions.
Also remember that you will need A availability with a Vietnam point of sale.