Odds of an upgrade?
 

I've flown CX 5-10 times (all revenue Y, all in the last few years), and as an AA EXP (Emerald) I've received an op-up once or twice (Y to J)... but with such a small sample size I won't extrapolate to any general op-up probability.

I'll be flying CX884 HKG-LAX in mid-November on a revenue J ticket. My wife is using an award ticket, and only F is available. I'm hoping, that if there is an empty seat in F, I might be lucky enough to be upgraded to sit with her in F (and of course I'll nicely ask about it so it's not "just" luck). I see this is a 77A if that has any relevancy.

Does CX ever roll J to F to make room in Y/J for overbooking/standby's?
If CX does this, is the upgrade based on fare and/or OW status (MP vs. AA?)?
Is it even possible for any CX staff to upgrade me without a roll (to be with wife for example, does my AA Emerald help)?

Any info you can provide on the odds of my being upgraded, the scenario where it might or might not happen, and what I might or might avoid doing (if anything) to increase the probability or keep from killing it?

Thx

It all depends on the GAs.

CX does not have a publised op-up policy.

But based on standby priority, even you are a OW Emerald as AA EXP, your priority will be still lower than CX MPC DM.

But for sure, if J is overbooked, F op-up will happen if F can fit those people.

But Y>J and then J>F, not much chances.

Forget it. That flight is filled with CX Diamonds in paid J.

Or CX GO. OW Emerald is behind both DM and GO in the op-up order.

So my best chance (and that's not so high a chance at that, but still best) is a GA or staff in the Club doing an upgrade not based on a cabin roll, but just on kindness of my situation (split from wife) and my EXP/Emerald won't hurt but won't help much... but GAs (unlike at AA which is really rare) do have the autonomy to do such a move?

No, only supervisor of the port has any power over op-ups. The GAs may feel sorry for your request and call him/her on your behalf, but the supervisor might still give a NO answer.

People need to realize the check-in nor gate-agents have power to do pretty much anything else but print your boarding pass and assign you seats.

Great, so it seems my best shot is to ask for a Supervisor (or otherwise just hope the GA will talk to one, I'm more the proactive type)?

If my wife prefers to sit with me more than sit F>J (yeah, some non-FTers actually would do that, :D), and I ask her to be voluntarily downgraded (J award isn't available to book), maybe a Supervisor (if I know F isn't full) will see that I'm not just looking to upgrade, but really it's sitting with my wife that is the priority... at least a Supervisor has such autonomy to do that? If so, when/where should I ask for the Supervisor (ticket counter, lounge, gate)?

Thanks!

It's worth a shot, but never once have I heard of something like that happening (J-F long-haul op-up for a non-status companion), unfortunately. I definitely wouldn't get your hopes up. As a DM, I know I have only been afforded this when a.) op-ups are ridiculously numerous (15+), b.) it is Y-J, and c.) it was a regional flight. And admittedly I'm a DM (which CX treats at a considerably higher level than other OW EXPs), and the guys who were with me were GR (CX's lowest level), SL (2nd lowest) and once a GO (between SL and DM). The sole time I tried to pull up a non-CX status friend with me BKK-HKG (I was op-upped Y-J, he wasn't, there were about 4 or 5 upgrades done that flight), I was politely told that there were other DMs on the flight and they could only upgrade me alone. I told them to not process the upgrade and I stayed with him in Y. And that's precisely where we stayed for the flight.

With limited seats in F, there rarely are more than 2 op-ups J-F on CX's 777-300ERs. As posted above, there are also many DMs and GOs on those flights in J (I'd say a minimum of 10 DM+GO in J, sometimes more) who CX is going to want to upgrade over you. Combine that with CX's (and Asian airlines in general)'s much more "robust" defense of their premium classes...I have not heard of people talking their way into a free expensive seat (long-haul F is about the epitome of that), unlike how it is with US companies. I really don't expect them to show any sympathy at all, unfortunately. Don't want to spoil your hopes but I say the chance is very close to zero - try to figure out a way to get her a J ticket without having to burn the F miles.

I always expect to fly the class I book and pay for, I'm then not disappointed. Should I get Op'uped that is a bonus, but something I wouldnt dream of is the approach "can I speak to your supervisor" it smacks of DYKWIA.

If you need to fly F, just pay it.

Absolutely agree. I find people who try to do this irritating. Perhaps the OP can sit outside the airport with a begging bowl and see if they can raise the funds for the upgrade. Same thing.

It's more of a want than a need ;)

Anways, I will say this again. You get what you pay for! OP-UPS ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL ENTITLEMENT!! SO PLEASE STOP EXPECTING AND COMPLAINING ABOUT OP-UPS!! If you paidd for Y, you paid for Y! and vice versa. I am sure if CX finds out that alot of people are complaining about op-ups and they start enforcing stricter policies, I'm sure a hell alot of people are going to be mad! So enjoy the op-ups while the strict policies are not yet in place!!

Sorry you find the discussion so distateful. I think I find the recent replies more distateful than someone posting to seek information.

Op-ups happen, sorry if you don't like that a flyer might seek to learn more about them on CX - and I only posted to learn more about the CX process, decision making, and probabilities. Thanks for the opinions, I think I have the info requested.

I don't need to sit in F (never posted I did), nor did I come out posting I want an op-up, and I certainly didn't make any claim that I EXPECT one, or COMPLAIN about it!! - I posted with a request for information and provided my info to avoid a general question and assist any replier in providing information specific to the situation.

What I really WANT, is award space in J - but that's not available... or to sit with my wife, might be possible (op-up is one way possible, I don't need to post to know how to call daily and see if J award space opens up, thank you).

You need to post anymore opinions of posters or flyers on the topic??? If not, then maybe keep the replies on topic (information request)?

If sitting together is the most important to you, may consider:

1/ use more mileage to up-grade your J ticket to F while F is still available, or

2/ save some mileage by using your J revenue ticket to redeem a companion J award ticket and I think that companion award ticket quota is different from fully redeption ticket.

Don't expect op-up to avoid disappointment but anyway, good luck!

Many factors in upgrades such as MPC level, OW status and availability.

Your question is asking about being able to sit in F by upgrade or asking. The chances based on your status or your wifes ticket are pretty much zero. I am pretty sure as others will confirm the moment you ask for an upgrade and you have no chance.