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 14, 2019, 1:48 pm
#1322
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 989
I haven't posted on this thread for some time now, but I would like to clarify how flight changes work. For all FT's who are not familiar with airline Pricing and Revenue Management, when you make changes to a ticket through an airlines website, the system (robot) is using the original rules of the fare purchased and doing the auto-pricing. That's why FT's who tried to cancel their tickets within the 24 hour window were given a partial refund. These fares are ex-Vietnam and do not qualify for the 24 hour DOT rule. The partial refund is the full refund minus the cancellation fee. If you would have booked a C fare instead of a D, you could have cancelled anytime you want and received a full refund. It is all about the fare rules and letting the robot behind the website do its job.
When you call CX Reservations and want to do your flight change, it is a human making changes using manual entries. CX Res system can auto-price, but if the res agent doesn't enter the right keys and looks for the cheapest available fare, it can come up with a huge fare difference for the change. This is exactly why I keep saying it is always better to do changes online. Unless it is a very complex itinerary, the website will always auto-price the requested change using the lowest available inventory that applies to your original fare. For complex itineraries it will just show an error.
Before blaming CX for trying to deceive people by not telling them they were being transferred to the Vietnam site and so on, remember that most customer who took advantage of this fare were influenced by bloggers and went out of their way to book tickets without understanding exactly what they were buying (rules) and where they were buying it (POS). CX is now having to make exceptions because many people made multiple bookings that they can't use. People should have been careful to choose flights they could take. Disputing a transaction with the card issuer will end with a charge back to CX, but if CX can prove that the mistake was on the customers side, they might take the hit but they can also ban that customer from flying CX in the future. Remember that CX is already honoring these mistake fares which was a huge win for us.
When you call CX Reservations and want to do your flight change, it is a human making changes using manual entries. CX Res system can auto-price, but if the res agent doesn't enter the right keys and looks for the cheapest available fare, it can come up with a huge fare difference for the change. This is exactly why I keep saying it is always better to do changes online. Unless it is a very complex itinerary, the website will always auto-price the requested change using the lowest available inventory that applies to your original fare. For complex itineraries it will just show an error.
Before blaming CX for trying to deceive people by not telling them they were being transferred to the Vietnam site and so on, remember that most customer who took advantage of this fare were influenced by bloggers and went out of their way to book tickets without understanding exactly what they were buying (rules) and where they were buying it (POS). CX is now having to make exceptions because many people made multiple bookings that they can't use. People should have been careful to choose flights they could take. Disputing a transaction with the card issuer will end with a charge back to CX, but if CX can prove that the mistake was on the customers side, they might take the hit but they can also ban that customer from flying CX in the future. Remember that CX is already honoring these mistake fares which was a huge win for us.
'but I would like to clarify how flight changes work. For all FT's who are not familiar with airline Pricing and Revenue Management, when you make changes to a ticket through an airlines website, the system (robot) is using the original rules of the fare purchased and doing the auto-pricing. '
Yes I get that.., i'm not looking to cancel my ticket; just checking what's possible with these tickets.. CX's website gave me a 12k price a couple of times on combinations of some dates and flights.
Last edited by Granite64; Jan 14, 2019 at 2:02 pm
Jan 14, 2019, 3:10 pm
#1323
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: YYC, SFO, OAK
Programs: AS MVP 75K, AA Platinum, IHG Platinum, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 734
I haven't posted on this thread for some time now, but I would like to clarify how flight changes work. For all FT's who are not familiar with airline Pricing and Revenue Management, when you make changes to a ticket through an airlines website, the system (robot) is using the original rules of the fare purchased and doing the auto-pricing. That's why FT's who tried to cancel their tickets within the 24 hour window were given a partial refund. These fares are ex-Vietnam and do not qualify for the 24 hour DOT rule. The partial refund is the full refund minus the cancellation fee. If you would have booked a C fare instead of a D, you could have cancelled anytime you want and received a full refund. It is all about the fare rules and letting the robot behind the website do its job.
When you call CX Reservations and want to do your flight change, it is a human making changes using manual entries. CX Res system can auto-price, but if the res agent doesn't enter the right keys and looks for the cheapest available fare, it can come up with a huge fare difference for the change. This is exactly why I keep saying it is always better to do changes online. Unless it is a very complex itinerary, the website will always auto-price the requested change using the lowest available inventory that applies to your original fare. For complex itineraries it will just show an error.
Before blaming CX for trying to deceive people by not telling them they were being transferred to the Vietnam site and so on, remember that most customer who took advantage of this fare were influenced by bloggers and went out of their way to book tickets without understanding exactly what they were buying (rules) and where they were buying it (POS). CX is now having to make exceptions because many people made multiple bookings that they can't use. People should have been careful to choose flights they could take. Disputing a transaction with the card issuer will end with a charge back to CX, but if CX can prove that the mistake was on the customers side, they might take the hit but they can also ban that customer from flying CX in the future. Remember that CX is already honoring these mistake fares which was a huge win for us.
When you call CX Reservations and want to do your flight change, it is a human making changes using manual entries. CX Res system can auto-price, but if the res agent doesn't enter the right keys and looks for the cheapest available fare, it can come up with a huge fare difference for the change. This is exactly why I keep saying it is always better to do changes online. Unless it is a very complex itinerary, the website will always auto-price the requested change using the lowest available inventory that applies to your original fare. For complex itineraries it will just show an error.
Before blaming CX for trying to deceive people by not telling them they were being transferred to the Vietnam site and so on, remember that most customer who took advantage of this fare were influenced by bloggers and went out of their way to book tickets without understanding exactly what they were buying (rules) and where they were buying it (POS). CX is now having to make exceptions because many people made multiple bookings that they can't use. People should have been careful to choose flights they could take. Disputing a transaction with the card issuer will end with a charge back to CX, but if CX can prove that the mistake was on the customers side, they might take the hit but they can also ban that customer from flying CX in the future. Remember that CX is already honoring these mistake fares which was a huge win for us.
Whether CX honors the fares or not... is their choice, and had they decided not to, that would have been their right, per previous DOT rulings. Their decision to honor them has nothing to do with DOT rules allowing 24 hour cancellation. You can call them a class act, but at their of the day, being generous in honoring the fares doesn't put them beyond reproach when they violate other rules.
And I didn't book a whole ton of these fares speculatively trying to hoard them, rather I booked J initially before realizing F could be had for slightly more money so I canceled within 30 minutes for that reason and rebooked F for the same dates.
Jan 14, 2019, 4:27 pm
#1324
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: M&M
Posts: 992
"To the US"? Isn't that kind of the same extraterritoriality that Americans were frothing about re: euro carbon taxes? Why would the DoT care the slightest what a HK airline does or doesn't do for an ex-VN ticket?
Jan 14, 2019, 4:56 pm
#1325
Join Date: May 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 380
I've seen a lot of availability in C and D open up in the past two days on both DAD-HKG-JFK/EWR and JFK/EWR-HKG-DAD which makes me think that either people are cancelling tickets or CX is reopening the inventories (on married segments).
Jan 14, 2019, 5:04 pm
#1326
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: YYC, SFO, OAK
Programs: AS MVP 75K, AA Platinum, IHG Platinum, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 734
The actual DOT regulation 76 FR 23110 reads:
We also view our approach as striking the proper balance between protecting consumers on nearly all flights to and from the United States by requiring not just U.S. carriers but also foreign carriers to adopt and adhere to customer service plans, while ensuring that these requirements do not involve an extraterritorial application of U.S. law by limiting their application to foreign carriers to flights to and from the U.S., sales made within the U.S., and to the conduct of foreign carriers on U.S. soil.
Whether it's philosophically the right thing is anyone's subjective opinion but this is the law/regulation.
Jan 14, 2019, 5:26 pm
#1327
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG, SPG Gold
Posts: 187
I've got to say - what an awesome late Christmas present to myself! Positioning this week using AS miles on JAL - excited to try their J product from SFO, lounge (more importantly showers) at HND, and just a quick 24 hours in Da Nang to check out Chua Linh Ung and Pho Quang temples, plus sunshine, beach and fresh air. Then back home via JFK with a 7 hour layover in HKG to check out the noodle bar and other various Cathay adult playgrounds. Looking forward to reading (bringing 4 books), relaxing, sleeping, eating. Plus, a return trip in November to REALLY spend time in Vietnam and check out the culture, food, etc. My friends mostly think I'm a bit odd - but I love travel and people watching, the buzz of airports and almost electrical feeling of possibility and excitement in the air. It's just fun.
Thank you Cathay Pacific for giving me the opportunity to try something new and (comfortably) explore a part of the world I've never been. Plus - all the fun and anticipation before hand that is half the reason I travel anyways. The miles/status on AS is just icing on the cake. The older I get, the more time and effort I spend on experiences rather than things. Cheers!
Thank you Cathay Pacific for giving me the opportunity to try something new and (comfortably) explore a part of the world I've never been. Plus - all the fun and anticipation before hand that is half the reason I travel anyways. The miles/status on AS is just icing on the cake. The older I get, the more time and effort I spend on experiences rather than things. Cheers!
Jan 14, 2019, 5:35 pm
#1328
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,061
I'm astounded by the number of people who booked multiples of these tickets and then cancelled within 24 hours! Taking up valuable inventory from the rest of us.
If the CX site had made it clear you were being transferred to the Vietnam site - with no 24 hour cancellation protection - would that have stopped everyone making these bookings they didn't want?
If the CX site had made it clear you were being transferred to the Vietnam site - with no 24 hour cancellation protection - would that have stopped everyone making these bookings they didn't want?
Jan 14, 2019, 5:40 pm
#1329
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, VA, AC, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 3,776
I haven't posted on this thread for some time now, but I would like to clarify how flight changes work. For all FT's who are not familiar with airline Pricing and Revenue Management, when you make changes to a ticket through an airlines website, the system (robot) is using the original rules of the fare purchased and doing the auto-pricing. That's why FT's who tried to cancel their tickets within the 24 hour window were given a partial refund. These fares are ex-Vietnam and do not qualify for the 24 hour DOT rule . . .
Jan 14, 2019, 5:51 pm
#1330
Join Date: May 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 380
I am just explaining how the system works and why the system is refunding the way it is... if you want to cite the DOT rule just go to transportation.gov
Jan 14, 2019, 6:01 pm
#1331
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, VA, AC, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 3,776
One forum poster smartly advises:
"An important note on international airlines — these rules only apply to flights involving travel to and from the U.S. Some airlines’ websites will not have these policies built into their sites for customers in other countries. So if a carrier has country-specific reservation portals, be sure to use the one for U.S. customers".
"An important note on international airlines — these rules only apply to flights involving travel to and from the U.S. Some airlines’ websites will not have these policies built into their sites for customers in other countries. So if a carrier has country-specific reservation portals, be sure to use the one for U.S. customers".
Jan 14, 2019, 6:02 pm
#1332
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 205
Jan 14, 2019, 8:28 pm
#1334
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,992
Jan 14, 2019, 9:04 pm
#1335
Join Date: May 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 380
They are 100% incorrect but I was able to change one of my flights to a better day with a $0.16 refund to my card (CX website auto-pricing correctly). I am not having to dispute a transaction with my card issuer or having to call CX Reservations office and deal with a human that is quoting me a $12K change... have fund trying to change/cancel your tickets.
