Jan 7, 2019, 7:35 pm
Last edit by: sxc
Continuation of this thread:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-marco-polo-club/1581009-how-exactly-does-cx-waitlist-work-awards.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-marco-polo-club/1581009-how-exactly-does-cx-waitlist-work-awards.html
Will my award waitlist clear? Master thread 2019
Nov 26, 2019, 2:20 pm
#721
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,799
Synthkey's explanation is more detailed than I'm prepared to write.
22/3 is as good as a max availability date as any (personally I use 12-19 March 2020). If a flight is not available for redemption those days it's as good as not going to available for redemption ever.
22/3 is as good as a max availability date as any (personally I use 12-19 March 2020). If a flight is not available for redemption those days it's as good as not going to available for redemption ever.
Last edited by percysmith; Nov 26, 2019 at 5:27 pm
Nov 26, 2019, 4:12 pm
#722
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 368
The best most of us could do is look up those flights using expertflyer (EF) and that's a huge list. If you're really looking for success in these bookings, I'd recommend you head on over to expertflyer.com, create an account for as little as $4.99 a month for 250 queries and you can query the flights yourself and track as you get closer to departure.
As an example, here's ticket availability for CX846 HKG-JFK on MAR 22 2020 - F5 A5 Z0 J9 C9 D9 I9 U W9 R9 E9 T4 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9
The coding here is fare class code followed by number of tickets available with a max of 9. First class fare codes are F,A,Z. Business class J,C,D,I. Premium economy - W,R,E and the rest are economy.
First class award is fare class Z and this flight is currently showing no award (redemption) available. Unfortunately, for biz class there is no award class shown on EF. The best indicator is discounted business class, I. And this flight is showing at least 9 I class seats available - I9. In fact, all the flights from HKG - JFK/EWR are showing I9 on that date. A quick check of BKK-HKG flights on the same date shows a similar picture, biz class availability wide open, i.e. J9 C9 D9 I9
This is typical, as MAR 22 isn't a special day that I know of and being more than 3 months out, the flight is wide open. So why would a redemption not be available? Same reason as most of the other responses in this thread, it's too far out and CX hasn't released any award space. They're holding their cards, and looking to make revenue and awards get released closer to departure when the picture becomes clearer.
So if you're really determined to get an award on that date, the best approach is to waitlist the flight that makes the most sense for you, pay for EF and monitor the situation yourself. As you get closer to departure date, and if ticket availability on EF starts to narrow, make a decision about what you want to do which might involve choosing a different flight or if you really need to travel then buying a ticket outright. Don't be surprised that waitlist may expire and then it's a free for all, which involves checking daily right up until departure. As departure date closes in and there are unsold tickets, CX starts freeing up some award space. That's been the situation for a while now. You could also luck out and have award space open earlier and your waitlist is confirmed. Either way it's a crap shoot and if you've read this thread you can see how frustrating it has been for many to redeem awards.
For J (biz) class from HKG-NYC, I'd generally advise against CX899. The A350 has less J seats available and the flight tends to fill up, even on Sundays which I usually travel on CX899 when I return back to NY on an upgrade redemption. CX846 is slightly better chance as it's got more J seats, has F (first) if you want to try for that and it's the second afternoon flight after CX840 which is typically more crowded. Not too sure about CX888 since I never take that flight, but the stop in YVR makes it less desirable,
As an example, here's ticket availability for CX846 HKG-JFK on MAR 22 2020 - F5 A5 Z0 J9 C9 D9 I9 U W9 R9 E9 T4 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9
The coding here is fare class code followed by number of tickets available with a max of 9. First class fare codes are F,A,Z. Business class J,C,D,I. Premium economy - W,R,E and the rest are economy.
First class award is fare class Z and this flight is currently showing no award (redemption) available. Unfortunately, for biz class there is no award class shown on EF. The best indicator is discounted business class, I. And this flight is showing at least 9 I class seats available - I9. In fact, all the flights from HKG - JFK/EWR are showing I9 on that date. A quick check of BKK-HKG flights on the same date shows a similar picture, biz class availability wide open, i.e. J9 C9 D9 I9
This is typical, as MAR 22 isn't a special day that I know of and being more than 3 months out, the flight is wide open. So why would a redemption not be available? Same reason as most of the other responses in this thread, it's too far out and CX hasn't released any award space. They're holding their cards, and looking to make revenue and awards get released closer to departure when the picture becomes clearer.
So if you're really determined to get an award on that date, the best approach is to waitlist the flight that makes the most sense for you, pay for EF and monitor the situation yourself. As you get closer to departure date, and if ticket availability on EF starts to narrow, make a decision about what you want to do which might involve choosing a different flight or if you really need to travel then buying a ticket outright. Don't be surprised that waitlist may expire and then it's a free for all, which involves checking daily right up until departure. As departure date closes in and there are unsold tickets, CX starts freeing up some award space. That's been the situation for a while now. You could also luck out and have award space open earlier and your waitlist is confirmed. Either way it's a crap shoot and if you've read this thread you can see how frustrating it has been for many to redeem awards.
For J (biz) class from HKG-NYC, I'd generally advise against CX899. The A350 has less J seats available and the flight tends to fill up, even on Sundays which I usually travel on CX899 when I return back to NY on an upgrade redemption. CX846 is slightly better chance as it's got more J seats, has F (first) if you want to try for that and it's the second afternoon flight after CX840 which is typically more crowded. Not too sure about CX888 since I never take that flight, but the stop in YVR makes it less desirable,
Nov 26, 2019, 4:13 pm
#723
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 368
Synthkey's explanation is more detailed than I'm prepared to write.
22/3 is as good as a max availability date as any (peersonally I use 12-19 March 2020). If a flight is not available for redemption those days it's as good as not going to available for redemption ever.
22/3 is as good as a max availability date as any (peersonally I use 12-19 March 2020). If a flight is not available for redemption those days it's as good as not going to available for redemption ever.
Nov 26, 2019, 9:09 pm
#724
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,347
Nov 26, 2019, 11:33 pm
#725
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,799
Nov 27, 2019, 12:53 pm
#726
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,347
I'm guessing OP can do that if he's willing to but he needs to go to TPE, no show is not an option.
Nov 27, 2019, 7:22 pm
#727
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Asia Miles, Qantas, Velocity, KrisFlyer
Posts: 24
Hi All, I just called Asia Miles with a seemingly simple question but couldn't get a straight answer so now I'm coming to you the people...
I'm on a waitlist for CX157 BNE - HKG in Business class for 2nd December and also 3rd December, only 3-4 days away now. I need to be on one of those flights.
They told me their deadline for releasing the seats (or not) was 10pm 29th November for the flight on 2nd December, and 10pm 30th November for the flight on 3rd December. Yep, simple and understood.
All I wanted to know is if they will sometimes release them a little sooner than that (like a day or two) as opposed to generally being the very point of their deadline. Wasn't asking for specifics.
Totally understand there's no guarantees, but just hoping there is a precedent of them occasionally releasing them a day or two sooner than their deadline. Today (Thurs 28th) would be amazing, tomorrow 29th would be ok if it was in the morning...after that I'll start getting very nervous.
From what I can see on EF both flights don't look too bad availability wise (especially 3rd Dec) but I might be wrong there as I'm new at this. Anyway it's coming down to the wire and I will need to know asap or else I'll need to buy an economy ticket so I don't miss out altogether.
CHEERS
I'm on a waitlist for CX157 BNE - HKG in Business class for 2nd December and also 3rd December, only 3-4 days away now. I need to be on one of those flights.
They told me their deadline for releasing the seats (or not) was 10pm 29th November for the flight on 2nd December, and 10pm 30th November for the flight on 3rd December. Yep, simple and understood.
All I wanted to know is if they will sometimes release them a little sooner than that (like a day or two) as opposed to generally being the very point of their deadline. Wasn't asking for specifics.
Totally understand there's no guarantees, but just hoping there is a precedent of them occasionally releasing them a day or two sooner than their deadline. Today (Thurs 28th) would be amazing, tomorrow 29th would be ok if it was in the morning...after that I'll start getting very nervous.
From what I can see on EF both flights don't look too bad availability wise (especially 3rd Dec) but I might be wrong there as I'm new at this. Anyway it's coming down to the wire and I will need to know asap or else I'll need to buy an economy ticket so I don't miss out altogether.
CHEERS
Last edited by RobmacAus; Nov 27, 2019 at 7:55 pm
Nov 27, 2019, 7:30 pm
#728
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,347
Sorry not sure of the answer for you but you've got your dates mixed up. You probably mean 29th NOVEMBER and 30th NOVEMBER.
Nov 27, 2019, 7:36 pm
#729
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Asia Miles, Qantas, Velocity, KrisFlyer
Posts: 24
Nov 27, 2019, 7:50 pm
#730
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,799
//but just hoping there is a precedent of them occasionally releasing them a day or two sooner than their deadline.
Nope. They have recent form just flying the seat empty than releasing to any redemption.
If you're going to buy a economy ticket, will it be CX? If yes, that's their motivation for flying Business empty - railroad time-inflexible travellers like you into paying $$$. Asia Miles isn't a space-available premium seat pool, it here to make as many members redeem iPads as possible.
Nope. They have recent form just flying the seat empty than releasing to any redemption.
If you're going to buy a economy ticket, will it be CX? If yes, that's their motivation for flying Business empty - railroad time-inflexible travellers like you into paying $$$. Asia Miles isn't a space-available premium seat pool, it here to make as many members redeem iPads as possible.
Nov 27, 2019, 7:59 pm
#731
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Asia Miles, Qantas, Velocity, KrisFlyer
Posts: 24
//but just hoping there is a precedent of them occasionally releasing them a day or two sooner than their deadline.
Nope. They have recent form just flying the seat empty than releasing to any redemption.
If you're going to buy a economy ticket, will it be CX? If yes, that's their motivation for flying Business empty - railroad time-inflexible travellers like you into paying $$$. Asia Miles isn't a space-available premium seat pool, it here to make as many members redeem iPads as possible.
Nope. They have recent form just flying the seat empty than releasing to any redemption.
If you're going to buy a economy ticket, will it be CX? If yes, that's their motivation for flying Business empty - railroad time-inflexible travellers like you into paying $$$. Asia Miles isn't a space-available premium seat pool, it here to make as many members redeem iPads as possible.
Nov 27, 2019, 8:05 pm
#732
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Asia Miles, Qantas, Velocity, KrisFlyer
Posts: 24
//but just hoping there is a precedent of them occasionally releasing them a day or two sooner than their deadline.
Nope. They have recent form just flying the seat empty than releasing to any redemption.
If you're going to buy a economy ticket, will it be CX? If yes, that's their motivation for flying Business empty - railroad time-inflexible travellers like you into paying $$$. Asia Miles isn't a space-available premium seat pool, it here to make as many members redeem iPads as possible.
Nope. They have recent form just flying the seat empty than releasing to any redemption.
If you're going to buy a economy ticket, will it be CX? If yes, that's their motivation for flying Business empty - railroad time-inflexible travellers like you into paying $$$. Asia Miles isn't a space-available premium seat pool, it here to make as many members redeem iPads as possible.
Nov 28, 2019, 8:25 am
#733
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 2
I subscribed to EF but I dont seem to be able to access any CX flight loadings - is it just me or am I doing something wrong? How do you pull these JxCxDx etc list otherwise? Alternatively is a gentle soul on this forum able to check the loading on CX611 on Fri-20-Dec-19?
Best,
Guillaume
Nov 29, 2019, 2:39 pm
#734
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Asia Miles, Qantas, Velocity, KrisFlyer
Posts: 24
An question on Expert Flyer...
I'm waitlisted for CX150 BNE - HKG in Business class for 3rd December, only 3 days away now...last night EF showed 27 Available seats and I was feeling pretty good, and suddenly this morning they have blocked 14 seats (x), 10 show priority (p), with only 5 available.
Seems odd for there to be so many blocked seats suddenly? Could these be a temporary or are things looking grim for me now?
Any prior experience or knowledge on Blocked and Priority seats you could share is appreciated!
I'm waitlisted for CX150 BNE - HKG in Business class for 3rd December, only 3 days away now...last night EF showed 27 Available seats and I was feeling pretty good, and suddenly this morning they have blocked 14 seats (x), 10 show priority (p), with only 5 available.
Seems odd for there to be so many blocked seats suddenly? Could these be a temporary or are things looking grim for me now?
Any prior experience or knowledge on Blocked and Priority seats you could share is appreciated!
Nov 29, 2019, 2:59 pm
#735
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: CX GO, AC Aeroplan 25K, AMEX PLAT, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, IHG Spire Amb
Posts: 464
An question on Expert Flyer...
I'm waitlisted for CX150 BNE - HKG in Business class for 3rd December, only 3 days away now...last night EF showed 27 Available seats and I was feeling pretty good, and suddenly this morning they have blocked 14 seats (x), 10 show priority (p), with only 5 available.
Seems odd for there to be so many blocked seats suddenly? Could these be a temporary or are things looking grim for me now?
Any prior experience or knowledge on Blocked and Priority seats you could share is appreciated!
I'm waitlisted for CX150 BNE - HKG in Business class for 3rd December, only 3 days away now...last night EF showed 27 Available seats and I was feeling pretty good, and suddenly this morning they have blocked 14 seats (x), 10 show priority (p), with only 5 available.
Seems odd for there to be so many blocked seats suddenly? Could these be a temporary or are things looking grim for me now?
Any prior experience or knowledge on Blocked and Priority seats you could share is appreciated!
In my experience, blocked seats are still unoccupied/unassigned.