Unfortunate Experiences with Cathay Pacific

[JohnK]

I've been able to do a buy miles with AA for CX J awards to HKG only a few months out a year or so ago, found availability on QF then called AA office to confirm before buying the miles and ticketed - not the easiest process but well worth it.

Are your dates flexible?

I cannot find any availability early to mid September, mid to late November or late March. I guess that's Easter but I have been looking for over a month. I prefer to travel around the holidays as that means I don't have to commute locally with the expensive airfares.

I still have ~140,000 AA miles I bought close to parity that I would love to use as they are burning a hole in my pocket.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Are your dates flexible?

I cannot find any availability early to mid September, mid to late November or late March. I guess that's Easter but I have been looking for over a month. I prefer to travel around the holidays as that means I don't have to commute locally with the expensive airfares.

I still have ~140,000 AA miles I bought close to parity that I would love to use as they are burning a hole in my pocket.

I think what most people don't understand is that miles are not for everyone. My parents still don't get it all. Dad thinks points are a scam that you always overpay for and people getting 'free' flights must be doing something illegal or ripping someone off.

To maximize the benefits of award inventory you need to be booking 360+ days out or with in 14 days of travel. This isn't everyone and from what I know about your flying/forward booking to secure rates I agree it's a bit tricky for you

I would be looking to burn those miles very shortly if you had hopes of using on Cathay. Camp CX is preparing for major changes...

 

[drron]

I do read the AA thread. I have no need to go to Europe or the USA and I don't see the value in spending ~AUD2,000 to buy miles to travel in business class to Asia when economy is ~AUD700-800.

Also if you can find a way of booking AA awards for business class travel to BKK/SIN/HKG for specific dates <9 months out then please let me know.

The other consideration is status. If travelling on awards then not easy to maintain status but I am heading way off topic again.

I can see J availability on most days November to end April on BA16 SYD-SIN.With the exception of December with only a few available days.

 

[JohnK]

I can see J availability on most days November to end April on BA16 SYD-SIN.With the exception of December with only a few available days.

That could work. I'll check again again in 12 days when I get back home. Should be able to tack on SIN-BKK on CX the next day for same miles cost?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

they have been reconfiguring the long haul 330s with extra Y seats and less PE seats since mid last year, there may be less room now down the back - agree though at the same height as the OP I have never found the CX Y seats to be restrictive.

I have been on a reconfigured CX A330 (less PE). I'm also a fair bit taller than the OP so feel the pain... however while the seats aren't comfortable, they are the same as the previous a330s.

You can create an extra half inch (or more) knee room by removing the headphones and seat pocket magazines (leaving the safety card!). Simply pop them in the overhead locker. The picture by the OP shows all of these things in place, particularly by the knee which is 'touching' the seat in front.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The main complaint I see from the OP is that regarding the off-loading due to overbooking.

Given the circumstances, and the number of delayed flights, it is possible the OP's seats were given away once their inbound looked like it wasn't going to make it. There were probably also wait listed passengers from earlier in the day eager to get on the flight.

While i wouldn't necessarily expect the OP to instinctively confirm their onwards travel in the event of a late inbound, it is something i would personally do, at the earliest opportunity. I guess in part that's taken care of when you enter the lounge and they scan your boarding pass.

Earlier and better identification by CX of the off-loading would have been better, and reason for a complaint.

However, I'm also in the camp about cutting the staff some slack. They probably worked long hours that day, and possibly even overtime. And would similarly have had difficulty even getting back to their homes by taxi or other transport that night. Giggling? Well... maybe it was as innocent as 'god damn... that's the 15th time I've tried to get a room but Charlie upstairs keeps taking them before I can'. I doubt it was personal. There is no reason for it to be.

 

[drron]

That could work. I'll check again again in 12 days when I get back home. Should be able to tack on SIN-BKK on CX the next day for same miles cost?

But you have to ring AA if there is a CX leg but should work.

 

[JohnK]

But you have to ring AA if there is a CX leg but should work.

I think I can check CX availability on QF. If it's there then AA should see it as well.

Time to start burning AA miiles and Amex points.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think I can check CX availability on QF. If it's there then AA should see it as well.

Time to start burning AA miiles and Amex points.

QF will give an indication for availability - but also returns a lot of phantom for CX. A double check via JL should sort that out though.