Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Upgrade from Y to J or directly book a J award?

Hi guys, I am relatively new at this whole awards thing. I have read many of the posts regarding upgrades and award flights, but still have some questions and hope some of you guys can help me out here.

I am travelling on July 20th (in two days) LAX - HKG on an L fare ticket. I know that I cannot upgrade this ticket using asia miles because its a discounted fare. My return trip on September 24th is also a L fare ticket. I did not know that I could not upgrade using these subclass tickets, but is there anyway that I can perhaps pay extra to make the L fare ticket to a upgradable fare class(K or above)?

Also, I will be travelling again from LAX - HKG round trip during December-January(I know high season). Most of the tickets for those times are already high enough. Should I waitlist for award J tickets, or should I purchase upgradable economy tickets and then do upgrade to J? Which should I go with because I know that its very high season during the time of travel. I plan to travel around Dec 15 and return before Jan 6th.

What also confuses me is do I need to purchase a ticket first before I upgrade, or can I just simply book it and call MPC? Do they give mileage upgrades months before hand or do I need to wait until a few days before the travel date?


Sorry for so many questions, thanks in advance!

First of all, which FLT are you on? Unless you are on CX881 on the way out, I see little chance that you can secure a UG or a redemption seat in J.


120JULLAXHKG¤CX«

20JUL FRI LAX/PDT HKG/¥15
CX RESPONSE ** DIRECT CONNECT PARTICIPANT **
13CX 881 F1 A1 J9 C9 D9 I9 LAXHKG 0130 0715¥1 77W 0
Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O6
14CX 885 F0 A0 J2 C1 D1 I1 LAXHKG 1255 1850¥1 77W 0
Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9
15CX 883 F1 A1 J1 C1 D1 I0 LAXHKG 2350 0540¥2 77W 0
Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V8 S9 N9 Q7 O0


I believe that most FTers here agree that the UG award is more valued, especially given that ex-US J fares are pretty expensive. I would suggest you to first see if UG is available before paying up the K fare (unless in your winter trip M or below is no longer available). As long as you have a K or above booking, MPO can book you a UG booking 360 days before departure. No need to issue TKT in advance but be prepared MPO can only give you usually 1 week to issue the award (and you have to issue the K TKT before the UG can be issued).

i am on the cx883 flight at 23:50.. but i have a L class fare for that leg, i assume i cannot upgrade to J using miles anyways?

i am on the cx883 flight at 23:50.. but i have a L class fare for that leg, i assume i cannot upgrade to J using miles anyways?

Welcome to FT and the CX forum, yeungm1!

You might be able to upgrade to K class. Have you tried asking CX (or your TA if it's not book through a TA) about upselling policy associated with your fare? Even if they tell you no can't do, you can still try to ask at the check-in counter. My friend was told by couple of MPC agents that his ticket could not be up sold to K class but when asked at check-in, the check-in agent said that could be done.

Welcome to FT and the CX forum, yeungm1!

You might be able to upgrade to K class. Have you tried asking CX (or your TA if it's not book through a TA) about upselling policy associated with your fare? Even if they tell you no can't do, you can still try to ask at the check-in counter. My friend was told by couple of MPC agents that his ticket could not be up sold to K class but when asked at check-in, the check-in agent said that could be done.

Thanks for the replies guys!

I asked CX and they said I needed to rebook the ticket(refund and rebuy another one) if I wanted it to be in the other subclasses. I pretty much gave up on it because theres only like 1 J class ticket left on that flight anyways.

But do you guys think I might get a upgrade with miles to J class during the winter high season trip though?

But do you guys think I might get a upgrade with miles to J class during the winter high season trip though?

Definately possible.
1. Call MPO to check UG availability (CX's website shows award availability, which is usually a good indication to UG availability).
2. Call CX or TA to make a K booking (but do not pay for it yet).
3. Call MPO to make a UG booking.
4. Pay for the K booking before the UG booking deadline passes.
5. Issue the UG.

I asked CX and they said I needed to rebook the ticket(refund and rebuy another one) if I wanted it to be in the other subclasses. I pretty much gave up on it because theres only like 1 J class ticket left on that flight anyways.


That's what my friend was told but he was able to upgrade to K class by paying the fare difference at LAX. So doesn't hurt to ask again at check-in. The worst could happen is they tell you no. And if you do it at the airport, they wouldn't charge you the fare difference unless the upgrade has been cleared too.

That's what my friend was told but he was able to upgrade to K class by paying the fare difference at LAX. So doesn't hurt to ask again at check-in. The worst could happen is they tell you no. And if you do it at the airport, they wouldn't charge you the fare difference unless the upgrade has been cleared too.

I think I will try doing that when I get to the airport on the day I leave. That way, I wouldn't have to pay the refund fee. Also, what would it usually be for the fare difference between L and K fares? I will be travelling on Sept 24th.

Thanks in advance

I think I will try doing that when I get to the airport on the day I leave. That way, I wouldn't have to pay the refund fee. Also, what would it usually be for the fare difference between L and K fares? I will be travelling on Sept 24th.

Thanks in advance

I don't know but my friend paid USD100 to upgrade to K one-way on LAX-HKG last Sep.

I don't know but my friend paid USD100 to upgrade to K one-way on LAX-HKG last Sep.

Did your friend upgrade to J after he upgraded his class fare? I would assume that would be the only reason why a person would upgrade a subclass fare.

Did your friend upgrade to J after he upgraded his class fare? I would assume that would be the only reason why a person would upgrade a subclass fare.

Yes.

And I should add, I don't remember what his original sub-class was. It could be M instead of L.

Yes.

And I should add, I don't remember what his original sub-class was. It could be M instead of L.

Would it matter if it was M or L since they both aren't eligible for upgrade?

Would it matter if it was M or L since they both aren't eligible for upgrade?

The fare differences are different and of course even with the same sub-class, fare rules could be different too.