Site Search
Social

Advertisement

Cathay Pacific Temporarily Suspends Codeshare Booking through American Airlines

by on February 28, 2012 · 28 comments

in American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Flyertalk

According to this thread on Flyertalk, while Cathay Pacific was upgrading its booking systems, its award availability shown on partner sites has gotten really messed up, specifically through British Airways and American Airlines, and travelers hoping to book codeshare flights on those airlines have hit a wall.

Apparently booking agents at BA and AA can see tons of availability on Cathay Pacific, but CX won’t allow those seats to be booked. Not only that, but posters have also reported that even revenue seat availability has been zeroed out for days.

A few posters have reported success finding open seats using KVS Tool, which still seems to be registering the correct availability information of seats, both award seats and various fare classes. However, when they called the American Airlines Executive Platinum line, the AA agent told them they had a special note not to book Cathay flights while the airline tries to work out their computer glitches…which Cathay claims it is doing now.

Not only that, but even people who had previously booked seats on Cathay Pacific through American Airlines have gotten itinerary updates that list them on different flights and in different classes than they booked. At least AA has been able to fix those after some time spent straightening things out on the phone, but that has to be pretty stressful to see a few days before departure. It’s also been reported that AA agents can now book Cathay, but only within 5 days of departure. Seems like a crapshoot all around!

I emailed my contacts at American and am awaiting a response. Has anyone had issues booking Cathay seats in the past week? Tell us about it!

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author.s alone, not those of the credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through the credit card issuer Affiliate Program.

Previous post:

Next post:

  • Sweetz_21_83

    I have been trying to book a one world itinerary for 2 weeks and have successfully dropped and reheld all flights on various airlines while waiting to be able to book Cathay :(

  • Andy

    I’ve had really big issues. Trying to take aadvantage (ha!) of the Travelzoo deal to the JW Marriott Khao Lak and can’t get a flight to Phuket! I’ve found a bit through QF, but don’t want to fly 40 hour itineraries.

  • Jmansour

    been trying to book my dad to HK for 2 weeks already and havent had any success we are keep being told that cathay system is being updated. FYI when I search on qantas tool it comes through ok. I wonder if this is bankruptcy related.

  • JS

    When Cathay was having issues a couple of weeks ago, I tried to book an award ticket on AA from LAX-SIN. The inventory on Qantas and BA was showing tons of availability, but it didn’t match with what the AA agents were seeing. I then used JAL’s site and it was exactly what they had.

  • Crescidp

    I have an existing CX booking with BA miles. The CX website is messed up, I can’t even log in to see my flight information. I was able to finally speak to somebody after a few days of calling and everything appears to be ok.

  • Steve

    Andy, have your AA rep check award flights through JAL. That might be able to get you to bangkok from the states

  • Bostonma2009

    I had no problem booking a YVR-JFK Biz award on CX in mid March with Avios two days ago.

  • foosion
  • Pjberg

    I have an upcoming flight from Hanoi to JFK (first leg on Dragonair, second on Cathay) booked using BA miles. When I log into “manage my flight” on cathaypacific.com, I see this disconcerting message: “Our records indicate that you have not issued a ticket for this booking. Please contact your travel agent to issue the ticket. Otherwise your booking will be invalid and will automatically be cancelled without further notice. If you have already issued your eTicket, please ignore the above message.” I called BA and they said they see nothing wrong. Cathay’s customer service line has been busy (!!!) for over a week now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed…… anyone think I’m in trouble?

  • RakSiam

    It’s realted to CX’s computer system overhaul that has been on-going for a few weeks now.

  • OM

    The latest news today from AA is that you can only book an award on CX if your flight is in the next 5 days. CX problems are now 2 weeks old. They are probably losing a ton of money. I seek a flight for the end of March so I still have time but it is annoying to call AA every day and hear the same old news.

  • Sweetz_21_83

    Can u see the flight on ba.com?

  • Pete

    @TPG I have booked two one way Business and First class seats from DPS-HKG-LAX end of March back on Feb 11th. I have not received any email pertaining the predicament at hand. Should I be worried?

  • Tao

    I was trying to book HKG-CTU on Dragon and couldn’t find any award availability through BA.com

  • Kaz

    I’m doing the reverse to your journey starting tomorrow and can see the itinerary in both the Cathay Pacific and BA websites. Not sure what that indicates about your ticket…

  • JT

    I have the same problem. Used Avios to book ticket a few months back HKG-DPS in mid March. TPG please keep us posted. Cathay’s website directs you to Asia Miles number, which says they are overloaded with calls and then hangs up!

  • Pete

    I called CX earlier and agent confirmed my booking.

  • suzsy

    Called AA Platinum today to book JFK-YVR on CX but told Cathay computers are down. Thought I’d try again and was told there was a problem with Cathay computer system….I asked how long it’s been going on and was told over one week.

  • Pjberg

    I can see the flight on ba.com. I also have an e-ticket number from BA (starting with 125).

  • HoKo

    How long did it take you to get through and what number did you call? I heard there call centers are completely overwhelmed right now

  • Jason

    I’ve been trying to book Cathay using AA for the past month and got daily replies that the computer systems didn’t work. As my flight approached (March 7) I decided to go Avios as the the website showed availability and booked online. Haven’t received an update saying the ticket’s invalid so I think I’m good to go. Booked the ticket 2.24.12

  • Pete

    It took me less than 10 mins. 800-233-2742, I called around 5pm

  • HoKo

    Thx pete!

  • Rado

    Very useful. Thanks

  • Derk

    I booked an AA award flight MNL-SFO and was confirmed on CX for the MNL-HKG and HKG-LAX legs. My AA ticketing status says I am confirmed and ticketed but AA now says they are unable to confirm as they have no access to the CX system. I am wondering if this has anything to do with the bankruptcy? At this point I do not know if I have my flights confirmed or not

  • Aillyia

    I have been trying for over a month to book an awards ticket via Alaska Arilines with no luck. I was told they found the problem last week, but are still working on the problem.

  • chinaflyer

    Cathay Pacific seems to have dropped off the radar on Kayak and Ctrip over the past few weeks. Their new booking system must be seriously screwed up. I tried on cathaypacific.com and it showed just flights with a crazy high price tag. ;-)

  • Sonofamonk

    I was booked thru AA lax to nan and less than 24 he’s prior learned I wasn’t ticketed, agents reporte that AA suspended code share. My travel companion has had no problems and is ticketed?!?!! Ok so now what?