CX discount fares HKG-TPE-HKG - not bookable online?

[KeithMEL]

I tried to book Cathay tickets for HKG-TPE return in Economy for July. The website only displayed B class, which is almost full fare. It converted to something like A$500, and I know those segments can be had for cheaper.

I ran a check on EF which revealed that there was plenty of availability lower than B on the desired dates of travel. I then tried various combinations of flights, as from memory - Cathay discount fares are only valid on certain outbound flights. I even tried switching to the Hong Kong version of the site. No dice.

I then called their Australian reservation hotline - same result. The agent told me that I had to call the "Passenger Fare Desk" (as distinct from the general reservations hotline) in Hong Kong to get hold of discounted fares.

So I rang the Hong Kong number provided (praise be to VOIP), and was promptly booked and ticketed in a much more reasonably priced M class fare in 20 minutes. I then enquired as to why this fare couldn't be acquired online - the agent appeared to have no explanation other than her assertion that only the "Passenger Fare Desk" and TAs had access to those fares.

Humph...

I'm mystified as to why the lowest priced fares aren't available online as per the norm for every other airline I've dealt with and especially in this day and age when the industry seems to be pushing online ticketing, or is TPE such a lucrative segment that they're holding back the cheaper seats from their online portal?

Admittedly I don't use the CX online booking facility a whole lot given that most of my flights with them are either award redemptions or part of some other itinerary booked via AA, so I don't whether this is simply an anomaly or the norm.

[LampStack]

I have to say that I have had similar (although not identical) experiences with other carriers websites.

My question would always be "Why isn't this available on your website?".

Their answer is the typical "null" answer as you stated. "Because you have to contact the passenger fare desk". huh?

One almost gets the feeling that the carriers reservation web application is not robust enough to handle these issues.

fclass

[TerryK]

......was promptly booked and ticketed in a much more reasonably priced M class fare in 20 minutes......

M is unpublished. Most airlines websites only allow booking of published fares. You cannot book I fares on CX website either.

CX seems to have more unpublished fares than SQ or other airlines. For example, from JFK to SE Asia, you can only book H fare or higher on CX website while you can get K/M/L fares from travel agents.

[Singapore_Air]

I just tried Zuji.com.hk and in July it's got it at HK$2658 / A$365. Dunno the fare class though.

[KeithMEL]

I just tried Zuji.com.hk and in July it's got it at HK$2658 / A$365. Dunno the fare class though.

That's the M class fare which I bought over the phone.

Cathay's website is still showing the B fare for my dates.

edit: Dragonair's site is selling M. Hmmmmm - oh well, will have a look there in future. Outbound on KA, inbound on any CX/KA flight.

[ny911]

If time is allowed, the only KA flights tickets are cheaper.

[jhm]

M is unpublished. Most airlines websites only allow booking of published fares. You cannot book I fares on CX website either.

Maybe my understanding of published/unpublished fares is wrong but I can see CX M class HKG-TPE on Sabre so it does seem to be a published fare and therefore bookable by any travel agent anywhere (as opposed to unpublished fares HKG-TPE where you'd have to book specifically from a HKG travel agent).

IIRC, I did book an I-class special on the CX website for SIN-BKK r/t.

[KeithMEL]

Maybe my understanding of published/unpublished fares is wrong but I can see CX M class HKG-TPE on Sabre so it does seem to be a published fare and therefore bookable by any travel agent anywhere (as opposed to unpublished fares HKG-TPE where you'd have to book specifically from a HKG travel agent).

Which makes it bizarre that CX MEL wasn't able to quote the fare.
Unless do they do it the old fashioned way and conduct most of their sales via TAs. I'd have contacted my local TA but he charges a service fee for Economy class tickets - which I wouldn't mind paying but for more complex itineraries like RTWs.

Oh well, at least I got the fare eventually.

[Fly Me To The Moon]

I AM able to book CX HKG-TPE M class fares online via CX's website. You just need to select the valid outgoing flights, and you will get the M fare. Valid HKG-TPE flights for this fare are CX 408/466/470/472.

[KeithMEL]

I AM able to book CX HKG-TPE M class fares online via CX's website. You just need to select the valid outgoing flights, and you will get the M fare. Valid HKG-TPE flights for this fare are CX 408/466/470/472.

Yes I'm aware that only several outgoing flights are valid, per the M fare rules. CX466 was my first choice as it's long haul config.

However, nope not bookable on the website still even with the listed flights - my dates are 02jul out/05jul in. The fare is valid 02may through 19dec, per the fare rules on my eticket receipt.

Care to share your secret?

[taipeiflyer]

hi keithmel... most people in taiwan seem to get the trans-straits tickets from TAs. usually they run about $250 for economy, $500 for business on CX. i can book it for you if you want me to.

[qf unfort]

hi keithmel... most people in taiwan seem to get the trans-straits tickets from TAs. usually they run about $250 for economy, $500 for business on CX. i can book it for you if you want me to.

Hi Taipeiflyer and KeithMel,

I'm trying to book a similar flight in June - HKG - TPE, or HKG - TPE then KHH - HKG. Are you able to provide details of a TA in HKG who can book this at a cheaper fare class than the CX or KA websites? I couldn't believe how expensive it was gonna be for a short hop when i looked on the airline sites... and the only HKG TA site i know is zuji.com.hk (where I got a rather cheap HKG - LHR QF biz class fare!).

Thanks!

[YK@HKG]

I tried to do a dummy booking for HKG-TPE-HKG on CX's website (CX466 outbound) and it does give me a H class fare of HK$3067 (inclusive of taxes).

[taipeiflyer]

Hi Taipeiflyer and KeithMel,

I'm trying to book a similar flight in June - HKG - TPE, or HKG - TPE then KHH - HKG. Are you able to provide details of a TA in HKG who can book this at a cheaper fare class than the CX or KA websites? I couldn't believe how expensive it was gonna be for a short hop when i looked on the airline sites... and the only HKG TA site i know is zuji.com.hk (where I got a rather cheap HKG - LHR QF biz class fare!).

Thanks!

i am sorry qf unfort... i do not know HK TAs.

[KeithMEL]

Hi Taipeiflyer and KeithMel,

I'm trying to book a similar flight in June - HKG - TPE, or HKG - TPE then KHH - HKG. Are you able to provide details of a TA in HKG who can book this at a cheaper fare class than the CX or KA websites? I couldn't believe how expensive it was gonna be for a short hop when i looked on the airline sites... and the only HKG TA site i know is zuji.com.hk (where I got a rather cheap HKG - LHR QF biz class fare!).

Thanks!

I got the CX M class fare by calling their "fare desk" in HKG - +852 27471577. I then subsequently found a similar fare on KA's site which requires an outbound flight on KA but allows any CX/KA flight for the return.

The CX M fare can also be had on zuji.com.hk as pointed out by Singapore_Air. I have a feeling that KA would have a slightly cheaper fare on zuji too but I've not checked.

Don't know of any HKG-based TAs other than zuji I'm afraid.

Good luck!