VS200 reward availability

It's been a while....(new addition to the family has limited travelling opportunities)

Anyway, I have a work trip to HK in 5 weeks time (though I depart on Valentines Day, so the OH is a bit grumpy). My company are prudent/stingy when it comes to what class you can book into. We can fly PE for flights >8hrs, but most colleagues fly Cathay, which I find odd, as they don't have PE, so end up in Economy :-S (imagine it's the fact Cathay operate several flights a day to HKG versus VS's one). That said, there is an unwritten rule to minimise the cost of travel, however I have managed to get a great price with an S fare on the outward leg. I have plenty of miles stashed, but having spoken with CS, there is no G availability at the moment. They said the flight is quiet at the moment, so I should check regularly as availability could change.

So, two questions:

a) Are there any points between now and the departure date when it is most likely that availability will change.....or is it pot luck?

b) What is the likely cost for the extra tax etc?

and a cheeky third question.....if my luck doesn't extend to utilising my miles for an upgrade into G, might a friendly v-flyer fancy a CH companion on Valentines evening?!?

Thanks in advance

a) Are there any points between now and the departure date when it is most likely that availability will change.....or is it pot luck?

Just check every morning, every lunch hour and every evening! They can appear at any time. The only thing going against you is that's the the start of the school holidays. Not that it should make too much difference on this route.

b) What is the likely cost for the extra tax etc?

£41.50 per leg of your journey.

You can check availability online by doing a fake "spend miles" booking. As soon as you see availability on your departure date, get on the phone.

I'm in HK at the moment, UC on an upgradeable Economy fare plus 60k miles and extra taxes - £1067 all in. And that's how I got it.

Cathay does have premium economy -- or, at least, is installing it gradually.

http://www.cathaypacific.aero/premiumec ... ml?lang=en

VS200 is a tough one for availability and you just have to keep looking by doing the dummy reward searches. I would keep checking and asking right up to and including arrival at the airport.

Thanks all. Looks like my F5 key will get worn out with the constant refreshing! Availability before and after looks pretty good, so fingers crossed