Hello to everyone here! I've been reading this forum for some time and just decided to register to greet all of you.

I will be traveling HKG-ORD 31May (CX806) and ORD-HKG on 5Jun (CX807). Both L class in Y.

This is my first long haul trip since achieving GO after some SL years. Was hoping for op-up. But then when I checked ExperFlyer.com and also with MPC hotline (after a long time waiting of course), it seems that J is full to the brim (probably only 1-2 full fare J class seats left) for both flights; while Y (and F) seems wide open, so op-up probably no hope...

I'm wondering if it is worth it to upgrade my ticket (L -->K) and then waitlist to upgrade to J by using AM? Is there practically no hope that CX will op-up some J to F just to accommodate my miles upgrade?

Thanks in advance everybody

If they decide to op-up some J passengers to make room for upgrades, it may happen close to departure and even at the airport. If it happens at the airport, your waitlist will likely have expired and you just have to do instant upgrade, but you still need the K booking class.

It is difficult to say whether it worths the extra $.

Thanks for cxfan's early reply!

It happens that my L-class ticket was booked thru TA (paid by sponsor). Is it possible that I upgrade it to K at the airport and pay the difference directly to CX?

There must be K class available in the first place. And why would you want to do that at the airport? K class isn't going to better your chances on an op-up. But you need K class to do a miles upgrade. And its too late to do a buy up to K and then instant upgrade using your AM if the upgrade isn't available in the first place.

So if you booked through your TA, then tell the TA that you want to buy up to K class and you pay the fare diff to TA to reissue your ticket. Then use your miles for upgrade - if there is any award space available. WL if you need to. Otherwise don't waste your money.

I think the J-class seats are likely to be quite tight during the 2 flights that you've mentioned 'cos as far as I know, there is a major medical conference going on in Chicago during that time.

Unless you have a good chance of mileage reward, I would not bother spending the extra money from L to K.

Btw, will you consider another route to Chicago? I think the chances of miles redemption upgrade or Op-Up is higher if you consider either YYZ or SFO as the first gateway.

I recommend at the counter you ask if using your AM if you can upgrade. If you have a non upgrade ticket and they can upgrade using miles they'll charge you additional for that leg directly at the counter to change your ticket class. LAX to HKG I had to pay an additional $300 to change my ticket class and then upgraded using miles.

Thanks G Betsy, stevensonleehk and Mitanc!

Yes I believe that conference is the main reason for the full J class.

Last year I did get an upgrade by AM on both long hauls when I flew from HKG via SFO to ORD and back via YYZ.
But that was when HKG-ORD direct flight has not been implemented yet. Now there's this direct route, it just makes more sense to me to fly direct.....

Anyway, thanks everybody. I guess my chance of upgrading is slim but nevertheless I'll ask at the airport.