Reduction of CX award flights to the US

[MEL_Traveller]

If it got to the payment page it wouldn't be phantom availability would it? I thought it throws up errors before the payment page if that is the case?

I've had problems after entering in the credit card. That's where JAL comes in handy to confirm the availability.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Still not back to normal. I'd been waiting for business class flights to Vancouver, but only Premium Economy has opened up with CX. Couldn't afford to wait any longer as planning to fly during school holidays in 2019, so went with MU flights instead. Not flown MU before.

 

[coriander]

Still not back to normal. I'd been waiting for business class flights.

I've been watching for EU-AU for 2019 and there's only Y availability on CX. Oh well, looks like SQ to get home .

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Still not back to normal. I'd been waiting for business class flights to Vancouver, but only Premium Economy has opened up with CX. Couldn't afford to wait any longer as planning to fly during school holidays in 2019, so went with MU flights instead. Not flown MU before.

It appears, anecdotally, that they're bringing back premium cabins gradually.

MU seating is pretty much standard. Manage expectations regarding food.

 

[Dr Ralph]

.

MU seating is pretty much standard. Manage expectations regarding food.

Thanks for that.

How's the lounge in Shanghai?

I'm looking for the return flight in about 10 days time, so hopefully CX may come back online by then.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for that.

How's the lounge in Shanghai?

I'm looking for the return flight in about 10 days time, so hopefully CX may come back online by then.

Here's a youtube review:

Lounges in China are generally fairly basic. They often look a lot better than reality.

An option for you might be to review CX and see if they open up seats on the outbound. I wouldn't recommend transits via China unless you want to visit (stay for a day or more). The risk of delays is not worth it... although with MU all being in T1 which allows airside transfers it's not nearly as bad as T2 (although T2 is a much nicer terminal for some reason).

 

[Kangol]

I was looking at HKG to some EU destinations earlier this week and there was CX availability, now nothing is showing in any cabin - as has been reported on FT, FWIW.
Hoping it's a temporary setback.

Had another look and there is some premium cabin availability into some EU ports, phew.

 

[Aussiejosh]

Another option I have found from Hong Kong to Vancouver is to go via Tokyo. That's my backup if business seats don't return on Hong Kong to Vancouver.

 

[turtlemichael]

My usual route using QFF redemptions is HKG-MEL and reverse. Prior to these changes, it was usual to have availability on CX in J before QF availability appeared, usually available for booking at around 355 days out. Now there is limited availability and it is around 330 days in advance, well behind QF.

 

[Aussiejosh]

My usual route using QFF redemptions is HKG-MEL and reverse. Prior to these changes, it was usual to have availability on CX in J before QF availability appeared, usually available for booking at around 355 days out. Now there is limited availability and it is around 330 days in advance, well behind QF.

I had the same problem looking from Perth. Seems like they have married segments now. I found if I search onwards from Hong Kong I will get flights that appear.

 

[davidj]

Seems like they have married segments now.

Correct. It's been like this for a month or three.

Is this an intentional enhancement?

 

[madrooster]

Correct. It's been like this for a month or three.

Is this an intentional enhancement?

CX has been using married segments for years.

 

[davidj]

CX has been using married segments for years.

Maybe, but it's now at a whole new level.

 

[Beasley]

Wow ..... very difficult to find J seats on CX now. We want to book Mel-Hk-London for Late Aug 19, so here’s hoping it has been an IT glitch and the system returns to what was previously available.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Looks like another reason to earn *A points over OW points where one can.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Wow ..... very difficult to find J seats on CX now. We want to book Mel-Hk-London for Late Aug 19, so here’s hoping it has been an IT glitch and the system returns to what was previously available.

Given how long the problem has persisted it's unlikely to be just a temporary IT problem anymore.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Looks like another reason to earn *A points over OW points where one can.

Except I can't use those points as easily as I can with OW to get to North America.

 

[Beasley]

I haven't been able to find any CX flights for probably close to 20 different routes over several months, and it would seem from FT and other blogs this isn't uncommon. I just can't see why CX would all of a sudden remove the majority of award space to both their own members plus partners.

It seems logical that there's been an IT issue surrounding their new award structure. Although I do admit, sometimes the seemingly logical answer isn't always the right one.

Excuse my dumb question ..... but what is FT?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Excuse my dumb question ..... but what is FT?

FT = Flyer Talk

FlyerTalk - The world's most popular frequent flyer community - FlyerTalk is a living, growing community where frequent travelers around the world come to exchange knowledge and experiences about everything miles and points related.

 

[Clayton]

Thanks for that.

How's the lounge in Shanghai?

I'm looking for the return flight in about 10 days time, so hopefully CX may come back online by then.

If you can do *A you could look at Eva Air for the YVR to HKG via TPE. Their availability was good when I last looked, and their J is very nice, with great service.