A Business Award flight from MEL - JFK

[straitman]

Could I have some thoughts on a J award from MEL-JFK for October 2018.

I have considered QF and CX via Qantas points and EY or SQ via Virgin points as we have enough for either.

The QF/CX award is available to book now whereas the EY has not opened up yet.

Your thoughts please people?

 

[Bundy Bear]

Depends on the plane type; but as you booked a new cruise then if CX were offering the A350 I would take that.

 

[JohnK]

Which award is cheaper or has the better schedules? Or is that not a factor?

If you don't have a preference for either then I'd book the QF award now and wait for the EY/SQ award to become available. If the EY/SQ award becomes available you can cancel the QF award for a 5,000 QFF point penalty each.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Take what is available is my advice. You can always change it later if something becomes available.

 

[Matt_01]

Not sure when EY release seats but SQ is about T-330 from memory

 

[tgh]

We found being turfed out in lax a bit trying , it's really little different to two separate flights.
We would probably look at other alternatives if we return.

 

[serfty]

Book now! Cancel if needed.

With QFF it's 6K points per person nett cost to cancel.

With Velocity it is $60 ...

 

[serfty]

... you can cancel the QF award for a 5,000 QFF point penalty each.

In the last year or so Qantas increased the cancel fee to 6000 points.

---

Of course if you wait there's a chance of a schedule change substantial enough to enable a free cancellation.

 

[straitman]

Thanks everyone.

I've booked CX flights using QF points. It was 11,000 points dearer than using QF but also $300 cheaper. I'll look at the EY options when they become available and then make a final decision.

The day I was looking for was not showing online so I rang up and it was available via the phone. I had a polite whinge about the Qantas web site so he waved away the $70 handling fee.

We ended up with an A350 from MEL-HKG and a B777 from HKG-JFK.

Now I just need to work out how to do Cathay seat selection as the Qantas web site doesn't do it other than aisle or window.

I just looked and EY booked via VA should be available in about 7 days which is approx 330 days out. Cost is the same in points but the $ portion is $300 more. The times of day are much better with EY so something I need to think about.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Now I just need to work out how to do Cathay seat selection as the Qantas web site doesn't do it other than aisle or window.

Log directly into the Cathay website with your booking reference number/name. It's quite easy. Do it soon as from my experience it fills up, especially people wanting the single seats on the windows in J. You can also do meal selection if you need to.

And just a reminder that it's only 2 x 32 kgs on CX in J.

 

[JohnK]

In the last year or do Qantas increased the cancel fee to 6000 points.

I must have missed that change. Ludicrous.

 

[Ipilgrim]

Thanks everyone.

I've booked CX flights using QF points. It was 11,000 points dearer than using QF but also $300 cheaper. I'll look at the EY options when they become available and then make a final decision.

The day I was looking for was not showing online so I rang up and it was available via the phone. I had a polite whinge about the Qantas web site so he waved away the $70 handling fee.

We ended up with an A350 from MEL-HKG and a B777 from HKG-JFK.

Now I just need to work out how to do Cathay seat selection as the Qantas web site doesn't do it other than aisle or window.

I just looked and EY booked via VA should be available in about 7 days which is approx 330 days out. Cost is the same in points but the $ portion is $300 more. The times of day are much better with EY so something I need to think about.

we have recently booked the return flight to yours. jfk-hkg-bne with cx 777 then the .a350, also for october 2018.

MEL-T suggested window seats rather than middle, which we changed by the method above - straight to cx website.

Hope we all enjoy the experience.

 

[straitman]

Log directly into the Cathay website with your booking reference number/name. It's quite easy. Do it soon as from my experience it fills up, especially people wanting the single seats on the wings in J. You can also do meal selection if you need to.

And just a reminder that it's only 2 x 32 kgs on CX in J.

Thanks. I'm guessing it hasn't been ticketed yet as I tried your suggestion and it doesn't work yet and I cannot find a ticket # anywhere.

we have recently booked the return flight to yours. jfk-hkg-bne with cx 777 then the .a350, also for october 2018.

MEL-T suggested window seats rather than middle, which we changed by the method above - straight to cx website.

Hope we all enjoy the experience.

It's now ticketed but no seats yet.

This is the message I am getting from the CX web site.

For flights operated by Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon: Seat allocation is on a request basis. Your seat number will be assigned by our service centre. We will always endeavour to retain your seat selection. However, for operation reasons, we may occasionally have to re-assign seats without prior notice.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Thanks. I'm guessing it hasn't been ticketed yet as I tried your suggestion and it doesn't work yet and I cannot find a ticket # anywhere.
It's now ticketed but no seats yet.

This is the message I am getting from the CX web site.

For flights operated by Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon: Seat allocation is on a request basis. Your seat number will be assigned by our service centre. We will always endeavour to retain your seat selection. However, for operation reasons, we may occasionally have to re-assign seats without prior notice.

Likely. Although I seem to recall doing the seat allocation that same day that I booked the reward flights via the QF site.

 

[coyote25]

Thanks. I'm guessing it hasn't been ticketed yet as I tried your suggestion and it doesn't work yet and I cannot find a ticket # anywhere.
It's now ticketed but no seats yet.

This is the message I am getting from the CX web site.

For flights operated by Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon: Seat allocation is on a request basis. Your seat number will be assigned by our service centre. We will always endeavour to retain your seat selection. However, for operation reasons, we may occasionally have to re-assign seats without prior notice.

Interesting. I booked a J CX award via QF and 3 minutes later could select seats via the CX website. Just put in the ITN booking reference. Maybe I just got lucky.

 

[Ipilgrim]

Thanks. I'm guessing it hasn't been ticketed yet as I tried your suggestion and it doesn't work yet and I cannot find a ticket # anywhere.
It's now ticketed but no seats yet.

This is the message I am getting from the CX web site.

For flights operated by Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon: Seat allocation is on a request basis. Your seat number will be assigned by our service centre. We will always endeavour to retain your seat selection. However, for operation reasons, we may occasionally have to re-assign seats without prior notice.

i had to hit the "update" in both columns on the cx site, after logging in but you have probably done that already.