Birthday Upgrade?
May 16, 2017, 7:15 pm
#481
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,453
For the second year in a row and on the same flight (CX845), my sister, a SL, got the elusive double Y-W-J birthday upgrade/op-up combo. Not sure if one or the other trumps per se; I assume both times the flight was oversold enough in Y that she was going at least get an op-up to W regardless, but they decided to move her up to J again as a birthday gift rather than op-up a GR or non-member originally booked in W.
May 17, 2017, 9:10 am
#482
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
For the second year in a row and on the same flight (CX845), my sister, a SL, got the elusive double Y-W-J birthday upgrade/op-up combo. Not sure if one or the other trumps per se; I assume both times the flight was oversold enough in Y that she was going at least get an op-up to W regardless, but they decided to move her up to J again as a birthday gift rather than op-up a GR or non-member originally booked in W.
May 17, 2017, 11:02 pm
#483
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,453
This year she seems to have moved from Y straight to J. Seat alert came at T-6 or so, and when she checked she was already in row 25.
May 18, 2017, 10:22 am
#484
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Interesting...I do remember that lack of distinction between W and Y now that you bring it up. That said, last year I remember she first told me she was moved to W somewhere between T-12 and T-24, and then around T-6, voila, moved to J. Maybe what I described earlier was true in this case: an automatic, system-generated op-up to W, followed by manual intervention to move up to J on account of her birthday?
This year she seems to have moved from Y straight to J. Seat alert came at T-6 or so, and when she checked she was already in row 25.
This year she seems to have moved from Y straight to J. Seat alert came at T-6 or so, and when she checked she was already in row 25.
Jun 4, 2017, 9:15 pm
#485
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
In the latest Journey magazine (May 2017) there is confirmation that they try to upgrade people on their birthdays. Not that this was something we didn't know, but it's the first time I've seen acknowledgement of the practice.
Partnership & Communications Manager, Marco Polo
Club Elaine Kwan explains the rationale for the innovative
birthday greeting. “We try to build our relationships with our
members,” she says. “If people are flying on their birthday,
there are already things we can do: we’ll try to upgrade you,
and you’ll get a signed card from the crew. The challenge
was to find this level of personalisation and engagement
when people aren’t flying on the day.”
Club Elaine Kwan explains the rationale for the innovative
birthday greeting. “We try to build our relationships with our
members,” she says. “If people are flying on their birthday,
there are already things we can do: we’ll try to upgrade you,
and you’ll get a signed card from the crew. The challenge
was to find this level of personalisation and engagement
when people aren’t flying on the day.”
Jun 5, 2017, 8:11 am
#486
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: CX DM, SPG Pt, Le Club Accor GO, Shangri-La GC Jade
Posts: 1,327
But of course I know I'm so "unique" that I'll get all sorts of "special treatment" like "seat filled" rather than "seat blocked", "redefinition" of "guarantee", "special" treatment on waitlisting at outport etc etc.... So YMMV...
Jun 5, 2017, 8:41 am
#487
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 418
Jun 6, 2017, 5:27 am
#489
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Never got so... There was once that I need to write a complaint letter after my trip for the "wonderful" treatment at outport and onboard...
But of course I know I'm so "unique" that I'll get all sorts of "special treatment" like "seat filled" rather than "seat blocked", "redefinition" of "guarantee", "special" treatment on waitlisting at outport etc etc.... So YMMV...
But of course I know I'm so "unique" that I'll get all sorts of "special treatment" like "seat filled" rather than "seat blocked", "redefinition" of "guarantee", "special" treatment on waitlisting at outport etc etc.... So YMMV...
Jun 7, 2017, 7:26 pm
#491
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: CX
Posts: 211
Jun 9, 2017, 8:39 am
#492
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, Marco Polo Gold
Posts: 1,084
Hence why your suggestion in the other thread may not be as practical as you may think.
Now, tell me which is more practical? Adjusting your flying schedule so you can fly on your birthday (and misses the chance to celebrate the big day with the people that loves you, and it's all because you wanted an upgrade? Really?), or, get a certificate to use anytime you wish?
Jun 20, 2017, 6:44 pm
#493
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: CX MPC DM
Posts: 416
Hello all, I'm new to the forum. Been lurking for a while as a fairly new CX/MPO traveler. I make about 6 long hauls a year from EWR-HKG, mostly flying PEY for the last 2 years.. Achieved GO last year and will probably stay there with that travel pattern.
Anyway, one of my colleagues, an MPC SL, just got the birthday upgrade upon check-in at EWR. Oddly enough it was a double op-up, Y -> J. I'm not sure of the exact Y fare class, but he claimed the agent said his Y ticket was a rather high fare class.
He said PEY was not full. I doubt the agent had the discretion to bump up 2 classes, so must have been the system.
Also of note, he flew the 77H out of EWR that morning, 6/18 CX899. Not sure why the equipment change. I've never had a 77H out of EWR, but have flown the 77H CX890, HKG-EWR
Anyway, one of my colleagues, an MPC SL, just got the birthday upgrade upon check-in at EWR. Oddly enough it was a double op-up, Y -> J. I'm not sure of the exact Y fare class, but he claimed the agent said his Y ticket was a rather high fare class.
He said PEY was not full. I doubt the agent had the discretion to bump up 2 classes, so must have been the system.
Also of note, he flew the 77H out of EWR that morning, 6/18 CX899. Not sure why the equipment change. I've never had a 77H out of EWR, but have flown the 77H CX890, HKG-EWR
Jun 20, 2017, 7:52 pm
#494
Join Date: May 2016
Location: HKG
Programs: CX DM, SQ Gold
Posts: 81
I'm pretty sure as long as a J seat is available, they will upgrade the member there. There have been anecdotes here as well of fanfare/redemption tickets that have gotten an upgrade to J so I doubt booking class is irrelevant maybe with the exception of a tie and limited seats available?