Asia Miles redemption on CX

[crowman28]

Has any one noticed if you book a flight using Asia Miles on Cathay Pacific (ie, from Melbourne to HK), it always show there are unavailable seats on business class 3 or 4 months before departure. But then when the departure date comes within 2 weeks, you suddenly see plenty of seats available.

I really hate it when CX withholds all these business class seats until the last minute.

Is that their usual practice?

 

[yohy?!]

Has any one noticed if you book a flight using Asia Miles on Cathay Pacific (ie, from Melbourne to HK), it always show there are unavailable seats on business class 3 or 4 months before departure. But then when the departure date comes within 2 weeks, you suddenly see plenty of seats available.

I really hate it when CX withholds all these business class seats until the last minute.

Is that their usual practice?

In my experience, yes - Air NZ is another carrier that holds back inventory for Award redemptions until the last minute.

 

[k3nnis]

So I suppose if I want to have J redemptions on CX and NZ I need to risk it by booking say 2 or 3 weeks before....Is there a safer way?

 

[crowman28]

So I suppose if I want to have J redemptions on CX and NZ I need to risk it by booking say 2 or 3 weeks before....Is there a safer way?

Thats exactly the case, I would just book it 2 weeks before departure. Its frustrating, but thats the only way I can consume my Asia Miles.

I know CX has 3 daily flights from Melbourne to HK, there is no excuse for no J class seats available.

 

[k3nnis]

ok thanks. I'm in SYD so hopefully plenty of J seats. So is it quite safe to say there will be at least 2 J award seats 2 weeks out normally for CX? or even 3?

 

[crowman28]

ok thanks. I'm in SYD so hopefully plenty of J seats. So is it quite safe to say there will be at least 2 J award seats 2 weeks out normally for CX? or even 3?

Yes, Sydney shouldn't be a problem at all, they should have 3 daily flights to HK too.

I always try to test the system with 2 J redemptions at a time, and there isn't any problem at all (2 weeks away from departure).

I haven't travelled on CX for a long time, but when I travelled with Singapore Airlines, the business class section is mostly half empty anyway, so there should be plenty of J seats available on any flight, I guess.

 

[k3nnis]

ok thanks I wish CX would release 4 weeks away, which is better than 2 weeks

 

[crowman28]

ok thanks I wish CX would release 4 weeks away, which is better than 2 weeks

I think so. I can always see return seats available from HK to Melb about 1 month away.

Just avoid the weekends, then it is much easier to get the J redemptions.

I remember there were plenty of Easter Friday seats available back in late March from Melb to HK, so I am sure CX must be selling poorly their J seats.

Not a worry at all!