Oct 29, 2013, 4:27 am
Last edit by: ZZ100
Is it possible to buy a (cheap) upgrade on Cathay Pacific upon check-in?
The short answer is no.
Cathay, as a general rule, does not allow you to purchase last minute upgrades if there are empty seats in Y+, J or F. The only way to upgrade a ticket is to pay the fare difference between your current ticket, and an available fare class in the higher cabins. Note that if your current ticket has restrictions (cancellation fees, non-refundable) these still apply.
There are been stories of people who have been offered cheap upgrades by Cathay, but this is more an exception than a common occurrence.
If I upgrade my ticket using asia miles, do I still earn miles?
Yes, you will earn miles for the original fare class that you booked, not the upgraded cabin.
How do I get a free upgrade / operational upgrade (op-up)?
Cathay Pacific does not upgrade passengers just because there are empty seats in higher classes. Upgrades will only occur where there is overbooking in lower classes.
The order of upgrades when required is believed to be:
I am travelling on an award ticket. Will I still be considered for a free upgrade?
Yes - there are many stories of passengers on award tickets, or who upgraded a class using miles, getting (additional) upgrades.
What happens if the aircraft has 4 or 3 cabins, but is only selling Business and Economy seats?
It is likely if you have Marco Polo status, and to a lesser extent oneworld status, you may be able to sit in either First Class seats (if booked in J) or Premium Economy (if booked in Y) with service of the original cabin. There doesn't appear to be consistency yet as to how these semi-upgrades are allocated. Some people have been able to choose seats in the higher cabin during online check-in, or some will get them on request at check-in. However, there is no entitlement to these seats.
Will I get an upgrade on my Birthday, or for my membership anniversary, or for reaching xx number of lifetime club miles?
Please see this link for members' experience with these kinds of upgrades: Marco Polo Anniversary Upgrades
I want to use Asia Miles to upgrade a BA flight. How do I do this?
As of 22 June 2018, it is no longer possible to upgrade BA flights with Asia Miles.
How do I upgrade a CX flight using miles?
If you already have issued your original ticket:
If you have not made any booking yet, and you want to check availability:
If you don't receive a new e-ticket before departure, call up Marco Polo club to double check if the upgrade has been issued.
The short answer is no.
Cathay, as a general rule, does not allow you to purchase last minute upgrades if there are empty seats in Y+, J or F. The only way to upgrade a ticket is to pay the fare difference between your current ticket, and an available fare class in the higher cabins. Note that if your current ticket has restrictions (cancellation fees, non-refundable) these still apply.
There are been stories of people who have been offered cheap upgrades by Cathay, but this is more an exception than a common occurrence.
If I upgrade my ticket using asia miles, do I still earn miles?
Yes, you will earn miles for the original fare class that you booked, not the upgraded cabin.
How do I get a free upgrade / operational upgrade (op-up)?
Cathay Pacific does not upgrade passengers just because there are empty seats in higher classes. Upgrades will only occur where there is overbooking in lower classes.
The order of upgrades when required is believed to be:
- VIP (Heads of State, Government Bodies, or Canto Pop/Movie stars)
- CX Diamond Plus
- CX Diamond Invitation, Diamond
- CX Gold
- CX management staff on travel duty
- oneworld Emerald
- CX staff on duty nominees , other airline staff nominees, CX staff on personal travel
- oneworld Sapphire
- CX Silver
- oneworld Ruby
- CX Green
- Asia Miles
- Non status
I am travelling on an award ticket. Will I still be considered for a free upgrade?
Yes - there are many stories of passengers on award tickets, or who upgraded a class using miles, getting (additional) upgrades.
What happens if the aircraft has 4 or 3 cabins, but is only selling Business and Economy seats?
It is likely if you have Marco Polo status, and to a lesser extent oneworld status, you may be able to sit in either First Class seats (if booked in J) or Premium Economy (if booked in Y) with service of the original cabin. There doesn't appear to be consistency yet as to how these semi-upgrades are allocated. Some people have been able to choose seats in the higher cabin during online check-in, or some will get them on request at check-in. However, there is no entitlement to these seats.
Will I get an upgrade on my Birthday, or for my membership anniversary, or for reaching xx number of lifetime club miles?
Please see this link for members' experience with these kinds of upgrades: Marco Polo Anniversary Upgrades
I want to use Asia Miles to upgrade a BA flight. How do I do this?
As of 22 June 2018, it is no longer possible to upgrade BA flights with Asia Miles.
How do I upgrade a CX flight using miles?
If you already have issued your original ticket:
- Try upgrading using Manage My Booking on the website (not always successful)
- If self-service doesn't work, try calling Marco Polo hotline to check availability
- If there is availability, you will need to issue the upgrade immediately to secure it. They may give you a few days grace before isssuing the upgrade, but this is now rarely given.
- In a few days, or longer if they are busy, your miles will be deducted, and you will be emailed a new e-ticket with the upgrade class details on it, and your online booking for your original booking class will disappear.
If you have not made any booking yet, and you want to check availability:
- Call Marco Polo club to check for availability on the flights/dates you want, or check for normal redemption availability on the website.
- Book a revenue ticket in the class of service for which you will be paying. Do NOT do this via the website -- call a CX telephone sales number/travel agent.
- Put the booking on hold.
- Call the Marco Polo/Asia Miles Service Center. Have them book the upgrade and give you a deadline to have the ticket issued. (It's usually about 72 hours).
- Have telephone sales/travel agent issue your revenue ticket.
- Call Marco Polo/Asia Miles back. Give them the revenue ticket number against the PNR and ask them to issue your upgrade.
- In about two or three days, you'll get a new ticket with the upgrade showing.
If you don't receive a new e-ticket before departure, call up Marco Polo club to double check if the upgrade has been issued.
The Ultimate Upgrade Question thread
Feb 23, 2014, 11:55 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver/ows, CX AsiaMiles (not even GR anymore!) missing my GO days
Posts: 1,581
One possible possibility could be your gf's seat was originally beside a DM / baby / elder / etc. And that party wish to be seated together with another pax, thus needing her seat.
Since your gf was travelling as a single pax, it was easier to move her around. At the same time, CX does not want to anger anyone by reseating her to a random Y seat. So since there was an availability in PEY - they chose to just op up her.
Since your gf was travelling as a single pax, it was easier to move her around. At the same time, CX does not want to anger anyone by reseating her to a random Y seat. So since there was an availability in PEY - they chose to just op up her.
Apr 23, 2014, 4:07 am
#32
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LHR
Programs: CX GO, BA Gold, OZ*G, IHG Spire RA
Posts: 316
No AM U/G on KA if purchased from CX website?
I purchased an H fare for KA192 (HKG>DAC) from the CX website. Ticket was sold as CX6192. After checking in at the AE station in the morning I decided I wanted to upgrade using AM. J was wide open so I didn't expect any issues. I was first denied at the KA check-in counter at HKG. They said this could not be done as the ticket was purchased from CX.
I checked again at The Wing F lounge and was initially told it does not matter where the ticket was purchased but only the fare class. As I was on an H fare I figured great.
Later the lounge person came back and told me the same thing as the check-in agent.
Is this normal? I didn't see this requirement anywhere in the T&C on the AM site.
I checked again at The Wing F lounge and was initially told it does not matter where the ticket was purchased but only the fare class. As I was on an H fare I figured great.
Later the lounge person came back and told me the same thing as the check-in agent.
Is this normal? I didn't see this requirement anywhere in the T&C on the AM site.
Apr 23, 2014, 5:21 am
#33
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
"3. Awards are not available on any codeshare flights."?
Bit of a harsh interpretation...but a compliant one.
May 2, 2014, 9:35 pm
#35
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: NZ Elite
Posts: 100
One sector upgrade without a mortgage
Hello wise Cathay folk,
I have a return business trip from Auckland to London on Cathay coming up in July. of the 4 long haul sectors, 3 currently show no first class with CX254 being the exception. (CX only fly old style biz on 777-200 between HKG & AKL).
As I've heard wonderful things about CX first, I called the call center to find out how much it would be to pay the fare difference to upgrade to first from LHR to HKG on the return leg. To my surprise I was told that I would have to buy a completely new fare - for $28,000 NZD(!). For comparison this is roughly twice the price of a return Emirates first class for all 4 sectors instead of 1
Unsurprisingly I declined.
Anyway, I know in the wiki for this thread it states that it's highly unlikely to be able to pay for a 'cheap' upgrade on check in, but my question is; what about a regular priced upgrade?
I am more than willing to pay a fair price for this sector if given the opportunity, but the marginal cost of this upgrade is an absurd $17,000
Maybe I'm totally wrong in my thinking, but I thought it was worth asking.
Thanks in advance
I have a return business trip from Auckland to London on Cathay coming up in July. of the 4 long haul sectors, 3 currently show no first class with CX254 being the exception. (CX only fly old style biz on 777-200 between HKG & AKL).
As I've heard wonderful things about CX first, I called the call center to find out how much it would be to pay the fare difference to upgrade to first from LHR to HKG on the return leg. To my surprise I was told that I would have to buy a completely new fare - for $28,000 NZD(!). For comparison this is roughly twice the price of a return Emirates first class for all 4 sectors instead of 1
Unsurprisingly I declined.
Anyway, I know in the wiki for this thread it states that it's highly unlikely to be able to pay for a 'cheap' upgrade on check in, but my question is; what about a regular priced upgrade?
I am more than willing to pay a fair price for this sector if given the opportunity, but the marginal cost of this upgrade is an absurd $17,000
Maybe I'm totally wrong in my thinking, but I thought it was worth asking.
Thanks in advance
May 3, 2014, 7:28 pm
#37
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: NZ Elite
Posts: 100
Sorry should've clarified, Only joined Asia Miles recently on booking this flight so points aren't an option.
Essentially just wanted to know if cash upgrades on the day / at check in are an option at all, not just 'cheap' upgrades as per the wiki.
Essentially just wanted to know if cash upgrades on the day / at check in are an option at all, not just 'cheap' upgrades as per the wiki.
May 6, 2014, 1:00 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SJC
Programs: AA 2MM PLT, HH Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 612
Any thoughts on my chances for an upgrade? I'm a OWS (no MP status) flying SFO-HKG on the afternoon flight (879) in a few days in PE. PE has been zeroed out for a week now, so I would guess that it is oversold. This is a 747, so there are 26 PE seats. Y still shows some availability (Y4), but it's tight up front - F2J1 right now.
May 12, 2014, 12:19 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
My first upgrade to Premium Economy
I was upgraded to Premium Economy today for my return flight from HKG-SIN. Flight was delayed for about 2 hours+. There were massive delays in HKG today due to weather as well as technical glitches with the toilet (so they said).
I was upgraded during boarding. First time I've ever been upgraded on a flight and this is the second time I've flown on CX (first time was from SIN-HKG just a few days before). When the scanner beeped red, I kinda panicked....
The staff gave me a new ticket which read Premium Economy.
I'm guessing flight was oversold? I'm only a normal Asia Miles member. The SEQ number on the ticket reads 90.
I was upgraded during boarding. First time I've ever been upgraded on a flight and this is the second time I've flown on CX (first time was from SIN-HKG just a few days before). When the scanner beeped red, I kinda panicked....
The staff gave me a new ticket which read Premium Economy.I'm guessing flight was oversold? I'm only a normal Asia Miles member. The SEQ number on the ticket reads 90.
May 13, 2014, 4:48 pm
#40
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: CX Silver
Posts: 88
Hi everyone. Me and my fiance will be on our honeymoon in Aug. I have booked a return flight from HK to LAX on PEY with R fare for 8/24/14. I've requested to be upgraded to business, however, are being placed on the waitlist in the mean time. I checked and it seems business are all wide open... any reason they cannot accommodate the upgrade now? Also, what would be my chances of getting the upgrade cleared?
TIA
TIA
May 13, 2014, 11:01 pm
#41
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,377
Hi everyone. Me and my fiance will be on our honeymoon in Aug. I have booked a return flight from HK to LAX on PEY with R fare for 8/24/14. I've requested to be upgraded to business, however, are being placed on the waitlist in the mean time. I checked and it seems business are all wide open... any reason they cannot accommodate the upgrade now? Also, what would be my chances of getting the upgrade cleared?
TIA
TIA
Simple, because CX thinks they can still sell the revenue tickets with over 3 months left.
Plus, end of August + HKGLAX = you might be faced with school kids returning back to school after a summer in HK/Asia.
May 15, 2014, 4:50 am
#42
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: CX GO (in hibernation mode), AA EXP, SPG GO, HH DM
Posts: 316
Hi everyone. Me and my fiance will be on our honeymoon in Aug. I have booked a return flight from HK to LAX on PEY with R fare for 8/24/14. I've requested to be upgraded to business, however, are being placed on the waitlist in the mean time. I checked and it seems business are all wide open... any reason they cannot accommodate the upgrade now? Also, what would be my chances of getting the upgrade cleared?
TIA
TIA
May 27, 2014, 4:47 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
Is it possible to buy a (cheap) upgrade on Cathay Pacific upon check-in?
The short answer is no.
Cathay, as a general rule, does not allow you to purchase last minute upgrades if there are empty seats in Y+, J or F. The only way to upgrade a ticket is to pay the fare difference between your current ticket, and an available fare class in the higher cabins. Note that if your current ticket has restrictions (cancellation fees, non-refundable) these still apply
The short answer is no.
Cathay, as a general rule, does not allow you to purchase last minute upgrades if there are empty seats in Y+, J or F. The only way to upgrade a ticket is to pay the fare difference between your current ticket, and an available fare class in the higher cabins. Note that if your current ticket has restrictions (cancellation fees, non-refundable) these still apply