To report back. I had a separate ticket on HO from HKG-PVG, we were not on a connecting itinerary. *G got extra bags at check in, lounge access can be granted if massaged (they all ask to see your connecting BP but if you just give them an arrival city they'll let you in without much fuss), got to the gate too late to see if there was priority boarding but I'm sure there was.

Good experience, plane was clean. Food was meh, but better than US domestic flights. Service was on par compared to US3 as well. This was all in economy.