Cathay Pacific miles not posted to AA
 

Hello,

My husband and I flew Cathay Pacific from JFK to BKK via HKG last month, and I was eagerly awaiting the 18K miles being deposited into my AAdvantage account. When I called AA customer service to see when the miles would post, I found out that I wasn't getting any miles on my AA account because my ticket was booking class "L", and Cathay doesn't give miles for that booking code.

Do I have any options here so my miles don't go to waste? I had thought that I wouldn't have trouble getting miles since both CP and AA are part of OneWorld.

Thanks.

CX's "L" class earn 100% on Asiamiles.

Or 50% on Alaska Mileage Plan. AS is partner with lots of airlines, so you have better chance of gathering enough miles there eventually to get a free ticket, and you can use it for lots of US airlines.

There are other CX partners you can deposit the miles to, but each one is different. You need to look through the program material for each to find out. For example, BA gives you 25% miles on your fare, JL gives you 50%, etc...

Only H fare or higher will get you AA miles. That's Cathay's decision, nothing to do with AA.

A general warning to anybody else reading this post. If AA miles are important to you please read the rules here:

http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?...lines/main.jsp

before purchasing a ticket on a partner airline. Click on the partner airline and you will know exactly which fares will earn miles.

Just because the airlines partner with AA or are OW partner it does not mean that you will automatically get AA miles. Each partner sets their own rules.

btw, if the same flight was AA coded then you would earn AA miles per AA rules.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I had looked on AA's FF site to make sure I would get miles before I booked the ticket, but just assumed my ticket would be in the "H" category. Expensive lesson.

So, another possible hitch - I don't have FF accounts with Asiamiles, Alaska, BA, JL. Would they allow me to open an account today and receive miles for my flight last month??

Yes, most programs allow you to request miles up to about 60 days after the flight. But check the terms carefully, as each airline is different.

You need to join Asia Miles within one month to receive credit. Also keep in mind that unlike most US legacy carrier FF programs where activity extends the expiration of all of your previously earned miles, Asia Miles expire after 3 years. Miles can be renewed for another 3 years but there's a charge to do this.