How to use upgrade certificate
 

I am flying HKG-CDG return early December. I hold an ipgrade certificate due to involontary downgrade from F to J earlier this year. It says that it can be used at time of check-in. Can I use it at OLCI and how (should it be entered in my ooking somewhere)? If I can only use at airport, can I make a special trip to the airport in the morning (the flight is late evening)? Would I have priority over upgrade with miles? Any practical tip would be useful. My certificate expires at the end of the year, so I must use it on this trip.

I don't know about priority over miles upgrades, but the earlier you can present the coupon the better. You will need to do it in person.

Are you close to the Airport Express? If so, check in the day before, and present the coupon when you are checking in at the airport express. This will get you higher in the queue.

I would do it asap and even call cathay to reserve it for you over the phone.

I don't have this experience myself...but how about checking in online, and then call the e-service center (2747-2200?) and ask them to add the comment/coupon to your check-in record ?

I had one of these a couple of months ago, and I've used it on one of my long haul flights recently. As far as the upgrade priority goes, I've been told that mileage upgrades are at the bottom of the list. I presented mine at the F podium in HKG about 1.5 hrs prior to departure and my new BP was already waiting for me as I entered the Wing. The flight ended up full in F and J but remained very empty in Y.

Can you use this cert on award tickets? And I assume that I can upgrade either from Y->J or J->F? Thanks

Sorry to dig up this old thread.

I am in a similar situation to the OP and wonder if there is any way I could near-guarantee its use on a long haul (HKG-MXP Y-J, Oct/Nov), whether by going to the airport hours early, OLCI or any other method in order to secure priority over paid upgrades, reward upgrades, op-ups, etc. A few questions :-

(a) Is there any definitive priority queue for this?
(b) Would the underlying booking class matter? (Can I exercise the certificate on a V or even lower booking? Would there be any situation in which use of the certificate is denied but mileage upgrade permitted - which would require K or above?)
(c) Would timing of arrival at airport matter? (For example, presumably would have to get to the airport before the op-ups are processed, but how about versus mileages upgrades who arrive at the airport earlier? Would these be finalised before check-in closes?)

I nearly used it on a short-haul this weekend (in which I knew that J was only 70% full) but was still told by the check-in desk in HKG that "the flight is full but I will make a request and if it goes through, you can exchange boarding passes and certificate at the gate". I didn't use it in the end but J (and Y) took off with plenty of empty seats. Just curious if anyone knows whether this is the SOP for this certificate.

Would be great to hear from anyone with relevant experience, thanks!

When I recently used an upgrade certificate received via a corporate program, I presented it at the Airport Express check in, and they called up the flight control immediately to see if it could be used. Then they reprinted my boarding pass immediately. this was about 3 hours before the flight.

I was told they could put a "note" in your reservation about using the upgrade-cert, but it could only be confirmed starting at 4 hours prior to departure. I'm not sure about the priority levels.

I didnt get all the details from check in. I upgraded myself from Y (think i was V class) to J on a LAX-HKG a while ago. I dont remember how i got the upgrade voucher. The check in desk said that i can use it no matter what as long as there are seats in the next class up.

i wonder how certs rank compared to elite opups... not that i have/am either at this point of life.

I would expect the certs have higher priority, though I have no real knowledge of the details. Afterall the certs or airmiles are like currency, vs op-ups being a freebie.

Call over the phone as soon as possible would be what I'd do if not, then I guess check in as fastest as you can to get in the queue higher

I have received such upgrade certificate twice (both for involontary downgrade). I was reepatedly told that it could only be presented at physical checkin (in your case airport or airport express). i tried to have them make a note in my PNR weeks before, but all agents declined. On both my flights I got upgraded from J to F, but only when the flight closed, as F was heavily loaded.

Can confirm the experience of the other posters here - at least for usage of corporate upgrade vouchers. There is no certainty even up until boarding.

Old vouchers being used in 2007 (and maybe still 2008), involved calling up CX and voucher has been linked to specific flight with CX by asking for availability and them recording the request. Can't remember any more whether it was a 100% confirmation, but think that they remarked that they still reserved the right to cancel any time. Have used something like 3-4 vouchers.

Then from 2009 onwards (if I recall correctly), the vouchers could not be linked to an itinerary in advance any more by asking CX for seat availability. They had to be presented when physically checking in at the counter by asking for availability.

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Tried to use it on HKG-LHR which was obviously full. Got denied the first attempt. Second attempt for similar trip this year got denied as well. But spoke this time with check-in agent and explained politely my situation with having to directly continue LHR-ZRH and then having meeting right after arrival. Got then upgraded when boarding. Suppose that she called a supervisor to get approval after I left check-in.

It's anyone's guess what exactly happened, but this may give some indication on priority: probably not very high. I think as well that it could help to arrive as early as possible before op-up system kicks in using tier and BN hierarchy.