Thanks :-). I agree and that's why I'd not checked in on line already in anticipation of being super nice at the actual check in desk. However, I got there so early (T-5) that I couldn't be bothered to wait for the desks to be operational and I checked on my phone that it was a proper Cathay lounge. Really nice lady on reception at the lounge and I thanked her again when I left to board.

I agree with wyskevin. As a matter of fact, I have received op-up in the past even after I changed the MPC# (about 1 hr before the flight.)

I typically change my MPC# just before the flight for long haul flights. Every time I first check if the upgrade is possible before doing so.

But the beep at the gate puzzled me. I wonder why it beeped if there was no change at the gate.

Anyone had a birthday upgrade prior (or the day after) birthday? Arriving to HK on by birthday even 5 hours before my birthday from NYC so a long flight - was hoping for an upgrade but none given... wasn't expecting it just hoping for it!!

Ok so I'm going through my birthday upgrade as we speak. Birthday is august 1st so by the time I land in Vancouver it will still be August 1st.

KUL to HKG I was upgraded from Y to J, got a box of godiva chocolates + birthday card from the entire crew.

Now, in waiting to depart from HKG to YVR. my wife and I purchased PEY W tickets and got our upgrade with points to business 3 days before departure. To my surprise, both my wife and were upgraded at the gate to first. I'm more surprised that my wife got an upgrade as well. I was thinking if I did get an upgrade it would only be me. Not complaining lol

congratulations!
There are many reports that travel compaion would get birthday upgrade as well.

Nice one, blum! I'm sure if you were the only one who got the upgrade you'd give the F seat to your wife ;)

Happy birthday!

I got a birthday upgrade the day after my birthday from PE to J, both hubby and myself.

I think birthday upgrade is on the birthday and only for MPC members. Was PEY overbooked, in which case it might be an op-up？

I companions are also upgraded if space is available. My in-laws both got upgraded (Diamond & No status) a few years ago.

Data point: traveled on day of my birthday, successfully upgraded into business (CX GO).

Walked into the lounge at HKG, asked if a bday upgrade was possible, she gave one of those “it’s an MPC issue not ours, so please call them and bugger off” speeches. I responded along the lines of “what the F does that even mean?” Happily, a more senior colleague of hers heard and then called MPC on my behalf to “put in a request for a bday upgrade.”

Thought I would share with FT — apparently this might be something that you have to flag up to MPC ahead of time? Staff at check-in were also clueless and kicked the bucket down the road.

Wow, I'm surprised by this. Even though it's an "un-published" benefit I thought it was a foregone conclusion without the need to prompt the staff. 2 of my colleagues have received this without asking at check-in, both of whom were SL at the time.

Did you online checkin and no checkin bag?
Usually birthday upgrade happens at checkin account...

Well, to be fair, the lounge crew was right. The birthday updrade is MPC thing...
MPC leaves a message in your booking to alert the checkin crew about the upgrade.
Maybe "Hi, how are you today? Today is my birthday. Would you please kindly check if there is any special message in my booking?"
This might lead a better communication.

Thank you for your advice on the nuances of etiquette in communication.

My takeaway from this, and supplemented by the other data points on this thread, is that birthday upgrades are quite likely on the exact date of travel. But from my experience, you may have to follow-up and ask if not proactively raised by staff during check-in.

I think so, too. 3 years ago, I purposedly took the CX881 on my birthday instead of the CX883 1~2 hours before (both are LAX-HKG, but CX881 departs after midnight whereas CX883 before), just to make sure they will give me the birthday upgrade.