Originally Posted by
brunos
This is a common practice on most airlines.
Only some fare buckets are eligible for upgrade. Hence, you first have to transform your ticket into an eligible fare bucket (fare difference plus change fee).
HX clearly published which fare buckets are upgradable:
https://www.hongkongairlines.com/en_...kets_&_upgrade
Thanks for this, I was aware of the practice but it seems crazy at the same time, particularly as I can fly the same route on Emirates, fly out business, fly back economy, for the same price as this economy ticket, don't need to upgrade with miles either.