Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

[MEL_Traveller]

Despite the bonus points being great value, after "testing "seat availability to to HKG and LAX I think this FF progarm for J class is about as useful as an ashtray on a motor bike. How does 28 hours or 35 hours to LAX sound ? It's as useful (less) as the AA FF program

There is the odd QF F flight available, to both DFW and SYD. But only a smattering of days. Worth it if you can snag it.

The advantage of CX is a much bigger US network, and stopover is allowed in HKG. But... long travel times (fine exPER).

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Despite the bonus points being great value, after "testing "seat availability to to HKG and LAX I think this FF progarm for J class is about as useful as an ashtray on a motor bike. How does 28 hours or 35 hours to LAX sound ? It's as useful (less) as the AA FF program

I actually love it.. Have done at least 6 trips to LAX, SFO or JFK and sometimes back from EWR.. All on Cathay.

Have departed SYD, BNE, MEL and ADL

Agree its a bit of work to find the seats but that is the game for me

 

[boomy]

I actually love it.. Have done at least 6 trips to LAX, SFO or JFK and sometimes back from EWR.. All on Cathay.

Have departed SYD, BNE, MEL and ADL

Agree its a bit of work to find the seats but that is the game for me

Looking for award seats is the most enjoyable part of planing a trip and if can score F availability I don’t mind circling the world twice before getting to my destination

 

[nightelves]

Looking to do the following but wanted to check if Cathay through luggage to the final destination as this is first time attempting this.
-ADL-HKG on CX metal in J Class on Alaska awards redemption
HKG-SGN on CX metal in J Class on Qantas Classic Awards redemption.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This should be fine. CX’s policy is to through check, even on separate tickets: Through-check to final destination | Frequently asked questions - Cathay Pacific

 

[nightelves]

Another question would it be enough time if I allow for 1.5 hours to transit from Hkg to Sgn? I'm not familiar with Hong Airport so wanted to give myself enough time for unexpected delays and immigration/security check points.

 

[hossein_au]

I am not sure about delays (you probably won't be covered due to having separate PNRs, unless covered by travel insurance), but 1.5 hours is plenty of time for transfer at HKG airport.

Having said that, I would allow a lot more time at HKG, as it has so many good CX lounges...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am not sure about delays (you probably won't be covered due to having separate PNRs, unless covered by travel insurance), but 1.5 hours is plenty of time for transfer at HKG airport.

Having said that, I would allow a lot more time at HKG, as it has so many good CX lounges...

CX covers connecting flights on separate tickets for their own metal (unless this has changed in the last couple of months... see their conditions of carriage for details)

 

[nightelves]

Would the business lounge be accessible on arrival even if your next departure flight is on PE?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Would the business lounge be accessible on arrival even if your next departure flight is on PE?

Connecting from business class to premium economy? It depends.

Under oneworld rules, if you are connecting from a long haul business flight (over 5 hours) to a short haul flight (under 5 hours) you’ll get lounge access.

Cathay has its own rules though, which are slightly more generous if you are inbound and outbound on CX. In some cases they will give you lounge access based on the incoming flight regardless of how long or short the connecting flight is (so long haul to long haul is ok, short haul to short haul is ok too).

If it’s all on the one ticket, CX will issue you a lounge invitation for hong kong at checkin if they are going to let you in.

If you have separate tickets you may not automatically get your lounge invite for hong kong and you might need to try your luck at the lounge. Without the lounge invite, and if you are outside the official oneworld rules, you might be refused entry (which would be correct, and nothing you can really do).

 

[PatMcrotch]

I'm confused about the intra-Asia HKG stopover rule with CX. Have read some people saying it's possible and others saying its not.

Has anyone stopped over in HKG when flying intra-Asia and booked with Mileageplan?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm confused about the intra-Asia HKG stopover rule with CX. Have read some people saying it's possible and others saying its not.

Has anyone stopped over in HKG when flying intra-Asia and booked with Mileageplan?

You should be able to stopover in any airline's hub city - so HKG for CX, Tokyo (and others) for JL, etc. Is there a particular link to a denial of a stopover? (for example perhaps it could be due to married segments).

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm coming back to trying to book CX on milage plan after a long absence. Can someone remind me what is the situation with the apparent 'married segment' issue with CX. You CAN (if available) get a flight Australia-HKG-onwards port but CAN'T usually get one just Australia-HKG? Or is it the other way round?

I'm wanting to get beyond HKG so should seats be available or will the itinerary be blocked by CX's rules?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm coming back to trying to book CX on milage plan after a long absence. Can someone remind me what is the situation with the apparent 'married segment' issue with CX. You CAN (if available) get a flight Australia-HKG-onwards port but CAN'T usually get one just Australia-HKG? Or is it the other way round?

I'm wanting to get beyond HKG so should seats be available or will the itinerary be blocked by CX's rules?

That's right. They appear to have limited availability for itineraries originating or terminating solely in HKG. Go beyond HKG and there's much more availability.

Flights to/from HKG only haven't been blocked outright, just that the previous availability seems to have dried up considerably (although it was never a given anyway... just worse now )

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks. I failed on my past 3 attempts to get 1 business seat from any Australian port to HKG, calling 300-330 days out (or whatever it is ... within the booking window). Gave up, but miles expiry in the distance so need to do something.

 

[PatMcrotch]

You should be able to stopover in any airline's hub city - so HKG for CX, Tokyo (and others) for JL, etc. Is there a particular link to a denial of a stopover? (for example perhaps it could be due to married segments).

I've seen it mentioned a few times can't remember where due to reading so many posts and blogs lol.

@ermen mentions it in this post : Alaska airlines mileage plan

 

[ermen]

I've seen it mentioned a few times can't remember where due to reading so many posts and blogs lol.

@ermen mentions it in this post : Alaska airlines mileage plan

no stopover on CX intra asia award

can get stopover on say NA to Australia award

 

[MEL_Traveller]

no stopover on CX intra asia award

can get stopover on say NA to Australia award

Thanks ermen.

I wasn’t able to find the rule but managed to track it down on flyertalk. Makes JAL a great option for asia redemptions.

 

[Ric]

Just bought 40K with 20K bonus just on US$1201

 

[ermen]

Thanks ermen.

I wasn’t able to find the rule but managed to track it down on flyertalk. Makes JAL a great option for asia redemptions.

yes JL intra asia is fantastic value!

eg sin- "xTYO" - DEL or something silly like that
last time i did HKG - "xTYO" - KUL for a 1 way price