Can you use BA One World Status on Cathay Redemption Ticket?

[mdzs]

Hello everyone,

I have redeemed a ticket on Cathay Pacific (Economy) with Asia Miles (using the Cathay website), but I am a BA Silver member. I of course used my Cathay Pacific membership when booking the ticket, but is it at all possible to get extra baggage allowance and/or lounge access on while travelling on this Cathay ticket?

I cannot amend my frequent flyer number on the Cathay website at this stage. So would I need to purchase extra bags if I need them (USD100 per piece)?

How’s lounge access assessed, can I present my BA membership card together with this redemption ticket (with a Cathay membership number)?

[Guernsey Globetrotter]

mdzs wrote:

Hello everyone,

I have redeemed a ticket on Cathay Pacific (Economy) with Asia Miles (using the Cathay website), but I am a BA Silver member. I of course used my Cathay Pacific membership when booking the ticket, but is it at all possible to get extra baggage allowance and/or lounge access on while travelling on this Cathay ticket?

I cannot amend my frequent flyer number on the Cathay website at this stage. So would I need to purchase extra bags if I need them (USD100 per piece)?

How’s lounge access assessed, can I present my BA membership card together with this redemption ticket (with a Cathay membership number)?

You could try the OneWorld trick of amending via another alliance member’s platform – iirc I have done this successfully in the past via either Finnair or Royal Jordanian’s websites – worth a try if the extra baggage aspect is important to you. Otherwise, if lounge access is all you’re after then you probably will be successful at gaining admission with your BA card at the lounge entrance.

[SamG]

You’d also likely either be able to edit it yourself at online check in or at the airport check in desk. Then your extra bag allowance will reflect and lounge access will be possible . No need to pay for bags now that you’ll be entitled to

[mdzs]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. Much appreciated indeed.

Following Globetrotter’s suggestions, I tried amending my frequent flyer details on different alliance platforms, but even where the platform lets me enter my BA details, the change cannot be saved successfully. I’ve tried Finnair, Royal Jordanian, Iberia and BA. The last two would not even let me enter data into the frequent flyer number field. Looks like there’s no way to get around the USD200 for (2 pieces of) extra luggage…!? The alternative would be to wait until we get to the airport and see if we can amend it there, but somehow I am not too hopeful.

Thanks for the suggestions on the lounge access, at least we could try and make use of that.

[mdzs]

I just tried Qantas as well. Interestingly, the error message reads:

“This booking was made by a travel agency.
Contact your travel agency for any changes, amendments or to exchange this booking into a Flight Credit.
Note: these changes can only be completed by your travel agency.”

[bigsi]

I think you will be fine changing your number and I would not expect to have to pay for the extra cases. If they try charging you, I would ask for a manager. If you can call Cathay and have them add your BA number you will also be able to select the best economy seats for free (that sell for about $200 a pop).

Also, it won’t help for this booking but if you do this again you should make the booking as if you are doing it for another person and then re-enter your name and select your BA status instead and that will link your booking and give you the BA benefits.