Dec 31, 2018, 9:41 pm
Last edit by: alexj7
CAUTION - TURNAROUND
"One customer did have issues. Wang Guanran, who documents his travels on hktravelblog.com, had his plans to travel to New York on Wednesday cut short when he was prevented from flying by immigration officials in Vietnam... he was detained by Vietnamese immigration officials, who said it was illegal to return to his city of origin while in transit." - Source:SCMP, 2 January 2019
Also https://rapidtravelchai.boardingarea...-direct-turns/
Visa Information: check out the Vietnam visa/VOA thread in the Asia forum. You can get either a visa on arrival where you get the stamp on arrival) or a "looseleaf" visa in advance from a VN Consulate in the US (which allows you to go straight to the immigration queue). There are sometimes lines for the VOA stamp and so the loosleaf approach can save you some time.
Seat Assignments
per NWPlatinum below - Cathay blocks out all seats except for 2D for some reason. I never understood the reasoning behind this but in any event just contact them for a seat assignment and they’ll let you have your choice. They like to block out seats for people with bassinets and babies. But you can usually get 2A, which is the best see if you’re solo traveler. Just say I want seat 2A and I’ll move if requested at the airport (never was asked to move)
Basic Visa Options for US Citizens
1. One month, one entry
2. One month, multiple entries
3. Three months, one entry
4. Three months, multiple entries
5. One year, multiple entries
Everyone needs an e-visa approval before boarding if they will enter the country. (e.g. clear customs). Connecting flights - even on separate tickets - do not require a visa IF IF IF the connecting airline has a counter in the transit area. (The airline may have their own rules.) Going back to the same country is not allowed without clearing customs first.
Expect the visa check at your point of departure. (Computer will flag your ticket.) The actual stamp is received on arrival (in most cases). (There is also the possibility of a visa insert with no need to go to 'visa on arrival'.)
Official Site: Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the United States
Lounge Access (Access Requirements)
JFK - AA Flagship First (F Departure)
ORD - British Airways Club / First Lounge T5 (J / F departures). AA Flagship lounge T3 (logistics in this post)
BOS
SFO - CX Lounge Terminal A (F or J Departure)
YVR - CX Lounge Gate 67
HKG
HAN - Song Hong Lounge (KA) or ACV/NIA Business Lounge (KA)
DAD
Current status:
- Deal is no longer active (can't book this anymore)
Mainstream media coverage:
- Cathay Pacific says it will honour first and business-class tickets sold in error in move that could cost it millions [SCMP, 2 January 2019]
- Cathay Pacific error sees $16,000 flights sold for $675 [The Guardian, 2 January 2019]
- Bloomberg article by Kyunghee Park
- South China Morning Post article by Danny Lee
- Follow up article from Danny Lee SCMP with individual anecdotes and analyst comments.
- Oriental Daily Hong Kong & Macao news article discussing the fare via lens of airline "mismanagement" (Chinese)
Post your trip dates and itinerary here:
Please use (+1) to denote you are in F and can guest someone (or more than 1 person) into the F lounges in HKG.
January:
1/9: KA 294 HAN-HKG - tonykline1947 (+1)
1/10: CX 888 HKG-YVR - tonykline1947 (+1)
1/18: KA 296 HAN-HKG - SOWK
1/19: CX 888 HKG-YVR - SOWK
1/21: KA 227 DAD-HKG - Governator
1/21: KA 227 DAD-HKG - usairchairman (+1)
1/21: CX 840 HKG-JFK - usairchairman (+1)
1/21: CX 846 HKG-JFK - Governator
1/22: CX 845 JFK-HKG - Governator
1/23: KA 220 HKG-DAD - Governator (won't fly this one)
1/23: CX5227 DAD-HKG rbAA
1/23: CX840 HKG-JFK rbAA (can guest at Wing FC or Pier FC as I have 5hrs+)
1/26: CX 227 DAD-HKG - Synd(+1)
1/26: CX 846 HKG-JFK - Synd(+1)
1/29 KA 227 DAD-HKG - miffSC
1/29 CX 846 HKG-JFK - miffSC
1/30: CX 831 JFK-HKG - Synd (+1)
1/30: CX 865 JFK - YVR - HKG - ss2k(+1) can guest someone at JFK Flagship dining (i think)
February:
2/1: CX 220 - HKG - DAD - Synd (+1) - will try not to fly this one
2/1: CX 220 - HKG - DAD - ss2k (+1) - will probably stay in DAD for couple of days if anyone wants to join
2/2: CX865 JFK-YVR-HKG rbAA (can guest at JFK AA FL FC)
2/3 - KA 227 - DAD-HKG - swgsword, Pochama
2/3 - CX 840 - HKG-JFK - Pochama
2/4 - CX 888 - HKG-YVR-JFK - swgsword (+1, also FL at JFK)
2/4: CX5220 HKG-DAD rbAA (tight connection :50 so no lounge time unless I misconnect)
2/10: CX 764 SGN-HKG - zebes
2/11: CX 806 HKG-ORD - zebes
2/15: CX 831 JFK-HKG - usairchairman (+1)
2/15: CX 812 HKG-BOS - AnttiV
2/16: KA 220 HKG-DAD - usairchairman (+1)
2/18 CX 872 HKG-SFO - princesakura (+1)
2/19: KA 296 HAN-HKG - IncaTrails
2/19: CX 812 HKG-BOS - IncaTrails
2/22: CX 811 BOS-HKG - AnttiV
March:
3/01: CX 807 ORD-HKG - zebes
3/01 CX ### HAN-HKG - billbligh (+3)
3/02 CX888 HKG-YVR (0100) billybligh(+3)
3/03: CX 767 HKG-SGN - zebes
3/03: CX 764 SGN-HKG - zebes
3/04: CX 806 HKG-ORD - zebes
3/05: CX1790 HAN-HKG - dordal
3/06: CX872 HKG-SFO - dordal
3/08: CX 873 SFO-HKG - princesakura
3/11: KA 223 DAD-HKG - SiempreBCNJFK
3/12: CX 888 HKG-YVR-JFK - SiempreBCNJFK
3/12: CX 865 YVR-HKG - SOWK
3/13: CX 1791 HKG-HAN - SOWK
3/14: CX 5227 DAD-HKG - Hudute
3/14: CX 840 HKG-JFK - Hudute
3/15: CX 5527 DAD-HKG - Frebay (+1)
3/15: CX 840 HKG-JFK - Frebay (+1)
3/15: CX 845 JFK-HKG - SiempreBCNJFK
3/16: KA 228 HKG-DAD - SiempreBCNJFK
3/17: KA 227 DAD-HKG - SiempreBCNJFK
3/17: CX 890 HKG-EWR - SiempreBCNJFK
3/18: CX 872 HKG-SFO - princesakura (+1)
3/20: CX ### HKG-JFK - tcormier (+2)
3/20: CX 888 HKG-(YVR)-JFK - captainstubing (+1)
3/22: CX 831 JFK-HKG - captainstubing
3/22: CX 840 HKG-JFK - jongesander (+1)
3/25: CX 899 EWR-HKG - SiempreBCNJFK
3/26: KA 226 HKG-DAD - SiempreBCNJFK
3/26: CX 845 JFK-HKG - swgsword
3/27: KA 220 HKG-DAD - swgsword (+1)
3/27: KA ### HAN-HKG - Mauibaby2008
3/27: CX ### HKG-JFK - Mauibaby2008
3/28: CX 766 SGN-HKG - SiempreBCNJFK
3/28: CX 846 HKG-JFK - SiempreBCNJFK
3/29: CX 5296 HAN-HKG - LHG
3/29: CX 872 HKG-SFO - LHG
3/29: CX 807 ORD-HKG - zebes
3/31: CX 767 HKG-SGN - zebes
April:
4/3 CX 845 JFK-HKG - miffSC
4/4 KA 220 HKG-DAD - miffSC
4/6 KA 294 HAN-HKG - frisbfreek
4/7 CX 830 HKG-JFK - frisbfreek (+1)
4/13: KA 294 HAN-HKG - bostonbali (+1)
4/13: KA 294 HAN-HKG - swgsword
4/14: CX 888 HKG-YVR-JFK bostonbali (+1)
4/14: CX 888 HKG-YVR-JFK swgsword (+1)
4/19: KA 298 HAN-HKG shek3112
4/19: CX 846 HKG-JFK shek3112 (+3)
4/19: CX 806 HKG-ORD Oshkosh105 (+1)
4/20: CX 807 ORD-HKG Oshkosh105
4/29: CX 845 JFK-HKG shek3112 (+3)
4/30: KA 299 HKG-HAN shek3112 (may change)
4/30: KA 221 DAD-HKG - driveswith (+1)
May:
5/1: CX 888 HKG-YVR - driveswith (+1)
5/1: CX 888 YVR-JFK - driveswith (+1)
5/8: CX 845 JFK-HKG - driveswith (+1)
5/8: KA 221 DAD-HKG - zip10001
5/8: CX 840 HKG-JFK - zip10001
5/10: CX 873 SFO-HKG - dordal
5/11: CX5297 HKG-HAN - dordal
5/11: KA 296 HAN-HKG - james_yuen (+1)
5/12: CX 888 HKG-YVR - james_yuen (+1)
5/12: CX 5294 HAN-HKG - dordal
5/13: CX 872 HKG-SFO - dordal
5/13: BA 28 HKG-LHR - driveswith (+1)
5/15 CX865 YVR-HKG - james_yuen (+1)
5/16 KA 299 HKG-HAN - james_yuen (+1)
5/19: CX 845 JFK-HKG - Frebay (+1)
5/20: CX 5224 HKG-DAD - Frebay (+1)
5/21: KA 296 HAN-HKG - AndrewT84
5/22: CX 872 HKG-SFO - AndrewT84
5/24: CX 811 BOS-HKG - IncaTrails
5/25: KA 297 HKG-HAN - IncaTrails
5/28: CX 764 SGN-HKG - JetSetDave
5/28: CX 858 HKG-SEA - JetSetDave
5/30: CX 841 JFK-HKG - zip10001
5/31: KA 224 HKG-DAD - zip10001
5/31: CX 5294 (KA) HAN-HKG maverikbc (+1)
June:
6/1: CX 888 HKG-YVR maverikbc (+1)
6/2: KA 221 DAD-HKG - sgan317 (+2)
6/2: CX 840 HKG-JFK - sgan317 (+2)
6/2: KA 221 DAD-HKG - greendx
6/2: CX 840 HKG-JFK - greendx
6/3: CX 888 HKG-JFK - JALOO5-Flyer
6/8: KA 296 HAN-HKG - Mrow (+1)
6/8: CX 846 HKG-JFK - Mrow (+1)
6/8: CX 766 SGN-HKG - Quanh79 (+3)
6/8: CX 846 HKG-JFK - Quanh79 (+3)
6/8: KA 296 HAN-HKG - UAPremierGuy
6/8: CX 840 HKG-JFK - UAPremierGuy
6/8: KA 221 DAD-HKG - Evianon
6/8: CX 840 HKG-JFK - Evianon (+1)
6/9: KA 294 DAD-HKG - Frebay (+1)
6/10: CX 872 HKG-SFO - Frebay (+1)
6/10: CX 845 JFK-HKG - UAPremierGuy
6/11: CX 845 JFK-HKG - Evianon
6/12: KA 220: HKG-DAD - Evianon
6/12: CX 841 JFK-HKG - Mrow (+1)
6/12: CX 845 JFK-HKG - Hudute
6/13: KA 299 HKG-HAN - Mrow (+1)
6/13: CX 5220 HKG-DAD - Hudute
6/17: KA 225 DAD-HKG - CruisingAlitiude47
6/18: CX 830 HKG-JFK - CruisingAlitiude47
6/22: KA 294 HAN-HKG - FormallyKnownAs (+1)
6/22: CX 830 HKG-YVR - FormallyKnownAs (+1)
6/22: CX 888 HKG-JFK - FormallyKnownAs (+1)
6/22: KA 221 DAD-HKG ZohyeahZ (+2)
6/22: CX 840 HKG-JFK ZohyeahZ (+2)
6/28: CX 865 JFK-HKG - greendx
6/30: KA 220 HKG-DAD - greendx
July:
7/3: CX 857 SEA-HKG - JetSetDave
7/4: CX 767 HKG-SGN - JetSetDave
7/4: KA 294 HAN-HKG - Majuki
7/4 CX 872 SFO-HKG - princesakura
7/5: CX 872 HKG-SFO - Majuki
7/5: KA 227 DAD-HKG - afirm (+1)
7/6: CX 888 HKG-YVR-JFK- afirm (+1)
7/7: CX 841 JFK-HKG - afirm (+1)
7/8: KA 224 HKG-DAD - afirm (+1)
7/8: KA 296 HAN-HKG - terryversay (+1)
7/8: CX 840 HKG-JFK - terryversay (+1)
7/8: CX 872 - HKG-SFO - princesakura
7/9: CX 841 JFK-HKG - JALOO5-Flyer
7/11: CX 873 SFO-HKG - AndrewT84
7/12: KA 297 HKG-HAN - AndrewT84
7/12: CX 845 JFK-HKG - CruisingAltitude47
7/13: KA 220 HKG-DAD - CruisingAltitude47
7/14: KA 221 DAD-HKG - nutty92 (+2)
7/14: CX 840 HKG-JFK - nutty92 (+2)
7/14: CX 1764 SGN-HKG - chitink (+2)
7/15: CX 806 HKG-ORD - chitink (+2)
7/17: CX 840 HKG-JFK - danfl44 (+1)
7/20: CX 865 JFK-HKG zOhYeahz (+2)
7/22: KA 224 HKG-DAD zOhYeahz (+2)
7/25: CX 841 JFK-HKG - danfl44 (+1)
7/27: CX ### JFK-HKG - tcormier (+2)
7/30: KA 221 DAD-HKG - driveswith (+1)
7/31: CX 888 HKG-YVR - driveswith (+1)
7/31: CX 888 YVR-JFK - driveswith (+1)
August:
8/5: KA 225 DAD-HKG - sriegert
8/6: CX 888 HKG-JFK - sriegert
8/6 KA 221 DAD-HKG - aradisc (+1)
8/7 CX 888 HKG-YVR-JFK - aradisc (+1)
8/7: KA 221/840 DAD-HKG-JFK Brituchenite
8/9: CX 845 JFK-HKG - Quanh79 (+1)
8/9: CX767 HKG-SGN - Quanh79 (+1)
8/10 CX 840 HKG-JFK - thefilipinotraveler (+1)
8/11 CX 841 JFK-HKG - driveswith (+1)
8/11 KA 294 DAD-HKG - pochi
8/12 KA 225 DAD-HKG - Dancrane (+1)
8/12 CX 888 HKG-JFK - pochi (+1)
8/13 CX 830 HKG-JFK - Dancrane (+1)
8/17 CX 851 SFO-HKG - princesakura
8/17 CX 841 JFK-HKG - pochi (+1)
8/17 KA 297 HKG-HAN - thefilipinotraveler (+1)
8/18 CX 845 JFK-YVR-HKG - swgsword
8/19 KA 299 HKG-HAN - swgsword (+1)
8/19 CX 841 JFK-HKG - Dancrane (+1)
8/20 KA 224 HKG-DAD - Dancrane (+1)
8/23 CX 845 JFK-HKG - sriegert
8/23 CX812 HKG-BOS - paul4471 (+2)
8/24 - KA 220 HKG-DAD - sriegert
8/24 CX1790/VN592 HAN-HKG ritesa (+1)
8/25 CX888 HKG-YVR ritesa (+1)
8/26 CX 872 HKG-SFO - princesakura
8/27 CX865 YVR-HKG ritesa (+1)
8/30: CX835 JFK-HKG - terryversay (+1)
8/30: CX830 HKG-JFK - JALOO5-Flyer (+1)
8/31: KA297 HKG-HAN - terryversay (+1)
8/30 KA299 HKG-HAN ritesa (+1)
8/30: CX865CX5/220 JFK-YVR-HKG-DAD Brituchenite
8/30: KA/CX ### HAN-HKG-JFK-DCA - GlobalNelson
September:
9/1: CX 766 SGN-HKG - quinzinho (+1)
9/1: AA 192 / CX 7686 HKG-LAX - quinzinho (+1)
9/1: AA 303 LAX-IAD - quinzinho (+1)
9/1: CX 873 SFO-HKG - Majuki
9/1: CX 1791 HKG-HAN - paul4471 (+2)
9/2: KA 297 HKG-HAN - Majuki
9/6: AA 1139 IAD-LAX - quinzinho (+1)
9/7: AA 193 / CX 7685 LAX-HKG - quinzinho (+1)
9/8: CX 767 HKG-SGN - quinzinho (+1)
9/7: KA 221 DAD-HKG - ChiefNWA
9/7: CX 840 HKG-JFK - ChiefNWA
9/9: VN592-CX840 HAN-HKG-JFK - Zebranz
9/14: KA296-CX810 HAN-HKG pschafer+1 in J
9/14: CX 851 SFO-HKG - princesakura
9/26: CX 764 SGN-HKG - Phrantic
9/27: CX 806 HKG-ORD - Phrantic
9/28: CX 845 JFK-HKG - Pochama
9/29: KA 220 HKG-DAD - Pochama
9/30: CX ### JFK-HKG - Mauibaby2008
October:
10/01: KA ### HKG-HAN - Mauibaby2008
10/05: CX855-KA299 YVR-HKG-HAN - pschafer+1 in J
10/08 CX5221 - CX890 DAD-HKG-EWR MCI777
10/10 CX841 - CX5224 JFK-HKG-DAD MCI777
10/10: CX865-KA297 JFK-HKG-HAN - Zebranz
10/11: CX 865 JFK-HKG - ChiefNWA
10/12: KA 220 HKG-DAD - ChiefNWA
10/12: CX 873 SFO-HKG - dordal
10/13: CX5299 HKG-HAN
10/15: VN594-CX840 SGN-HKG-JFK - Zebranz
10/16-17: KA221J/CX888A DAD-HKG-YVR-JFK - Shareholder
10/19 CX865 YVR-HKG maverikbc (+1)
10/20 CX1791 (VN) HKG-HAN maverikbc (+1)
10/25: CX/KA ### DCA-JFK-HKG-HAN - GlobalNelson
10/30: CX 831 JFK-HKG - SiempreBCNJFK
10/31: CX 721 HKG-SGN - SiempreBCNJFK
November:
11/1: CX 831 JFK-HKG - sgan317 (+2)
11/1: KA/CX ### HAN-HKG-YVR - GlobalNelson
11/2: KA 220 HKG-DAD - sgan317 (+2)
11/4-6: CX865A/KA220J (CX5220J) JFK-HKG-DAD - Shareholder
11/7: CX 807 ORD-HKG - chitink (+1)
11/7: CX841-CX799 JFK-HKG-SGN - Zebranz (changed due to CX Cxl CX845)
11/8: CX 721 HKG-SGN - chitink (+1)
11/8: CX 845 JFK-HKG - nutty92 (+2)
11/9: KA 228 HKG-DAD - nutty92 (+2)
11/11: KA296-CX872 HAN-HKG-SFO - Zebranz
11/12: CX 1764 SGN-HKG - chitink (+1)
11/13: CX 806 HKG-ORD - chitink (+1)
11/17: KA 227 DAD-HKG - Paul5795 (+1)
11/18: CX 872 HKG-SFO - Paul5795 (+1)
11/26: CX 807 ORD-HKG - chitink (+1)
11/26: CX873-KA295 SFO-HKG-HAN - Zebranz (might abandon KA295)
11/27: CX 721 HKG-SGN - chitink (+1)
11/29: KA296 HAN-HKG - JAeX
11/30: CX872 HKG-SFO - JAeX
11/30: KA 227 DAD-HKG-Tennislover9
11/30: CX 846 HKG-JFK-Tennislover9
11/30: CX726 SGN-HKG- stephem (+4)
11/30: CX858 HKG-SEA- stephem (+4)
December:
12/02: HKG-SFO CX872- uclabruin82
12/14: KA 294 HAN-HKG - calcjr23 (+1)
12/15: CX 830 HKG-JFK - calcjr23 (+1)
12/15: CX873 SFO-HKG - Paul5795
12/17: KA226 HKG-DAD - Paul5795
12/18: CX 807 ORD-HKG - Phrantic
12/19: CX 865 YVR-HKG - FormallyKnownAs (+1)
12/19: CX 841 JFK-HKG - FormallyKnownAs (+1)
12/19: CX 865 JFK-YVR - calcjr23 (+1)
12/20: CX 865 YVR-HKG - calcjr23 (+1)
12/20: KA 295 HKG-HAN - FormallyKnownAs (+1) may abandon
12/20: CX 767 HKG-SGN - Phrantic
12/20: CX 845 JFK-HKG-Tennislover9
12/20: CX857 SEA-HKG- stephem (+4)
12/21: CX799 HKG-SGN- stephem (+4)
12/21: KA 228 HKG-DAD-Tennislover9 (may abandon)
12/21: KA 297 HKG-HAN - calcjr23 (+1)
12/21: CX873 SFO-HKG - JAeX
12/23: KA297 HKG-HAN - JAeX
12/24: CX 873 SFO-HKG - Frebay (+1)
12/24: KA 295 HKG-HAN - Frebay (+1)
12/24: CX 873 SFO-HKG - UCLABruin82
FARES (YMMV) listed alphabetically - F booked into J/A; J booked into I,D,C.
- DAD-IAD: ~$1,483 (F)
- DAD-JFK: ~$675 (J) ~$845 (F)
- DAD-SFO: ~$931 (J)
- HAN-BOS: ~$1,120 (J) ~$1,200 (F)
- HAN-IAD: ~$1,000 (J) ~$1,400 (F)
- HAN-JFK: ~$1,324 (J) ~$1,444 (F)
- HAN-SFO: ~$1,240 (F)
- HAN-YVR: ~$768 (J) ~$988 (F)
- SGN-JFK: ~$1,849 (F)
- SGN-ORD: ~$1,115 (F)
- SGN-SEA: ~$1,109 (J)
[Premium Fare Gone]: CX: Vietnam to North America from $674 (J) and $1100 (F)
Jan 1, 2019, 5:31 am
#301
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
.... I was thinking the same thing when I was trying to decide how I was gonna position myself to Saigon if the fare sticks. 
Jan 1, 2019, 5:33 am
#302
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
Of course, only CX has the numbers so it would not be too meaningful to speculate the impact...
Jan 1, 2019, 5:37 am
#303
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
That's exactly my point. From the seat maps they are apparently selling 0-2 F seats for each flight, which is about the number they release to award anyways. If those awards got taken by partner airlines (say AS or AA), 1.5k is about what CX gets. Since outport A seats are already somewhat capacity controlled (so it's not like all seats on a flight are taken away), I don't think it would be that big a deal.
Of course, only CX has the numbers so it would not be too meaningful to speculate the impact...
Of course, only CX has the numbers so it would not be too meaningful to speculate the impact...
Jan 1, 2019, 5:40 am
#304
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: NZ
Posts: 1,554
That's exactly my point. From the seat maps they are apparently selling 0-2 F seats for each flight, which is about the number they release to award anyways. If those awards got taken by partner airlines (say AS or AA), 1.5k is about what CX gets. Since outport A seats are already somewhat capacity controlled (so it's not like all seats on a flight are taken away), I don't think it would be that big a deal.
Of course, only CX has the numbers so it would not be too meaningful to speculate the impact...
Of course, only CX has the numbers so it would not be too meaningful to speculate the impact...
As you say shd9 only CX has the numbers so, as I say, only a conspiracy theory. Perhaps for CX it is just simpler to cancel the bookings based on the fact that this is clearly an error fare.
Jan 1, 2019, 5:43 am
#305
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SYD
Programs: UA Premier Gold (*G), IHG Platinum & Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,456
My conspiracy theory right now is that the bookings will hold, but they will treat them as redemption awards (there are already hints at this upthread). Therefore no lucrative AS miles for any of these bookings. They will then look at reducing/eliminating award bookings for partners for 2019 to compensate for this little episode.
Jan 1, 2019, 5:45 am
#306
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
I saw someone that booked NINE round trips to Boston. They should police some people and limit them to two or three. I only have one, but NINE bookings is pure lunacy. Three is even too much.
I wouldn't be against them limiting these fares to three per person so it’s somewhat fairly controlled.
I wouldn't be against them limiting these fares to three per person so it’s somewhat fairly controlled.
Jan 1, 2019, 5:48 am
#307
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
This has to be a good sign: “Twitter user Mac Frost said he booked two first class trips on Cathay in February and September. “My new year’s resolution is to spend as much of 2019 as possible eating caviar and napping in the sky.”
When he posted his tweet around noon, the airline “liked” his message soon after, to which Mac Frost responded: “If you cancel the fare after liking this tweet I will cry.”
When he posted his tweet around noon, the airline “liked” his message soon after, to which Mac Frost responded: “If you cancel the fare after liking this tweet I will cry.”
Empty seats are not always without revenue. CX op-ups from biz to F allowing them to sell another full priced business class ticket. Which is way more than $2000. And empty seats are an important part of their frequent flyer program. Take away all F award seats for a while year and you might seriously upset CX FFFers.
Empty F seats are also not necessarily bad. Someone mentioned above that if the cabin is not full, they can use 2D/K for bed/sitting. It's not unreasonable that a passenger actually paying $10K-$20K would actually (a) like to be able to pick a window seat instead of having them all taken by pax paying $500, and (b) they might also like to use the 1/2-D/K set up to have a separate bed rather than it be occupied by a $500 passenger. It's probably not a hard choice for CX to work out which of these passengers they need to keep sweet... $500 vs $10-20K.
Jan 1, 2019, 5:52 am
#308
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 509
Did Mr Frost quote the price in his tweet? I'm sure the airline would 'like' anyone who said they're going to spend the year eating caviar in First.... at the regular $10K price
I'm not sure the basis for you to keep saying the seat would go out empty anyway? Some CX F cabins are full at certain times of the year. So they'd be losing money in those circumstances.
Empty seats are not always without revenue. CX op-ups from biz to F allowing them to sell another full priced business class ticket. Which is way more than $2000. And empty seats are an important part of their frequent flyer program. Take away all F award seats for a while year and you might seriously upset CX FFFers.
Empty F seats are also not necessarily bad. Someone mentioned above that if the cabin is not full, they can use 2D/K for bed/sitting. It's not unreasonable that a passenger actually paying $10K-$20K would actually (a) like to be able to pick a window seat instead of having them all taken by pax paying $500, and (b) they might also like to use the 1/2-D/K set up to have a separate bed rather than it be occupied by a $500 passenger. It's probably not a hard choice for CX to work out which of these passengers they need to keep sweet... $500 vs $10-20K.
I'm not sure the basis for you to keep saying the seat would go out empty anyway? Some CX F cabins are full at certain times of the year. So they'd be losing money in those circumstances.
Empty seats are not always without revenue. CX op-ups from biz to F allowing them to sell another full priced business class ticket. Which is way more than $2000. And empty seats are an important part of their frequent flyer program. Take away all F award seats for a while year and you might seriously upset CX FFFers.
Empty F seats are also not necessarily bad. Someone mentioned above that if the cabin is not full, they can use 2D/K for bed/sitting. It's not unreasonable that a passenger actually paying $10K-$20K would actually (a) like to be able to pick a window seat instead of having them all taken by pax paying $500, and (b) they might also like to use the 1/2-D/K set up to have a separate bed rather than it be occupied by a $500 passenger. It's probably not a hard choice for CX to work out which of these passengers they need to keep sweet... $500 vs $10-20K.
Jan 1, 2019, 5:55 am
#309
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: NZ
Posts: 1,554
I saw someone that booked NINE round trips to Boston. They should police some people and limit them to two or three. I only have one, but NINE bookings is pure lunacy. Three is even too much.
I wouldn't be against them limiting these fares to three per person so it’s somewhat fairly controlled.
I wouldn't be against them limiting these fares to three per person so it’s somewhat fairly controlled.
Jan 1, 2019, 5:56 am
#310
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
My conspiracy theory right now is that the bookings will hold, but they will treat them as redemption awards (there are already hints at this upthread). Therefore no lucrative AS miles for any of these bookings. They will then look at reducing/eliminating award bookings for partners for 2019 to compensate for this little episode.
As you say shd9 only CX has the numbers so, as I say, only a conspiracy theory. Perhaps for CX it is just simpler to cancel the bookings based on the fact that this is clearly an error fare.
As you say shd9 only CX has the numbers so, as I say, only a conspiracy theory. Perhaps for CX it is just simpler to cancel the bookings based on the fact that this is clearly an error fare.
They could cancel the tickets. But as the article in SCMP Danny Lee pointed out, there is no clause in Hong Kong like the US DOT one that allows voiding erroneous fares. They could pull "doctrine of mistake" thing (as percysmith pointed out in the CX forum), but it probably wouldn't be as smooth or straightforward as showing everyone the DOT rule.
Anyways, we will see. Hope that CX doesn't disappoint us
Jan 1, 2019, 5:57 am
#311
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 786
I did this on my QF award redemption in December ZRH-HKG was a great trip, there was only 3 of us in the cabin and 3 bottles of 2004 Krug of which I think I had 1.5, scrambled eggs with caviar and a glass of Krug for breakfast before landing in HK was nice ))
Jan 1, 2019, 5:57 am
#312
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
Did Mr Frost quote the price in his tweet? I'm sure the airline would 'like' anyone who said they're going to spend the year eating caviar in First.... at the regular $10K price
I'm not sure the basis for you to keep saying the seat would go out empty anyway? Some CX F cabins are full at certain times of the year. So they'd be losing money in those circumstances.
Empty seats are not always without revenue. CX op-ups from biz to F allowing them to sell another full priced business class ticket. Which is way more than $2000. And empty seats are an important part of their frequent flyer program. Take away all F award seats for a while year and you might seriously upset CX FFFers.
Empty F seats are also not necessarily bad. Someone mentioned above that if the cabin is not full, they can use 2D/K for bed/sitting. It's not unreasonable that a passenger actually paying $10K-$20K would actually (a) like to be able to pick a window seat instead of having them all taken by pax paying $500, and (b) they might also like to use the 1/2-D/K set up to have a separate bed rather than it be occupied by a $500 passenger. It's probably not a hard choice for CX to work out which of these passengers they need to keep sweet... $500 vs $10-20K.
I'm not sure the basis for you to keep saying the seat would go out empty anyway? Some CX F cabins are full at certain times of the year. So they'd be losing money in those circumstances.
Empty seats are not always without revenue. CX op-ups from biz to F allowing them to sell another full priced business class ticket. Which is way more than $2000. And empty seats are an important part of their frequent flyer program. Take away all F award seats for a while year and you might seriously upset CX FFFers.
Empty F seats are also not necessarily bad. Someone mentioned above that if the cabin is not full, they can use 2D/K for bed/sitting. It's not unreasonable that a passenger actually paying $10K-$20K would actually (a) like to be able to pick a window seat instead of having them all taken by pax paying $500, and (b) they might also like to use the 1/2-D/K set up to have a separate bed rather than it be occupied by a $500 passenger. It's probably not a hard choice for CX to work out which of these passengers they need to keep sweet... $500 vs $10-20K.
As I said it’s pointless debating this. But I’m going off my experiences. I took about a dozen first class Cathay flights this year between January-September mostly LAX-HKG, HKG-JFK, and one HKG-ZRH. Only ONE flight was full in F, and that’s because the flight was oversold, and they probably op-uped them from what it appeared.
On the rest of the flights, I never had more than three people (including myself) in the cabin. This is not counting my roughly 36 F CX flights since 2014. Where those ranged from 1-4 people including myself, but we’re never full. Maybe one had five. Acting like CX is constantly selling out their F class with people paying $15,000 a pop all the time is silly and not true.
Jan 1, 2019, 6:07 am
#313
Join Date: May 2004
Location: 7th planet on your right
Programs: BA[G], SQ[G], TK[G], DL[PM], EY[G], AF[S], IC[Amb], HH[G]
Posts: 1,641
As usual we read here the same old known long story.
and as usual the problem is always the same... the lacking of a clear *rule* or set of rules.
This is what people should ask for.... I've bought - as many of you - the fare so I'm involved as well.
I just think it would be easy to have a common rule. This would help everyone (pax and airlines) to face the various scenarios.
This is what makes me angry. With our tickets and taxes we pay a lot of "organizations" "association", national and overnational departments whose mission should be to fix all this. Think about it.
and as usual the problem is always the same... the lacking of a clear *rule* or set of rules.
This is what people should ask for.... I've bought - as many of you - the fare so I'm involved as well.
I just think it would be easy to have a common rule. This would help everyone (pax and airlines) to face the various scenarios.
This is what makes me angry. With our tickets and taxes we pay a lot of "organizations" "association", national and overnational departments whose mission should be to fix all this. Think about it.
Jan 1, 2019, 6:07 am
#314
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
I saw someone that booked NINE round trips to Boston. They should police some people and limit them to two or three. I only have one, but NINE bookings is pure lunacy. Three is even too much.
I wouldn't be against them limiting these fares to three per person so it’s somewhat fairly controlled.
I wouldn't be against them limiting these fares to three per person so it’s somewhat fairly controlled.
Jan 1, 2019, 6:10 am
#315
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 990
No point in arguing and going back-and-forth about it. They will crunch the numbers, and they will tell us if they cancel or not.
They’ve amasssed a lot of extra cash from this. I just don’t think getting $2000 for a seat that’s going to fly out empty anyway, with the DOT complaints, with the small claims court lawsuits etc etc would be worth cancelling on people who are already ticketed... Perhaps I’m being too optimistic? But I guess we will find out.
IB did the same with that 90K Avios sale..