Birthday Upgrade?
Jul 8, 2012, 11:18 pm
#226
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Idaho
Programs: US Airways, Silver United, Gold Hilton, Platinum Marriott, Gold SPG
Posts: 749
If you are a MPC elite member, the system will pick it up and the info will be put on your reservation. You don't tell them... the check in agents have no authority to upgrade you even if your passport is staring them in the face.
No. Check out the status match forum - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...tus-match.html
Besides just a brand new MPC Gold card, you need to have some activity on it. If you're a new MPC member with zero in your mileage account, chances are zilch for b'day op-ups.
I flew on my birthday last year and I am AA/Oneworld Sapphire. But because I am not MPC Elite, I was denied the upgrade.
No. Check out the status match forum - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...tus-match.html
Besides just a brand new MPC Gold card, you need to have some activity on it. If you're a new MPC member with zero in your mileage account, chances are zilch for b'day op-ups.
I flew on my birthday last year and I am AA/Oneworld Sapphire. But because I am not MPC Elite, I was denied the upgrade.
Thanks for the info
Oct 15, 2012, 12:40 am
#227
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: MIA
Programs: Who cares about your car rental elite status?
Posts: 128
I had given up all hope. The flight looked oversold on KVS. With ten minutes left to go before my birthday was past, I figured I was not going to get a birthday upgrade. Just a generic email from Linda Sim wishing me happy birthday wherever I was.
So I get to the check in line, gate agent scans and hands BP back to me. It was only as I started to walk away that she says "hold on" and writes in a new seat number in J. Not sure if it was birthday or BN 8.
Now let's see if they have cake for me
So I get to the check in line, gate agent scans and hands BP back to me. It was only as I started to walk away that she says "hold on" and writes in a new seat number in J. Not sure if it was birthday or BN 8.
Now let's see if they have cake for me
Nov 11, 2012, 3:57 am
#228
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 761
if my birthday is on the SECOND day of the month, and i'm travelling on either CX251/255 to London, which one should I try to maximise my chance of upgrade?
(i'm a CX MPC GOLD)
FIRST of month
CX251 23:55/05:40+1
SECOND of month
CX255 00:35/06:20 (check-in on the FIRST of month)
CX251 23:55/05:40+1
THIRD of month
CX255 00:35/06:20 (check-in on the SECOND of month, i.e. my b-day)
(i'm a CX MPC GOLD)
FIRST of month
CX251 23:55/05:40+1
SECOND of month
CX255 00:35/06:20 (check-in on the FIRST of month)
CX251 23:55/05:40+1
THIRD of month
CX255 00:35/06:20 (check-in on the SECOND of month, i.e. my b-day)
Nov 11, 2012, 4:52 am
#229
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold, JGC Sapphire, OZ Diamond, AF Silver, CX GR, Marriott Lifetime SL
Posts: 3,598
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 4: Mozilla/5.0 (iPad; CPU OS 6_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10A523 Safari/8536.25)
If you are not cx elite, your chance of getting an upgrade should be close to zero.
Is an unofficial perk for elite members.
Is an unofficial perk for elite members.
Nov 11, 2012, 6:44 pm
#230
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC/SIN
Programs: CX DM, SQ KF
Posts: 2,171
if my birthday is on the SECOND day of the month, and i'm travelling on either CX251/255 to London, which one should I try to maximise my chance of upgrade?
(i'm a CX MPC GOLD)
FIRST of month
CX251 23:55/05:40+1
SECOND of month
CX255 00:35/06:20 (check-in on the FIRST of month)
CX251 23:55/05:40+1
THIRD of month
CX255 00:35/06:20 (check-in on the SECOND of month, i.e. my b-day)
(i'm a CX MPC GOLD)
FIRST of month
CX251 23:55/05:40+1
SECOND of month
CX255 00:35/06:20 (check-in on the FIRST of month)
CX251 23:55/05:40+1
THIRD of month
CX255 00:35/06:20 (check-in on the SECOND of month, i.e. my b-day)
But i would not plan for an upgrade / hold out for a specific flight unless my schedule is really flexible..
Nov 12, 2012, 5:32 am
#231
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 761
Worked for me on another route on the equivalent of CX255 on the SECOND of the month. I'd guess that the CX251 on that date would probably be the best (checkin/flight etc all on your day) - but again, ymmv.
But i would not plan for an upgrade / hold out for a specific flight unless my schedule is really flexible..
But i would not plan for an upgrade / hold out for a specific flight unless my schedule is really flexible..
actually i have a super duper flexible schedule, that's why i try to go for a b-day upgrade.. hope it works :P
Nov 12, 2012, 6:18 am
#232
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,171
i think system picks up the specific DATE of FLIGHT... I'm no computer-programmer but if there was an upgrade screener/filter embedded, the code I would write will be something similar to:
If (flighDate = Birthdate) then (considerUpgrade); else (noUpgrade)
and I don't think the screen/filter is "check-in-date = birthday" because you don't know when pax will checkin.
for this I suggest you go with SECOND date.
If (flighDate = Birthdate) then (considerUpgrade); else (noUpgrade)
and I don't think the screen/filter is "check-in-date = birthday" because you don't know when pax will checkin.
for this I suggest you go with SECOND date.
Nov 14, 2012, 7:40 am
#233
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: HKG
Programs: JMB Sapphire, MPC GO, SPG Gold, HH Gold, PCR Plat Elite
Posts: 78
Agreed with all the above. I did a red-eye flight to JFK about 3 years ago as a CX GOLD with departure time around 00:xx (check-in on the day before birthday), and I got a first class seat.
By the way, the above trip has been purchased in K-class, miles upgrade to J, then bday up to F.
All-in-all, I'd think the date on the BP is the key.
By the way, the above trip has been purchased in K-class, miles upgrade to J, then bday up to F.
All-in-all, I'd think the date on the BP is the key.
Nov 14, 2012, 11:15 am
#234
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beijing, China
Programs: BA/A3 Gold/SPG Plat
Posts: 500
I booked the following flight from HKG to LHR on Nov. 17, as my B'day trip:
Called CX agent and got some bad news:
Nov. 16 CX251 HKG 23:55 LHR 05:00+1 (Loading: J fully booked)
Nov. 17 CX255 HKG 01:10 LHR 06:20 (Loading: both F & J classes oversold)
Nov. 17 CX257 HKG 09:15 LHR 15:00 (Loading: only 2 x J seats avail.)
Currently online checked-in as CX255 to LHR (Bin 1). Hopeless....
Called CX agent and got some bad news:
Nov. 16 CX251 HKG 23:55 LHR 05:00+1 (Loading: J fully booked)
Nov. 17 CX255 HKG 01:10 LHR 06:20 (Loading: both F & J classes oversold)
Nov. 17 CX257 HKG 09:15 LHR 15:00 (Loading: only 2 x J seats avail.)
Currently online checked-in as CX255 to LHR (Bin 1). Hopeless....
Nov 14, 2012, 12:04 pm
#235
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
Calling mods
I feel that this thread be locked. People on this forum are expecting too much for an unpublished benefit.
People, don't be upset if you don't get a birthday upgrade even if your a diamond member. You get what you pay for. If you get the upgrade, then its a happy day for you. If you don't get the upgrade, move on with your life. Simple as that.
People, don't be upset if you don't get a birthday upgrade even if your a diamond member. You get what you pay for. If you get the upgrade, then its a happy day for you. If you don't get the upgrade, move on with your life. Simple as that.
Nov 14, 2012, 6:38 pm
#236
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beijing, China
Programs: BA/A3 Gold/SPG Plat
Posts: 500
I feel that this thread be locked. People on this forum are expecting too much for an unpublished benefit.
People, don't be upset if you don't get a birthday upgrade even if your a diamond member. You get what you pay for. If you get the upgrade, then its a happy day for you. If you don't get the upgrade, move on with your life. Simple as that.
People, don't be upset if you don't get a birthday upgrade even if your a diamond member. You get what you pay for. If you get the upgrade, then its a happy day for you. If you don't get the upgrade, move on with your life. Simple as that.
^
Nov 14, 2012, 8:10 pm
#238
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver/ows, CX AsiaMiles (not even GR anymore!) missing my GO days
Posts: 1,581
I don't think subtlety works around here. And I know you didn't think you were being very subtle. 
ETA: I agree with maortega15 to a point. While locking the thread might be a bit extreme (this kind of "trick of the trade" is what FT exists to discuss), it's clear that a lot of posters are increasingly prone to viewing op-ups as an entitlement instead of a nice, unpublished, unpredictable perk. The whingeing is growing unmanageable.
ETA: I agree with maortega15 to a point. While locking the thread might be a bit extreme (this kind of "trick of the trade" is what FT exists to discuss), it's clear that a lot of posters are increasingly prone to viewing op-ups as an entitlement instead of a nice, unpublished, unpredictable perk. The whingeing is growing unmanageable.
Nov 14, 2012, 10:28 pm
#239
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
I don't think subtlety works around here. And I know you didn't think you were being very subtle.
ETA: I agree with maortega15 to a point. While locking the thread might be a bit extreme (this kind of "trick of the trade" is what FT exists to discuss), it's clear that a lot of posters are increasingly prone to viewing op-ups as an entitlement instead of a nice, unpublished, unpredictable perk. The whingeing is growing unmanageable.
ETA: I agree with maortega15 to a point. While locking the thread might be a bit extreme (this kind of "trick of the trade" is what FT exists to discuss), it's clear that a lot of posters are increasingly prone to viewing op-ups as an entitlement instead of a nice, unpublished, unpredictable perk. The whingeing is growing unmanageable.
Nov 14, 2012, 10:49 pm
#240
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver/ows, CX AsiaMiles (not even GR anymore!) missing my GO days
Posts: 1,581
Since the poster maortega15 was needling lists a couple Asian and a European program in his profile, but not any US ones, I'm not sure this is precisely the case. Rather, it's a self-created problem on the CX board, where the discussion about op-ups -- how to score them, how to request them, whether a birthday qualifies for them, how to changes seats after receiving them -- has blown out of all proportion to the frequency with which an average low-tier flyer can expect to get them.