Ephlong

My writeup on my experience onboard HX.

https://www.plumpflyer.com/my-blog/f...ess-class-fare

Hope it will help many flyertalkers here!

Mrgolfer21

Finished my second trip of this fare the other day. Overall, would definitely fly them again. Some interesting items that occurred:

* Strict on weight for carry on bags, even for business. On my first segment they wanted me to check it but after pushing them a little they relented. However, on future trips I saw others having to check normal sized carry-ons after they were weighed. On all my segments the overhead bins were pretty open. I learned to just walk up with my backpack on and my rollerboard rolling easily and when they would ask if I had any bags to check I'd say no, just carry on. Not sure if it was b/c I was gold they weren't asking to weigh my bags anymore or what.
* Had my main course forgotten on my flight to HKG. They came up and asked if I wanted dessert, so I had to inform them I hadn't gotten my main entree yet.
* Watched what seemed like a heated argument between two FA's on one segment. Both were talking fast and loud with unhappy faces in the middle of business class. Since I don't speak the language, no clue what it was about, just thought a little unusual.
* IFE is not great...by the second trip I had pretty much nothing to watch as I had either seen it or had no desire to watch it...brought my own movies/shows to watch.
* Really liked the business class layout on their A330 HKG-BKK (Optimares Maxima)...never seen it before so it was something new and the IFE screens looked super sharp (didn't watch anything, just slept).
* Still prefer their old layout with either the A or K seats. I feel in lay flat mode these offer more room than their reverse herringbone seats (even better than American and Cathay's business class seats in all configurations).
* Final leg HKG-LAX they didn't dim the lights in the cabin. All other flights I have been on (Cathay, American, and Hong Kong Airlines) always had their cabin lights turned off after the food service. I got up to use the restroom about 5 hours in and inquired why the cabin lights weren't off and they said they were following their standard operating procedure b/c they had their most senior FA on board and she always goes by the book. I thought this was a really weird response...they offered me some tea to relax me and I said I was fine, I had the eye mask and ear plugs, I was just curious as I had never seen this before.

Hopefully there is another sale for next year.

maverikbc

I think I saw somewhere in this thread, but I can't find it, so hopefully someone can clarify.

I've applied for a match and they've accepted me as a gold status challenger. My route was LAX-HKG-DPS-HKG-LAX, fare class J.

The status qualifying points for class J one way are LAX-HKG: 15,197
HKG-DPS: 4494

Now, the requirement to get a gold is 15,000, I was qualified by my first segment: LAX-HKG. So the rest of segments, should I also receive 50% gold member bonus, as HKG-DPS 6,741, DPS-HKG 6,741, HKG-LAX 22,795?

EVA777

Yes, with the exception of the first HKG - DPS leg. That will likely get credited as base. That is how it happened for me. All flights after will credit with the bonus.

They may have changed the HKG - LAX mileage ever so slightly. I had more miles post from my last HKG - LAX flight 10 days ago. Previously was 22,748.70 and now 22,795.50.

flockavelliFT

Just compled my SFO-HKG-BKK RT which made for a nice 1 week vacation in HKT.
I did not experience any of the known issues like luggage weighing, unfriendly service or lack of water. Service was great on all flights.
However, I volunteered to assist during a minor medical emergency on SFO-HKG and after that the whole crew was extremely polite to me and my +1 and basically thanked me every time I just went to the bathroom. YMMV

maverikbc

That's what I thought. My points haven't been posted until I submitted the retro credit form and emailed them, their response was that 'I didn't update my passport #', so they didn't credit? I joined FWC thru HU a few years ago, obviously, they had my previous passport # in file. All of my points were posted without gold member multiplier, so I emailed them to adjust it, because technically I've qualified after flying LAX-HKG, so the rest of segs should be adjusted. They declined, saying it was my fault that I didn't update my passport info in my profile, and I wasn't gold until I've sent them photos of my old and new passport at their request, after all segs have flown. I got the same reply after my 2nd email. I've been hearing crickets after I've sent a message to their Twitter team last month. Other carriers sure adjust with bonus, when a member qualifies in the middle of a trip.

My reqret is that I should've send a retro credit request, and possibly an email only after few days first half of the itinerary was flown, so I was staying in Indonesia for 3 weeks, and there may have been a chance my return portion would've received the gold bonus.

This is the biggest frustration with HNA Group, but their online system is crap. Both HU and HX websites, I'm tired of so-hard capcha even for human eyes. It doesn't seem to show calendar view of award space. It says they don't accept my new gold digital card, and I need to present the physical card each time I receive elite benefits. And it takes a month for them to mail it to me. Really?

None of them seem to fly to capital cities like KUL and CGK. A couple of weeks ago, I saw some award space between SIN and HKG, then I haven't been able to select SIN on HX web site anymore. They're pulling from SIN? This seems like Jet Airways #2 .

They're trying to poach elites from their competitors, yet I've been treated like a crap. I have a membership with HU for a few years now. Too bad, they're not getting any of my business anymore.

pbd456

Due to route reduction on LAX hkg, my original hkg LAX was cancelled. I asked for reroute on another carrier and was refused. I asked for one night accommodation in hkg (flying the originally scheduled pvg hkg) and was suggestion 800HKD cash compensation for the hotel cost.

staff was waiting at the gate with my name to hand me the cash upon landing pvg hkg. Very impressed.

I got priority treatment for meals and from purser due to gold status.

EVA777

Was not aware of a LAX - HKG route reduction, when did that happen? I have a trip coming up in a few weeks hopefully it is not impacted. I actually bought a normal price business class fare a few months ago.

Edit: Looks like they axed Mondays starting on May 13. I am flying BKK - LAX on July 15th (Monday) have not heard from them and it is still bookable. Maybe just a temporary cut or they are slow to update schedules.

pbd456

it used to be daily and it is now 5x per week. if you book after march, the reduction was already in the schedule and it should not impact you.
there seem to be daily during the summer. i got a schedule change notice once a reduction was confirmed, and multiple emails from HK airlines and expedia. if you didnt get anything, it seems that it is scheduled to go.


https://www.routesonline.com/news/38...as-of-06mar19/

DavidDTW

I haven't done anything with my FWC miles yet, and just looked at my account for the first time in a couple months. I see on their website that the miles are now redeemable on Alaska. VX used to be a partner, but I never saw anything about an AS partnership until now.

Fes426

Correct, you can go a few threads back and people have discussed how to do this. Essentially you email HK airlines the reservation you want and based on availability they will book for you. I tried a couple of times and had no luck as availability was very limited

Fes426

Sad news guys: just saw on twitter HKA is ending its SFO service in early October.
It is sad but can understand since it seems to be due to their financial struggles, thanks for the memories

legalalien

HX LAX-HKG is no more:

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...xe-los-angeles

keitherson

Ah, yes.. I remember this fare, where people were convinced it was a special promotion in order to get press coverage. And then even the airline tried to convince themselves that by honoring it, they would get good reviews and it would drive business

1k650

How does one redeem their miles? Does not look like it can be done online.