Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Question regarding upgrading to business class

My gf sprained her ankle 2-3 months ago and just had the cast removed yesterday. We are flying to Hong Kong from Toronto in 2 days for her sister's wedding but she is very worried that she will be very uncomfortable sitting in economy class for a long period of time. Called cathay and asked if we can move her to one of the seats in front of the plane and near the door but they said no.

Now I am not asking if it is possible for an free upgrade as i know its solely based on luck but is it possible to ask the lady at the ticket counter whether my girlfriend can get upgraded to business class for a reduced cost due to unforeseen circumstances? If he/she says yes then do you guys know how much will it cost me to upgrade her to business class?

Just as an FYI we bought the two tickets through her dad as his employers has certain perks like discounted plane tickets and as a result. Not sure if this matters as well but her dad has an Asia Miles card and travels almost twice a year between toronto and hong kong.

Have you asked about purchasing an extra legroom seat?

Have you asked about purchasing an extra legroom seat?

I agree - try purchasing an extra legroom seat.

If you've not yet started the journey, it might make more sense to pay for an upgrade to Premium Economy. There's quite a bit more legroom compared to normal Economy and it would make a difference.

Now I am not asking if it is possible for an free upgrade as i know its solely based on luck but is it possible to ask the lady at the ticket counter whether my girlfriend can get upgraded to business class for a reduced cost due to unforeseen circumstances? If he/she says yes then do you guys know how much will it cost me to upgrade her to business class?

Just as an FYI we bought the two tickets through her dad as his employers has certain perks like discounted plane tickets and as a result. Not sure if this matters as well but her dad has an Asia Miles card and travels almost twice a year between toronto and hong kong.

You are welcome to ask...but the answers will be

"No" and "No" (to the two questions in the first paragraph). The cost of going to biz class is the fare difference, you're not going to be given a break due to a sprained ankle.

And no, unfortunately the things you point out in the second paragraph don't matter either.

Have you asked about purchasing an extra legroom seat?

Safety requirements for occupying an Extra-legroom Seat.

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_JP/manageyourtrip/travelextras/extralegroomseat#Safety

I don't know wheter he ankle situation satisfies this requirement and others, or not.

* Be able to promptly reach, lift and throw open the exit door in an emergency;

Strange the OP did not know if his GF sprained her ankle 8 or 13 weeks ago? I would Hazzard a Guess that "The Sprained Ankle" Apologue is in the Top 5 Upgrade requests at check-in. Also could not Frequent Flyer Daddy transfer some of his Miles into her Family Group and get her an upgrade.

Safety requirements for occupying an Extra-legroom Seat.

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_JP/manageyourtrip/travelextras/extralegroomseat#Safety

I don't know wheter he ankle situation satisfies this requirement and others, or not.

* Be able to promptly reach, lift and throw open the exit door in an emergency;

I'm not sure - I think in this situation it would depend on a doctor's certificate if they find out about what happened. About CX giving reduced cost for upgrading travel class - no way. CX are known to reject almost any reason for these types of things.

Safety requirements for occupying an Extra-legroom Seat.

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_JP/manageyourtrip/travelextras/extralegroomseat#Safety

I don't know wheter he ankle situation satisfies this requirement and others, or not.

* Be able to promptly reach, lift and throw open the exit door in an emergency;

Forgot about that - it seems purchasing an extra legroom seat is not an option.

We are flying to Hong Kong from Toronto in 2 days for her sister's wedding but she is very worried that she will be very uncomfortable sitting in economy class for a long period of time.

Ouch. From YYZ to HKG in two days? You're running into HK students' return home peak season, with their mothers (am I right?). That just stuffs things up.

If it wasn't that high demand then perhaps the easy way out is to find a row of three for your GF for any time the seat belt sign isn't on. No chance now.

And yes you and your GF are gonna be hemmed in like sardines. Feeling the impulse to kill your sister in law-to be now for scheduling a wedding smack in the middle of peak travel season?

"No" and "No" (to the two questions in the first paragraph). The cost of going to biz class is the fare difference, you're not going to be given a break due to a sprained ankle.

Are there tickets that cannot be upgraded even for full fare difference?

OP mentioned he bought a contract discount fare.

apart from Premium Economy (if it's on your flight), what about purchasing a second seat (using that contract/discount fare) for medical reasons?

https://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_HK/optional_services_fees

Extra Seat For Personal Comfort or Medical Reason

The additional charge for a 2nd seat requested by a passenger must not be less than the applicable fare paid by the passenger for the 1st seat.

my guess is that purchasing a second seat would be cheaper than upgrading to business class.

Are there tickets that cannot be upgraded even for full fare difference?

OP mentioned he bought a contract discount fare.

Although I'm not familiar, indeed it could be possible! In that case there isn't much the op-up can do. However, from the OP's tone I don't think paying the full fare difference is something on the table, regardless.

my guess is that purchasing a second seat would be cheaper than upgrading to business class.

That's correct but if the OP has a a leg problem I'm not sure what benefit a second Y seat would provide as the legroom does not change.

That's correct but if the OP has a a leg problem I'm not sure what benefit a second Y seat would provide as the legroom does not change.

The OP's girlfriend might benefit from some extra "stretching space" if the next seat is empty - she can stretch her affected leg sideways (which I find quite nice when I'm in Y - having rather short legs myself), or she can place a bag under the seat next to her and use it as a foot rest.

As far as I know (me being no orthopaedic surgeon :D), ankle "sprains" usually heal in a few weeks? A sprain lasting "2-3 months" sounds like something more serious.

And since the injury is an "ankle sprain", my assumption is that she probably doesn't need to stretch her legs fully straight?

Welcome to FT.

No offense - if airlines starts making accommodations for this kind of issues, the airlines is going to bankrupt.

I am sorry that your girlfriend sustained an injury. You want a free upgrade? Sure - but you have to be more convincing, like going to honeywell. It may work. Ankle sprain? Not really.

But it is not hurt to ask providing you don't mind embarrassing yourself.

BTW - airlines look at each person individually. Her father's travel pattern does not matter. As a matter of fact, a lot of people in here actually travel about 5-6 times between NA to HKG each year. Her father's pattern are light-weighed.

Why don't you try all since you have nothing to lose ! Ask for an upgrade at check in counter (remember to dress smartly and talk gently to the staffs) . Please dont ask things like " Can I have upgrade at a reduce cost" you will get I straight NO. Many tips to get free/ low cost upgrade available on youtube so try it. If they say yes then the extra cost from $0 to $X depends on you already (note that get upgrade for 1 person will always easier than for couple) . You can also try to explain nicely to FA during your flight for upgrade (a yes will often go with free upgrade) if the check-in staff says no to you.
Just try if you really need it ! otherwise I am not sure your ticket have the function to upgrade or either simply refund and get a new Buss class ticket.

P.S: loyalty cards of One World will help especially MPC of CX ;)

Why don't you try all since you have nothing to lose ! Ask for an upgrade at check in counter (remember to dress smartly and talk gently to the staffs) . Please dont ask things like " Can I have upgrade at a reduce cost" you will get I straight NO. Many tips to get free/ low cost upgrade available on youtube so try it. If they say yes then the extra cost from $0 to $X depends on you already (note that get upgrade for 1 person will always easier than for couple) . You can also try to explain nicely to FA during your flight for upgrade (a yes will often go with free upgrade) if the check-in staff says no to you.
Just try if you really need it ! otherwise I am not sure your ticket have the function to upgrade or either simply refund and get a new Buss class ticket.

P.S: loyalty cards of One World will help especially MPC of CX ;)

I am sorry Kyle although it's indeed and always no harm to try but people come up with these answers for a reason - they do fly CX a lot and they do know the airline.

I am not stopping you trying but what you said here will not work - e.g. Youtube tips, dressing smart, asking at counter, asking again at the cabin... stories about all these could be found in this forum. CX's operation is just very different from others - even it may sound against your common sense.

PS. Free upgrade to Business Class from Economy due to medical reasons - in my entire flying life, I have only heard about once case - that was with MH.

I am sorry Kyle although it's indeed and always no harm to try but people come up with these answers for a reason - they do fly CX a lot and they do know the airline.

I am not stopping you trying but what you said here will not work - e.g. Youtube tips, dressing smart, asking at counter, asking again at the cabin... stories about all these could be found in this forum. CX's operation is just very different from others - even it may sound against your common sense.

PS. Free upgrade to Business Class from Economy due to medical reasons - in my entire flying life, I have only heard about once case - that was with MH.

ya, we all know it's not easy for airlines like CX ,especially free upgrade to business class, but actually it do happens for a reason and for those who dared to ask for it ( of course it's pretty much depends on lucks and you MPC level ) but since the poster of this topic wish to upgrade but not refund and purchase for a full new Business Class ticket so I try best to suggest him a few solutions ! Agree with you that d medical reasons will not take any effect toward the staffs but with an empty Buss seat, some extra charges and w or w/o MPC will help somehow IF he tries . Btw, it's not my common sense at all, youtube just d way to help me to cut the long long explanation of how to ask smartly for an upgrade/ free upgrade LoL.
P.S: I am trying to give d poster some hope and so do you , give him some of your upgrade experiences of your entire flying life ! dont you ? cheers !

You want a free upgrade? Sure - but you have to be more convincing, like going to honeywell.

You mean if you have a business trip to the company that makes HVAC controllers? Who knew?

You mean if you have a business trip to the company that makes HVAC controllers? Who knew?

Sorry typo. I mean Honeymoon :D:D:D

Sorry typo. I mean Honeymoon :D:D:D

I have seen a couple begging at the HKIA gate for an upgrade to business because they are enjoying their honeymoon. The CX staff clearly replied in a polite sense: no, sorry, we don't entertain upgrades because they are having the honeymoon.

If they entertain upgrade requests like this, I will be the one 'who have honeymoons whenever they travel'.