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)
Mar 1, 2019, 7:49 am
#1771
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 173
We are in a similar boat for next week; long layover in HKG before CX codeshare on VN. Here are some thoughts...
If anyone else has used the FC lounge in HKG, connecting to a non-OW CX codeshare, please share your experiences.
Cheers!
- By the official rules no, we do not have access when connecting to a CX codeshare, unless, you are a Silver elite or above with the CX MPC (Marco Polo Club). You can read more here.
- Yes, there is one report above of someone who got in. I can see how it is possible... Show up with your F/C bp. Show your connecting bp that says CX1234. I can see agent saying "welcome". (If we get in, we will 100% not try to hop to another lounge. If we get denied, we will try the other FC lounge.)
- If you buy a ticket on another OW partner (or CX if you want to risk it), you would have access. However, I would think once they scan your inbound BP, it would show the CX codeshare on VN. And you would show them a different bp. Not sure how that would work out.
- If we get denied at both, we will do some lounge hoping... go to a PP lounge or two... then go to the SkyTeam lounge, which doesn't look too bad. Look here.
- We will continue to try and move to the earlier Dragon Flight. No luck so far. (Moving to an earlier flight gives us the opportunity to fly back out of HAN to our final destination in Vietnam same day.)
- Most important is to do everything on the down low. Don't make a scene. You can always try the lounges a few hours later and see if you get a different agent with a different POV.
If anyone else has used the FC lounge in HKG, connecting to a non-OW CX codeshare, please share your experiences.
Cheers!
Looking forward to see your experience and good luck with getting there!
Mar 1, 2019, 12:23 pm
#1773
Formerly known as rwk32882
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN, FL350
Programs: IHTFP, AS 75k, AA EXP, AC 75k, ex-UA 1K, Ex-BD *G (RIP), SPG Gold
Posts: 504
So I made my first attempts at changes today on a Priceline-issued ticket. I was ultimately unsuccessful, but I learned some things.
My situation: I have two back-to-back DAD-JFK tickets with the illegal (?) / impossible immediate turn in DAD between them. One is Priceline issued, and another Expedia issued. Both book into A on the longhaul and J on the shorthaul. Even though I plan to get a multientry visa in my passport it doesn't seem wise to attempt the turn-around, so somewhere a change needs to be made.
So, I identified what looked like suitable A inventory for some random dates in September and set out to change one of the tickets to that date.
Attempt 1 (change Expedia online): No surprises here, but website repriced for all dates that I attempted. Fail.
Attempt 2 (called Priceline): Much to my surprise, they were experience unusually high call volume today! I eventually got an agent and gave them the new dates. They too confirmed that the original booking classes were available on those dates and flight numbers. They also told me that it would be $100 change fee plus $30 phone service fee plus any fare difference. I was placed on hold again while the agent ran the numbers. They came back with very large number. I asked if they had used historic fares and they claimed that "our system doesn't let us do that." I thanked them for their time and left the ticket unchanged.
Attempt 3 (called Cathay): Ok, I knew this wasn't likely to work going in. Nevertheless, I thought it would be worth a try. Right out of the gate I told the agent that "hey, this is one of those New Years special fares" and we had a good laugh. I told them what I had been through with the OTAs and they didn't sound surprised to hear. They did offer to attempt a reprice on their system just to confirm that the inventory I was seeing was real. The A and J inventory numbers the Cathay agent had were an exact match for the ExpertFlyer results I had in front of me (despite the point-of-sale differences). She also confirmed that the fare difference should have been $36.20 for those particular flights.
Next steps: I might try to call Priceline and Expedia some more in the coming days and weeks. Worst case, I might go with the following plan:
One lingering question is about some reports earlier in the thread about CX referring you back to the OTA for changes if "they aren't urgent." If anyone has any sense for what might be defined as urgent, I'd love to hear.
My situation: I have two back-to-back DAD-JFK tickets with the illegal (?) / impossible immediate turn in DAD between them. One is Priceline issued, and another Expedia issued. Both book into A on the longhaul and J on the shorthaul. Even though I plan to get a multientry visa in my passport it doesn't seem wise to attempt the turn-around, so somewhere a change needs to be made.
So, I identified what looked like suitable A inventory for some random dates in September and set out to change one of the tickets to that date.
Attempt 1 (change Expedia online): No surprises here, but website repriced for all dates that I attempted. Fail.
Attempt 2 (called Priceline): Much to my surprise, they were experience unusually high call volume today! I eventually got an agent and gave them the new dates. They too confirmed that the original booking classes were available on those dates and flight numbers. They also told me that it would be $100 change fee plus $30 phone service fee plus any fare difference. I was placed on hold again while the agent ran the numbers. They came back with very large number. I asked if they had used historic fares and they claimed that "our system doesn't let us do that." I thanked them for their time and left the ticket unchanged.
Attempt 3 (called Cathay): Ok, I knew this wasn't likely to work going in. Nevertheless, I thought it would be worth a try. Right out of the gate I told the agent that "hey, this is one of those New Years special fares" and we had a good laugh. I told them what I had been through with the OTAs and they didn't sound surprised to hear. They did offer to attempt a reprice on their system just to confirm that the inventory I was seeing was real. The A and J inventory numbers the Cathay agent had were an exact match for the ExpertFlyer results I had in front of me (despite the point-of-sale differences). She also confirmed that the fare difference should have been $36.20 for those particular flights.
Next steps: I might try to call Priceline and Expedia some more in the coming days and weeks. Worst case, I might go with the following plan:
- Fly the first segment of ticket #1 , DAD-HKG
- Upon arrival in HKG, ask CX to change the remainder of ticket #1 (HKG-JFK-HKG-DAD) to new dates, maybe layer in the year.
- Position back to DAD
- Fly ticket #2 in its entirety
- Later in the year, position to HKG and fly the rest of ticket #1
One lingering question is about some reports earlier in the thread about CX referring you back to the OTA for changes if "they aren't urgent." If anyone has any sense for what might be defined as urgent, I'd love to hear.
Mar 1, 2019, 3:04 pm
#1774
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 138
So I made my first attempts at changes today on a Priceline-issued ticket. I was ultimately unsuccessful, but I learned some things.
My situation: I have two back-to-back DAD-JFK tickets with the illegal (?) / impossible immediate turn in DAD between them. One is Priceline issued, and another Expedia issued. Both book into A on the longhaul and J on the shorthaul. Even though I plan to get a multientry visa in my passport it doesn't seem wise to attempt the turn-around, so somewhere a change needs to be made.
So, I identified what looked like suitable A inventory for some random dates in September and set out to change one of the tickets to that date.
Attempt 1 (change Expedia online): No surprises here, but website repriced for all dates that I attempted. Fail.
Attempt 2 (called Priceline): Much to my surprise, they were experience unusually high call volume today! I eventually got an agent and gave them the new dates. They too confirmed that the original booking classes were available on those dates and flight numbers. They also told me that it would be $100 change fee plus $30 phone service fee plus any fare difference. I was placed on hold again while the agent ran the numbers. They came back with very large number. I asked if they had used historic fares and they claimed that "our system doesn't let us do that." I thanked them for their time and left the ticket unchanged.
Attempt 3 (called Cathay): Ok, I knew this wasn't likely to work going in. Nevertheless, I thought it would be worth a try. Right out of the gate I told the agent that "hey, this is one of those New Years special fares" and we had a good laugh. I told them what I had been through with the OTAs and they didn't sound surprised to hear. They did offer to attempt a reprice on their system just to confirm that the inventory I was seeing was real. The A and J inventory numbers the Cathay agent had were an exact match for the ExpertFlyer results I had in front of me (despite the point-of-sale differences). She also confirmed that the fare difference should have been $36.20 for those particular flights.
Next steps: I might try to call Priceline and Expedia some more in the coming days and weeks. Worst case, I might go with the following plan:
One lingering question is about some reports earlier in the thread about CX referring you back to the OTA for changes if "they aren't urgent." If anyone has any sense for what might be defined as urgent, I'd love to hear.
My situation: I have two back-to-back DAD-JFK tickets with the illegal (?) / impossible immediate turn in DAD between them. One is Priceline issued, and another Expedia issued. Both book into A on the longhaul and J on the shorthaul. Even though I plan to get a multientry visa in my passport it doesn't seem wise to attempt the turn-around, so somewhere a change needs to be made.
So, I identified what looked like suitable A inventory for some random dates in September and set out to change one of the tickets to that date.
Attempt 1 (change Expedia online): No surprises here, but website repriced for all dates that I attempted. Fail.
Attempt 2 (called Priceline): Much to my surprise, they were experience unusually high call volume today! I eventually got an agent and gave them the new dates. They too confirmed that the original booking classes were available on those dates and flight numbers. They also told me that it would be $100 change fee plus $30 phone service fee plus any fare difference. I was placed on hold again while the agent ran the numbers. They came back with very large number. I asked if they had used historic fares and they claimed that "our system doesn't let us do that." I thanked them for their time and left the ticket unchanged.
Attempt 3 (called Cathay): Ok, I knew this wasn't likely to work going in. Nevertheless, I thought it would be worth a try. Right out of the gate I told the agent that "hey, this is one of those New Years special fares" and we had a good laugh. I told them what I had been through with the OTAs and they didn't sound surprised to hear. They did offer to attempt a reprice on their system just to confirm that the inventory I was seeing was real. The A and J inventory numbers the Cathay agent had were an exact match for the ExpertFlyer results I had in front of me (despite the point-of-sale differences). She also confirmed that the fare difference should have been $36.20 for those particular flights.
Next steps: I might try to call Priceline and Expedia some more in the coming days and weeks. Worst case, I might go with the following plan:
- Fly the first segment of ticket #1 , DAD-HKG
- Upon arrival in HKG, ask CX to change the remainder of ticket #1 (HKG-JFK-HKG-DAD) to new dates, maybe layer in the year.
- Position back to DAD
- Fly ticket #2 in its entirety
- Later in the year, position to HKG and fly the rest of ticket #1
One lingering question is about some reports earlier in the thread about CX referring you back to the OTA for changes if "they aren't urgent." If anyone has any sense for what might be defined as urgent, I'd love to hear.
Last edited by pointsifu; Mar 1, 2019 at 5:51 pm
Mar 1, 2019, 3:34 pm
#1775
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: LAX BUR
Programs: UA LM Airbnb
Posts: 396
If possible try to get an agent to work with their ticketing department on the reprice. I spoke to maybe 10 orbitz frontline employees chatting in depth about their options when working with what they refer to as amadeus, in relaity from our discussions these people use a glorified orbitz.com interace, None could comprehend the reprice with values used at time of purchase. ........? Ignorance? I even had an agent email me directly explaining that they could not reissue ticlets in accordance with the fare rules using the historical price because they do not have that option.They actually sent me three emails that explained various reasons for their inabilty to work as actual travel agents and that pricing and availablity was extremely volatile. I love that line, so true my friends.. The fact is that if one competent agent at orbitz ever spoke to one competent agant at cathay and had an honest response regarding this, it would have been "come on screw you for botching your dates on this gift fare, cancel now!" Instead there was copious chain yanking.
I'm definately not proud of how I botched this error fare. I definately feel zero remorse for half an F cabin flying empty yesterday because I couldnt change a flexible fare over the course of a week. And zero remorse for the hours of disservice I recieved on the phone. I guess thats a business decision shared by all.
I feel grateful for cathay honoring the sale. I wouldnt be suprised if some people on the forum look down on a few making what seem to them to be ridicoulius demands to the airline gods they worship. but a deal is a deal guys.
good luck with any reticketing. I wish their was a better resource for social engineerings of the OTA. And ok ok I'lll admit I am somewhat embarrased for even using orbitz in a mad rush to lock in the deal. I opted to not login to the better point of sale options and bum rush the OTA equivelent of walmart on a black friday early morning, and for that I feel the burn.
Try the "ticketing department route" When I did get reissued through the ticketing department aka they had my credit card info again, I just felt like that was the guy with the true reprcing ability.
happy trails.
I'm definately not proud of how I botched this error fare. I definately feel zero remorse for half an F cabin flying empty yesterday because I couldnt change a flexible fare over the course of a week. And zero remorse for the hours of disservice I recieved on the phone. I guess thats a business decision shared by all.
I feel grateful for cathay honoring the sale. I wouldnt be suprised if some people on the forum look down on a few making what seem to them to be ridicoulius demands to the airline gods they worship. but a deal is a deal guys.
good luck with any reticketing. I wish their was a better resource for social engineerings of the OTA. And ok ok I'lll admit I am somewhat embarrased for even using orbitz in a mad rush to lock in the deal. I opted to not login to the better point of sale options and bum rush the OTA equivelent of walmart on a black friday early morning, and for that I feel the burn.
Try the "ticketing department route" When I did get reissued through the ticketing department aka they had my credit card info again, I just felt like that was the guy with the true reprcing ability.
happy trails.
Mar 1, 2019, 4:57 pm
#1776
Formerly known as rwk32882
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN, FL350
Programs: IHTFP, AS 75k, AA EXP, AC 75k, ex-UA 1K, Ex-BD *G (RIP), SPG Gold
Posts: 504
I think the only way to learn the ins and outs of OTA social engineering is to just practice/suffer a lot.
Onward and upward!
Mar 2, 2019, 1:54 pm
#1778
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: LA/NY/CHI
Programs: AA EXP, AS 100K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,876
Just to be clear - were you booked into VN J or were you booked into the CX codeshare on VN J? Did you print your BP's yourself?
(Please don't misinterpret how I am asking my questions - I am trying to get clarity.)
We have a long layover in HKG (5am to 2pm I think) then on the CX codeshare on VN J with zero luck changing the last flight. (I get an error every time.) Obviously would be hugely disappointing if we were denied entry into the FC lounge for the long layover.
When we print BP's at home, the invite to the FC lounge has been right on the BP. I am hoping it will be for these as well. And with the flight number being CX1791, I hope it doesn't flag as a VN flight.
(Please don't misinterpret how I am asking my questions - I am trying to get clarity.)
We have a long layover in HKG (5am to 2pm I think) then on the CX codeshare on VN J with zero luck changing the last flight. (I get an error every time.) Obviously would be hugely disappointing if we were denied entry into the FC lounge for the long layover.
When we print BP's at home, the invite to the FC lounge has been right on the BP. I am hoping it will be for these as well. And with the flight number being CX1791, I hope it doesn't flag as a VN flight.
I was on the CX codeshare operated by VN on the same ticket.
You shouldn't be disappointed if they don't let you into the F lounge (since you technically aren't entitled based on the policy, tho I do agree the policy is backwards). With that said, do be nice to the agents at the door and explain the codeshare situation
Mar 2, 2019, 2:56 pm
#1779
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 53
So I made my first attempts at changes today on a Priceline-issued ticket. I was ultimately unsuccessful, but I learned some things.
My situation: I have two back-to-back DAD-JFK tickets with the illegal (?) / impossible immediate turn in DAD between them. One is Priceline issued, and another Expedia issued. Both book into A on the longhaul and J on the shorthaul. Even though I plan to get a multientry visa in my passport it doesn't seem wise to attempt the turn-around, so somewhere a change needs to be made.
So, I identified what looked like suitable A inventory for some random dates in September and set out to change one of the tickets to that date.
Attempt 1 (change Expedia online): No surprises here, but website repriced for all dates that I attempted. Fail.
Attempt 2 (called Priceline): Much to my surprise, they were experience unusually high call volume today! I eventually got an agent and gave them the new dates. They too confirmed that the original booking classes were available on those dates and flight numbers. They also told me that it would be $100 change fee plus $30 phone service fee plus any fare difference. I was placed on hold again while the agent ran the numbers. They came back with very large number. I asked if they had used historic fares and they claimed that "our system doesn't let us do that." I thanked them for their time and left the ticket unchanged.
Attempt 3 (called Cathay): Ok, I knew this wasn't likely to work going in. Nevertheless, I thought it would be worth a try. Right out of the gate I told the agent that "hey, this is one of those New Years special fares" and we had a good laugh. I told them what I had been through with the OTAs and they didn't sound surprised to hear. They did offer to attempt a reprice on their system just to confirm that the inventory I was seeing was real. The A and J inventory numbers the Cathay agent had were an exact match for the ExpertFlyer results I had in front of me (despite the point-of-sale differences). She also confirmed that the fare difference should have been $36.20 for those particular flights.
Next steps: I might try to call Priceline and Expedia some more in the coming days and weeks. Worst case, I might go with the following plan:
One lingering question is about some reports earlier in the thread about CX referring you back to the OTA for changes if "they aren't urgent." If anyone has any sense for what might be defined as urgent, I'd love to hear.
My situation: I have two back-to-back DAD-JFK tickets with the illegal (?) / impossible immediate turn in DAD between them. One is Priceline issued, and another Expedia issued. Both book into A on the longhaul and J on the shorthaul. Even though I plan to get a multientry visa in my passport it doesn't seem wise to attempt the turn-around, so somewhere a change needs to be made.
So, I identified what looked like suitable A inventory for some random dates in September and set out to change one of the tickets to that date.
Attempt 1 (change Expedia online): No surprises here, but website repriced for all dates that I attempted. Fail.
Attempt 2 (called Priceline): Much to my surprise, they were experience unusually high call volume today! I eventually got an agent and gave them the new dates. They too confirmed that the original booking classes were available on those dates and flight numbers. They also told me that it would be $100 change fee plus $30 phone service fee plus any fare difference. I was placed on hold again while the agent ran the numbers. They came back with very large number. I asked if they had used historic fares and they claimed that "our system doesn't let us do that." I thanked them for their time and left the ticket unchanged.
Attempt 3 (called Cathay): Ok, I knew this wasn't likely to work going in. Nevertheless, I thought it would be worth a try. Right out of the gate I told the agent that "hey, this is one of those New Years special fares" and we had a good laugh. I told them what I had been through with the OTAs and they didn't sound surprised to hear. They did offer to attempt a reprice on their system just to confirm that the inventory I was seeing was real. The A and J inventory numbers the Cathay agent had were an exact match for the ExpertFlyer results I had in front of me (despite the point-of-sale differences). She also confirmed that the fare difference should have been $36.20 for those particular flights.
Next steps: I might try to call Priceline and Expedia some more in the coming days and weeks. Worst case, I might go with the following plan:
- Fly the first segment of ticket #1 , DAD-HKG
- Upon arrival in HKG, ask CX to change the remainder of ticket #1 (HKG-JFK-HKG-DAD) to new dates, maybe layer in the year.
- Position back to DAD
- Fly ticket #2 in its entirety
- Later in the year, position to HKG and fly the rest of ticket #1
One lingering question is about some reports earlier in the thread about CX referring you back to the OTA for changes if "they aren't urgent." If anyone has any sense for what might be defined as urgent, I'd love to hear.
Mar 2, 2019, 3:52 pm
#1780
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,994
I was unable to issue BP during OLCI, presumably due to the VN leg being operated by another carrier. The checkin counter did not issue an invitation for HKG.
I was on the CX codeshare operated by VN on the same ticket.
You shouldn't be disappointed if they don't let you into the F lounge (since you technically aren't entitled based on the policy, tho I do agree the policy is backwards). With that said, do be nice to the agents at the door and explain the codeshare situation
I was on the CX codeshare operated by VN on the same ticket.
You shouldn't be disappointed if they don't let you into the F lounge (since you technically aren't entitled based on the policy, tho I do agree the policy is backwards). With that said, do be nice to the agents at the door and explain the codeshare situation
We are in a similar boat for next week; long layover in HKG before CX codeshare on VN. Here are some thoughts...
If anyone else has used the FC lounge in HKG, connecting to a non-OW CX codeshare, please share your experiences.
Cheers!
- By the official rules no, we do not have access when connecting to a CX codeshare, unless, you are a Silver elite or above with the CX MPC (Marco Polo Club). You can read more here.
- Yes, there is one report above of someone who got in. I can see how it is possible... Show up with your F/C bp. Show your connecting bp that says CX1234. I can see agent saying "welcome". (If we get in, we will 100% not try to hop to another lounge. If we get denied, we will try the other FC lounge.)
- If you buy a ticket on another OW partner (or CX if you want to risk it), you would have access. However, I would think once they scan your inbound BP, it would show the CX codeshare on VN. And you would show them a different bp. Not sure how that would work out.
- If we get denied at both, we will do some lounge hoping... go to a PP lounge or two... then go to the SkyTeam lounge, which doesn't look too bad. Look here.
- We will continue to try and move to the earlier Dragon Flight. No luck so far. (Moving to an earlier flight gives us the opportunity to fly back out of HAN to our final destination in Vietnam same day.)
- Most important is to do everything on the down low. Don't make a scene. You can always try the lounges a few hours later and see if you get a different agent with a different POV.
If anyone else has used the FC lounge in HKG, connecting to a non-OW CX codeshare, please share your experiences.
Cheers!
Mar 2, 2019, 4:06 pm
#1781
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Redwood Shores California
Programs: UA, AA, Flying Club
Posts: 43
Update: Making changes on Expedia to tickets in A
Not sure if this has been covered in the massive number of replies before, I certainly didn't spot it. This should help those of us who bought this fare using Expedia. This applies to the first class tickets.
Online, CX will let you change precisely nothing and direct you back to the OTA or TA where you bought the ticket. The same policy applies if you call them at the US toll free number. I did.
For those who booked via Expedia, if you try make a change online, the website will provide you with fare differences ranging from $9K to $11K USD depending on the date. So, I called Expedia and I was able to change my return flight back to SFO. The original date was Oct 19, I was able to change it to mid-November for the $100 change fee. Took a long time .... about 45 minutes all in, worth it to me.
P.S. I do have the Flyertalk luggage tag on my carry on, that fellow FT-er blueline7 gifted me at an Amanjunkie do, so if we're on the same CX flight, say Hello and lets clink those flutes of Krug! :-)
Cheers all!
Online, CX will let you change precisely nothing and direct you back to the OTA or TA where you bought the ticket. The same policy applies if you call them at the US toll free number. I did.
For those who booked via Expedia, if you try make a change online, the website will provide you with fare differences ranging from $9K to $11K USD depending on the date. So, I called Expedia and I was able to change my return flight back to SFO. The original date was Oct 19, I was able to change it to mid-November for the $100 change fee. Took a long time .... about 45 minutes all in, worth it to me.
P.S. I do have the Flyertalk luggage tag on my carry on, that fellow FT-er blueline7 gifted me at an Amanjunkie do, so if we're on the same CX flight, say Hello and lets clink those flutes of Krug! :-)
Cheers all!
Mar 2, 2019, 9:53 pm
#1782
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 609
How long for miles to post?
how long does it typically take for CX flights to post on AS account? Anyone have experience? Landed Wednesday night and nothing yet.
Reason to ask is for return home, will hit the threshold to have points for first and will be in Asia for 2 weeks. Will that be enough time for thebpoints to post and grab a last minute F ticket? AS website says some partners may take up to 60 days. In that case I’m shot.
Reason to ask is for return home, will hit the threshold to have points for first and will be in Asia for 2 weeks. Will that be enough time for thebpoints to post and grab a last minute F ticket? AS website says some partners may take up to 60 days. In that case I’m shot.
Mar 2, 2019, 10:14 pm
#1783
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,401
Mar 2, 2019, 11:26 pm
#1785
Formerly known as rwk32882
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN, FL350
Programs: IHTFP, AS 75k, AA EXP, AC 75k, ex-UA 1K, Ex-BD *G (RIP), SPG Gold
Posts: 504
The relevant section of my fare rules:
08.STOPOVERS
1 FREE STOPOVER PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT IN HKG INBOUND. AND -
UNLIMITED STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT AT USD 700.00 EACH
NONE IN HKG OUTBOUND.
1 FREE STOPOVER PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT IN HKG INBOUND. AND -
UNLIMITED STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT AT USD 700.00 EACH
NONE IN HKG OUTBOUND.