Welcome to FT.

No offense - if airlines starts making accommodations for this kind of issues, the airlines is going to bankrupt.

I am sorry that your girlfriend sustained an injury. You want a free upgrade? Sure - but you have to be more convincing, like going to honeywell. It may work. Ankle sprain? Not really.

But it is not hurt to ask providing you don't mind embarrassing yourself.

BTW - airlines look at each person individually. Her father's travel pattern does not matter. As a matter of fact, a lot of people in here actually travel about 5-6 times between NA to HKG each year. Her father's pattern are light-weighed.

Why don't you try all since you have nothing to lose ! Ask for an upgrade at check in counter (remember to dress smartly and talk gently to the staffs) . Please dont ask things like " Can I have upgrade at a reduce cost" you will get I straight NO. Many tips to get free/ low cost upgrade available on youtube so try it. If they say yes then the extra cost from $0 to $X depends on you already (note that get upgrade for 1 person will always easier than for couple) . You can also try to explain nicely to FA during your flight for upgrade (a yes will often go with free upgrade) if the check-in staff says no to you.
Just try if you really need it ! otherwise I am not sure your ticket have the function to upgrade or either simply refund and get a new Buss class ticket.

P.S: loyalty cards of One World will help especially MPC of CX

I am sorry Kyle although it's indeed and always no harm to try but people come up with these answers for a reason - they do fly CX a lot and they do know the airline.

I am not stopping you trying but what you said here will not work - e.g. Youtube tips, dressing smart, asking at counter, asking again at the cabin... stories about all these could be found in this forum. CX's operation is just very different from others - even it may sound against your common sense.

PS. Free upgrade to Business Class from Economy due to medical reasons - in my entire flying life, I have only heard about once case - that was with MH.

ya, we all know it's not easy for airlines like CX ,especially free upgrade to business class, but actually it do happens for a reason and for those who dared to ask for it ( of course it's pretty much depends on lucks and you MPC level ) but since the poster of this topic wish to upgrade but not refund and purchase for a full new Business Class ticket so I try best to suggest him a few solutions ! Agree with you that d medical reasons will not take any effect toward the staffs but with an empty Buss seat, some extra charges and w or w/o MPC will help somehow IF he tries . Btw, it's not my common sense at all, youtube just d way to help me to cut the long long explanation of how to ask smartly for an upgrade/ free upgrade LoL.
P.S: I am trying to give d poster some hope and so do you , give him some of your upgrade experiences of your entire flying life ! dont you ? cheers !

You mean if you have a business trip to the company that makes HVAC controllers? Who knew?

Sorry typo. I mean Honeymoon

I have seen a couple begging at the HKIA gate for an upgrade to business because they are enjoying their honeymoon. The CX staff clearly replied in a polite sense: no, sorry, we don't entertain upgrades because they are having the honeymoon.

If they entertain upgrade requests like this, I will be the one 'who have honeymoons whenever they travel'.