Best way to Hong Kong?
Jan 11, 2001 | 10:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: ORD
Programs: AA(xPLT now GLD), UA, DL, HH(GLD), MR(GLD), HY(DIS), and others...
Posts: 145
Best way to Hong Kong?
I may have an opportunity to do some business in Hong Kong next month and need to make my travel plans.
I am Platinum in AAdvantage and live in Chicago. I will be flying Business Class on this trip.
Can anyone recommend the "best" itinerary - considering where to change planes, which airlines to fly, and the number of miles I will receive?
Thanks,
Eric
I am Platinum in AAdvantage and live in Chicago. I will be flying Business Class on this trip.
Can anyone recommend the "best" itinerary - considering where to change planes, which airlines to fly, and the number of miles I will receive?
Thanks,
Eric
Jan 11, 2001 | 11:25 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Don't know....
Programs: BA LTG, SQ TPPS, CX DMP, AA EXP, Bonvoy LTT, ALL PLT, Hilton DM
Posts: 4,037
If you want convenience then take UA which has a direct flight from ORD-HKG. However, if you are looking at mileage earning opportunties with AA, then I would recommend CX through LAX or YVR. They both have 747s operating to HKG and you can get an upper deck seat! I would avoid SFO and YYZ because CX operate A340s to HKG.
Or, you could book a round the world ticket which may be the same price or cheaper. You can fly ORD-LAX-HKG-LHR-ORD (plus additional stops in between) on AA/CX/BA. BA have the new business class sleeper seats on the HKG-LHR and LHR-ORD routes! Much nicer than any other business class that currently operate.
Or, you could book a round the world ticket which may be the same price or cheaper. You can fly ORD-LAX-HKG-LHR-ORD (plus additional stops in between) on AA/CX/BA. BA have the new business class sleeper seats on the HKG-LHR and LHR-ORD routes! Much nicer than any other business class that currently operate.
Jan 12, 2001 | 12:00 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Monkeyville
Programs: Island DOs, very sticky toffee pud w vanilla ice cream n multi-coloured velvet pillows enthusiast
Posts: 4,647
how about chicago-tokyo-HK on JAL?
their business class is very nice as well, but first is much better if you could use AA miles to upgrade
their business class is very nice as well, but first is much better if you could use AA miles to upgrade
Jan 12, 2001 | 6:40 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: HKG/SFO
Programs: CX GR; AA Life GLD, EXP; SPG Life GLD, PLT
Posts: 1,050
I saw a advertisment in HK in summer that CX has ORD-HKG non-stop. IS that true? then you can take a non-stop and have miles!
Of course take a stop a NRT to earn extra miles is also good.(then I would say take the JAL but not AA since you travelling in Buz Class) (You can also shop good Japanese "cake"-like snacks which I did everytime I connect in NRT.
** JAL miles are not Q-miles, so make sure ticket it as AA codeshare.
[This message has been edited by HK-UMICH (edited 01-12-2001).]
Of course take a stop a NRT to earn extra miles is also good.(then I would say take the JAL but not AA since you travelling in Buz Class) (You can also shop good Japanese "cake"-like snacks which I did everytime I connect in NRT.
** JAL miles are not Q-miles, so make sure ticket it as AA codeshare.
[This message has been edited by HK-UMICH (edited 01-12-2001).]
Jan 12, 2001 | 7:20 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: EU rotating
Posts: 2,926
My first choice would be Cathay connecting either through YYZ, YVR, SFO or LAX. A word of warning, on the flight from YVR to HKG there is only supper served (plus breakfast) since the flight departs at 1am (correct me someone if I'm mistaken on this one) as the dinner is served on the NYC-YVR leg.
Other options would be AA or JAL through NRT but neither is comparable to CX as far as service and comfort goes.
[This message has been edited by Spider (edited 01-12-2001).]
Other options would be AA or JAL through NRT but neither is comparable to CX as far as service and comfort goes.
[This message has been edited by Spider (edited 01-12-2001).]
Jan 12, 2001 | 7:38 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA/1K, DL/PM, AA/PLT, NW/SLV; SW/PLT, HH/DIA
Posts: 1,732
For the best price, fly the AA/JAL code-share ORD->NRT->BKK, then take CX from BKK/HKG.
Assuming you're going on mon-thu, the ORD/BKK segment will cost you $4,200 round trip in business, and the BKK/HKG segment will cost you $500 in business.
This'll get you around 25,000 q-miles and 32,000 q-points.
Also, if you're flying AA the whole way, you can probably have your travel agent get you certificates to upgrade from full fare J to F on the trans-pacific segement.
AA's transpacific isn't as nice as flying on CX, but it's a cheaper route, more miles, and you can probably get a free upgrade from J to C.
Assuming you're going on mon-thu, the ORD/BKK segment will cost you $4,200 round trip in business, and the BKK/HKG segment will cost you $500 in business.
This'll get you around 25,000 q-miles and 32,000 q-points.
Also, if you're flying AA the whole way, you can probably have your travel agent get you certificates to upgrade from full fare J to F on the trans-pacific segement.
AA's transpacific isn't as nice as flying on CX, but it's a cheaper route, more miles, and you can probably get a free upgrade from J to C.
Jan 12, 2001 | 9:25 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Washington DC
Programs: UA GS, SAS Gold, EK Gold, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 801
CX HKG-ORD is a cargo only flight.
There are two YVR - HKG vv. flights per day. The earlier afternoon flight has full service. There are also two LAX - HKG vv. flights on most days.
benefit of the afternoon flights are a late evening arrival in HKG and the possibility to have a proper night's sleep.
There are two YVR - HKG vv. flights per day. The earlier afternoon flight has full service. There are also two LAX - HKG vv. flights on most days.
benefit of the afternoon flights are a late evening arrival in HKG and the possibility to have a proper night's sleep.
Jan 12, 2001 | 9:46 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: ORD
Programs: AA(xPLT now GLD), UA, DL, HH(GLD), MR(GLD), HY(DIS), and others...
Posts: 145
Originally posted by HK-UMICH:
I saw a advertisment in HK in summer that CX has ORD-HKG non-stop. IS that true? then you can take a non-stop and have miles!
I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING OTHER THAN A UNITED NON-STOP. THE COMPANY "PREFERS" WE TRAVEL ON AA OR CODESHARES, SO THAT MAY NOT BE A POSSIBILITY.
Of course take a stop a NRT to earn extra miles is also good.(then I would say take the JAL but not AA since you travelling in Buz Class) (You can also shop good Japanese "cake"-like snacks which I did everytime I connect in NRT.
HOW DO YOU THINK THAT JAL COMPARES TO CX IN BUSINESS CLASS?
AND THANKS FOR THE GOURMET TIP AS WELL.
ERIC
[This message has been edited by HK-UMICH (edited 01-12-2001).]
I saw a advertisment in HK in summer that CX has ORD-HKG non-stop. IS that true? then you can take a non-stop and have miles!
I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING OTHER THAN A UNITED NON-STOP. THE COMPANY "PREFERS" WE TRAVEL ON AA OR CODESHARES, SO THAT MAY NOT BE A POSSIBILITY.
Of course take a stop a NRT to earn extra miles is also good.(then I would say take the JAL but not AA since you travelling in Buz Class) (You can also shop good Japanese "cake"-like snacks which I did everytime I connect in NRT.
HOW DO YOU THINK THAT JAL COMPARES TO CX IN BUSINESS CLASS?
AND THANKS FOR THE GOURMET TIP AS WELL.
ERIC
[This message has been edited by HK-UMICH (edited 01-12-2001).]
Jan 12, 2001 | 9:59 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: LAX, HKG
Programs: AA EXPLT, BA Gold, Shang Elite
Posts: 2,228
i think UA896 is the only non-stop flight.
then it leaves you with AA+JL/CX, change at NRT or LAX or SFO or YVR /etc......
if u want more miles, change at lax, otherwise change at YVR (closer to the pole, lesser the mile and hence time spend on air)
if what u care most is service & comfort, try to spend most of your time in an asian carrier (i.e. CX on west coast, or JL operated codeshare to NRT..which might mean another change at DFW/west coast..even more miles!)
[This message has been edited by pegasus8228 (edited 01-12-2001).]
then it leaves you with AA+JL/CX, change at NRT or LAX or SFO or YVR /etc......
if u want more miles, change at lax, otherwise change at YVR (closer to the pole, lesser the mile and hence time spend on air)
if what u care most is service & comfort, try to spend most of your time in an asian carrier (i.e. CX on west coast, or JL operated codeshare to NRT..which might mean another change at DFW/west coast..even more miles!)
[This message has been edited by pegasus8228 (edited 01-12-2001).]
Jan 12, 2001 | 4:17 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: New York City, NY, USA
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 176
Even though CX flies from JFK I consistently take the flight out of YYZ due to the amount of bonus miles that have been offered over other North American gateways. That coupled with discounted milesage upgrades to 1st have certainly made the extra leg worth while. (LGA-YYZ). As previously stated, it is an A340 and you do have to stop in Anchorage for fuel in the middle of the night. IMHO the business class product on JL and CX are very similar. Another option that I do not believe was mentioned is AA to NRT and then CX to HK. As I am certain you already know, you will not receive any qualifying miles on a JL flight, unless it is ticketed as an AA flight/codeshare.
Jan 12, 2001 | 4:31 pm
#14
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,224
I think your best choice is CX.... you can either go JFK-YVR-HKG or YYZ-HKG. They have one of the best food service and friendliest crews on board. The seat might not be as comfortable as AC or CP but CX will get you points on AA. The YYZ-HKG will get you into HKG early at around 6am.
Jan 17, 2001 | 11:09 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,946
Be aware that RTWs may have minimum stops/stay requirements and inventory is more limited than full fare. If this is o.k. with you, you may save money flying ex-Canada.