CX: Misleading fare rules

[winfred]

Need to take a last minute flight from HKG to LAX. Decided to do aTPE-HKG-LAX-HOG and skipped the final leg back to TPE. As I booked the ticket the night before my travel day I didn't bother to book a multi stop itinerary as it takes too long. There is no change fee so I just booked TPE-LAX return and planned to change last leg in L.A. to a later date.

I was shocked when I couldn't do it as I was told stopover in HKG will cost an extra USD 750. I pointed out to CX that the fare rules was "Stopover Hong Kong permitted but subject to fare rules conditions". One would expect anything but extra costs. CX argue that the special condition is that I can't stopover in HKG. I told them if that is the case then have it as another fare class and charge people more.

I'm not happy!!!

 

[MrHyde]

Sorry, I'm a bit confused by this. You needed a flight from HKG to LAX, but booked a TPE-LAX flight hoping to skip the last leg from HKG-TPE. Were you planning on flying to TPE first in order to take the TPE-HKG-LAX flight because if you skipped the initial TPE-HKG sector, all subsequent sectors would have been cancelled.

Does CX fly direct from LAX-TPE or would it still go via HKG. If so, can't you just leave the airport at HKG on the way back and not take the HKG-TPE leg? Do you really need to have HKG listed as a stopover? Do you have checked luggage?

 

[winfred]

Sorry, I'm a bit confused by this. You needed a flight from HKG to LAX, but booked a TPE-LAX flight hoping to skip the last leg from HKG-TPE. Were you planning on flying to TPE first in order to take the TPE-HKG-LAX flight because if you skipped the initial TPE-HKG sector, all subsequent sectors would have been cancelled.

Does CX fly direct from LAX-TPE or would it still go via HKG. If so, can't you just leave the airport at HKG on the way back and not take the HKG-TPE leg? Do you really need to have HKG listed as a stopover? Do you have checked luggage?

I flew to TPE first on a separate ticket.

No CX does not fly direct LAX-TPE. It has to go via HKG.

Yes I have checked bag so can't just skipped the last leg back to TPE.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I flew to TPE first on a separate ticket.

No CX does not fly direct LAX-TPE. It has to go via HKG.

Yes I have checked bag so can't just skipped the last leg back to TPE.

You may be able to have the bag short-checked to HKG?
EY has done that for me when I had a bag of stuff deliver to my friend in AUH, even though I was not stopping over there on the way to CDG.

 

[yohy?!]

this is deliberate to deter people from booking cheaper indirect ex-TPE tickets, many people used to do this and try to keep the last sector for later.

Often the difference between an ex-HKG ticket to an ex-TPE one can be vast on North American routes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

this is deliberate to deter people from booking cheaper indirect ex-TPE tickets, many people used to do this and try to keep the last sector for later.

Often the difference between an ex-HKG ticket to an ex-TPE one can be vast on North American routes.

Exactly this. exTPE is cheaper (the OP doesn't say how much, but obviously worthwhile, even at short notice, to add hours of extra time to the journey).

Fare rules exTPE often restrict stopovers, or limit them to either the outbound or inbound.

 

[winfred]

Exactly this. exTPE is cheaper (the OP doesn't say how much, but obviously worthwhile, even at short notice, to add hours of extra time to the journey).

Fare rules exTPE often restrict stopovers, or limit them to either the outbound or inbound.

As I mentioned in the original post, fare rules said stopover in HK = OK

 

[trippin_the_rift]

As I mentioned in the original post, fare rules said stopover in HK = OK

Agree with other posters it's about stopping exactly what you're trying to do.

Different fair conditions could be:
HK stop not permitted
HK stop ok (for fee)
HK stop ok (no fee)

Why not just take the extra sector?

 

[winfred]

Agree with other posters it's about stopping exactly what you're trying to do.

Different fair conditions could be:
HK stop not permitted
HK stop ok (for fee)
HK stop ok (no fee)

Why not just take the extra sector?

Fare rule= HK stop ok. No mention of fee and fare condition not available.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Fare rule= HK stop ok. No mention of fee and fare condition not available.

The other issue is that there might have been a difference in fare once the 'free' stopover was factored in depending on which flights you wanted to choose?

The fare rules are available on the payment page:

* I agree to

• The Terms and Conditions associated with online purchasing. From this Cathay Pacific Airways website, and in purchasing, I am entering into a contract with the aforementioned company (at Cathay Pacific City, Hong Kong International Airport). Also, I accept the applicable Fare Rules and Conditions of Carriage

While it doesn't show in the quote above, the 'fare rules' arew 'conditions of carriage' are hyperlinks.

 

[winfred]

The other issue is that there might have been a difference in fare once the 'free' stopover was factored in depending on which flights you wanted to choose?

The fare rules are available on the payment page:


While it doesn't show in the quote above, the 'fare rules' arew 'conditions of carriage' are hyperlinks.

I just read them. Did not mention about stopping over in HKG:

Stopover
1 - PSGR P1 ADT RULES DISPLAY
FARE COMPONENT 1 ADT TPELAX CX I1MIBLU1 PU 1 S
FCL: I1MIBLU1 TRF: 206 RULE: T011 BK: I
PTC: ADT-ADULT FTC: BX -BUSINESS CLASS EXCURSION
SO.STOPOVERS
FOR I1MIBLU1 TYPE FARES

2 FREE STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT AT THE
GATEWAY IN THE UNITED STATES/CANADA.

1 - PSGR P1 ADT RULES DISPLAY
FARE COMPONENT 2 ADT LAXTPE CX I1MIBLU1 PU 1 S
FCL: I1MIBLU1 TRF: 206 RULE: T011 BK: I
PTC: ADT-ADULT FTC: BX -BUSINESS CLASS EXCURSION
SO.STOPOVERS
FOR I1MIBLU1 TYPE FARES

2 FREE STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT AT THE
GATEWAY IN THE UNITED STATES/CANADA.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I just read them. Did not mention about stopping over in HKG:

Stopover
1 - PSGR P1 ADT RULES DISPLAY
FARE COMPONENT 1 ADT TPELAX CX I1MIBLU1 PU 1 S
FCL: I1MIBLU1 TRF: 206 RULE: T011 BK: I
PTC: ADT-ADULT FTC: BX -BUSINESS CLASS EXCURSION
SO.STOPOVERS
FOR I1MIBLU1 TYPE FARES

2 FREE STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT AT THE
GATEWAY IN THE UNITED STATES/CANADA.

1 - PSGR P1 ADT RULES DISPLAY
FARE COMPONENT 2 ADT LAXTPE CX I1MIBLU1 PU 1 S
FCL: I1MIBLU1 TRF: 206 RULE: T011 BK: I
PTC: ADT-ADULT FTC: BX -BUSINESS CLASS EXCURSION
SO.STOPOVERS
FOR I1MIBLU1 TYPE FARES

2 FREE STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT AT THE
GATEWAY IN THE UNITED STATES/CANADA.

So it appears the fare only allows stopovers at the US gateways?

Where was the message that you could stop in HKG? I wasn't able to find that when I recreated a sample booking (but I was using the CX website)

Edited: actually just found it. It's under the general conditions for the 'business standard' fare column - which isn't reflected in the fare rules.

Misleading? Yes - could be.

But the difference in fare should give rise to checking the fare rules - exTPE the fare is as low as AUD4700, but the same flights ex HKG only come in at AUD8300. Makes the argument for free stopovers difficult.

 

[winfred]

So it appears the fare only allows stopovers at the US gateways?

Where was the message that you could stop in HKG? I wasn't able to find that when I recreated a sample booking (but I was using the CX website)

Edited: actually just found it. It's under the general conditions for the 'business standard' fare column - which isn't reflected in the fare rules.

Misleading? Yes - could be.

But the difference in fare should give rise to checking the fare rules - exTPE the fare is as low as AUD4700, but the same flights ex HKG only come in at AUD8300. Makes the argument for free stopovers difficult.

If you click on fare rules on the flight selection page or the page showing summary of flight selected this is what you will get:

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If you click on fare rules on the flight selection page or the page showing summary of flight selected this is what you will get:

Yes - I made a note of that with the 'edited' comment.

It's 50/50... it's badly worded, but clearly makes reference to the fare rules which don't appear to allow a stopover.

Still - for $750 it's a cheap way of getting around the exHKG fare levels.

 

[winfred]

Talked to CX. They agreed that the fare rules are poorly worded and they allowed me to stop over in HKG as a gesture of good faith.

 

[samh004]

Talked to CX. They agreed that the fare rules are poorly worded and they allowed me to stop over in HKG as a gesture of good faith.

I'd say that's a very good outcome, but don't count on it next time

Have you considered flying via CMB?