Sep 4, 2018, 7:08 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: 1k650

Post your trip dates and itinerary here:

DPS-HKG - 09/6/2018 - MCI777
HKG-SFO - 09/7/2018 - MCI777 ( just flew SFO-HKG-DPS a few days ago)

LAX-BKK - 10/07/2018 - EVA777
BKK-LAX - 10/22/2018 - EVA777

BKK-LAX - 10/10/2018 - jerrflyer

LAX-BKK - 10/15/2018 - cmdsea
BKK-LAX - 04/04/2019 - cmdsea

SFO-PVG - 10/24/2018 - 1k650
DPS-SFO - 11/14/2018 - 1k650

LAX-DPS - 10/27/2018 - FoxFlyer
DPS-LAX - 11/01/2018 - FoxFlyer

BKK-LAX - 11/01/2018 - EmailKid

LAX-BKK - 11/01/2018 - fijaircan
BKK-LAX - 11/11/2018 - fijaircan

LAX-BKK - 11/17/2018 - EVA777
BKK-LAX - 11/27/2018 - EVA777

LAX-PVG - 01/10/2019 - George84
PVG-LAX - 01/14/2019 - George84

LAX-PVG - 01/17/2019 - SGan317
PVG-LAX - 01/21/2019 - SGan317

SFO-BKK 01/07/19- frank10b
BKK-SFO 01/16/19 - frank10b

SFO-BKK 01/09/2019 - IluvSQ
BKK-SFO 01/25/2019 - IluvSQ

LAX-PVG 01/19/2019 - vincewy
PVG-LAX 01/26/2019 - vincewy

LAX-HKG 2/2/19 - genesq
HKG-LAX 2/17/19 - genesq

LAX-DPS 2/13/19 - maverikbc
DPS-LAX 3/4/19 - maverikbc

LAX-BKK 2/14/19 - chiefnwa
BKK-LAX 2/24/19 - chiefnwa

SFO-BKK 2/17/19 - bretmd
BKK-SFO 2/24/19 - bretmd

SFO-PVG - 2/22/2019 - gpen1827
PVG-SFO - 3/4/2019 - gpen1827

LAX-BKK 2/22/2019 MCI777
BKK-LAX 2/27/2019 MCI777

SFO-SGN - 02/25/2019 - Flyer89
SGN-LAX - 03/02/2019 - Flyer89

SFO-BKK - 2/27/2019 - 1k650
DPS-SFO - 3/20/2019 - 1k650

LAX-BKK - 03/01/2019 - sydneyguy1234
BKK-LAX - 03/04/2019 - sydneyguy1234

LAX-BKK - 03/02/2019 - firemandan9
BKK-LAX - 03/10/2019 - firemandan9

LAX-BKK - 03/02/2019 - EVA777
BKK-LAX - 03/17/2019 - EVA777

SFO-PVG - 03/17/2019 - omghaxcode
PVG-SFO - 03/24/2019 - omghaxcode

LAX-PVG - 03/23/2019 - legalalien, Ml007, Mileage Lover
PVG-LAX - 03/30/2019 - legalalien, Ml007

PVG-LAX 03/31/2019 Mileage Lover

LAX-HKG 09/22/2018 atiger29

LAX-HKG 11/14/2018 Tafflyer
HKG-PVG 11/18/2018 Tafflyer
PVG-LAX 04/02/2019 Tafflyer

[PREM FARE GONE] HX: LAX-PVG rt in J ~$580ish

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Jan 7, 2019, 6:02 pm

#931

cmdsea

Join Date: Mar 2005

Location: Sunny Singapore

Programs: TG*G, SQ, QF

Posts: 911

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefNWA

It has happened before and will happen again. HX folding suddenly would be a pretty big one though. I have a feeling the Chinese govt would prop up the company, at least in the short term (if they aren't already), if it was that close to collapse.
.

Bingo.!

Looks like thats exactly whats happening... Report says CDB to bail out Hong Kong Airlines - The Standard

Jan 7, 2019, 8:52 pm

#932

Steelsnow

Join Date: Jan 2012

Location: STS

Posts: 34

Following up on a questions someone asked a few pages back - has anyone requested refund/made a date change successfully in the middle of an itinerary? We booked a return in CX F during the NYE sale to insure against the financial issues/earn a pile of miles/avoid an economy 04:00 return flight from SGN-HKG (due to the prior HKG/SGN metal downgrade). Wondering if there are any useful options (if return was rated at half fare ~$350 minus $250 fee for cancel or whatever fee to date change if it didn't reprice) or better just to write it off as 'insurance' cost/NS.

Jan 7, 2019, 8:55 pm

#933

Steelsnow

Join Date: Jan 2012

Location: STS

Posts: 34

Few tips I can pass on for those that were downgraded on the HKG-SGN legs. We were able to gain access to the smaller lounge near gate 208 in HKG with no problems. It was not busy/had shower/food was fine/etc. so we did not feel any need to try the larger lounge. Had the emailed downgrade letter from HX which was not needed. At SFO all agents said it should not be a problem in HKG, but they could not guarantee access etc. At HKG transfer desk we stopped and asked, and agent said no. YMMV and answers seem to vary. We also had PP as a backup.

Checking bags through in J allotments was not a problem. I do not know if it would be an issue on return, as first flight/leg would be in econ, and check-in might be econ only as well since there were no J or extra legroom seats on the plane we flew HKG-SGN that is then turned back SGN-HKG.

Exiting SGN at 0100 could not find any open taxi booths, only booths open were for private cars ~220k dong. If you insist on taxi for the cheaper rate, book via Grab or head out the outer doors and keep going straight to the outer drive, we saw some Mahlinh (re: reputable) taxis driving by out there you may be able to hail. Someone else may be able to offer additional tips on this.

Doctorslices likes this.

Last edited by Steelsnow; Jan 8, 2019 at 2:11 am

Jan 8, 2019, 11:54 am

#934

SpeedyDelivery

Join Date: Feb 2005

Location: MCI

Programs: Southwest A-List, AMC Stubs A-List, Chick-fil-A-List

Posts: 399

Several people upthread expressed interest in dropping a segment. Has anyone had success?

Jan 9, 2019, 7:14 am

#935

ChiefNWA

Join Date: Jun 2009

Location: TPA

Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold

Posts: 1,256

Hong Kong Airlines: government considers contingency plan for possible Lunar New Year shutdown

I'm researching contingency plans in case something does happen with them as I have a pretty hectic trip planned based off of these flights. I'll likely have to resort to around 75K-90K miles on United to get out there last second if worse comes to worst. God only knows how I'd get home.

Jan 9, 2019, 12:42 pm

#936

Doctorslices

Join Date: Aug 2016

Posts: 91

Hong Kong Airlines refutes contingency plan over Chinese New Year holidays

https://www.hongkongairlines.com/en_...0005567007_269

Jan 10, 2019, 4:14 am

#937

IluvSQ

Join Date: Sep 2005

Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat

Posts: 6,261

I just flew the first leg SFO-HKG, and am in the lounge awaiting my flight to BKK. Very pleasant flight with one exception.
When I was boarding, I was called aside and told that the IFE for my seat was not working ( 16 K), that there were no other seats available,
and was asked to sign a waiver that stated I was aware of this situation. I refused to sign, boarded and took my seat, and requested to
speak to the station manager. Station manager never appeared, but the crew on board arranged a seat swap with the person in
front of me who did not want the IFE.

My thanks again to the OP.

hsumh316 and NJSwamplands like this.

Jan 10, 2019, 7:33 am

#938

George84

Join Date: Jul 2017

Posts: 204

Flying my LAX-HKG-PVG legs today. I’ll be posting pics to my IG account bellwethertravelers. Looking forward to it.

hsumh316 and NJSwamplands like this.

Jan 10, 2019, 12:59 pm

#939

George84

Join Date: Jul 2017

Posts: 204

Smooth sailing so far. In line to take off. Mint 35A aircraft with diamond seats. No champagne pre-departure. OJ or water only—not complaining though. Will report when I land in HKG.

NJSwamplands likes this.

Jan 11, 2019, 8:37 am

#940

vincewy

Join Date: Dec 2011

Location: DTW

Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R

Posts: 2,360

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedyDelivery

Several people upthread expressed interest in dropping a segment. Has anyone had success?

Way too risky. If you're talking about LAX/SFO-HKG-BKK/SGN/PVG/DPS-HKG-LAX/SFO and dropping the Asian segment(s), your subsequent HKG-LAX/SFO flights will be cancelled.

Jan 11, 2019, 10:15 am

#941

CDKing

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2007

Location: BOS/ORH

Programs: AS 75K

Posts: 18,323

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefNWA

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgan317

Charge back, Goods not delivered. Let the banks deal with it.

Anyone know how financial default travel insurance works and if its worth purchasing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefNWA

Seems most insurance companies don't cover it.

I booked mine on my Sapphire Pref card. Just looked through the terms and it seems financial insolvency is covered. I wouldn't be too worried if you booked with a standard US credit card (Visa, Amex, etc).

Check with the insurance administrator. Financial default may be covered but airline has to be on a covered airline list. Norwegian for example is not on the list for Allianz.

Jan 11, 2019, 10:59 am

#942

ChiefNWA

Join Date: Jun 2009

Location: TPA

Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold

Posts: 1,256

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDKing

Check with the insurance administrator. Financial default may be covered but airline has to be on a covered airline list. Norwegian for example is not on the list for Allianz.

For those that booked with Chase, I just sent them a secured message to clarify the following:

Under covered events they list...
- Financial insolvency of the Travel Agency, Tour Operator, or Travel Supplier whose services you booked

But under excluded they list...
- travel arrangements canceled or changed by a Common Carrier, Tour Operator, or any Travel Agency unless the cancellation is the result of severe weather or an organized strike affecting public transportation

Just for definition purposes, this is their definition of financial insolvency...
- Financial Insolvency – the inability of an entity to provide travel services because it has ceased operations either following the filing of a petition for bankruptcy, whether voluntary or involuntary, or because it has ceased operations as a result of a denial of credit or the inability to meet financial obligations

I didn't see anything in there regarding particular airlines being excluded, but I've asked them to clarify.

Jan 11, 2019, 1:48 pm

#943

olouie

Join Date: Mar 2007

Posts: 4,967

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefNWA

Airlines usually are considered common carriers, I think?

Jan 11, 2019, 1:57 pm

#944

ChiefNWA

Join Date: Jun 2009

Location: TPA

Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold

Posts: 1,256

Quote:

Originally Posted by olouie

Airlines usually are considered common carriers, I think?

Yep. Oddly enough, here are Chase's definitions of the two important terms. Travel supplier is covered, yet common carrier is not:

Travel Supplier – a Tour Operator, occupancy provider, cruise line, airline, railroad or other Common Carriers
Common Carrier – any motorized land, water or air Conveyance, operated by an organization other than Chase Bank USA, N.A. and/or its affiliates, organized and licensed for the transportation of passengers for hire and operated by an employee or an individual under contract

Soooooooooo. Anyone that's dealt with Chase's claims process knows just how horrible they are.

Jan 11, 2019, 4:05 pm

#945

maverikbc

Join Date: Nov 2015

Location: YVR

Programs: DL Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Best Western Diamond Selec

Posts: 537

Quote:

Originally Posted by George84

Flying my LAX-HKG-PVG legs today. I’ll be posting pics to my IG account bellwethertravelers. Looking forward to it.

I'm flyng out of LAX next month, too. How far in advance we can check in? Do we still have only once choice for the lounge? Do they give you an invitation for that, or you just show your J BP?

Aeromexico at LAX accepts check in luggages only 3 hours prior, even on J. Believe it or not, LAX doesn't have any luggage storage, so I got stuck there with my luggage.