It has been pretty easy for me to get BA seat for HKG/LHR, not too sure about ex JFK. Your DM status would certainly help.
As for your dilemma "to up or not to up"

. Hope the information below could help you decide.
[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.1/Platinum - Sabre: ITN/UK-ASB]
JFK New York John F Kennedy Int'l NY US [KJFK]
HKG Hong Kong Int'l HK [VHHH]
SAT 01 Nov 2008
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- -----------------------------------------
CX841 JFK 10:15 HKG 14:25 +1 773 0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 Y7 B6 H5 K4 M0 L0 V0 S0
CX831 JFK 14:55 HKG 19:05 +1 773 0 F1 A1 J2 C1 D0 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9
CX889 JFK 22:45 HKG 07:50 +2 773 1 F0 A0 J5 C5 D3 I1 Y2 B1 H0 K0 M0 L0 W0 V0