Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - downgrade offered on HKG-LHR tonight

I know this came up a while back with regard to a transpacific flight, but CX is offering 21,250HK$ to downgrade J -> Y on the flight to Heathrow tonight. It was made up of 19,250 as the fare difference between J and Y (regardless of ticket class held) plus a further 2,000HK$ as a goodwill payment.

Oh well, just another reference point...

my question to the board is: Would you take this offer?

Personally, I'd take it if I were on expenses or if i was on an upgrade ticket. If I paid J, then obviously I wouldnt take it.

Interesting! I wonder if this offer applied to holders of U class (award/upgrade) tickets? :confused:

I know this came up a while back with regard to a transpacific flight, but CX is offering 21,250HK$ to downgrade J -> Y on the flight to Heathrow tonight. It was made up of 19,250 as the fare difference between J and Y (regardless of ticket class held) plus a further 2,000HK$ as a goodwill payment.

Oh well, just another reference point...

Was that on 251 or 255?

It is not too bad given an I Class ticket return is 24000HKD from TPE. I might consider it if they offer it to me on Monday night (although the flight does not look as overbooked as you guys tonight (I was on WL tonight originally but gave up).

are you kidding me? I'd defenitely take it.

The flight arrives into LHR on Sunday, so even if I were flying for business purpose, I can get a good rest for a whole day before going to work. Besides, it's a big bonus if company paid for my flights. I can use that 20k and get nice gift for my wife.

someone will be happy.

They give it in cash or travel vouchers?

I'll be in F on tonight's 255, so I'll keep an eye on any offers given out. What's disappointing is, they have substituted 744s in place of 74As on 255 for the last two nights!

They give it in cash or travel vouchers?

they give cash

are you kidding me? I'd defenitely take it.

The flight arrives into LHR on Sunday, so even if I were flying for business purpose, I can get a good rest for a whole day before going to work. Besides, it's a big bonus if company paid for my flights. I can use that 20k and get nice gift for my wife.

someone will be happy.I had a similar offer recently to go from J-->Y when I was flying J from Hkg to Syd. The ticket was paid by my company, and whilst CX were going to pay me cash (about US$1200), the question was whether it was my money to keep or I needed to return it to the company. Whilst it would be very unlikely the company found out, I thought my job was more important, and I could enjoy a "flat" bed as opposed to sitting upright on the overnite flight, so I declined the offer.

I had a similar offer recently to go from J-->Y when I was flying J from Hkg to Syd. The ticket was paid by my company, and whilst CX were going to pay me cash (about US$1200), the question was whether it was my money to keep or I needed to return it to the company. Whilst it would be very unlikely the company found out, I thought my job was more important, and I could enjoy a "flat" bed as opposed to sitting upright on the overnite flight, so I declined the offer.

this doesn't sound like such a lucrative offer considering a J ticket return is worth HKS 34000.

they have substituted 744s in place of 74As on 255 for the last two nights!

Can you please let us know whether you get the 74A or not because I will switch to 251 if 255 turns out to be a 744.

they give cash

So 21,250HK$ is around 2,700USD. Are you saying they give you that much cash at the ticket counter?

I'm used to flying AA, and the most I've seen them give people for J to Y downgrades is a measly $1,000 voucher (not even sure about the fare difference!).

What's disappointing is, they have substituted 744s in place of 74As on 255 for the last two nights!

Another bad decision by CX to reduce the number of J seats on 747s by eliminating the 74J configuration?

Another bad decision by CX to reduce the number of J seats on 747s by eliminating the 74J configuration?

They might introduced a high capcity J Class version of the 74A later?

That was on 255 and again it was switched from a new style back to an old style a/c a few hrs before departure.

However, having flown in new J on a 330 last week, I'm definitely in the no camp. The seat is fine for sleeping, but not much else. TV monitor almost falling off its hinges already, and by leaving the armrest in a certain position and putting the seat upright, it made a great ripping noise as most of the back of the seat (where there's that small triangular tray) decided to move up the wall with the back of the seat.

FWIW, it was also as expected a nightmare to use with the kids (see my previous posts) and means CX is off the list for us from now on.

Ho hum.

Interesting to see a letter in the SCMP yesterday slagging off new J class too!

However, having flown in new J on a 330 last week, I'm definitely in the no camp. The seat is fine for sleeping, but not much else. TV monitor almost falling off its hinges already, and by leaving the armrest in a certain position and putting the seat upright, it made a great ripping noise as most of the back of the seat (where there's that small triangular tray) decided to move up the wall with the back of the seat.
The ripping noise is the separation of Velcro. That panel with the triangular tray is held there by velcro (!!) and because the seatback and armrests don't fit well into the shape, the friction of the fabric brings that tray surround up when making the seat upright.

More bad design, and another example of how flimsy the new seat is.

my question to the board is: Would you take this offer?

Personally, I'd take it if I were on expenses or if i was on an upgrade ticket. If I paid J, then obviously I wouldnt take it.
I was offered £970 to downgrade from J to Y on a flight from LHR to HKG. I had upgraded using miles.

I still didn't take the offer, as it cost me more than £970 to get the miles needed to get an upgrade award, and getting upgrades has been, IME, increasingly difficult on the LHR-HKG route.

I'm typing this in the AA Arrivals Lounge.

Flight CX255 HKG-LHR, 7 January

Checked in at F podium at around 2250, my baggage were taken away and the process was hassle free.

I arrived at the F side of The Wing at 2310, and it seemed to be very crowded. I then walked over to the J side and see if any offers were given out. Apparently, a party of three were involuntaily downgraded at check-in and are now trying back to J at the counter. One of them was so rude and said: "You have just completely ruined the holiday! Ruined!" I feel very bad for the lounge agent as it wasn't her fault.

They started paging passengers on my flight to see if anyone would take the cash and voluntarily downgrade. Many announcements were made, but I didn't know what the offer was. I think those three ended up in J, though.

As I was waiting to board, I was asked if I was travelling alone and I said yes. The agent offered a compensation of HKD 1,500 to fly next day. Perhaps I didn't look like an F pax so they picked me. I didn't say anything and just pulled out my F BP. I was last to board F.

Damn, the offer was pathetic. HKD 1,500 for Y? LHR often offers 300 quid and sometimes up to 450 quid plus accomodation and meals!

Damn, the offer was pathetic. HKD 1,500 for Y? LHR often offers 300 quid and sometimes up to 450 quid plus accomodation and meals!

Wait...they were offering HKD1500 to downgrade J to Y!?!?!? Or they were offering HKD1500 plus accommodation to stay the night, and go the following day in J as well?

I'm typing this in the AA Arrivals Lounge.

Flight CX255 HKG-LHR, 7 January

Checked in at F podium at around 2250, my baggage were taken away and the process was hassle free.

I arrived at the F side of The Wing at 2310, and it seemed to be very crowded. I then walked over to the J side and see if any offers were given out. Apparently, a party of three were involuntaily downgraded at check-in and are now trying back to J at the counter. One of them was so rude and said: "You have just completely ruined the holiday! Ruined!" I feel very bad for the lounge agent as it wasn't her fault.

They started paging passengers on my flight to see if anyone would take the cash and voluntarily downgrade. Many announcements were made, but I didn't know what the offer was. I think those three ended up in J, though.

As I was waiting to board, I was asked if I was travelling alone and I said yes. The agent offered a compensation of HKD 1,500 to fly next day. Perhaps I didn't look like an F pax so they picked me. I didn't say anything and just pulled out my F BP. I was last to board F.

Damn, the offer was pathetic. HKD 1,500 for Y? LHR often offers 300 quid and sometimes up to 450 quid plus accomodation and meals!


Absolutely pathetic. 1500 doesnt even get you a hotel room and a meal. Not to mention the price of inconvenience of flying out the next day. C'mon CX! you can do better than that!

Absolutely pathetic. 1500 doesnt even get you a hotel room and a meal. Not to mention the price of inconvenience of flying out the next day. C'mon CX! you can do better than that!

I think the 1500 is compensation payment. Hotel/Taxi/Meals etc.. will be provided on top of this. This should be Y Class pax with no status.

I have confirmed that the price quoted by the op is correct. There is actually a complete list in CUPID that list out the compensation Y-J, F-J and delay, IDB etc...

However the compensation quoted by the op is applicable to publish fares only meaning NO award tickets. The CSO will jsut check the plate fo the ticket and will not look ar the detail fare. Which means even if you have an I Class tix they will just look the pirce printed on the tix and not the actual price charged.

I think the 1500 is compensation payment. Hotel/Taxi/Meals etc.. will be provided on top of this. This should be Y Class pax with no status.

I have confirmed that the price quoted by the op is correct. There is actually a complete list in CUPID that list out the compensation Y-J, F-J and delay, IDB etc...

However the compensation quoted by the op is applicable to publish fares only meaning NO award tickets. The CSO will jsut check the plate fo the ticket and will not look ar the detail fare. Which means even if you have an I Class tix they will just look the pirce printed on the tix and not the actual price charged.

Or is the $1500 compensation for the F class pax to travel in F the day after?

Since there is no compensation offered to award tickets does this mean that fare-paying pax will be asked to downgrade while award pax will be filling the cabin? Ironic really.

Wait...they were offering HKD1500 to downgrade J to Y!?!?!? Or they were offering HKD1500 plus accommodation to stay the night, and go the following day in J as well?
Absolutely pathetic. 1500 doesnt even get you a hotel room and a meal. Not to mention the price of inconvenience of flying out the next day. C'mon CX! you can do better than that!
Or is the $1500 compensation for the F class pax to travel in F the day after?

Since there is no compensation offered to award tickets does this mean that fare-paying pax will be asked to downgrade while award pax will be filling the cabin? Ironic really.

Sorry I didn't make things clear. HKD 1,500 is for Y pax who are willing to give up their seat on the flight and travel the next day. No accomodation nor meals offered AFAIK.

F was full but not overbooked. I looked at the pax manifest and to my surprise there was only one DM, one GO (me) and one Emerald in F. Not a high season for elites to travel perhaps?

Or is the $1500 compensation for the F class pax to travel in F the day after?

Since there is no compensation offered to award tickets does this mean that fare-paying pax will be asked to downgrade while award pax will be filling the cabin? Ironic really.


Actually no for award pax there will still be compensation, but it will not be the full rate as revenue pax.

It will be likely to downgrade or IDB non rev/award pax before rev pax.

Sorry I didn't make things clear. HKD 1,500 is for Y pax who are willing to give up their seat on the flight and travel the next day. No accomodation nor meals offered AFAIK.

F was full but not overbooked. I looked at the pax manifest and to my surprise there was only one DM, one GO (me) and one Emerald in F. Not a high season for elites to travel perhaps?

i will ask tonight at the airport but I think they should offer more than that.

Did you get opup to F or was it a purchased F?

I don't think CX or SQ overbook F Class?

I am hoping for an opup tonight!:D

Sounds like this is happening a lot these days. We (4 of us) were offered cash to take a later flight to Vietnam not long ago. The offer was pretty average - HK$600 each. Given that this meant arrival at around 8:30pm (meaning a v late dinner and checkin to the hotel) rather than at 3 or 4pm, there was no way we were taking it, esp for $600.

iI don't think CX or SQ overbook F Class?



Well, the sheet the agent showed me with compensation payouts for downgrades had a F->J section on it, suggesting that F was oversold on CX255 on Saturday night.

I think one of the problems CX has run into of late is that they were offering some very competitive fares in J to Aus/NZ from the UK over Christmas. This is a massive market and when their J class fares were available for the same money as EK J or BA WT+, they were clearly going to prove popular.

Lower deck on that 255 had at least three families of 4, then there was our group and another that had been split between the main and upper decks.

i will ask tonight at the airport but I think they should offer more than that.

Did you get opup to F or was it a purchased F?

I don't think CX or SQ overbook F Class?

I am hoping for an opup tonight!:D
I purchased F. Uh, if I were in J, I'd be pretty low down the list for an op-up, given the number of DMs in J I saw at The Wing!

Are you on 251 or 255 tonight?

i will ask tonight at the airport but I think they should offer more than that.

Did you get opup to F or was it a purchased F?

I don't think CX or SQ overbook F Class?

I am hoping for an opup tonight!:D



Good luck on the op up mate. let us know!

I have confirmed the compensation for taking an alternate flight (no Drop in class). It is FLAT 1500HKD for ALL class. HOWEVER the following is also included:

Hotel (if pax is not living in HKG)
Taxi Fare (Claim back at check in the following day)

Appreciation pack comprise of the following:

1) 1 way upgrade voucher (SA basis only so not in U or Z inventory, so it is standby upgrade)

2) 10kg extra luggage

3) Lounge admission certificate X 1

For Y Class I think this compensation is pretty good however for J and F I don't think it is that attractive.

They do normally try to bump Y pax off first off course

Oh BTW I did get F Class tonight! however only J meals loaded as NO F pax tonight! I gave up eating at Nobu tonight for this!:D

ALso as I type this message they are reading up a REALLY long Service Centre message and for all of us who treat the Wing/Pier as our alternate lounge/Dinning room this means OPUP Galore!:D

I have confirmed the compensation for taking an alternate flight (no Drop in class). It is FLAT 1500HKD for ALL class. HOWEVER the following is also included:

Hotel (if pax is not living in HKG)
Taxi Fare (Claim back at check in the following day)

Appreciation pack comprise of the following:

1) 1 way upgrade voucher (SA basis only so not in U or Z inventory, so it is standby upgrade)

2) 10kg extra luggage

3) Lounge admission certificate X 1

For Y Class I think this compensation is pretty good however for J and F I don't think it is that attractive.

They do normally try to bump Y pax off first off course

Oh BTW I did get F Class tonight! however only J meals loaded as NO F pax tonight! I gave up eating at Nobu tonight for this!:D

ALso as I type this message they are reading up a REALLY long Service Centre message and for all of us who treat the Wing/Pier as our alternate lounge/Dinning room this means OPUP Galore!:D

Wow,how come no F pax on LHR flights? Even on lowly 253,my crew fd told me 5 seats were booked. Btw,which flight were you?

i will ask tonight at the airport but I think they should offer more than that.

Did you get opup to F or was it a purchased F?

I don't think CX or SQ overbook F Class?

I am hoping for an opup tonight!:D

rtwdone4, haha, you must be a DM and flying F for too long. An opup to F does not entitle a passenger to have F lounge access, unless he/she is a DM/EM.

CX seldom overbooks F. I am surprised too. DM cannot even have seat guarantee in F (I don't know if DMP can have that though). However, it does happen.

I have confirmed the compensation for taking an alternate flight (no Drop in class). It is FLAT 1500HKD for ALL class. HOWEVER the following is also included:

Hotel (if pax is not living in HKG)
Taxi Fare (Claim back at check in the following day)

Appreciation pack comprise of the following:

1) 1 way upgrade voucher (SA basis only so not in U or Z inventory, so it is standby upgrade)

2) 10kg extra luggage

3) Lounge admission certificate X 1

For Y Class I think this compensation is pretty good however for J and F I don't think it is that attractive.

They do normally try to bump Y pax off first off course
Not too attractive, but:
* The upgrade voucher can be good if you get it in a short haul flight and use it flying long haul.
* 10kg extra luggage - totally useless for me.
* That extra lounge admission certificate is good. I have a family of four, but only three of us can get in the lounge, unless I waste 10000 miles. BTW, is the certificate good for the passenger only or is transferrable? Is it good for the F lounge?

Oh BTW I did get F Class tonight! however only J meals loaded as NO F pax tonight! I gave up eating at Nobu tonight for this!:D

ALso as I type this message they are reading up a REALLY long Service Centre message and for all of us who treat the Wing/Pier as our alternate lounge/Dinning room this means OPUP Galore!:D

If flying Y (even J) on CX, I rather eat in the lounge. The food is great, and yes, they are my dining rooms. This is particularly the case when I take an early flight. I step out of my home QUIETLY, and take a shower and have breakfast in the Wing or Pier.

As I was waiting to board, I was asked if I was travelling alone and I said yes. The agent offered a compensation of HKD 1,500 to fly next day. Perhaps I didn't look like an F pax so they picked me. I didn't say anything and just pulled out my F BP. I was last to board F.

I know they will not ask a DM to VDB or downgrade at check-in. I suppose they will not ask a GO too. But I guess they were so desperate that they were asking people at the gate.

I know they will not ask a DM to VDB or downgrade at check-in. I suppose they will not ask a GO too. But I guess they were so desperate that they were asking people at the gate.

I think they should at least ask if frequent flyers want to downgrade or deboard (with an expectation that they will decline). Frequent flyers don't mind making a bit of money off their travels if their schedules are flexible...

At least at LHR they will post up a notice if there is overbooking.

OK an update from the flight:

They did Load F catering, PJs, Krug, Duvets etc...... and I find out there were at least 3 full rev pax so don't know what the CSO was talking about, maybe last minute changes? As I know one of the pax was originally on 251 and got switched to 255. Also I observed she is only AM and there is no I on her BP. I think incl myself there 4-5 opups to F and heaps of opups in J

Flight was delayed around 1 hour and there were 2 seats irrop. The 2 pax were obviously not happy and I don't know whether they managed to fix the seat to bed mode for 1 of them! I felt asleep so didn't know what happened.

Noticed the plane had new carpets around the seat area (darker)

I think they have introduced 3 FAs back into F Class as I noticed 3 of them throughout the whole flight and doesn't seem to be borrowed from J (as they were 100% full)

Catering was good and I really like the curry prawns, which I ate a few days ago in J Class, but in F you get fresher prawns the the rice is well cooked.

The Sago pudding was good but not as good as on the ground in a proper chinese restaurant.

Service was excellent as per my usual experience and I really enjoyed the flight.

However when we arrived it took around 20 minutes to get the aerobridge attached as the "Police have not arrived yet" according to the captain. So don't know what happened there.

They used Door 2L:mad: and when I got off can't see the police, maybe there went to the Y Cabin already?

Long walk to immigration as we got one of the far gates and the queues were massive. Luckily I had IRIS and it was working today in T3. Fast Track was also working

Took 25 minutes until my bags got out. I am getting pissed that F Class bags are not coming out first anymore as this happened on the last 4 flights in SIN/HKG/TPE/LHR! But given this is LHR it is still relatively better than my BA experience (1 hour wait before anything comes out of the belt).

I don't think there were any IDB at the gate last night as they managed to route people through FRA/CDG etc.... and prob best anyway given our delay. Also there were so many students! brings back memories!!!:D

I think their policy is definitely not to reroute students/UMs etc.. because of the legal liability they can cause.

I know they will not ask a DM to VDB or downgrade at check-in. I suppose they will not ask a GO too. But I guess they were so desperate that they were asking people at the gate.

I was told at LHR that it is CX policy not to VDB MPOs, and they will need special authorisation to do it.

Took 25 minutes until my bags got out. I am getting pissed that F Class bags are not coming out first anymore as this happened on the last 4 flights in SIN/HKG/TPE/LHR! But given this is LHR it is still relatively better than my BA experience (1 hour wait before anything comes out of the belt).

This is also often the case in SFO. F luggage is mixed with J and sometimes even after other luggage. I suppose they unload all interlined luggage first as everyone needs to go through custom at SFO.

In HKG, it also happened too. I flew PEK-HKG on KA. My luggage was tagged as F, but it got out with the J luggage last time (there was no F cabin on that flight). A few months earlier, I was also on a flight with no F cabin, and my luggage was out all by itself when I arrived at the carrousel. The J luggage came out later when I picked up mine.

rtwdone4, haha, you must be a DM and flying F for too long. An opup to F does not entitle a passenger to have F lounge access, unless he/she is a DM/EM.

Excuse me? Not in the CX I fly in. An op-up to J or F has always given Mrs. Pickles access to the relevant lounge. (Not me, I get the F lounge anyway).

Excuse me? Not in the CX I fly in. An op-up to J or F has always given Mrs. Pickles access to the relevant lounge. (Not me, I get the F lounge anyway).

When she was traveling by herself? Did CX give her the op-upped lounge invitation? If not, the lounge attendant should deny access when he/she saw her BP. The Wing/Pier should be pretty good in enforcing that.:confused:

Excuse me? Not in the CX I fly in. An op-up to J or F has always given Mrs. Pickles access to the relevant lounge. (Not me, I get the F lounge anyway).

I might be pulling the wrong gun and msg shall not be seen to be serious... has cxfan1960 always been op-uped on the gate rather than lounge/checkin?

In a more serious manner, I think maybe cxfan1960 is right (in contracted lounges at least) when i recall my only checkin opup experience in Sendai or Chitose (cant remember, but on a group ticket!!!). only I got lounge access while i managed to get 2 opup seats (I was with family, so 'no way' i would settle for 1. Actually, I've asked for 4 purely just for a matter of fact and was turned down with a smile on everyone's face)

This leads to another question... when it comes to MPO sharing PNR with non-status, how often would the op-up be for both pax? For the previous case, I've pushed for the 2nd seat(since they didnt know I was silver before checkin and i guess the whole group was under the same PNR or reference?). In another case, I was with mum but I went up to the gate first. BP inserted, BEEP, I paniced, saw the blue BP, then i panicked again that my mum would be left behind. By the time I wanted to say something, my mum's BP was in the machine and the alert went off again. so yes it was happy endings but it wasnt quite what i've heard here regarding opup and travel partners. and FWIW, I've OLCIed only myself cuz i wasnt bothered to ask my mum for her passport details just for the purpose.

I got op-ups at the gates, in the lounges and also at check-in. However, the last time I got op-upped was 12 flights ago.:(

The non-status does not even need to be on the same PNR. Once I got two PNRs linked together, and when we checked in together, the agent saw us and said if she could find us another op-up seat - and she did. I suppose J->F op-ups may be different.

I was never downgraded. I have a question - will the person downgraded also get the downgraded lounge access and downgraded mileage?

OK an update from the flight:

Flight was delayed around 1 hour and there were 2 seats irrop. The 2 pax were obviously not happy and I don't know whether they managed to fix the seat to bed mode for 1 of them! I felt asleep so didn't know what happened.

I think they have introduced 3 FAs back into F Class as I noticed 3 of them throughout the whole flight and doesn't seem to be borrowed from J (as they were 100% full)

Catering was good and I really like the curry prawns, which I ate a few days ago in J Class, but in F you get fresher prawns the the rice is well cooked.

The Sago pudding was good but not as good as on the ground in a proper chinese restaurant.

However when we arrived it took around 20 minutes to get the aerobridge attached as the "Police have not arrived yet" according to the captain. So don't know what happened there.

They used Door 2L:mad: and when I got off can't see the police, maybe there went to the Y Cabin already?

Long walk to immigration as we got one of the far gates and the queues were massive. Luckily I had IRIS and it was working today in T3. Fast Track was also working

Took 25 minutes until my bags got out. I am getting pissed that F Class bags are not coming out first anymore as this happened on the last 4 flights in SIN/HKG/TPE/LHR! But given this is LHR it is still relatively better than my BA experience (1 hour wait before anything comes out of the belt).


Were the two inop seats in F? Damn, if I was paying for that flight then I'd be mad! What was the rego?

I don't think they have gone back to three FAs in F. I had two on my flight although one FP came up from J for the dinner service. I thought the curry prawns and sago pudding were just so-so. I liked the Chinese appetizers and the Mushroom Cream soup though. I also had some Tie Guan Yin tea to wash it all down.

It took five minutes for the aerobridge to be attached to HKT and that was 6:15am. I deplaned from 2L too and had a long walk to immigration from gate 42. I didn't even use Fast Track, instead I headed for the non-EU line which had no queue. :cool:

It took over 30 minutes for the bags to come out but mine came out in the first batch. Every baggage carousel was full of people waiting for their bags. I guess the BAA workers are still unhappy and wanted to strike, lol. :D

Thanks for the update, rtwdone4. Quite informative. :)
It took over 30 minutes for the bags to come out but mine came out in the first batch. Every baggage carousel was full of people waiting for their bags. I guess the BAA workers are still unhappy and wanted to strike, lol. :D
On my recent CX253 flight, that wasn't the case. :) I had to run after my suitcase after clearing IRIS at LHR. :eek: :D ^

The reg is HKF so be careful of 1A and 3K if you are on this aircraft.

The IRIS was working well for the past 5 times I have been there in T3. It never opens in T1 or 4 when I am there.

As for lounge access if you are opup, the answer is NO unless you have access based on FFP. It is easily identifiable by the I on the BP.

Can someone please explain WHY do they use door 2L in LAX and most of the time in LHR?

I actually like the Curry Prawns compare to the Curry chicken they served on my SIN-HKG last month as the taste is more Hongky!:D

The Plain Congee is also a good breakfast item (it is listed as snack, but most Chinese pax order it with the dim sum as breakfast), however I must say it is a cost cut compare to the Abalone Congee I had before (despite the Abalone was really chewy).

I was never downgraded. I have a question - will the person downgraded also get the downgraded lounge access and downgraded mileage?

whenever I got downgraded (due to equipment change), mostly out of HKG, I always asked the check-in agent to make sure the appropriate original mileage is credited to my account, and then it would. but if I forgot, the downgraded mileage would be credited and it could be a pain asking MPO to credit the original mileage (claiming the usual phrase that you get mileage for the cabin you flew in, and you get the fare difference and goodwill payment already, etc). But if you ask at check-in when you got downgraded, it's usually not a problem at all.

I got op-ups at the gates, in the lounges and also at check-in. However, the last time I got op-upped was 12 flights ago.:(

The non-status does not even need to be on the same PNR. Once I got two PNRs linked together, and when we checked in together, the agent saw us and said if she could find us another op-up seat - and she did. I suppose J->F op-ups may be different.

I was never downgraded. I have a question - will the person downgraded also get the downgraded lounge access and downgraded mileage?

I was downgraded once on a full reward Z class ticket due to last minute aircraft change. F lounge invitation and F baggage tag were both given.

rtwdone4, thanks for the report.

I am surprised to know that heap of op-up in J was given since January should be a peak season in J and it never happened on me. :mad:

My bags were the 3rd and 4th one to come out on my 253 on Sunday. No gate was given to park and we stopped at the bay for 10 mins. I could get everything and arrive at the train station in 20 mins after stepping into the terminal.

I was downgraded once on a full reward Z class ticket due to last minute aircraft change. F lounge invitation and F baggage tag were both given.

But you are a DM - you get F lounge access and luggage tag anyway.:)

I am thinking about what will happen to someone without status.

When she was traveling by herself? Did CX give her the op-upped lounge invitation? If not, the lounge attendant should deny access when he/she saw her BP. The Wing/Pier should be pretty good in enforcing that.:confused:

Yes, traveling by herself. In my experience, the lounge attendant never sees the BP, only the invitation, which has no information on it regarding whether the traveler is an op-up or not. Now that I think of it, neither does the BP, so I don't know what you are talking about.

In her experience, an op-up comes with the relevant lounge access, at least for CX-operated lounges.

FWIW, the only time I was ever op upped by CX (at check in - Denpasar), they specifically said we couldn't use the lounge (was a Green member then).

FWIW, the only time I was ever op upped by CX (at check in - Denpasar), they specifically said we couldn't use the lounge (was a Green member then).

The DPS lounge is a shared lounge, not a CX lounge. And, really, you didn't miss much.

Yes, traveling by herself. In my experience, the lounge attendant never sees the BP, only the invitation, which has no information on it regarding whether the traveler is an op-up or not. Now that I think of it, neither does the BP, so I don't know what you are talking about.

In her experience, an op-up comes with the relevant lounge access, at least for CX-operated lounges.

If she got the lounge invitation, she needed not show her BP, but it should be printed with the lounge she was entitled to by original class or status, not the class op-upped to. I was just surprised.:confused:

If you compare the BP stub between an op-up one and a normal one, you can see the difference between them.;)

Anyway, have lounge access is good.:)

If she got the lounge invitation, she needed not show her BP, but it should be printed with the lounge she was entitled to by original class or status, not the class op-upped to. I was just surprised.:confused:

If you compare the BP stub between an op-up one and a normal one, you can see the difference between them.;)

Anyway, have lounge access is good.:)

Yes, if she was not op-upped she wouldn't get a lounge invite if traveling in Y. But when she has been op-upped to J, the lounge invite has been provided automatically. As for the BP differences, I just went through 3 years worth of CX BPs (I keep them, don't ask) and it seems that whenever I got op-upped there is an "I" below the seat entry. But not always, I'm certain a couple of my F trips were op-ups and that "I" is not there.

But you are a DM - you get F lounge access and luggage tag anyway.:)

I am thinking about what will happen to someone without status.

It came when I was a GO.

Yes, if she was not op-upped she wouldn't get a lounge invite if traveling in Y. But when she has been op-upped to J, the lounge invite has been provided automatically. As for the BP differences, I just went through 3 years worth of CX BPs (I keep them, don't ask) and it seems that whenever I got op-upped there is an "I" below the seat entry. But not always, I'm certain a couple of my F trips were op-ups and that "I" is not there.

The 'I' is the one I meant. Is Mrs. Pickles an OW Sapphire or MPC Silver or higher? In any event, if she was given a lounge invitation, then doesn't matter - just use it:).

Pickles, I have tickets and BPs from as far back as 1979!

I have always wondered what the I stood for on the op-uped boarding pass. I'm guessing involuntary (not that we mind the upgrade).

Pickles, I have tickets and BPs from as far back as 1979!

I have always wondered what the I stood for on the op-uped boarding pass. I'm guessing involuntary (not that we mind the upgrade).

I heard of a case many years ago. A couple from the Philippines declined an op-up to F because they wanted to stay with their friends. The airline, probably CX, made that involuntary. It eventually went to a court. I wondered whether CX is making that involuntary any more. They can always find another volunteer to op-up.

I travelled 11th Jan CX451 TPE-HKG, then 12th Jan HKG-LHR CX255, both scheduled to be 74As.

Assigned Seat 1A on B-HKU used on TPE-HKG. Boarded to be told by crew it was unable to recline, but there were three empty seats so was moved to 2A. Luckily, my onward flight I had booked 2A, as originally I was told this aircraft would continue on to LHR. Disembarked gate 40, but on the departure board I noted that this aircraft would operate as the CX251. Humph. Hoofed it to The Wing, and enquired what aircraft type we would have for the 255, as it had shown in the system since September that it would be a 74A. Luckily enough, it was still showing as a 74A, and we flew on B-HKD. Lighting problems on board meant sunrise/sunset mood lighting would trigger automatically, and did so about six times during the flight. Obviously some computer problems. I got the impression from the couple sitting in 3A/K that they had been moved from the CX251, perhaps because of seat issues in F.

Only two crew to look after nine pax - meant they worked very, very hard for the supper service, and breakfast was a bit messy - took 20 mins for them to clear my table after I had finished. They clearly needed an extra pair of hands from time to time. Still, food and drink were good, AVOD worked a treat, and the seat was very comfortable. Have hardly experienced any jet lag since arrival!

It seems that there are a lot of problems with the new seats on 74As. I flew HKV in F in December on LHR-HKG and seat 4D could not recline electrically already, and it was only supposedly its second long-haul flight after the retrofit.

Is this because the people at XMN can't retrofit the seats properly? :o

If she got the lounge invitation, she needed not show her BP, but it should be printed with the lounge she was entitled to by original class or status, not the class op-upped to. I was just surprised.:confused:

If you compare the BP stub between an op-up one and a normal one, you can see the difference between them.;)

Anyway, have lounge access is good.:)

I have got a downgraded lounge invitation before. They would invite you to the F lounges. Class was presented as J (downgrade from F).