Customer loyalty and valuation of miles and benefits are also not guarantees. No airline should feel they are entitled to it and should just be grateful while it lasts (or before a competitor turns up).

Yes, true so switch to another FFP or carrier if you aren't happy AND IF you can :D

Difficult for some people - my parents will travel on Cathay even if they can't name what's wrong with Virgin.

I'm not so loyal. I'll travel on QF and 9W on basis of availability and price. Perhaps I'm Gen Y and have gone through a number of redundancies at work, I grew up to be cynical.

oh indeed, it's working now again despite not working in the past few days (someone from CX monitoring comments here?).

but, it's interesting that, it seems that when things like this didn't work, even the MPO supervisor himself would quickly come to the conclusion that it's because of the new system (he confirmed that I won't be able to do this anymore with the new system), and didn't realize that it could be just temp website bug...

After recent disappointment with MPO service centre and in securing my upgrade reward, spoke to MPO customer relations and posed them what the rationale was for removing the DM U class seat inventory conversion from revenue inventory.

She advised that with the recent backlog, they had to put that on hold temporarily and this unpublished benefit will be reinstated once they sort the issues out.

Has anyone also noticed that the number of miles required for upgrading from Premium Economy to Business is the same as Economy to Business - what is the rationale for this! I would have expected lesser miles requirement for Premium Economy to Business given the pricing paid. Makes no sense!

In other matters, ever since they stopped sending the Club Magazine, I have been so out of touch with CX communications. I used to value receiving the Club magazine and read this during the weekend as I continue to do with the SQ PPS Club magazine. The online version should also include a PDF version for iPhone or laptop/desktop reading whilst offline.

As with the global trend, CX should look at introducing Lifetime (at least up to MPO Gold level) for those achieving 2 million Club Miles. This would strengthen loyalty as one day, members who have been loyal over the years will get old and travel less. Therefore, lifetime is a way to reward those that have given CX their support over the many decades. QF has a lifetime Gold programme and various US carriers offer this along with Asiana/Korean Air in Asia. Hotels also provide this so why not CX?

MPO needs to enhance its programme to keep up with the latest changes to the commercial environment.

That is great news....because it really would've been the biggest knock to the MPC program I made DM in 08.

As for the other part about Y to J and Y+ to J upgrades, I think we got into a rather spirited debate about that on another thread.

am glad to hear they plan to re-instate it, the question is when.....for me i have had to move my LHR flights to HK Airlines (HKD-16K for biz class) instead of flying CX because of not being able to secure the U Class seat (of course i would rater pay 14K + 70,000 miles then flying HK airlines) but no choice here....so definately a positive sign to hear they plan to re-instate it. While i am well aware its an unpublished benifit, its one of the perks that definately made me want to hold on to DM status so that my miles are of use....as i know many non - DM with ALOT of miles and they can never use them when they want.....

After emailing MPO two weeks ago I received a phone call from the head of Customer Relations Department (not MPO), a very nice and intelligent lady, who also informed me this is a temporary measure due to the high volume of calls.

I too wish this benefit would be reinstated ASAP as I am planning a personal trip to Europe (MXP/LHR) in May/June.

Frankly, I think it would save MPO a lot more time and resources if they would just confirm my companion redemption request than taking a call from me every other day to check and lobby availability! :)

Well yesterday I made a stand. I was on the phone with MPO requesting a miles upgrade but they wouldn’t confirm even though there’s loads of seats available. So until CX reinstate this unpublished DM benefit I’m taking my business elsewhere. I’ve made DM half way through my year and since there’s no incentive to go beyond 120K I’ll go elsewhere. HX to SIN, QF to SYD, BA to LHR. CX has to learn it’s a two way street and at this point I’m heading in the opposite direction.

When I became GO in 2007, it was great but the novelty soon fell off. Other than J check-in and lounge access, you felt like Joe Bloggs because there were just far too many DMs. It was very difficult to secure mileage upgrades.

I became DM in 2009 and all I could say is wow. You feel that CX goes the extra mile to make you feel that DM is just head and shoulders above GOs. We all know about the opups, but the unpublished benefit of securing a U/Z seat was the biggest differentiator from GO, at least for me anyway. CX will offer you a seat if the flight is not overbooked (the F4 A4 J9 C9 D9 I9 don't mean much really). Even if CX reinstates this benefit, I believe it would become harder to get a seat because of all the AMEX charge cardholders. :mad:

Perhaps we should all go out and try some other carriers. I'm currently sitting at the BKK Royal First Lounge having just finished a full body Aromatherapy massage. The ground services here just blows CX out of the water. I'll report back after my flight. :cool:

My online version has a PDF button for downloading. There is also the iPad app for reading offline.

I've been in the same situation for the last few years...emailed CX to see what their plans where - same old stuff...value your loyalty etc but as you say, still no incentive to travel past 120k. So I've just finished two UK trips in J on NZ and F on TG. Both excellent. Last year and this year, I'll be doing JFK via Tokyo on ANA...great seats and service.

Just done this as well - amazing ground services and lounge - food was excellent. In the air, the seat wasnt as good as CX F. Food was good (and you can pre-order) but not quite up to CX F standards (which I think is quite good) Service was friendly but a bit rushed

Ok folks, as promised, here are some pics from my recent HKG-BKK-FRA trip in F on TG. Excuse the quality, they were taken with an iPhone 4.

Impressive for such a short sector. ^
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8024/6...edc9ebb9_z.jpg

I'm not sure when I last saw cheese on CX F to BKK.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7...237b2a1b_z.jpg

TG Royal First Lounge at BKK. I was escorted through fast track immigration and then taken on a buggy to the lounge.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6...e9a6da01_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/7...388999c9_z.jpg

I chose their "Touch of Silk" full body massage. I've had much better ones in Bangkok but it is a nice touch.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7...5b2c7c1b_z.jpg

I specifically chose TG922 because TG uses its leased 77W from 9W for this flight.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/7...7fe1a09a_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7...827ce938_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/6...e0a9b765_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7...6f2df66d_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/7...f5b7f1f4_z.jpg

As I've mentioned earlier, the ground services offered in BKK absolutely blow CX out of the water, but then HKG is not a difficult airport to navigate around, even for first time visitors.

Onboard service was above average, I was most impressed by the amount of genuine chit-chat and interaction that the FAs (ISM/SP/FP equivalents on CX) had tried to make on the flight. The ISM addressed me by last name without even looking at my BP within minutes of boarding - "How do you like the seat, Mr kchika?"

On arrival in FRA, I was met by someone who was holding a "First Class passengers" sign. However, since I was only transiting in FRA, all he could do was to find out the gate number for my connecting flight. He took other F pax through C&I.

Yes, so perhaps we should all go out and try other carriers. I've already tried SQ, NH, QF and TG :D

Nice touch to have your MPC Diamond tag hanging from your briefcase in one of the pictures;). Great update

do I dare ask if TG F was cheaper than CX J btw? :rolleyes: