I know that this is not exactly the right thread to put this, but since it invloves oneWorld, I thought I might as well inform everyone on my experience.

I was travelling on CX 101 from HKG to SYD last Friday. I had purchased my ticket in UK for a LHR-HKG-SYD-HKG-LHR for under GBP 700. It was an economy class ticket valid for one year.

I used my Swissair Qualiflyer points to upgrade from economy to Business Class. It required 40,000 points and it permitted a stopover in HK enroute to Sydney. Swissair 'makes' the reservation directly with Cathay and they book it under "U" class. When it is confirmed, Swissair issues a sticker for each flight coupon and sticks one for each sector. I had asked CX to place my CP oneWorld Emerald FF number on the file as I want to get the points for the economy flight (which I am entitled to). Even though I know that 9 times out of 10, this credit is not automatic and that I would have to send in my ticket and BP for manual credit.

Anyway, LHR-HKG went without a hitch, and I was acknowledged by CX for being an Emerald CP oneWorld member. (Actually Air Canada are their handling agents in London and the agent frowned when I showed her my CP card. She then perked up when I showed her my AC SuperElite card, which had nothing to do with this flight)

I was booked on CX 101 from HKG to Sydney last Friday. Upon arriving at the Kowloon Airport Express check-in counter 3 hours prior to departure, my heart sank when I saw the words "Cancelled" next to my flight. I went toward the counter. But a rude AP conductor ran up to me and demanded I pay the fare first even though I didn't even know I was travelling that night or not! I hadn't paid at that point.

Now the fun began....CX said that they would transfer me to the Qantas flight which was departing at 2145. But when they looked at my ticket, I overheard them saying something about "economy". So I asked if I was put in Business Class. "No, you have an economy class ticket". Yes, I replied, but it is an upgrade using points. Qantas at this point said that they are getting full in Business Class. (Great I thought, I'd get upgraded to First). I showed them my CP Emerald card. "What's this?" came the response. Qantas said that it is notup to them to award me points, it is Cathay's responsibility. Meanwhile, another Qantas supervisor insisted that since I had bought an economy class ticket, I should be seated there. "So what about my points which I had redeemed?" I asked. "Too bad" was the response.

A quick call to London didn't even yield any help. I thought by getting a ticket upgraded to Business, I was to be treated like a Business Class passenger. London's Marco Polo reservations desk said, "NO. You're only entitled to what you paid for." Hello? Then why bother earning points?

In the end, I opted to travel via Melbourne on CX in Business Class and transferring to Qantas (also in Business Class) to Sydney instead of going standby at the airport.

Shouldn't one be treated as a full fare paying passenger when one has used points for upgrade or even used a free ticket? I would hate to even have a free ticket at that point when neither CX nor QF would honor it. The CP Emerald card didn't do any good at that point as there was chaos all over (and this was only the first day of the pilots' sickout).

Anyone with experience on this yet?

I fully understand your frustration. However, I think it's really hard to ask CX to transfer you to a QF J class if you are really paying the Y class fare at that point of time. Though your theory may be right: you use your points to upgrade to J class, then you should be entitled to be a true J class passenger. This theory should only be feasible when you are travelling CX flights. However, if CX needs to transfer u to another airline (no matter ow or not), they have to pay that airline the price of the ticket (though they may have some inter-airline discount). The problem pops up here. If they transfer u to a QF J class, they have to pay QF J class fare, the cost is far more expensive to them than just upgrade u to their own J class or even F class.

I think the CX and the QF staff, especially those in HK, won't care too much if you are holding a CP emerald plat card if their flights are totally full or in this air pilot 'sickness' situation.

One thing that you can do is to become the CX Marco Polo Gold or Diamond, they may give u a kiss at the gate!

I even flashed my Cathay Pacific MPO Gold card. It didn't do any good either.

[This message has been edited by Celestar340 (edited 05-31-99).]

Even in a strike situation, it seems to me you paid miles for an upgrade, and through no fault of your own were not provided the upgrade, so they (morally at least) owe you some or all of those miles back.

(BTW, what's an AP conductor?)

I think its too soon to expect any of the airlines to start treating Alliance elite members as one of their own (if ever). At any rate, CX is hopeless in these situations.

Philosophically, my opinion is that as soon as you have upgraded to J class with the miles (which is just a different "currency" that you paid in) you ARE a J class passenger. Moreover, you are transferred to QF because THEY (CX) are having a problem, then they should bear whatever costs incurred. If you wanted to change airlines of your own accord, then presumably you lose the upgrade that you "bought" (with miles) which was for CX which I think is fair.

When ever I've had a problem with delays or cancellations, United have always treated me the same (or better) than the rest of the business class passengers when I'm on an upgrade.

Perhaps CX needs to be avoided.

I've just been told that the flight I will be flying on on Monday 14th June will be operated by World Airways. Ahhhhhhh!

A quick call to Cathay's reservation line in HK asked me to "understand" the situation. But World Airways? Hello? I might as well go with some third rate cargo carrier.

Should we just let the airline close down?

CX pilots said they'll "recover" as soon as possible and go back to work...so, Celestar340, maybe you will fly on a real CX flight next Monday ??

(or, on this HKG-SIN route, besides World Airways, other chartered flights are operated by China Eastern, China Southern and Singapore...so you can probably check if the one operated by SQ fits your schedule and see if you can change your reservation to that one...)

World may be a very fine airline, but 10 seats across in a MD-11 is not a pretty sight. CX must be in a world of hurt!

I experienced the 'wonderful' services offered by the World Airways in 1993 when CX was having the FA strike. I think the president of World is praying every night, hoping that the 'pilot flu' will keep on passing around

Maybe by flashing my Gold MPO card or CP Emerald card might get me upgraded. Do they even have a Biz or First Class?

And are the staff, er, Americans?

After going to the CX ticket office in Bangkok on Saturday, they have very kindly offered to endorse my nonref, nonend, el cheapo discounted ticket to ANY airline I want. So I opted for Thai Airways.

Hey that's cool. Oneworld airline recommends Star alliance!

Great to learn that you escaped from World Airways. Enjoy your TG flights.