I am now kicking mysef i didn't ask what the price was as i was going to ask for the sake of answering a quesiton.

I have taken 4 international flights just recently. TPE-CAN-LHR and AMS-CAN-TPE.

Apart from 1st flight where i might have just missed the announcement i heard 3 times them mentioning about upgrades on the plane.

Also on the flight between CAN-LHR (B787) when the announcement was made a chinese man across the isle from me took up the offer.

I had a quick glance at the piece of paper that the FA gave him to see.I believe it was like 11,000-13000rmb.. which tranlates to 1760-2080 USD.
And he didnt pay by cash.He paid by Union pay/ or on the credit card so its not money for the FA but an actual offical upgrade program.

So after the payment was completed he walked up to business class about 30mins after the flight had departed CAN. I cant say its a valuable offer. Just that maybe some peole feel very uncomfortable at that point of time and dread 13hrs on the plane like that or they need a good sleep.

Also i remember all the talk happening on the AMS-CAN flight but it was an interesting affair.
Some passengers brought out their Flying Blue cards (Maybe gold) and Delta silver out to show their elite status assuming it was an op upgrade to premium economy.

The economy section was completly full but PE was about 20% full.
Also some chinese from the back of the plane just walked up just before take off/after take off and sat down in PE assume i suppose it was up for grabs.

Thankfully which i am happy they are putting the rules into action in favour of those who do the right thing they FA's within 1-2mins walked up and asked them how they want to pay for it.

After much disscusion, about 5-10mins later the ladies walked back down to the back of the plane.

By the way PE on CZ is not much of a difference. Just you get a bottle of water, maybe 10-20cms more leg room and maybe an additional plate for dinner and breakfast. Otherwise its exacly the same.

Feel sorry to be a China Southern member though probably never gets an op-up and will be put in the members lounge seperate from business class and first class passengers (basically 3rd class). Makes me love CI lounge in Taipei and HK considering i get better treatment than their paying business class passengers.