Advice Please [Concerned about CX booking]

[Noel Mugavin]

Apologies if this is basic knowledge, however this is the first time I've booked an awards flight. Have booked an awards flight in December from Perth - Hong Kong, flying business on Cathay, then onwards to Los Angeles in first. Purpose of the trip is to watch a College football game in LA, then on to Fort Lauderdale for a Panama Canal cruise.
With all the uncertainty floating around, getting denied boarding on the boat the most of my concerns, at the moment I want to get ahead of the game. When and if award availability arises on Qantas metal, (I'm only silver, so a few weeks to wait), want to cancel the Cathay flight and get on to a Qantas flight.
So, the long winded question is, how do I go abut doing this?
a) When availability (hopefully) appears, I just book on-line and then cancel the Cathay booking on-line also
b) Contact Qantas and change the booking through them?
c) Other?

Also have a First/Business award coming home LA - HK - Per, going to hold on to that and if an issue arises deal with it when the time comes.

 

[moa999]

If it was April/May I'd be concerned.

By December I'd think we will be back to normal

 

[Noel Mugavin]

If it was April/May I'd be concerned.

By December I'd think we will be back to normal

Totally agree, however you never know and if there's a chance to get something locked away early I'd rather get it done now. Rather be certain than have a lingering doubt hanging over my head for the rest of the year.

 

[Hillbilly64]

Can you keep your original and book a back up?

I'm flying to states in August on award bookings (via singapore and either Japan or Hong Kong). I am about to book a "back up" direct (even if it's just PE)... As I don't want to end up being denied entry to the states if this is still going on. I have no status so won't get anything better this close.

That way I can chose closer to the time based on where things stand. Paranoid maybe..but don't want to miss a planned tour.

Regarding cancellation of award bookings. With partner airlines I have had to contact Qantas to cancel the award booking and wait the 5-21 days (depending on what they tell me) to get the points back. So if you are going to change you are probably going to need to call them.

 

[I love to travel]

Do you have lots of points that you can book a back up?
If you want to PM dates happy to look whether there is anything current I am platinum. No guarantees it will stick of course but it might help.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Do you have lots of points that you can book a back up?
If you want to PM dates happy to look whether there is anything current I am platinum. No guarantees it will stick of course but it might help.

Yep, have plenty of points. Worse comes to worse I'll pay for a Premium Economy seat. Have gone over the Pacific once in an economy seat on a 787, not an experience I ever want to go through again.
As silver though, Qantas awards aren't going to open up for me for another 4 - 5 weeks, so not going to do anything until that time. Just want to know the process so that I can jump on anything opening up as soon as I can.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Option A if you have the points.

I did something similar recently as I would have been transiting through China on route to the US. (China (Coronavirus) SARS like Respiratory illness - Effect on Travel)

 

[Quickstatus]

Lots of people with points book award alternatives then cancel one when travel plans becomes clearer.
I’ve often booked award for 2 dates and then pick one and cancel one and wear the cancel points

 

[get me outta here]

If I may also ask, I am going JFK – CBR in May/June via SIN and HKG. I’m not seeing J on the usual route. What could be a more creative route via QF awards please?

I’ll keep the existing itinerary and book a back up if I can.

 

[I love to travel]

If I may also ask, I am going JFK – CBR in May/June via SIN and HKG. I’m not seeing J on the usual route. What could be a more creative route via QF awards please?

I’ll keep the existing itinerary and book a back up if I can.

You could try multicity JL, but that will only get you as far as Syd.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, DFW and YVR no go. I’ll keep looking.

You could try multicity JL, but that will only get you as far as Syd.

 

[Hillbilly64]

If I may also ask, I am going JFK – CBR in May/June via SIN and HKG. I’m not seeing J on the usual route. What could be a more creative route via QF awards please?

I’ll keep the existing itinerary and book a back up if I can.

Availability might be limited this close but when I was researching options I found via Fiji Tahiti. Dubai. London at a pinch. I have sfo-nad-bne in August as a J reward

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Update - Had a look this morning and have now booked Emirates from Perth - Dubai in first; Dubai - LA in business. 15 000 less points, but about $400 more in tax/charges. Happy to wear the extra cost and extra time in the air, Will be a bit of a run around for me regards taxes/charges refund from the Cathay flight due to me having cancelled the credit card I used for that booking.