Questions and Answers

Hello Lucky and readers-

I am using the British airways site to locate Cathay First award travel using my AA miles. Does American have the same visibility when I call in? What if the agent can’t locate what I’m seeing thru BA? All suggestions will help 🙂

Welcome [USER=1584]@canman[/USER] – they *should* have the same visibility as both AA and BA are oneworld partners of Cathay. Perhaps [USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] can better address what to do if AAgents can’t see the same flights.

[USER=1584]@canman[/USER] Welcome! Have you tried calling yet, or are you just asking proactively?

British Airways sometimes shows phantom space for Cathay Pacific, but otherwise availability should match. Keep in mind AA can only book 330 days prior to departure, so there are ~25 days where BA shows flights that AA can’t book.

[USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] are you folks still seeing CX release first availability about 14 days out?

[QUOTE=”Gaurav, post: 13477, member: 79″][USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] are you folks still seeing CX release first availability about 14 days out?[/QUOTE]
Hi Gaurav- I have been tracking CX first for the past month on a daily basis, reviewing all inventory up to 4 weeks out. Yes I would say 14 days is the magic window, though availability changes on a daily basis even for the next 72 hours.

Thanks [USER=1584]@canman[/USER]. Could you clarify you mean by “availability changes on a daily basis even for the next 72 hours”? That it varies between 14 and 11 days out?

[QUOTE=”Gaurav, post: 13483, member: 79″]Thanks [USER=1584]@canman[/USER]. Could you clarify you mean by “availability changes on a daily basis even for the next 72 hours”? That it varies between 14 and 11 days out?[/QUOTE]
For example, I have been searching NYC to BKK on Cathay First class. There could be no inventory showing for the next 4 days in First. Then all of a sudden the next time I login CX has opened inventory for the next 4 days AND Japan Airlines First class also showed up. Basically if you are super flexible the system can totally work to your advantage. From my research over the past month all CX inventory in First is released up to 2 weeks out but can be released in as little as 24 hours. Business class inventory is showing at 4 weeks out.

Gotcha–so you are seeing seats release at 14 days and then 72 hours before departure. Thanks for clarifying.