I just tried to help my domestic helper to by a ticket online from Cathay Pacific, however these are no longer available on the Cathay website, I tried to call the reservations call centre but it was impossible to get through as they are apparently upgrading their system.
Eventually I tried Cathay Pacific Marco Polo club, although they are not able to make reservations, after about 45 minutes they too were unable to shed light on the subject.
A regular ticket for the desired period from Cathay is well in excess of HK$3,000, which is more expensive than a ticket to Singapore.
Has anyone else had a similar experience recently?
Can anyone recommend a suitable and reasonable alternative?
Can anyone advise if
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Hi again Cara,
At short notice the CEBU Pacific price is actually EXTORTIONATE, with the return trip to HKG leaving Manila at around midday and getting to HKG after midnight, as it takes the scenic route via CEBU, with the added penalty of additional cost for loaded luggage (only 5 kg hand carry allowed, no helper travels light) , my helper told me that she booked a ticket with Cebu Pacific previously and it was a constant milking experience, added costs for everything, no meal onboard and hefty excess baggage charges and the flight was delayed for several hours without compensation or meal benefit.
It seems everyone is out to milk the poor domestic helper, or the unsuspecting employer. Eventually we got a fairly reasonable deal from Philippine Airlines through Zuji, it is just a pity that Cathay has stopped this service, as it used to cost around HK$1,200 - 1,500 round trip, which was a fair and convenient offer, I guess the drop in profits is the reason for the removal of this benefit.
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Whitemischief, last minute tickets tend to be expensive with pretty much any airline all over the world, especially at peak periods. It's not a conspiracy to milk helpers or employers.
CX hardly has an obligation to offer good deals to helpers. I think I can safely say they only did it to fill seats that would otherwise have been empty or something like that. They would never have discounted a seat without a good economic reason.
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Actually I think they are still available, if somewhat hard to find from CX homepage. Just google "Cathay Pacific Donestic Helper" and you'll get a direct link to where CX posts the helper flight rates.
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Here's the link:
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_HK/offerspromotions/offerslanding?refID=31b441ac271c3210VgnVCM1000000ad21c39____
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Its back on the website now, probably got lost in their system "upgrade" which has been more like a "downgrade" which you may have noticed if you travel as much as I do. Anyways its back, and the prices are reasonable if you book with adequate notice. I send my helper home 4 times a year, and I think this is the best way.
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maz27
13 yrs ago
I found out recently you can go to some of the small travel agents in Worldwide House or around central area that are advertised in their Tagalog newspaper and you can purchase an airline ticket which they call "labour rate". Its cheaper than buying online. Most helpers I understand dont want to fly Cebu as they have limited weight allowance. We used Phillipines Airlines and she was more than happy with it
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