Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Anyone had it with these CX MPO jokers?

Hi,

I am a MPO silver so almost next to no status, my boss and his wife are Diamond members (always travel on full fare first class).

I have noticed that MPO only invite certain Diamond members to their exclusive outings and parties. However, my boss got invited once and that was it. I read their recent magazine and noticed that these people in the pictures are the same people in the other parties! So, now, they must have another high tier diamond members in their secret list.

We've also tried to purchase Rugby Sevens tickets off them whom they are titled sponsors, we emailed them right after we were unable to buy them from box office, response is sorry, we don't have any. However, I've noticed that some other Diamond members were invited to purchase these tickets.... so....

I am sure these MPO jokers treat people according to their titles, nationality and company they worked for and not from their spending patterns. Or worst yet, if you know so and so in MPO or CX, you also get treated differently.

Anyone gets as frustrated as me with these people?:td::td:

Hi,

I am a MPO silver so almost next to no status, my boss and his wife are Diamond members (always travel on full fare first class).

I have noticed that MPO only invite certain Diamond members to their exclusive outings and parties. However, my boss got invited once and that was it. I read their recent magazine and noticed that these people in the pictures are the same people in the other parties! So, now, they must have another high tier diamond members in their secret list.

We've also tried to purchase Rugby Sevens tickets off them whom they are titled sponsors, we emailed them right after we were unable to buy them from box office, response is sorry, we don't have any. However, I've noticed that some other Diamond members were invited to purchase these tickets.... so....

I am sure these MPO jokers treat people according to their titles, nationality and company they worked for and not from their spending patterns. Or worst yet, if you know so and so in MPO or CX, you also get treated differently.

Anyone gets as frustrated as me with these people?:td::td:

You only have one life to live. I wouldn't worry about getting invited and you can move on with life.

They may have most of the tickets reserved for the air-ticket packages. Don't feel bad about that. There are more than 10,000 DMs, mostly in HK. They cannot possibly invite all DMs to all the events.

Hi,

I am a MPO silver so almost next to no status, my boss and his wife are Diamond members (always travel on full fare first class).

I have noticed that MPO only invite certain Diamond members to their exclusive outings and parties. However, my boss got invited once and that was it. I read their recent magazine and noticed that these people in the pictures are the same people in the other parties! So, now, they must have another high tier diamond members in their secret list.

We've also tried to purchase Rugby Sevens tickets off them whom they are titled sponsors, we emailed them right after we were unable to buy them from box office, response is sorry, we don't have any. However, I've noticed that some other Diamond members were invited to purchase these tickets.... so....

I am sure these MPO jokers treat people according to their titles, nationality and company they worked for and not from their spending patterns. Or worst yet, if you know so and so in MPO or CX, you also get treated differently.

Anyone gets as frustrated as me with these people?:td::td:

Hi Michelef, Welcome to FT!

I think I must be one of the lucky ones. A couple years ago when I was still living in Europe and only a Silver member (just made it every year to qualify, only flying coach) I was invited to go a full day sailing, including dinner and drinks. Got relocated to Asia (became Gold member) and was invited to a CX dinner and later on also got invited to a concert (well, it was a first come, first serve term). These are local initiatives of CX/Dragonair and not the fancy-fancy ones that will be published in CX Magazine. Only the big shots will get their pics in it :rolleyes: Hey, who cares!!! I am glad already I get invited for something:D

Hi Michelef, Welcome to FT!

I... Got relocated to Asia (became Gold member) and was invited to a CX dinner and later on also got invited to a concert (well, it was a first come, first serve term). These are local initiatives of CX/Dragonair and not the fancy-fancy ones that will be published in CX Magazine. Only the big shots will get their pics in it :rolleyes: Hey, who cares!!! I am glad already I get invited for something:D

You mean you were invited even you were GO?

Hi,

I am a MPO silver so almost next to no status, my boss and his wife are Diamond members (always travel on full fare first class).

I have noticed that MPO only invite certain Diamond members to their exclusive outings and parties. However, my boss got invited once and that was it. I read their recent magazine and noticed that these people in the pictures are the same people in the other parties! So, now, they must have another high tier diamond members in their secret list.

We've also tried to purchase Rugby Sevens tickets off them whom they are titled sponsors, we emailed them right after we were unable to buy them from box office, response is sorry, we don't have any. However, I've noticed that some other Diamond members were invited to purchase these tickets.... so....

I am sure these MPO jokers treat people according to their titles, nationality and company they worked for and not from their spending patterns. Or worst yet, if you know so and so in MPO or CX, you also get treated differently.

Anyone gets as frustrated as me with these people?:td::td:

Another reason why I dumped CX MPO... colonial cronyism. Remnants from the British rule, and yes, Swire/CX management forgot their British empire patrons moved out of HK 12 years ago and they're still living in their royal fantasy.

This type of brand marketing doesnt work if you're hoping to groom new customers but you alienate them, it is best reserved for magazines like Hong Kong Tatler. It's like going to a Ferrari car show where they kick people out and only let their current clients in, or those who have 9 digit account balances.

From a marketing point of view it also makes me wonder why there aren't any PRC clients invited to these events, it seems like CX's events are geared for expats but I think its time to realize the expat population is getting smaller and PRC passengers are willing to pay top dollar for anything.

I actually don't care if I get invited to any of their parties but my boss does! Sevens is one of the biggest event (for him) of the year and that's why we had been scouting for tickets ultra early to make sure him and his friends could have tickets to go! We are not even looking for freebies, just wanting to buy some from CX whom I know has a bunch of tix cos they are titled sponsor.

This morning, my friend from CX Marketing told me that they do have tix but MPO never requested for us. They are now sitting on the tix and if nobody they like wants them, they will let us purchase them!!!!!!! I felt like we are beggars. My boss is NOT a John Doe and he has his status but I don't think that's enough for those MPO jokers!

Agree with ssw207, their colonial cronyism sickens me.

I wouldn't worry about getting invited and you can move on with life.
I don't find it necessary at all to attain Invitation as the current Diamond suits us more than enough.

I don't care at all about rugby events. But that's another discussion topic.

I'd think a lot of the PRC customers actually appreciate more traditional Chinese pastimes and possible events should be geared towards that taste. Not much point to invite someone who has never even heard of Rugby to the Sevens.

You mean you were invited even you were GO?

YUP

From a marketing point of view it also makes me wonder why there aren't any PRC clients invited to these events, it seems like CX's events are geared for expats but I think its time to realize the expat population is getting smaller and PRC passengers are willing to pay top dollar for anything.

That's interesting, last time when I got the invitation for the concert the email wasn't bcc'd , so I could see all the emails from other invites!! Not really smart from CX/Dragonair. And judging from that email I did noticed that most of the emails addresses were from MNC's. Maybe jumping to quick to conclusion to say that only expats are working for MNC's:). However the names were def not Chinese :D:D

Only those with HK addresses are invited to HK events. Those with addresses in Mainland China are likely not to be invited to HK events. I registered my USA address, and have only been invited to US events, but the last time was almost a year ago.

The thing is, CX is not quite up-to-date with the current demographics. I'm pretty sure corporate travel demands from MNC will diminish vs PRC companies in HK. Unfortunately, alot of the expat business for CX right now is the "one way ticket back home", versus PRC companies where they fly teams of people to Europe and USA from HK, seeking for expansion and opportunities abroad as prices have fallen.

So its very puzzling why they are organizing so many events solely geared towards the expat community (or for the few locals who can assimilate into this crowd, as the pictures show on CX's Club mag)

For what it's worth, at all the CX events I attended as a Diamond, Asian faces outnumbered western ones, in some cases substantially so.

If you have a HKG registered address then the 4 page brochure that you get will be the one for HKG members, hence it will feature HK events. If you have a registered address on the mainland then I am pretty sure you will get a different 4 page insert which will have details of the corresponding events on the mainland.

For what it's worth, at all the CX events I attended as a Diamond, Asian faces outnumbered western ones, in some cases substantially so.

If you have a HKG registered address then the 4 page brochure that you get will be the one for HKG members, hence it will feature HK events. If you have a registered address on the mainland then I am pretty sure you will get a different 4 page insert which will have details of the corresponding events on the mainland.

As a US member, I never received any brochure, just emails on events once a while.

I received an invite soon after becoming a Diamond, and I wasn't able to attend due to the timing. I was quite annoyed too as it was the only event I would have been interested in: a tour of the catering facility at HKG.

I also received an invite to the Amex / CX card launch with a performance by some canto pop star (Sandy?). It was cancelled due to a typhoon. I don't know if that was an invite due to my Amex membership, or CX Diamond membership.

I use to get invited to events like 2 or 3 times a year.. but usually I turn them down so now I get about one invite a year which I still turn down.. but I guess if you turned them down enough (or even just once), they will stop bothering to send you an invite since they probably think you won't go anyways...

I use to get invited to events like 2 or 3 times a year.. but usually I turn them down so now I get about one invite a year which I still turn down.. but I guess if you turned them down enough (or even just once), they will stop bothering to send you an invite since they probably think you won't go anyways...

In most cases, I do not know my travel plan until a few days before departure. Unless I am sure to be in town, I will not do RSVP.

Most DMs are likely like that too. We are travelling so often that we will miss most events.

So, let me see if I understand you correctly. CX invites people to certain events based on some possibly subjective algorithm of spend with CX, miles flown, possible other benefit to CX (i.e., people of a certain level of status in government, business, etc.

And the problem with that is....?

There is no problem. Some people like to attend these events more often and some do not care that much. If there is any problem, it may just be that nobody here figures out what the algorithm is (if there is any).

Don't want to start a new topic separately, as we are discussing about the MPO Jokers here anyway:rolleyes:

I send an email through the website (after loggin into my account) to the MPO service center and it took them 6 days to reply! And they didn't even answered my question!!! Am I being to fussy about this? I am sure they have a service level target for replying to emails? If you notice that there is a backlog of emails you can put more people on to it .....or am I being naive again:(

Overall I am happy with CX but just sometimes, sometimes ...they get on my nerves.

PS: did you notice that you can't select " complaint" under the email category on their website?

Don't want to start a new topic separately, as we are discussing about the MPO Jokers here anyway:rolleyes:

I send an email through the website (after loggin into my account) to the MPO service center and it took them 6 days to reply! And they didn't even answered my question!!! Am I being to fussy about this? I am sure they have a service level target for replying to emails? If you notice that there is a backlog of emails you can put more people on to it .....or am I being naive again:(

Overall I am happy with CX but just sometimes, sometimes ...they get on my nerves.
Any reason you didn't call them instead? Their phone service to Gold and above members is excellent in terms of no phone queue etc

And they didn't even answered my question!!!this is very true from my experience...they don't usually address my questions directly, or only selectively address some of the minor issues...

Any reason you didn't call them instead? Their phone service to Gold and above members is excellent in terms of no phone queue etc

Normally when I want a direct answer I will call them. And I must say as GO they pick up really quick!^ And the service is pretty good!

For matters that won't need direct reply I normally email them ..... even though not urgent, waiting for 6 days for a reply is a bit too long in my opinion.

Slightly OT, but if your boss is such a huge fan of the Sevens every year, why not just do what most of us do - join up to a rugby club and get a social membership. For HK$500 per year, I get discounts at loads of bars around town, and am entitled to purchase two tickets to the Sevens through the club. Last year the entitlement stretched to the Bledisloe Game too - I was given the option to purchase two tickets to that, prior to the public sale.

Given that your boss flies full fare first, I'm guessing that $500 a year should be affordable to effectively guarantee him tickets to the rugby.

Hi,

I have noticed that MPO only invite certain Diamond members to their exclusive outings and parties. However, my boss got invited once and that was it. I read their recent magazine and noticed that these people in the pictures are the same people in the other parties! So, now, they must have another high tier diamond members in their secret list.


I am sure these MPO jokers treat people according to their titles, nationality and company they worked for and not from their spending patterns. Or worst yet, if you know so and so in MPO or CX, you also get treated differently.

Anyone gets as frustrated as me with these people?:td::td:

Don't know why you would to attend these "events" anyway. Full of the Tatler-type crowd, whose sole reason for existing are these vacuous functions, along with LV launches etc. Never bother myself, have better, more fulfilling things to do.

Don't know why you would to attend these "events" anyway. Full of the Tatler-type crowd, whose sole reason for existing are these vacuous functions, along with LV launches etc. Never bother myself, have better, more fulfilling things to do.

The last one I went to is a Asian Flim Festival in San Francisco about a year ago. After the movie, there was a reception at a place that we can walk out to see San Francisco at night. That was a very good event. CX was one of the sponsors, but most of the guests have nothing to do with CX.

:pDon't know why you would to attend these "events" anyway. Full of the Tatler-type crowd, whose sole reason for existing are these vacuous functions, along with LV launches etc. Never bother myself, have better, more fulfilling things to do.

The problem of these Tatler-type high visibility event is it excludes a lot of your customer base (namely the GOs and SLs in CX's context) and it is done in a very visible in-your-face way, to the point where its like "CX invited me to their party and you didnt get one", something which is done by primary school kids birthday parties.

Having these photos in the back of the club magazine is one of the dumbest marketing strategy one can come up with. It is perfectly OK to have exclusive events but it is not good PR if you're sending messages to your other clients that you're not good enough for it.
Airline travel is not the same as luxury consumer brands. LVMH, Gucci, Prada etc. generates sales of their products by associating with famous people and exclusivity as people want to imitate the style and social attention portrayed at these events.

A picture of a bald DM guy crossdressed in a hideous white fur coat sipping Dom P at a CX event does not really stimulate my desire to travel in CX F. (look at this quarter's Club magazine :p ) and I hope he doesnt sit next to me on any CX flight. Nor that lady who is so happy to drop her Chinese maiden name in favor for her expat husband's western family name really makes this a cool, elite social event.


Whoever heads the marketing department needs to be sacked, just like the Business Class Product Manager.

:p

The problem of these Tatler-type high visibility event is it excludes a lot of your customer base (namely the GOs and SLs in CX's context) and it is done in a very visible in-your-face way, to the point where its like "CX invited me to their party and you didnt get one", something which is done by primary school kids birthday parties.

Having these photos in the back of the club magazine is one of the dumbest marketing strategy one can come up with. It is perfectly OK to have exclusive events but it is not good PR if you're sending messages to your other clients that you're not good enough for it.
Airline travel is not the same as luxury consumer brands. LVMH, Gucci, Prada etc. generates sales of their products by associating with famous people and exclusivity as people want to imitate the style and social attention portrayed at these events.

A picture of a bald DM guy crossdressed in a hideous white fur coat sipping Dom P at a CX event does not really stimulate my desire to travel in CX F. (look at this quarter's Club magazine :p ) and I hope he doesnt sit next to me on any CX flight. Nor that lady who is so happy to drop her Chinese maiden name in favor for her expat husband's western family name really makes this a cool, elite social event.


Whoever heads the marketing department needs to be sacked, just like the Business Class Product Manager.

Perhaps that person who heads the marketing department is either of type involved. ;)

:p


A picture of a bald DM guy crossdressed in a hideous white fur coat sipping Dom P at a CX event does not really stimulate my desire to travel in CX F. (look at this quarter's Club magazine :p ) and I hope he doesnt sit next to me on any CX flight. .

Well I am glad I don't go either to these events, I would not want you to comment on my look !!
BTW, if you really fly F, you have no risk of sitting next to your fur addict friend, unless of course you invite him to dine in front of you :)

Fly and let fly...Have some HKG former Uni classmates who like Tatler. ;)

Don't want to start a new topic separately, as we are discussing about the MPO Jokers here anyway:rolleyes:

I send an email through the website (after loggin into my account) to the MPO service center and it took them 6 days to reply! And they didn't even answered my question!!! Am I being to fussy about this? I am sure they have a service level target for replying to emails? If you notice that there is a backlog of emails you can put more people on to it .....or am I being naive again:(


it took them 4 days to reply my voice message on the MPC operator.... by that time i already have got a ticket issused though another collegue of theirs...

Btw, anyone been invited to these CX events and actully enjoyed them?

Yes. In my days as a Diamond I went to three:
- racing at Shatin
- dinner at Spring Moon (to launch some new in flight wine)
- a wine-tasting dinner at The Peninsula Garden Suite

I enjoyed them all very much. To be honest Spring Moon is not my favourite type of cuisine, so I'm glad I tried it at someone else's expense, and the dinner was enlivened at our table by the tales of an ex-RHKP officer.

There were a couple of others that I was invited to but couldn't make.

I also got paid several thousand HK$ to spend a few hours at Cathay City and give feedback on the latest generation of First class seats when they were in the prototyping stage. They ended up alright, despite them ignoring pretty much all of my comments :)

. They ended up alright, despite them ignoring pretty much all of my comments :)

Prob because you comments might be conflicting with most of the other participants and didn't make commercial sense?:D

I got invited to a number of things over the years (in both HK and UK). Ranging from Xmas Dinners at the Dorchester (China Tang), to horse races and unveiling of new products. I enjoyed the event every time as the management/staff there do at least make a token effort to speak to you and after all it is FREE, so can't complain. Also not trying to show my age:D but one of the first events I got invited was a LONG TIME ago when there was the Young Discovers Club and it was an outing to the TVB studios and an UNLIMITED all u can eat McDonalds lunch. :D:D