Visconti

Will be flying, at least quarterly, SIN - TYO; usually, I just take JL direct in J. But, if I opt for CX, which goes through HKG with a layover, may earn enough points for DM. I usually fly J or F, and was wondering if DM is worthwhile what I'm considering? Or, is it just goofy and not worth it? Also, say, if my potential qualifying DM, whatever excess points above the threshold are set to 0 immediately upon the flight's completion?

Thanks.

CXFlyerBoy

Visconti

I should have provided a little more color on my initial post, but was in a rush this morning. During my next flight in mid Feb, will be GO, reset to 0. The next 12 months, will have, at least, quarterly flights from NA (SFO or JFK) to HKG, more likely 6 - 8, all of which should be in either J or F. However, still may be short, and was wondering if it may be worthwhile to divert my direct JL on the SIN-TYO to the CX via HKG for the HND F leg.

At this point, I'm not sure how much I value DM, and looking for diverse perspectives on how others value the status to form a more informed opinion.

G-CIVC

1) HND F means you will be flying in on the SIN-HKG red eye? They more than often put awful equipment on that rotation (ie no flat bed) so not sure if worth the sacrifice for the HKG-HND F sector which serves almost exactly the same food as J (no toast no kaiseiki no freshly scrambled eggs). Conversely on the return HND-HKG F i think it doesn't connect to CX715 so the connecting flight is CX659 which is also painful to take IMHO

2) You didn't specify if it's GO vs DM or other emerald vs DM. If former then more likely to be worth it

3) The worthiness of DM depends on 2) - if GO vs DM then the F lounge access is worth it; if not, then some view the benefits as limited (ie courtesy channel and buggy at HKG) but there are some hidden benefits (ie pulling revenue seats for awards) that I place huge value wrt DM status

CXFlyerBoy

714 is almost always a 773. There are the rare occasions where it gets a 77G/K, but rare is rare,
659 is operated with a mix of 359, 33K or on the rare occasion 33E.

Apart from the ability to pull revenue for award seats, once you have such a heavy traveling schedule, visiting a lounge becomes a norm. In fact, I give up heading for the lounge in HKG, preferring to spend more time with loved ones in town. Then again, it's all about perspective.

Visconti

Visconti

Generally, I prefer the 1 am redeye flights to SFO, or, even CX 888 that stopovers in YVR. I never know when I'm going to have a dinner obligation before departing, and find the latest flights offering the greatest flexibility. So far as lounge access is concerned, it's useful to have the Pier day suites for when I don't have dinner obligations and arrive at the airport early, rather than roaming the streets of HK. Otherwise, I'd just head for the Wing, and just wait for my flight. Though, if I want to shower before, I'd head over to the Pier. So, yes, for those times I'm not in F, having access to the F lounges would be a value to me.

QRC3288

Mate, if your route is SIN-Tokyo and you fly F, it is a no brainier to take SQ. I flew that once last year, ended up going through NRT to make a dinner. NRT is quite inconvenient but frankly this is far better than the craziness of connecting in Hong Kong to CX548, which is the only flight each day to Tokyo which guarantees F class. SQ has a second flight to HND with F too IIRC, but it lands too late to make a dinner. But that's another great option.

Everyone else above is giving spot on advice. You are likely to be on a regional config overnight to HKG. Dreadful. And thet connect F to Tokyo which in winter months can be barely 3+ hour flight flying time, not enough for a half decent nap. Food is J class breakfast. Etc. You couldn't pay me to do that routing!

As for the return, HND-HKG in F on CX is considerably better, but then you still have to connect to SIN on the red-eye? Or latest daytime flight? And who knows if CX flies a flat bed on that config. No I really cannot recommend this one bit!

And if you're flying J not F, still do SQ or JAL nonstop! No way do you want to fly CX for this itinerary. My two cents.

kaka

i take it you are SIN based MPO creditor (Otherwise you would not be CX GO). I'm curious, do you have a partner who needs status/ do you want to consider life after you switching jobs?
that said, I think the JL flight is a much better product overall compared to CX (especially with 2 legs)

Visconti

I'm really bad with the quoting thing, so won't bother and just reply generically.

1. Regarding the absurdity of SIN - HKG - HND, I'd agree. However, with a quick back of the envelope calculation, even with multiple J/F TPACs, still may be short of DM. And, if the difference is between 20 points short of 1,200, or qualify, but have to endure this absurd detour? Naturally, if I didn't think I'd come close, wouldn't even consider it.

2. Yes, I've been crediting JL flights to MPC/Asiamiles. Compared to the FT regulars, I'm a novice at this miles thing, and sort of just stumble around making guesses as I go. Again, with a back of the envelope calculation, rightly or wrongly, I figured for the relatively short SIN - TYO JL flights are better credited to MPC (TPACs credited to AS/AA), and I can transfer Amex MR points into Asiamiles, whereas I can't with JAL Mileage bank. Have some Asiamiles approaching the 3 year thing, and so motivated to start using them.

3. Have business Partners/friends who could potentially benefit from Status, I suppose. As to my wife, I don't think she cares.

4. Not sure I understand. Consider life after switching jobs?

5. Taken on its own merits, a direct flight is always better, especially JL, which I find excellent. Again, what if enduring this absurd itinerary is the difference between 1,200 and, say, 1,180?

sxc

You are aware of what the regional business class seat on CX is like and that you would be in that seat for a flight departing at midnight? I think this should be your biggest consideration.

Visconti

No, but I'm starting to think there may be something I should be aware of? The few HKG - SIN redeyes I've taken were on, I believe, A330s with the single reverse herrigbone seat.

What are we talking about here? Something like the Europe thing where J is 3 seats with the middle serving as a table?

sxc

Visconti

Thanks. This was helpful.

kaka

im too lazy to go through YOUR calculations, but say if you only have to do this HKG Transit once for CX DM then i would do it. if you have to do this quarterly, i wouldn't. Getting top tier status is hard enough whichever trick you use, CX DM is prob the hardest and we all here can agree on that.

i principally have status with JAL so i look at this differently. If you are Premier (80K Status Miles) or Diamond (100k Status miles), 1) your miles wouldn't expire (not an option on CX AT ALL). and 2) you have a gift - one of which is to gift the same status to a "partner", or you can get some cash coupons to name some FT-related options. Also, there's a trick to get a psuedo lifetime status so when you switch jobs or travel less, you would be able to keep some status. Of course, whilst you are doing this you will miss out on AA/AS miles because you have to credit them to JL.

Quarterly JL sin-tyo-sin gets you enough JL-metal status miles for Diamond anyways. plus a few trips to USA (on CX) you'll be emerald in no time. you get bonus RDM with status too and can also opt for crediting AA/AS for your additional trips beyond Emerald. JL Metal status miles is usually the harder part of the requirement but you are very much clear of that.

To put things in perspective, you get 9500ish miles for a 1way SINHND on JL metal crediting to JL as a JL Diamond, on CX you get 4114 AM. the redeem table may not be as generous as times but it's not exactly doubled on that end so you may just be better off.