dm123987

Work trip - 2nd segment is ORD to HKG, booking Premium Economy. Is it possible as AA EXP to get an upgrade to Business? Looking at AA website, CP isn't on the list of partners that allows use of miles to upgrade....

Also - stuck in HKG for 12 hours overnight.... lounges close at 1am. Hotel in airport or worth it to visit the city and stay overnight?

GNRMatt

A free upgrade? No (barring the <1% possibility of an OPUP).

As for Hong Kong, it is most definitely a city worth spending some time in!

brenc3

There is no standard upgrade path for non-CX elites, so expect to fly in what you are ticketed. I have been upgraded on >1% of the CX flights I've flown (including more than one long-haul) but this was pre-Covid and there's nothing you can do to change those odds anyway.

12 hours is tight but the Airport Express train makes it easy to stay in the city. The Regal Airport Hotel is connected to the terminal (need to clear immigration) and the Marriott is one short train stop away. There are also plenty of hotels right near Kowloon and HK Station.

Welcome to FT.

JJeffrey

You get "stuck" in Cleveland or Newark. A 12 hour overnight in HKG is a mini vacation, for sure go into the city, that's plenty of time for dinner, drinks, a little walking around, sightseeing, etc. Amazing city.

UAPremierGuy

When I was an EXP, I got opuped I'd say at least 50% of my flights from Premium Economy (pre-Covid) on CX. Be sure to enjoy the incredible First Class lounges in HKG, too. Also, CX Premium Economy is a step-up from the US carriers in that class, so there's that.

VegasGambler

HKG is not my favorite place in Asia but definitely visit the city for a night. Once you are there you may as well see it for yourself. I think this applies to just about any city, FWIW. I've had a lot of enjoyable overnight layovers. I second the suggestion to get a hotel in Kowloon. It's a walkable area with a lot of stuff to do.

Also, minor point, but the code for Cathay Pacific is CX -- use that instead of CP and people on this forum will know what you mean when it's not clear from context.

As others have said, you are not going to upgrade for free or for miles but you can ask about a paid upgrade. I've done this on other airlines (never CX) but IMO if you can get it for $600 or so one way it's a good deal (I have no idea if that's in their price range; I've done paid upgrades on long hauls twice in my life; paid $500 on Finnair to go from economy to business and $650 on United to go from PE to business. Both were west coast to Europe). I would ask on the CX forum to get an idea if this is offered and at what price.

I have done a 14 hr flight on CX PE and I thought it was fine. I was comfortable and I spent the whole flight playing video games and sleeping.

SAN_Finn

Imho Hong Kong is not what it used to be pre national sec law. For 12h overnight I would stay at the Regal. Also CX lounges are not what they used to be either, was shocked on the condition of the Pier a month ago.

edsh

Your time is certainly going to be tight. Consider immigration 30 minutes, travel to and from the city 1 hour RT, hotel transfer and check in / out 1 hour, airport check in and emmigration before flight 2 hours, That leaves you about 7 hours to divide between sleep and sight-seeing between 10 PM and 6 AM. The less you sleep the more you'll see but you'll need to plan well and move fast.

tasty_chicken

This was my experience as well flying on CX pre-Covid. Post-covid CX, I have heard a lot of the old CX staff that made CX great are gone which is sad because I really enjoyed flying on CX. I hope CX is able to rebuild and regain a lot of the little things that made it a pleasure to fly on.