Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Downgraded to Gold

Well my membership year just ticked over, and I was way short of requalifying for Diamond, approx 40,000 miles short. And I've been downgraded to Gold.

Thought CX might be more forgiving in this time of financial crisis, but not for me.

Boo hoo....

Thought CX might be more forgiving in this time of financial crisis, but not for me.


A few friends and colleagues I know were also downgraded to Gold after falling around 20-30k short of requalification - despite most of them having been Diamond for at least 4-5 years.

poor sxc

Well my membership year just ticked over, and I was way short of requalifying for Diamond, approx 40,000 miles short. And I've been downgraded to Gold.

Thought CX might be more forgiving in this time of financial crisis, but not for me.

Boo hoo....
Do you remember how many club miles you accumulated when you renewed your diamond membership this time last year?

Do you remember how many club miles you accumulated when you renewed your diamond membership this time last year?

Not much more than the 120,000 miles.

There's not much reason for CX to renew me to Diamond except for them doing a widespread relaxation of their policies due to the financial situation like they did during SARS.

If your travel pattern has reduced and will be so for the foreseeable future then it's not all that painful to have lost DMship, since you won't be flying much anyway. However, if the reduction of travel over the past several months was a temporary thing (e.g. birth of a child) then it's unfortunate timing. Either way, don't forget not to turn left after immigration! :p ... unless you are flying F.

If your travel pattern has reduced and will be so for the foreseeable future then it's not all that painful to have lost DMship, since you won't be flying much anyway. However, if the reduction of travel over the past several months was a temporary thing (e.g. birth of a child) then it's unfortunate timing. Either way, don't forget not to turn left after immigration! :p ... unless you are flying F.

Between 60,000 to 100,000 miles per year is still a lot of flying. It won't be painful, but it was nice while it lasted. Especially the buggy rides...

Between 60,000 to 100,000 miles per year is still a lot of flying. It won't be painful, but it was nice while it lasted. Especially the buggy rides...

Hmmm..never had the buggy rides :confused:

I guess not as many people are traveling because of the downturn in the global economy. I never fly close to 100K miles so my apex is always gold, but I fear that I might not requalify this year since I only have one more trip planned to HKG from now until Oct when my year ends! Usually I have at least 3 planned. Downgrade to ... SILVER! Honestly, I'll miss the seat-guarantee option most.

Hmmm..never had the buggy rides :confused:

If you are departing at gate 44+ then they will give you a buggy pass to get to the Pier or your gate. It's not an entitlement per the benefits so they may discontinue this at any time.

Gold proletarians of all countries, unite. ;)

If you are departing at gate 44+ then they will give you a buggy pass to get to the Pier or your gate. It's not an entitlement per the benefits so they may discontinue this at any time.

In fact, is that for Gate 40 and beyond?

Hmmm..never had the buggy rides :confused:

Were you only transiting in HKG?

In fact, is that for Gate 40 and beyond?yes, gate 40+ is my understanding too. although I don't quite understanding, if officially you're recommended to take the APM for gates 33+...why they don't give it for 33+ too...

Were you only transiting in HKG?
Yes, most of the time.

They are much better about it at HKIA check-in, I always get the passes for far gates there....however, frequently at the Airport Express check-in (at least in Central) they often don't pass them out.

Were you only transiting in HKG?
Yes, most of the time.

They are much better about it at HKIA check-in, I always get the passes for far gates there....however, frequently at the Airport Express check-in (at least in Central) they often don't pass them out.

The buggy passes are passed out at the CX/KA check-in counters. If you do not get that (or if you check in elsewhere), proceed to the Wing and present your BP. If the gate is far away, the lounge agent will issue a buggy pass. I do not know if that is applicable for transit, but you can still try at the Wing.

They are much better about it at HKIA check-in, I always get the passes for far gates there....however, frequently at the Airport Express check-in (at least in Central) they often don't pass them out.

I have asked at the airport express, and they have always told me to pick one up at the F check in desk at the airport.

The Official guidelines from CX is that they will give you a buggy voucher if your gate number is 40+

I have asked at the airport express, and they have always told me to pick one up at the F check in desk at the airport.

Good call, I just never have asked at in town checkin.

you mean even as a gold you can ask for it?

you mean even as a gold you can ask for it?

While it won't hurt asking, I believe only DM or higher can get buggy vouchers. I did not recall I got any when I was GO. I am not sure if non-CX-Emeralds get them.

While it won't hurt asking, I believe only DM or higher can get buggy vouchers. I did not recall I got any when I was GO. I am not sure if non-CX-Emeralds get them.I got it only once before when I was AA EXP but CX GO/GR - that time the agent gave it to me proactively (she probably made a mistake). afterwards I tried to ask every time when the gate was far and it's always refused, saying it's for CX DM or above only and not for other oneworld Emeralds...

It's DM and up only (travelling in any class). Even revenue F customers who are CX GO can't get them (which I find quite astonishing frankly).

you mean even as a gold you can ask for it?

I think you are confused. When I was a Diamond I asked for it. Now I'm a gold, and I changed my profile accordingly.

I noticed I can get one easier if checking in at the 1st class counter (landside) than at the lounge. I have been Diamond for a few months, and gotten two at check in, but none at the lounge even when I asked (but I thinks gate was high 30s not 40 plus)

I noticed I can get one easier if checking in at the 1st class counter (landside) than at the lounge. I have been Diamond for a few months, and gotten two at check in, but none at the lounge even when I asked (but I thinks gate was high 30s not 40 plus)

They are just as easy, but the gate number must be 40+.

I think I tend to agree with traveler18, if I remember right even for high 30s I had gotten them from the check-in agents but the experience at the CX lounges is quite a different story.

there's once where my flight was delayed for an hour and the gate was changed from sth like ~3 to ~36 (and the boarding announcement was made quite all of a sudden since the plane suddenly became ready to board after the delay). I thought as a courtesy the lounge agent would give me one esp given the situation - but I (together with 2 more DM colleagues on the same flight) was bluntly turned away by quite a rude agent (with the name Celia IIRC) saying that it's for gate 40 or above only, no exception, even though for gate 33+ you're recommended to take the APM...that's also how I came to know about this rule of gate 40+. I can understand if there's a rule they need to follow, but her attitude was just completely unacceptable.

there's also one instance when I asked for it at the Wing F lounge for my KA flight (I checked in at ITCI so no gate at that time yet and hence could only ask at the lounge when I knew the gate), and one male agent claimed that it's for CX flights only - I said I have been getting it for months for my KA flights. I argued with him for like 1-2 minutes before he then reluctantly called someone else and confirmed that I was correct, but then he murmured that it's a new change in rule etc (although it's been "new" for maybe a year already at that time)...

my overall experience at the lounge getting the buggy coupon is just quite a bit worse vs. at check in...

there's also one instance when I asked for it at the Wing F lounge for my KA flight (I checked in at ITCI so no gate at that time yet and hence could only ask at the lounge when I knew the gate), and one male agent claimed that it's for CX flights only - I said I have been getting it for months for my KA flights. I argued with him for like 1-2 minutes before he then reluctantly called someone else and confirmed that I was correct, but then he murmured that it's a new change in rule etc (although it's been "new" for maybe a year already at that time)...

Yes, these rules started when MPC also became the loyalty programme for KA, as far as I remember. It is just your luck, or lack of. I never had any problem with lounges or buggy passes.

I already have enough miles to renew for the next membership year. I am uncertain if I shall fly enough to renew for the year after. Whatever is happening to OP may happen to me.