CX ADL-HKG A$500 more than SG ADL-SIN-HKG -- likelihood of a CX sale at some point?

[bronkowitz]

A bunch of us are flying ADL to HKG in early December 2012, say around the 6th or so. A direct CX flight (assuming they still have them in Dec 2012) would be nice for convenience. However, the quoted price for that flight is about $1373 whereas ADL-SIN-HKG with SG is $500 cheaper! Direct is convenient but I could bathe in a couple of bottles of Dom Perignon for that sort of price difference. So I'm wondering about the likelihood of a CX sale appearing at some point that covers December; anyone have a good guess as to the probability of that? It doesn't seem to be peak season for HK but I'm not really familiar with how CX market themselves.

 

[DeKa]

SQ not SG.

I'd book SQ with that price difference.

 

[bronkowitz]

Re: CX ADL-HKG A$500 more than SG ADL-SIN-HKG -- likelihood of a CX sale at some poin

Re SG/SQ: oops, of course, fingers faster than brain.

I had only been looking at one-way prices as I wasn't sure whether the trip home might include a side trip somewhere completely different. With a return ticket, the difference narrows slightly but is still over $300. Funnily enough the return SQ is the same $1373 as the one-way CX.

 

[yohy?!]

Re: CX ADL-HKG A$500 more than SG ADL-SIN-HKG -- likelihood of a CX sale at some poin

CX regularly price in these type of differences over SQ on their Australian routes, they even do it with QF on flights where they both operate direct to HKG...the market will bear it so they do it, I wouldn't expect massive sales to change within the timeframe of your journey.

Why not go via SIN and start collecting miles towards Aegean Star Gold status for everyone on the trip

 

[ColinP]

Re: CX ADL-HKG A$500 more than SG ADL-SIN-HKG -- likelihood of a CX sale at some poin

You do realise that CX104 (the only 'direct' flight ADL - HKG) actually has a stop in MEL? Hence the 11:55 flight time ADL - HKG Vs the 8:40 flight time for the return HKG - ADL on CX105

 

[Shelf]

Re: CX ADL-HKG A$500 more than SG ADL-SIN-HKG -- likelihood of a CX sale at some poin

ugh - one of the worst travelling things about living in adelaide, the lack of direct flights

 

[bronkowitz]

Re: CX ADL-HKG A$500 more than SG ADL-SIN-HKG -- likelihood of a CX sale at some poin

You do realise that CX104 (the only 'direct' flight ADL - HKG) actually has a stop in MEL? Hence the 11:55 flight time ADL - HKG Vs the 8:40 flight time for the return HKG - ADL on CX105

Actually I was referring to the new direct CX173/CX174 flights. Whether the route will be sufficiently successful for CX to keep it around until December 2012 is another question.

 

[ColinP]

Re: CX ADL-HKG A$500 more than SG ADL-SIN-HKG -- likelihood of a CX sale at some poin

Actually I was referring to the new direct CX173/CX174 flights. Whether the route will be sufficiently successful for CX to keep it around until December 2012 is another question.

Oops! I didn't know about these. In my defence, I've been out of the country for a couple of months.
Hopefully they will be successful. We have precious few direct flights to Asia.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Re: CX ADL-HKG A$500 more than SG ADL-SIN-HKG -- likelihood of a CX sale at some poin

Re SG/SQ: oops, of course, fingers faster than brain.

I had only been looking at one-way prices as I wasn't sure whether the trip home might include a side trip somewhere completely different. With a return ticket, the difference narrows slightly but is still over $300. Funnily enough the return SQ is the same $1373 as the one-way CX.

Just be careful when looking at airfares & ensure you don't pay two one way fares ie ADL/HKG & (somewhere else in Asia) to ADL. Maybe ask a travle agent for a quote on the whole trip or even call CX direct to see if they have an airfare ex ADL via HKG to wherever you want your side trip to. It could be that it's actually cheaper to pay for a CX airfare eg ADL to HKT, PEN etc that still allows you a stopover in HKG.

Also be aware that the word 'direct' to an airline generally means a one plane through service which could be A to B via C however one flight number, same plane. Direct flight to the general public means 'non-stop'.

I remember once talking to GA about a flight JKT/LON & asked them where it stopped. They replied "it's a direct flight" & I said "it's a 747-200 it's got to stop somewhere". They replied "oh, it goes via SIN, BKK, AUH & AMS").

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: CX ADL-HKG A$500 more than SG ADL-SIN-HKG -- likelihood of a CX sale at some poin

I remember once talking to GA about a flight JKT/LON & asked them where it stopped. They replied "it's a direct flight" & I said "it's a 747-200 it's got to stop somewhere". They replied "oh, it goes via SIN, BKK, AUH & AMS").

OMG that is hilarious - so asian - could easily have been same response from GA / PR / CA / MU / CZ

 

[mio]

Re: CX ADL-HKG A$500 more than SG ADL-SIN-HKG -- likelihood of a CX sale at some poin

Hi - Cathay can be annoying as there are about 7 different classes of economy fares (there are large tables on their website for them).
The route ADL - HKG is direct 3 times a week during our summer. I think it flies on Thursday, Saturday and Monday - otherwise it adds about 2-3 hours onto travel time with their stop-over in melbourne.
I flew on that last december and it was much better than taking a stop over in sydney or anywhere else as it was fast (less than 8 hours) and the airlines is really efficient.
Basically, never book CX flights until a few months before as they vary from ~900 to 6,000 return ADL - HKG.
The cheaper ones only come out about 3 months before departure so obviously they do not want people to prebook like some other airlines!
You cannot book seats with the lowest price bracket, however upgrading from memory is only about $50 and means you can book the seats.
I would recommend doing research, finding prices etc. then going to see a travel agent and get them to do a deal/book it for you. I did that as Cathay customer service for Australia is apparently a nightmare (if you think you may want to change dates etc.)
Take some time to have a look at their site.
Hope that helped! I am a bit tired at the moment!