Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Is it true that CX doesn't like to op-up people who've ordered special meals?

Hi guys,

last time I asked for a op-up the agent asked if I want to get rid of the custom meal I asked, because "it decreases your chances as CX don't like to op-up people with custom meal requests"

Is this true?

I do regulary order a special meal in economy. And would not give that up for some elusive op-up chance.

Absolutely true across virtually all airlines. The fastest way to get passed over for an invol upgrade (or even a last-minute voluntary upgrade using miles) is to have a special meal request noted in your PNR.

I received an opup on SQ several years ago while waiting in the Krisflyer lounge. I was called to the counter about 10 minutes before the flight started boarding. Chatting to the agent she mentioned that they had started to process another passenger for upgrade, but abandoned him when they realized he had a special meal request.

If the airline selects you for upgrade several hours before departure it may not be such an issue. Once the catering trucks have loaded the meals onboard it is simply ‘too hard’ to try and make the change and risk delaying the flight.

How about biz seat and economy catering on CX/KA? Is it possible?

Actually, not really, in the case of CX anyway. SQ doesn't op up much so it doesn't matter with them.

I was once op-up'd on CX but had a special meal ordered. The agent asked me if I needed the special meal and I said its okay to give it up. As I know CX usually caters more on their J class, I am ensured a meal.

On board the Purser came round and asked if I wanted the special meal or the J class meal. When given the choices I actually needed the special one as the I have a wheat allergy and J class offerings all had some form of wheat ingredient in it. The Purser simply asked the FA to put the special meal onto J class service ware and I was fine.

So it really depends on the situation... and yes, it will depend on how catering caters for that flight.

I've flown CX several times JFK-YVR and have found them to be very accomodating with my special meal requests even in last minute switch situations.

Two recent experiences:

I checked in at YVR for a return to JFK and the gate agent offered me appologies for a baggage irregularity on the way into yvr a few days earlier and extended an invitation to the Buisness class lounge prior to my flight.

While relaxing in the lounge, the YVR operations manager came to personally greet me and mentioned that she would love to upgrade me to J :)but she had no J kosher meals available. Needles to say, I welcomed the upgrade and took the Y kosher meal with no problem (the difference between y and j kosher out of YVR is the portion size...Thats it!)


Another time, I decided to excersise the wonderful fexibility of CX tickets and depart two days ahead of schedule from YVR. After clearing into the last available seat of a packed flight of spring break NY bound students I settled into my seat with no expectation of getting the kosher meal on my PNR.
The flight attendents were amazing! They brought back plates of fresh fruit (which satisfies Kosher standards) from J. Just as meal service was ending, the flight manager himself came to greet me with a F kosher meal he had that wasnt needed there. He was more than happy to see to it that I was accomodated.

So, they take the special meal requests pretty seriously!

Overall, I love CX!