Reduction of CX award flights to the US

[Beasley]

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

I have sent an email to Qantas this morning seeking an answer. I dont expect and prompt answer .... however, if they (and CX) start to receive increased questioning about the reduction in benefits of their loyalty programs, maybe they will act.

 

[vlocity160]

Next to no availability for anything above economy from what I've spotted to any European destination with CX. Hoping they change it back to what it was. If they've devalued the points of their Asia Miles then surely they could justify asking for more points for the premium seats instead of cutting the availability completely, which is what they appear to have done. Here's hoping Beasley gets a response from QF!

 

[rock86]

OMAAT has finally recognised the issue, FT is absolutely blowing up at present with CX's paltry availability since the changes.

What Happened To Cathay Pacific's Business Class Award Availability? - One Mile at a Time

Hopefully we get some kind of answer what has happened, if they do plan on restricted availability long term it would be good too know.

 

[Beasley]

OMAAT has finally recognised the issue, FT is absolutely blowing up at present with CX's paltry availability since the changes.

What Happened To Cathay Pacific's Business Class Award Availability? - One Mile at a Time

Hopefully we get some kind of answer what has happened, if they do plan on restricted availability long term it would be good too know.

Thanks for the link Rock86. I have communicated with both Qantas and Cathay Pacific about this issue but the responses I received didnt acknowledge there was an issue or even recognise my questioning that a significant change in CX redemptions had occurred. Both airlines suggested I contact the other airline!

Nevertheless, Im not stopping there ....... and pleased there has been such a strong reaction on OMAAT and FT. Maybe public disturbing will get a response. Ultimately, we should all feel ripped off by any airline that devalues the One World points reward system.

 

[jinks485]

Interesting post from Gary Leff on this topic. I never thought of the idea of booking a married segment route and then calling to cancel the unwanted segment.
Cathay Pacific Business Class Award Space is Hidden, Here's How to Book It - View from the Wing

 

[snabbu]

Interesting post from Gary Leff on this topic. I never thought of the idea of booking a married segment route and then calling to cancel the unwanted segment.
Cathay Pacific Business Class Award Space is Hidden, Here's How to Book It - View from the Wing

Interesting. Works well with AA as you can hold awards for a few days so as the article says put JFK-HKG-BKK in J on hold, hang up. Call back, remove HKG-BKK. Done.
I guess you could do similar with no penalty via QF if the second call you made was before midnight same day and claimed you made an error and only meant to book JFK-HKG.

 

[rock86]

Interesting. Works well with AA as you can hold awards for a few days so as the article says put JFK-HKG-BKK in J on hold, hang up. Call back, remove HKG-BKK. Done.
I guess you could do similar with no penalty via QF if the second call you made was before midnight same day and claimed you made an error and only meant to book JFK-HKG.

It may work, if you want to travel only to HKG - anywhere else and you're out of luck. They're seemingly not releasing any inventory to partners unless a segment is married, not even AA or QF are that stingy!!

If CX is going to block partner awards long term, and this isn't only a 'teething issue' of their award system changeover, this will make the OW alliance a whole lot less appealing for redemption's as a whole.

 

[madrooster]

Interesting. Works well with AA as you can hold awards for a few days so as the article says put JFK-HKG-BKK in J on hold, hang up. Call back, remove HKG-BKK. Done.
I guess you could do similar with no penalty via QF if the second call you made was before midnight same day and claimed you made an error and only meant to book JFK-HKG.

Whilst that may work in Sabre with AA (and even that is short lived), it definitely does not work in Amadeus with QF.

 

[Danger]

I don't think it's a married segment issue. Cathay has long employed this logic. I've been looking at a routes that transit HKG rather than terminate there and I'm still not finding anything on CX in premium cabins.

 

[Aussiejosh]

If you look at Australia to Tokyo you'll find flights. I've just booked PER-HND via Hong Kong. But for the same flight Perth to Hong Kong there is no availability.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Disappointed that this hasn't been resolved. Had no choice other than to book an MU flight as nothing above premium economy in CX had become available and I wasn't prepared to risk waiting any longer, especially given the flight I booked was during school holidays.

 

[BettyB]

I've just noticed this thread and am now worried as I was looking to book some flights to New York next month

Is this really a permanent change?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Is this really a permanent change?

That is the $64 question.

I think that everyone is hoping that it is a temporary glitch due to other changes having occurred, but no one knows.

 

[deebens]

Everywhere or just North America? Noticed there was still ok availability to places in Europe or South Africa, but a lot of CX flights were coming up combined with JAL or MU to get to the US or Canada. I guess there's always JAL if it coincides with dates needed.

 

[Aussiejosh]

I've just noticed this thread and am now worried as I was looking to book some flights to New York next month

Is this really a permanent change?

I'm seeing plenty availability if you book near the 360 day mark. You will need to search Brisbane - New York though as Brisbane to Hong Kong shows no availability on its own.

 

[pauly7]

Really interesting (and worrying) thread.
I am monitoring at the moment last minute non-married avails on Cathay and I’m seeing some pop up in J and F but appreciate that doesn’t work for many as most need certainty.

 

[rock86]

Really interesting (and worrying) thread.
I am monitoring at the moment last minute non-married avails on Cathay and I’m seeing some pop up in J and F but appreciate that doesn’t work for many as most need certainty.

It's weird, I just don't get it. I'm still finding some OK J availability (for 2) over several dates on flights transiting HKG, whether that be AUS-HKG-USA/EUR, but as soon as you want to depart or stop at HKG, no bingo.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>
If CX is going to block partner awards long term, and this isn't only a 'teething issue' of their award system changeover, this will make the OW alliance a whole lot less appealing for redemption's as a whole.

Also using Alaskan Miles! I rely on CX to get me to Asia using them.

 

[Guvner]

It's weird, I just don't get it. I'm still finding some OK J availability (for 2) over several dates on flights transiting HKG, whether that be AUS-HKG-USA/EUR, but as soon as you want to depart or stop at HKG, no bingo.

I must be misreading this. I did just one search on HKG - JFK in Mar 2019 and there was PE and First availability on CX830 on multiple days, is the issue only with Biz?

 

[rock86]

I must be misreading this. I did just one search on HKG - JFK in Mar 2019 and there was PE and First availability on CX830 on multiple days, is the issue only with Biz?

It looks to be.