FlyerTalk Forums - Welcome to HKG, and again, and again, and again?

Part 3 of my trip details my experience in Hong Kong. As you would expect the moment you get off the plane you can tell you have reentered a first world economy. Following my immigration and customs clearance, I had checked in to the Regal Airport Hotel. I was on a rate of 1050 HKD plus 10 percent tax. My planned itinerary for the next 24 hours was:

HKG – MNL CX 17:20
MNL – HKG BA 20:45

HKG – TPE CX 10:10
TPE – HLG CX 13:20

The idea was to get off 4 segments quickly. Since I have little faith in airline computer systems to allow me to choose which FF program to credit based on segments, I had insured that every time I wished to change FF programs I would have a separate record for that flight. Following a swim and run in the Regal Health Club, I packed a small bag and headed for my MNL checkin. Cathay check-in was quick and super efficient and since I had arrived in HKG the same calendar day I was exempt from paying the HKG airport tax. The Cathay lounge is located past immigration and gives a birds eye view of gates 1-4, so I was able to see my boarding gate from above (gate 4). I became worried when at take off time (17:20) we had not even begun boarding. After questioning the CX staff I was told the airplane we were scheduled to go on had engine problems and we would be put on a separate plane leaving at 18:50. This was my worst nightmare, since the BA flight back to HKG was scheduled to leave only 10 minutes after our new arrival time.

Attempting to explain this to the initial Cathay agents was hopeless (the reservations were in separate records) until a supervisor took over. Since the BA flight was the last flight back to HKG, she quickly agreed to overnight me in MNL at CX expense and bring me back the next day on a CX flight. My mind went into overdrive as I tried to diagnose the impact on my 1 world 4 100K bonus plan. I figured that since I was now 1 BA segment short, I would change my flight to TPE the next day to BA and all would be OK. The only problem was that I had no clothes to overnight in MNL and I would have no time to check out of the hotel the next day and make all my connections.

After some back and forth with the CX supervisor, she escorted me through immigration to check out of the Regal Hotel. She did not think I would make the flight and asked me to call her if I ran into problems and indicated there was 1 more CX flight later that night that I could catch. I thought it strange that CX would overnight two planes in MNL but said nothing. After packing I called the CX supervisor who greeted me like a long lost brother. She apologized and quickly explained that she had made a mistake and the plane I was on would turn around and return to HKG. She had already booked me on that return flight and said to contact special services who would escort me to the gate and through immigration.

After clearing immigration the second time within an hour, the supervisor greeted me on the other side of immigration and although I was a little miffed about the run around, I felt that the supervisor was going above and beyond to keep me a satisfied customer. She also rebooked my flight the next day to TPE to the BA flight, thus saving me a $75 dollar change fee. We arrived at the gate and I was the last to board. The pilot then apologized for the delay and said we were ready to go. He actually said the crew had been ready to go for an hour and we had been waiting for some slower passengers to make their way to the new gate. Since I was the last to board I got a few looks. I laughed to myself and whispered if you only knew.

The plane took off and Cathay service was 10 out of 10 for this short flight. A choice of entrees, numerous beverage services, and a comedy channel for entertainment. The flight landed and I was the first off. I approached a CX agent at the end of the Jet Bridge and told him that I was scheduled to return on this plane. He took my ticket and went inside the barrier that separated deplaning passengers from those that had cleared security and immigration and were waiting to board. After a few moments I was motioned through to the departure lounge and the agent said this is OK since “you are a connecting passenger”. Sounded good to me. The CX agent asked me if I wanted a window or aisle. I asked for an aisle and also said that I wanted to change the FF number on my reservation. I expected a “sorry No can do answer.” What I got was a request to write my new number down and assurances that it would be changed! A few minutes later I was given a hand written boarding pass with no FF number. She said the flight had been closed and that she would have to add me in later. I held little hope of this flight crediting to my BA account. But then again the CX agents had been so good to this point that I held out hope.

The return flight was great. Almost no one on board and the flight attendants all remembered me. Service was exactly the same, but the entertainment was different. On arrival we deplaned and boarded busses that took us to immigration were I received my 3rd arrival HKG stamp for the day. I made my way to the hotel watched a movie and slept.

The next morning I worked out in the gym and ate a light breakfast. I was scheduled to leave at noon on BA, which would mean I would miss my original CX return. I called Cathay to reschedule only to be told all flights from TPE were sold out until 19:00 that night. I had intended to go into HKG and stay in a hotel there, but with this new late return I decided to stay 1 more night in the Regal. BA check in was quick, but I was made to pay the 50 HKD departure tax since my ticket indicated this segment as a connection, but the preceding flight had arrived on a different calendar day. I did try to BS my way out of this, but to no avail. The BA/QF lounge at HKG was just as spacious and elaborate as CX, except they had free use of a computer to access the Internet. I surfed a bit of Webflyer before boarding. I was seated on the upper deck and was given an amenity kit and fed a hearty steak. The flight landed on time and I made my way to the unstaffed CX connection desk. Approximately 4 people were waiting when a rep from 1 of the other airlines called CX and an agent appeared. She was quickly able to get me on a flight leaving 20 minutes later thus avoiding the 5-hour wait on TPE. I bet u all know what I said next… “Excuse me, but could u change the FF number being credited for this flight?”…. She quickly typed in a new number and printed me a boarding pass with the new program on it. WOW! The CX flight was full and service was excellent.

Upon arrival in HKG I cleared immigration again and made my way to the hotel room. I gathered my things and took the train into Kowloon. The Airport express costs the same 1 way or return, so I scored a savings there. I met up with a friend and he gave me tour of all the shopping areas and tourist sites. I came back the next day and did some more sightseeing taking the mile long escalator to the top and riding the Star Ferry. I was quite surprised when I was told the ferry costs 220HKD to ride. Equivalent to 50USD I thought that was way overpriced, but I was late to meet another friend on the HKG Island side. I then realized I was an idiot and it was only $2.20 not $220. Following some more sight seeing I was on my way back to get my luggage from the Regal and take my CX flight to Sydney and then connect to QF for a flight to MEL. The only zingger was I found the Regal had charged me 30HKD to access an calling card 800 number. Quite a profit margin on that 1 for them.

My adventure downunder will be part 4.

Side Note: Since I am posting this well after writing it, I can say that even with mix ups and changes all the CX flights credited properly. CX has won me as a customer in the future.