Hong Kong stopover with redemption to Europe/USA

[Duffa]

Does anyone know if it is possible to book a stopover in HKK when travelling to Europe or USA, for example, on a J redemption?
I'd like to spend a few days there to break up the journey.

Thanks

Duffa

 

[legroom]

I opted for J to/from OZ and then a separate F redemption from/to HKG - with a stopover in between.

There is no F ex Oz !

 

[Duffa]

I opted for J to/from OZ and then a separate F redemption from/to HKG - with a stopover in between.

There is no F ex Oz !

Good suggestion, though I presume the two separate bookings would mean higher points - even if both in J?

 

[legroom]

Good suggestion, though I presume the two separate bookings would mean higher points - even if both in J?

Assuming all J, not a mixed J-F booking

SYD HKG: 4599 miles = Asia Miles (AM) zone C, 45,000 miles required

HKG CDG: 5965 miles = AM zone D, 70,000 miles required

SYD xHKG CDG: 10,564 miles = AM zone F, 110,000 miles required

To me, the added flexibility is worth the paltry 5,000 miles.

 

[mrdctau]

I opted for J to/from OZ and then a separate F redemption from/to HKG - with a stopover in between.

There is no F ex Oz !

I'm planning something similar for my next trip of MEL-HKG-FCO-HKG-MEL and want to book in F for the FCO-HKG leg and J for the rest. Do you have any idea if I will be able to use the First Class lounge in Hong Kong during my transit on the way back to Australia? The OneWorld lounge info is a bit ambiguous as it clearly says you can use the First Class lounge if you are travelling in First to Hong Hong on a long haul flight and connecting to a short haul flight in any class but it doesn't say anything about what happens if you are connecting to another long haul flight in Business Class. The new Pier First Class Lounge should be open by the time I travel and I'm really keen to try out the private cabanas. If I can't get access to the First Class lounge, I think I'll book the whole trip in J.

 

[knasty]

I have flown CX F Lhr -hkg then J hkg -syd and was given F lounge invitation for Hkg at LHR checkin.

 

[legroom]

I have flown CX F Lhr -hkg then J hkg -syd and was given F lounge invitation for Hkg at LHR checkin.

Automatic or upon request ?

Nice to know once the WP runs out.

 

[knasty]

Automatically. I was Sapphire at the time so not status based.

 

[mrdctau]

I've tried out all of Cathay's J lounges in HK but have never set foot in any of their F lounges. Does any one have any experience with the cabanas? Specifically, if you have a very long transit can you simply camp in one of those for hours?

 

[knasty]

Yep. I snoozed for a few hours on a 5 hour connection recently.

 

[mrdctau]

Yep. I snoozed for a few hours on a 5 hour connection recently.

This is sounding more and more awesome by the minute. I just need to hope and pray that I can redeem QF points for a couple of F seats for FCO-HKG or MXP-HKG next year.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

This is sounding more and more awesome by the minute. I just need to hope and pray that I can redeem QF points for a couple of F seats for FCO-HKG or MXP-HKG next year.

Cathay release 1 First Class seat per flight approx 11 months out when the inventory is loaded.
There are then 2 more releases of first class seats between 11 months and 1 day out from the flight. I won't post when this is but if you're not flexible with your timing the chances of getting more than 1 seat in First is close to nil.

Business Class award seat releases are more relaxed, timely and 4+ seats are released 11 months out.
So long as QFF has access to the seats you should be in luck. Asia Miles members get first dibs then QFF and a number of other programs are next in line so your chances at business class are reasonable!

AS and BA members get excellent access to CX inventory too.

 

[legroom]

Automatically. I was Sapphire at the time so not status based.

Thanks

Will keep that in mind in case the check in agents 'forget' !

Will report back my experience as a data point.

Yep. I snoozed for a few hours on a 5 hour connection recently.

I get a reservation the moment I walk in, followed by some meals & drinks while waiting.

There is a sign asking guests to keep it 'under 90 min' but I guess there is no enforcement.

Cathay release 1 First Class seat per flight approx 11 months out when the inventory is loaded.

There are then 2 more releases of first class seats between 11 months and 1 day out from the flight..

As a data point, I held 2 F seats on the same flight once (1 AM, 1 AS). Luck played a part !!

Q for the brain trust

? Is it worth considering a hotel if you have an 18-hr stopover + F lounge access (arrive 0630, depart 23:55) ?

I'm ambivalent partly because I don't know if any '24-hr' hotel. They all want to charge two days !!!

 

[trippin_the_rift]

As a data point, I held 2 F seats on the same flight once (1 AM, 1 AS). Luck played a part !!

How long ago was this?

Q for the brain trust

? Is it worth considering a hotel if you have an 18-hr stopover + F lounge access (arrive 0630, depart 23:55) ?

I'm ambivalent partly because I don't know if any '24-hr' hotel. They all want to charge two days !!!

HKG Regal airport hotel has day rooms. Very nice hotel and is 100m walk from Exit A connected to the airport.

 

[legroom]

How long ago was this?



HKG Regal airport hotel has day rooms. Very nice hotel and is 100m walk from Exit A connected to the airport.

12 mo ago

Thanks for the hotel tip. May consider it.

 

[knasty]

Lastminute F & J award seats tend to be released at T-7 and/or T-3 days. My best example was a lunchtime flight LHR-HKG on 747. I had a J award seat booked almost 12 months ahead but with 3 days to go the F cabin showed 9/9 seats available and CX opened 6 up to Z Class awards so I was able to upgrade my AA award from J to F. On the 747 it's a massive upgrade from "coffin class" to F. So even of you snag a J seat don;t forget to check if F is available a few days ahead, miles permitting.