Questions and Answers

Hello All OMAT Friends,

I phoned Alaska about the inventory of CX F and C.
I see open on BA and JAL, but Alaska agent can not see anything match the other two.
What shall I do? Is it Common? System block?

Thank you very much for the answers or idea.

Yes, unfortunately AS seems to only have access to smaller subset of inventory. I’d try calling back a couple of times but otherwise it is what it is. Do you have access to any other currencies to book?

I’ve never had a problem with getting CX space via AK. I’ve been told by their agents if you can see it on BA then they can get it. That’s just one agents word but it’s been my experience which is a few tickets and a bunch of changes. Maybe try another agent.

Not just you, unfortunately: [URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2016/09/11/alaska-cathay-awards/[/URL]

I spent 5 hours yesterday, phoned 3 different agents. One finally see something after she talked with her rates desk. Also, she said it must be segment by segment, which I told her at the beginning…

I don’t know why a lot of time. The agents always over confidence.

Finally, I had one very knowledgeable agent. She found only one F. And, also suggested me to check back before departure.
I notice even both tickets are under same confirmation code, they still charge both passenger Booking Fee: $12.50, and Ticketing Fee: $15.00, total twice.
This policy really makes no sense at all.

CX only releases 1 FC seat early in the schedule for partners. Hopefully one will open closer in for you. So 70K points + $27.50 for each ticket to fly in first class where the fare is $15,000+ and this is a nonsensical policy?

[QUOTE=”MarkS, post: 21694, member: 2121″]CX only releases 1 FC seat early in the schedule for partners. Hopefully one will open closer in for you. So 70K points + $27.50 for each ticket to fly in first class where the fare is $15,000+ and this is a nonsensical policy?[/QUOTE]
Thank you MarkS for the reply.
Please don’t get me wrong. The redemption rate is awesome, maybe not as good as AA or other legacy used to be, but it is the best rate in the industry now.
The only complaint is, CX is not self bookable, and AK charge booking fee and ticketing fee for something you can’t do by yourself, not like AA or others. If you cant do online, they wont charge that.

The $12.50 is a partner reward ticket fee and applies to online redemptions as well. The $15 is a reservation booking fee and you make a valid point. But given the fact you can change/cancel AK rewards up to 60 days at no cost their fee structure is the best.

Even if you had an AA or UA waive the desk fee (which is more than $15 in the first place) if you cancel before 60 days it’s $100-$150 redeposit fee. I’m mostly UA and tomorrow the are screwing their best customers (I’m MM) with new fees. A change at anytime is $25 whereas before unless I changed the origin/destination it was no charge. So moving a date, taking a different flight/carrier on the same route now becomes an expensive. And if you don’t have status while the new fees are less, forget it. You pay for everything.

I’d love to deal with AK exclusively.

My rant for the day, enjoy your trip. CX has a fantastic FC product and hope you get the second seat.

[QUOTE=”MarkS, post: 21702, member: 2121″]The $12.50 is a partner reward ticket fee and applies to online redemptions as well. The $15 is a reservation booking fee and you make a valid point. But given the fact you can change/cancel AK rewards up to 60 days at no cost their fee structure is the best.

Even if you had an AA or UA waive the desk fee (which is more than $15 in the first place) if you cancel before 60 days it’s $100-$150 redeposit fee. I’m mostly UA and tomorrow the are screwing their best customers (I’m MM) with new fees. A change at anytime is $25 whereas before unless I changed the origin/destination it was no charge. So moving a date, taking a different flight/carrier on the same route now becomes an expensive. And if you don’t have status while the new fees are less, forget it. You pay for everything.

I’d love to deal with AK exclusively.

My rant for the day, enjoy your trip. CX has a fantastic FC product and hope you get the second seat.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you completely! However, CX F usually comes up last minutes, which must be within 60 days, so the change fee is irrevocable.
I’d love to deal with AK too. They have some best agents!