I believe you can upgrade the CX segments with Asia Miles. I don't know anything about QF upgrades, but have heard that they don't even have the same kind of confirmed upgrades that other carriers have.

No Asia Miles, but thanks. I read something about QF upgrades that suggested the same thing about upgrades.

If you have Starwood points, I think those can be transferred to Asia Miles with a 5k bonus for each 20k transferred.

Thanks but no Starwood points either.

QF flights can only be upgraded by QF FF members.
Even then it is not a guarantee, it is done 24hrs out based on space availability (note presently some adjustments to also allow points upgrades as late as an hour out - eg for no shows)

Is HKG-LAX-SYD-CBR-SYD-NRT-HKG a valid DCIR* routing?

Yes
but IIRC you can only stopover once in SYD

Hi, would this be a valid fare for DCIR?
syd-xdfw-oaus-oord-xhkg-opvg-ohkg-osyd

Thanks
Cheers,

Yes - it is valid

For an extra USD150 you could also stopover in DFW

If you chose to drop AUS and also to fly ...ORD-PVG-HKG... then the itinerary would be below 22,000 miles and so be the less expensive xCIR22 instead of the more expensive xCIR26 - a saving of AUD1800 in business (though that would then be AA ORD-PVG instead of CX ORD-HKG)

Thanks... No need for DFW, or ORD.. just noticed I place ORD as a stopover...

Main stopove are AUS/PVG/HKG..

Again thanks... Cheers,
David

valid?
 

Sorry to wake up an old thread, but seeking the collective wisdom of FT.

I think this is valid for DCIR29SA, checked mileage according to mileage monkey, but can someone confirm please?

HKG-xORD-BOS
BOS-xMIA-xDFW-MEX
MEX-SCL
SCL-SYD
SYD-BKK
BKK-HKG

The major sticking point is SCL-SYD: the flight stops in AKL, and if you put in SCL-AKL-SYD, then it's just over 29000. If SCL-SYD, then just under. The SCL-SYD is a single flight code, so are miles calculated as direct SCL-SYD?

I also asked in another forum but will ask again here, can the above itinerary be booked via a UK travel agent, and any idea on pricing?

cheers

http://www.gcmap.com/dist?P=hkg-ord,...yd-bkk,bkk-hkg
So should be good. The great circle mapper isn't the official distance so the official airline distance could be different but you have enough leeway it shouldn't be a problem.

If scl-syd is a single flight number then the intermediate stop shouldn't matter.

You can't purchase the ticket in the UK. If you starting in HKG you have to purchase from an airline or travel agent there (or in canada using the canada exception). If you review the thread you will see how others purchased their tickets from HKG.

thanks.

Actually, it is slightly over:

[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.8.R1/Diamond - Reference: Ticketed Point Mileage [TPM]: HKG-ORD-BOS-MIA-DFW-MEX-SCL-SYD-BKK-HKG]

I have also found GCM mileage can vary in the order of 150 miles away from the "official" mileage when determined via the AA RTW desk. When booking a mileage dependent routing (eg DCIRC29SA) that is near the 29k miles, I have alternate cities already worked out so they can be easily substituted into the itinerary - makes for a happy AAgent at the RTW desk - "glad you did the homework before calling".

There is a 300mile difference there between SCL-SYD from GCMAP to KVS.
GCMAP 7060
KVS 7341
MileageM 7053

Anyone flown the route and got an airline mileage?

7063 miles when crediting QF321 to QF

Can I use Qantas points (I have 300,000) to buy a Circle Pacific ticket? If so, can I do this through the website or do I need to talk to a Qantas agent. Thanks

No. A circle pacific is only available as a paid ticket. For use of QF points you should check the qantas website and the qantas forum here on FT.
http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/.../flights#jump4
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qanta...ent-flyer-498/

Jerry - excuse my ignorance and thanks for the pointers! Cheers Jim

DCIR22 Questions from a first timer:

Be gentle please. I've done a number of DONEX but looking at a Circle pacific for the first time.

I've done some reading here and so I believe that a HKG start is my best option.

Planned route is: HKG-xYVR-YXS-xYVR-xLAX-xSYD-PER-ADL-xPER-HKG. Stopovers are YXS, PER & ADL

My questions:
1) Is this a valid route 22k route? I think I checked GCM properly but it was really buggy for me - doesn't seem to like PER for some reason - had to type it in full for it to find it.

2) I assume the best bet is to call the AA RTW desk to organise and let them know ticket will be paid for and issued in Canada. I used the Canadian ticketing and payment option (Naeem at Gala) a while back for my DONEX starting from JNB and it was pretty seamless.

3) I am assuming that if I get AA to book the codeshare for the LAX-SYD leg then they will be less "grumpy" about arranging the ticket for me? and that using AA is still the best from a taxes perspective? I collect AA FF anyway so no issue with that.

4) I realise that I could try and have it ticketed and collected in HKG although seems to be varying results with accepting remote CC (I will not have time to go into downtown HKG). Would this be any cheaper than the Canadian option?

Thanks for thoughts and comments! Paul

1. MileageMonkey shows it as 24,043 miles.
2. Paying through HK remotely is (at least 18 months ago) easy enough with no need to go to office
3. AA will generally try and book their code.

Thanks for the quick response. Yep I managed to get into the old GC mapper and you are right it is over. May need to drop out ADL.
I hit another issue - not sure there is any way to get from YVR-LAX?? Any thoughts? Can I use AA or QF codeshare on AS metal on this ticket? If not then I'll have to book YVR-LAX as a separate flight which sucks!

NO.

(1) There is no Oneworld service for YVR-YXS nor YVR-LAX. You would have to do the YXS sectors on your own, then either travel by separate ticket (e.g. Alaska Airlines) between Vancouver and LAX, or else travel YVR-DFW-LAX.

(2) You must include any surface sector mileage (e.g. YVR-LAX) in the total mileage; HKG-YVR-LAX-SYD-PER-ADL-PER-HKG is over 23K miles, so you'd exceed the mileage limit there. HKG-YVR-LAX-SYD-ADL-PER-HKG would fit under the 22K mile limit and be a legal routing.

The "Canadian exception" is gone. This is a problem unless you can find a TA in HKG that will issue the ticket for you. Yes, the AA RTW desk can set it up, and yes, you have to tell them to price it for (in this case) HKD payment and that it will be paid with HKD in HKG. Easy if you are passing by HKG and can call into the AA office in HKG city. The AA Airport office won't issue the ticket. And, ensure you don't try to get the ticket on a HK public holiday. The city office will be closed (been there, done that). It took only 15 min face to face last time there (in the AA office) - but that was early in the day.

For an ex-HKG trip, I always have the AA RTW desk set it up for issuance in HKG, then call the AA GSA in HKG and have them issue it.

As noted already, you can't go YVR-LAX on OneWorld (and hence not on a xCIRxx), but you can go YVR-DFW, and DFW-SYD. However, that might push you over the 22k mileage limit.

I always get frustrated with the 22k cap, but still an ex-Asia DCIR22 is a nice product.

Thanks Guys,

Yep DFW and JFK I think are the only US/Canada OW metal options out of YVR. Neither work within 22k.

I'm resigned to HKG-VYR-surface-LAX-SYD-PER-HKG. It's still a great price so can't complain too much and thansk again to the FT Jedi's for saving me a small fortune.

I had thought WS were maybe joinign OW and I know that AA have some codeshares to YXS but I guess that is still for the future. Hopefully for the sake of YVR (and Canada in general) we see AS and WS join OW in the future?

Paul

Are you saying that AA GSA will issue via credit card over the phone? Is the GSA still the one quoted in earlier posts?

Quote:
Ticket Sales Centers - Hong Kong

NO airport ticketing facilities available

The Walshe Group
Room 2907, Central Plaza
18 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
Monday - Friday 9.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Reservations Telephone: (+852) 3678 8500
Fax: (+852) 3678 8501

I personally asked the staff in the HKG AA GSA office if they issue tickets by phoning through or even faxing a credit card. They said "no" - must be personal presentation of the card. For my last tickets, they did a manual impression of the CC and it appeared on my account about 3 weeks later. I'd be delighted if someone can post a different experience!

Oh, and the Walsh Group is the GSA. Whatever is shown on the AA web site is the current address (they moved office about a year ago). It is 18 Harbour Road but I think its now level 10 ?????

I can't recall for sure if it was via phone or fax, but yes, the AA GSA issued the ticket with no problems. They've done so in the past as well.

Most recent ex-HKG ticket for me was purchased last June. When did you ask the staff?

This was in September 2011. I asked if a fax of a cc would be OK and they said only if I opened an account with them which would use a pre-registered cc and only good for lower price tickets (ie xCIRCxx were over their limit).

On my visit to the same office (all be it on a different floor in the same building) in February this year I did not ask the same question.

I always just contact CX in HKG directly. They will book and issue the ticket, taking a credit card over the phone.

I usually email them my requested itinerary (email address is on their website) and my contact details. They do have to send this to their RTW desk for pricing. Someone will call you back, you give them your payment info and the ticket is immediately issued. Very smooth.

Are ex-HKG Circle Pacific Fares Higher
 

I just set up the following in J: HKG-SYD-WLG-SYD-DFW-HNL-NRT-BKK-HKG
25,378 miles for $HK52,814.00 = $US6,807.41.
That seems high to me. Just fare creep???

According to EF, base fare for DCIR26 is US$6102, so sounds about right. I don't think it's changed recently, currency fluctuations notwithstanding.

Yes they will and did so for me in Oct 2013. They required a signed faxed form and a faxed copy of both sides of my credit card. It was all relatively quick and easy, and the agent I was dealing with was quite pleasant.

This is exactly as advised to me in person when visiting the HKG AA office (ie their GSA) 4 weeks ago. But, a scanned version of the documents would suffice instead of a fax.

Thanks for the correction. I did in fact use scanned documents rather than a telephone-based fax and there was no problem with it.

I have just had AA RTW desk put together a DCIR22 for me HKG-LAX-BNE,SYD-NRT,KIX-HKG and am waiting until the GSA opens again to try and pay for it. The price came to HKD43469.

Given that I cannot go in to the office, I was anxious that I cannot pay over the phone. After reading through 14 pages of this thread to find the answer as to whether AA HKG office will take payment without being there in person, I am glad that the earlier reports answering the question in the negative appear to be no longer current. I will report back next week to share whether I was successful or not.

I will add that CX will ticket over the phone and, based on where in my conversation I ended up with QF, it also seems like they will ticket over the phone too. (Indeed I have never had an issue with QF not ticketing over the phone.) I suspect, however, that their pricing will be higher than that quoted by AA.

Well, it is a DCIR26 whereas when I purchase Circle Pacifics they are almost always DCIR22s.

I would normally suspect so, but keep in mind that one reason AA used to consistently be less expensive as the ticketing carrier is that they did not charge fuel fees for airlines other than AA and BA; as of last year AA now does charge fuel fees for other carriers, so it may be worth asking CX and/or QF to price your ticket.

Oh that's interesting I didn't know that. I may well do that but my only concern is that they will grumble about ticketing AA Codeshare. (I've opted for HKG-LAX-BNE on AA codeshare as I am taking up the Platinum Challenge.) Though perhaps they will grumble less as I will still have flights marketed by those respective carriers: SYD-NRT and KIX-HKG

ETA: Just spoke to QF. They are more expensive by around HKD900 and also they would not allow me to book onto the AA codeshare LAX-BNE