Advice on CX booking with QFF points

[scoobydoo]

Hi all,

After some advice on a Cathay Pacific booking I have made using some QFF points.

I have managed to book seats in J for wife and myself HKG - LHR this December, returning late Jan. My dilemma is this:

1) Our journey starts off in PER. I am weighing up the idea of getting to HKG with a carrier other than CX (Scoot via SIN is a cheap option), staying one night in HKG, and then picking up the LHR flight the next day. Good idea (?), or am I better off sticking with CX the whole way, and if so, is it possible to 'link' the two separate bookings together?

2) Our kids (13yrs and 11yrs) will be flying 'down the back' on whatever flights we are on. In HKG, will they be able to accompany us into the lounge before departure to LHR (2 of us flying J, one guest each??). Same question on the way back ex-LHR, we will be in J, kids in Y, options for lounge access?

If anyone has any good suggestions for me, please let me know!! (So far, I have only booked the HKG - LHR return using my points, just not sure how to proceed with the rest.

Thanks in advance.

 

[love_the_life]

You're putting the kids down the back on their own while you and Mrs Scoob travel in J? Is there something against this in terms of their ages? In effect they are travelling unaccompanied.

 

[scoobydoo]

I have seen plenty of 'unaccompanied' children on my recent travels to the UK. Their parents may have been sitting down the front, or they may have been waiting for them half a world away. At least we are on the same plane

 

[amaroo]

Hi all,

After some advice on a Cathay Pacific booking I have made using some QFF points.

I have managed to book seats in J for wife and myself HKG - LHR this December, returning late Jan. My dilemma is this:

1) Our journey starts off in PER. I am weighing up the idea of getting to HKG with a carrier other than CX (Scoot via SIN is a cheap option), staying one night in HKG, and then picking up the LHR flight the next day. Good idea (?), or am I better off sticking with CX the whole way, and if so, is it possible to 'link' the two separate bookings together?

2) Our kids (13yrs and 11yrs) will be flying 'down the back' on whatever flights we are on. In HKG, will they be able to accompany us into the lounge before departure to LHR (2 of us flying J, one guest each??). Same question on the way back ex-LHR, we will be in J, kids in Y, options for lounge access?

If anyone has any good suggestions for me, please let me know!! (So far, I have only booked the HKG - LHR return using my points, just not sure how to proceed with the rest.

Thanks in advance.

CX rules...

Age restrictions

• Children from 3 months of age up to their 6th birthday are not permitted to travel unless they are accompanied by a person of 18 years of age or above
• Children aged 6 to under 12 years, travelling alone, must be registered as Unaccompanied Minors unless they are travelling together with a person of 18 years of age or above
• Children aged 12 to under 18 years can travel as Unaccompanied Minors* only at the request of their parent or guardian. If no request is made, there will not be any special arrangements.
  *Fees and service charges apply

Arrangements and services for Unaccompanied Minors must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

Limitation

• Cathay Pacific will not accept Unaccompanied Minors with any itineraries that involve a transfer exceeding 5 hours; and connecting flights must be arriving / departing from the same airport
• Unaccompanied Minor may check in earlier; however Cathay Pacific will not assume responsibility of the minor until 90 minutes prior departure.

Cost of service

Special booking fees and surcharges will be applied, by sector basis:

• Between Hong Kong and all destinations in Africa, Europe, Middle East, North America, South Asia Subcontinent and Southwest Pacific: HKD500 / USD64
• Between Bangkok and Dubai: HKD500 / USD64
• Other routes: HKD200 / USD26.

I've just made a similar booking for our family of four - see here; http://www.australianfrequentflyer....p-split-bookings-worth-65358.html#post1177439

Happy to answer any questions..

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all,

After some advice on a Cathay Pacific booking I have made using some QFF points.

I have managed to book seats in J for wife and myself HKG - LHR this December, returning late Jan. My dilemma is this:

1) Our journey starts off in PER. I am weighing up the idea of getting to HKG with a carrier other than CX (Scoot via SIN is a cheap option), staying one night in HKG, and then picking up the LHR flight the next day. Good idea (?), or am I better off sticking with CX the whole way, and if so, is it possible to 'link' the two separate bookings together?

2) Our kids (13yrs and 11yrs) will be flying 'down the back' on whatever flights we are on. In HKG, will they be able to accompany us into the lounge before departure to LHR (2 of us flying J, one guest each??). Same question on the way back ex-LHR, we will be in J, kids in Y, options for lounge access?

If anyone has any good suggestions for me, please let me know!! (So far, I have only booked the HKG - LHR return using my points, just not sure how to proceed with the rest.

Thanks in advance.

If you have oneworld status eligible for lounge access you will be permitted to bring guests into the lounge with you. If you don't have status, class of service doesn't entitle you to bring in guests: Lounge Admittance | First & Business Class - Cathay Pacific Australia

Lounge access in HKG is fairly expensive on an ad-hoc basis... almost AUD100 for a few hours (you may be able to get it cheaper if you are a member of something like priority pass).

Flying the day before on scoot seems fine. If you wanted to fly CX the whole way you can link the bookings if you wish and this should (not guaranteed) advise CX of your incoming flight in the event the connection in HKG is tight (ie delayed inbound).

CX appears to protect passengers connecting CX-CX even on separate tickets.

As a matter of safety for all passengers on board, you should attempt to pre-seat your children as close to you as possible on all flights.

 

[love_the_life]

My comments were perhaps a little tongue in cheek. Just pleased I am not down the back on that flight. And, yes, I know some kids are better behaved than adults so don't start. Not getting into a slanging match.

Anyway it does seem a little unfair to the said kids for parents to be lolling in luxury while they are stuck in cattle class. At least we always travelled together in the same class when our kids came with us.

 

[amaroo]

My comments were perhaps a little tongue in cheek. Just pleased I am not down the back on that flight. And, yes, I know some kids are better behaved than adults so don't start. Not getting into a slanging match.

Anyway it does seem a little unfair to the said kids for parents to be lolling in luxury while they are stuck in cattle class. At least we always travelled together in the same class when our kids came with us.

I'm so happy our kids have come of age (at least in airline terms), so now they can slum it in J - while we clink glasses in F :mrgreen:

 

[Limewood]

Mrs Lime & self did CNS/HKG/CNS trip on CX, she said "you go in J I'll go down the back its only 7 hours anyway and I'll spend the difference in Hong Kong" about $3500, so I said OK, on boarding both ways she was upgraded at the gate to J anyway

So maybe scoobydoo might get lucky with the young uns.

 

[scoobydoo]

I'm so happy our kids have come of age (at least in airline terms), so now they can slum it in J - while we clink glasses in F :mrgreen:

Thanks for the advice amaroo, you might still get a few questions coming your way!

Love the life, thanks for the comments. I don't intend getting into a slanging match either, but on our trip to Melbourne last month it was interesting to note that 1) Our kids behaviour was far better than some of the 'adults' that populate the Qantas Lounge in Perth, who think liberal use of the 'F' and 'C' words compulsory in every sentence (even with the kids in earshot). 2) Cabin crew on both legs commented on the 'excellent manners' that were on display from both kids. Yes, I was sitting next to them at the time, but even if I am in another part of the cabin I would like to think they would conduct themselves in a manner that would not disturb others.

 

[scoobydoo]

Mrs Lime & self did CNS/HKG/CNS trip on CX, she said "you go in J I'll go down the back its only 7 hours anyway and I'll spend the difference in Hong Kong" about $3500, so I said OK, on boarding both ways she was upgraded at the gate to J anyway

So maybe scoobydoo might get lucky with the young uns.

Thanks Limewood, I will be polite and smile. (Usually works!)