Thank-you for this thread as I am interested to hear of other's experiences on CX.

I recently traveled LAX-HKG in Premium Economy and then HKG-SFO-LAX. This was my first time to Asia and my first time on an Asian airline (naturally). I have Emerald status through BA although I travel AA more frequently being based in the US.

I completely agree with the OP regarding Cathay's treatment of Emeralds and service in general - they simply blow everyone else out of the water. On the flight to HKG, the check-in agent allowed me to bring two guests to the lounge as the flight was relatively empty and attached a "first class" tag on my bag. She also assisted the boarding process and, remembering I was an Emerald, escorted to me to the first class line. On board the ISM gave me a special greeting and two separate flight attendants (the second was by accident) recorded my meal choices before everyone else. I was also referred to by name the entire flight.

Flight in Business to SFO was superb. Again the ISM welcomed me on board and both F/A's referred to me by name the entire flight without consulting the manifest. BA, in comparison, lost my bag on my outbound leg. AA treats its elites better IMO.

Wish I could fly CX more often!