Flight Review: Hong Kong Airlines (A330) Business Class From Hong Kong to Bangkok
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After experiencing American Airlines Flagship First from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, I needed to get to Koh Samui, where I'd be spending the weekend with friends. My layover was in Bangkok so I decided to test out business class on Hong Kong Airlines before flying Bangkok Airways the rest of the way to the Thai island.
Booking
Since there wasn't any award availability on Cathay Pacific and I had changed my flight at the last minute, I bought a $1,069 business-class ticket, which is pretty expensive considering this was just going to be a 2.5-hour flight from Hong Kong (HKG) to Bangkok (BKK). I paid with my Platinum Card from American Express, which let me earn 5x points since I'd purchased it directly through the airline's website. I ended up earning 5,345 Membership Rewards points, worth about $102 according to our most recent valuations. Another good option to book this with is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, which would have given me 3,207 Ultimate Reward points since it can earn 3x points on travel, worth $71.
If you want to book with points and miles, the main way would be to transfer Starpoints to Hainan's Fortune Wings Club mileage program. Remember that when transferring SPG points, you'll get a 5,000-point bonus for every 20,000 transferred to an airline mileage program. It's 30,000 miles one-way in business class or 48,000 miles round-trip through the Fortune Wings Club. Had I transferred 25,000 SPG points — which takes about 11 days to go through, by the way, so plan ahead — I would have received 30,000 miles, enough for me to book my one-way ticket in business class. If you're in need of some more SPG points, you can sign up for the Starwood Preferred Guest credit card from American Express, which gives you 25,000 Starpoints after you spend $3,000 within the first three months of opening your account.
The Lounge
I thought I would have access to the Cathay Pacific lounge since I have OneWorld Emerald status (from being an AA Executive Platinum) and would be arriving on an American Airlines first-class ticket, but as it turns out, you only get access if you are flying onward via Cathay Pacific. Since I was going to be flying on Hong Kong Airlines, which is not part of the OneWorld alliance (or a partner at all with AA), I was denied access somewhat embarrassingly.
Club Bauhinia, the official Hong Kong Airlines lounge, is located in Terminal 1 and was seriously nice; recently renovated, it even had a shower room.And the shower passed the TPG shower test, so it gets high marks from me.
There's also a small rest area in the back where you could lie down.
The lounge offered a buffet spread with an à la carte noodles station.
Alcoholic beverages were also self-serve and the staff seemed to replace the food items often.
Inside the lounge was a business area with several computers set apart in cubicles.
The location turned out to be a great place for plane spotting. I had an amazing view of some of the boarding gates — I saw a beautiful China Airlines 747, for instance. For a three-hour layover, I thought this lounge did the trick, and it was never too crowded.
Cabin and Seat
The Hong Kong Airlines plane I was flying on was an A330-200. According to AirFleets.net, this aircraft was delivered to the carrier back in 2010 and is actually on lease from Hainan Airlines, which owns a stake in Hong Kong Airlines. The livery is also similar to that of Hainan Airlines.
I thought the cabin was going to be in a 1-2-1 configuration with lie-flat seats, but it actually ended up being a 2-2-2 old-school cabin with angle-flat seats. It was okay for this three-hour hop, but I wouldn't want to be in these seats if I were on a longer flight. The seat itself was a little narrow.
There's not much room between the two seats with only two small arm rests separating you from the passenger next to you.
I was seated in the bulkhead, which gave me plenty of space to stretch out. It also meant I'd be one of the first people off the plane.
Food and Beverage
The menu wasn't huge, but it worked for the short flight. There was a Gonet-Medeville Cru Brut, which goes for around $50-$60 on the ground. Here's a peek at some of the dining options:
There was a prawn appetizer with avocado.
I got the beef with mushrooms and potatoes as my main dish. It was perfectly fine.
Overall Impression
The flight was only supposed to be 2.5-hours long but ended up taking a little over three hours. Here's a look at our flight path from Hong Kong to Bangkok.
Overall, I thought this Hong Kong Airlines flight was unexceptional. It wasn't an amazing experience but the lounge was decent and the service was okay. Was it better than flying in Cathay Pacific's business class? No, but when no other options exist, it gets the job done.
Have you ever flown in business class aboard Hong Kong Airlines' A330? Tell us about your experience, below.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.