Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - I Got An Upgrade

I flew CX880 from HKG to LAX on 1/1/2003. I picked this flight on this date because the new A340-600 was supposed to be used. I was disappointed that it wasn't. Instead, the Spirit of HK 747-400 was used on this flight.

Maybe CX knew that I was disappointed about the change of equipment, they upgraded me from economy to business, just kidding. The CX agent told me when I checkeded in that the flight was oversold in coach. Since I am an AAdvantage Gold member, I got the priority of an upgrade. It was a dream come true for me because I had never flown CX business. At the same time, I was suprised that CX would upgrade a low status member like me and I am not even an Asiamile or Marco Polo Club member.

We were on CX 882 also on 1/1/03 using an AA business class award. Y was also overbooked on our flight and CX upgraded us from J to F as they were "rolling" cabins. It was a great way to start the new year! The only downside was that it was my wife's first experience with F class on CX and now she tells me that she is hooked!

[This message has been edited by ak333 (edited 01-08-2003).]

CX/AA blah blah blah are all OW
you're not a low status member
being AA Gold places you over Asia Miles/MPC
Green members in the upgrade ladder.
anyways a lot of ppl i know coming back to YVR
from HKG who are AA Gold members got upgraded
the past week

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jakob:
CX/AA blah blah blah are all OW
you're not a low status member
being AA Gold places you over Asia Miles/MPC
</font>

That may be on paper but it's not really ever been like that in real life, most if not all experiences I've had were that the airlines own folks got priority, OW or not..

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by David Kung:
At the same time, I was suprised that CX would upgrade a low status member like me and I am not even an Asiamile or Marco Polo Club member.</font>

My wife has no status at all with CX: over the last couple of years she flew them only on 4 legs, but got upgraded on two of them!
Needless to say I'n jealous!

"blashblah blash" is probably right.

there had been multiple incidents that CX tend to treat AA elite better than MPO on the US routes.
note the official FFP for cx pax with residence in US is AADV

i read in one of the threads here before
and the upgrade ladder is like this on CX

MPC Diamond
OW Emerald
MPC Gold
OW Sapphire
MPC Silver
OW Ruby
MPC Green
Asia Miles

Actually the CX computer will upgrade base on :
CX Invitation Life
CX Diamond
CX Gold
Oneworld Emerald
CX Silver
Oneworld Sapphire
CX Green
Oneworld Ruby

But gate agents may just upgrade if the system can't find any more elite members. CX will always upgrade their own members ahead of other oneworld elites.

Does having a special meal reserved nix the opportunity for an upgrade on CX? Just wondering ... for some reason me thinks that the answer is yes ...

I always thought that CX was the one OW member that did things 'properly' according to OW, i.e. ranked OW emerald over their own gold (sapphire) members - unlike BA. I also saw from other posts that they have a pretty sophisticated system that tracks VFF in other programs and knows their revenue on CX. Certainly on CX101 last night there were at least 2 op'ups that were OW emd but no CX gold. By the way Number_6 you were absolutely right to rank CX F the best in OW.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hillrider:
Does having a special meal reserved nix the opportunity for an upgrade on CX? Just wondering ... for some reason me thinks that the answer is yes ...</font>

I don't know for a J to F upgrade but it doesn't seem to matter for a Y to J upgrade. We are talking about operationals, right?

I myself have once requested Asian vegetarian and got upgraded on NRT-HKG. I was told in the cabin, 'We have noted your special meal request.' But I told them I requested it because Asian vegetarian was better than general Y food. I requested Japanese meal, instead. The supply of Japanese meals is usually limited and operationally upgraded pax get lower priority, though, on NRT-HKG and vice versa.

I have also seen a few people apparently upgraded operationally and sat by me and given similar 'notes' about thier special meals. And I gather from what they got for meals, their entrees came from Y catering, while appetisers and others were the same as those given to other passengers.

upgrade y - j 16 jan nrt - hkg. About to board the plane. Was given a first class seat.

Jan 02, I had a Gulf Air very cheap ticket CDG-BKK return ( 450 € ). On the way back BKK-CDG the Gulf Air flight was cancelled and after 24 hours still not replaced. As a BA Gold/OW Emerald and Asia Miles Green I went to see CX in BKK to see if they could help me and put me in one of their flights with my Gulf Air ticket; not only did they handle it more than properly, but they also upgraded both of us ( my travelling companion had no status nor card) to Business on BKK-HKG-CDG.

BTW, the only question I asked at check-in was "could we have exit rows in Y please" - no upgrades asked.

And remember, all I had was a GULF AIR discounted economy ticket....

I was really surprised and told the CX woman how nice that was, and she said "it's natural sir you are one of our best customers " then added "even if you are on B.A. FFP, it's the same".

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pegasus8228:
"blashblah blash" is probably right.

there had been multiple incidents that CX tend to treat AA elite better than MPO on the US routes.
note the official FFP for cx pax with residence in US is AADV</font>

I have been a member of Asia Miles for years and am a US resident. How is the official FFP for CX PAX AAdvantage? I prefer to earn my status on CX as a Marco Polo member, opposed to enrolling in AA's program.


Kind Regards,
around the world

[This message has been edited by around the world (edited 08-09-2003).]