Oct 29, 2013, 4:27 am
Last edit by: ZZ100
Is it possible to buy a (cheap) upgrade on Cathay Pacific upon check-in?
The short answer is no.
Cathay, as a general rule, does not allow you to purchase last minute upgrades if there are empty seats in Y+, J or F. The only way to upgrade a ticket is to pay the fare difference between your current ticket, and an available fare class in the higher cabins. Note that if your current ticket has restrictions (cancellation fees, non-refundable) these still apply.
There are been stories of people who have been offered cheap upgrades by Cathay, but this is more an exception than a common occurrence.
If I upgrade my ticket using asia miles, do I still earn miles?
Yes, you will earn miles for the original fare class that you booked, not the upgraded cabin.
How do I get a free upgrade / operational upgrade (op-up)?
Cathay Pacific does not upgrade passengers just because there are empty seats in higher classes. Upgrades will only occur where there is overbooking in lower classes.
The order of upgrades when required is believed to be:
I am travelling on an award ticket. Will I still be considered for a free upgrade?
Yes - there are many stories of passengers on award tickets, or who upgraded a class using miles, getting (additional) upgrades.
What happens if the aircraft has 4 or 3 cabins, but is only selling Business and Economy seats?
It is likely if you have Marco Polo status, and to a lesser extent oneworld status, you may be able to sit in either First Class seats (if booked in J) or Premium Economy (if booked in Y) with service of the original cabin. There doesn't appear to be consistency yet as to how these semi-upgrades are allocated. Some people have been able to choose seats in the higher cabin during online check-in, or some will get them on request at check-in. However, there is no entitlement to these seats.
Will I get an upgrade on my Birthday, or for my membership anniversary, or for reaching xx number of lifetime club miles?
Please see this link for members' experience with these kinds of upgrades: Marco Polo Anniversary Upgrades
I want to use Asia Miles to upgrade a BA flight. How do I do this?
As of 22 June 2018, it is no longer possible to upgrade BA flights with Asia Miles.
How do I upgrade a CX flight using miles?
If you already have issued your original ticket:
If you have not made any booking yet, and you want to check availability:
If you don't receive a new e-ticket before departure, call up Marco Polo club to double check if the upgrade has been issued.
The short answer is no.
Cathay, as a general rule, does not allow you to purchase last minute upgrades if there are empty seats in Y+, J or F. The only way to upgrade a ticket is to pay the fare difference between your current ticket, and an available fare class in the higher cabins. Note that if your current ticket has restrictions (cancellation fees, non-refundable) these still apply.
There are been stories of people who have been offered cheap upgrades by Cathay, but this is more an exception than a common occurrence.
If I upgrade my ticket using asia miles, do I still earn miles?
Yes, you will earn miles for the original fare class that you booked, not the upgraded cabin.
How do I get a free upgrade / operational upgrade (op-up)?
Cathay Pacific does not upgrade passengers just because there are empty seats in higher classes. Upgrades will only occur where there is overbooking in lower classes.
The order of upgrades when required is believed to be:
- VIP (Heads of State, Government Bodies, or Canto Pop/Movie stars)
- CX Diamond Plus
- CX Diamond Invitation, Diamond
- CX Gold
- CX management staff on travel duty
- oneworld Emerald
- CX staff on duty nominees , other airline staff nominees, CX staff on personal travel
- oneworld Sapphire
- CX Silver
- oneworld Ruby
- CX Green
- Asia Miles
- Non status
I am travelling on an award ticket. Will I still be considered for a free upgrade?
Yes - there are many stories of passengers on award tickets, or who upgraded a class using miles, getting (additional) upgrades.
What happens if the aircraft has 4 or 3 cabins, but is only selling Business and Economy seats?
It is likely if you have Marco Polo status, and to a lesser extent oneworld status, you may be able to sit in either First Class seats (if booked in J) or Premium Economy (if booked in Y) with service of the original cabin. There doesn't appear to be consistency yet as to how these semi-upgrades are allocated. Some people have been able to choose seats in the higher cabin during online check-in, or some will get them on request at check-in. However, there is no entitlement to these seats.
Will I get an upgrade on my Birthday, or for my membership anniversary, or for reaching xx number of lifetime club miles?
Please see this link for members' experience with these kinds of upgrades: Marco Polo Anniversary Upgrades
I want to use Asia Miles to upgrade a BA flight. How do I do this?
As of 22 June 2018, it is no longer possible to upgrade BA flights with Asia Miles.
How do I upgrade a CX flight using miles?
If you already have issued your original ticket:
- Try upgrading using Manage My Booking on the website (not always successful)
- If self-service doesn't work, try calling Marco Polo hotline to check availability
- If there is availability, you will need to issue the upgrade immediately to secure it. They may give you a few days grace before isssuing the upgrade, but this is now rarely given.
- In a few days, or longer if they are busy, your miles will be deducted, and you will be emailed a new e-ticket with the upgrade class details on it, and your online booking for your original booking class will disappear.
If you have not made any booking yet, and you want to check availability:
- Call Marco Polo club to check for availability on the flights/dates you want, or check for normal redemption availability on the website.
- Book a revenue ticket in the class of service for which you will be paying. Do NOT do this via the website -- call a CX telephone sales number/travel agent.
- Put the booking on hold.
- Call the Marco Polo/Asia Miles Service Center. Have them book the upgrade and give you a deadline to have the ticket issued. (It's usually about 72 hours).
- Have telephone sales/travel agent issue your revenue ticket.
- Call Marco Polo/Asia Miles back. Give them the revenue ticket number against the PNR and ask them to issue your upgrade.
- In about two or three days, you'll get a new ticket with the upgrade showing.
If you don't receive a new e-ticket before departure, call up Marco Polo club to double check if the upgrade has been issued.
The Ultimate Upgrade Question thread
Nov 7, 2025 | 9:34 am
#1516
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Vancouver, Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong
Posts: 348
When I got to HKG i immediately went to the lounge to see if my HKG-YVR could be upgraded. Stopped by The Pier and informed them on the situation, told them that when I called CX support they told me it was confirmed, then retracted their statement. They made some calls and said that I have to wait until just before the boarding time and they will inform The Wing staff since my gate was closer to that area. Headed over there and the staff knew I was coming, and about 10mins before boarding I was told my upgrade was confirmed and completed. Great service from the staff once I was in HKG.
They also looked at my YVR-HKG route and noticed it was handled weirdly by CX support, so they looked into it for me and after the guy was on a call, he informed me that when I land in YVR and within 24 hours, the upgrade should automatically happen, which I'm happy to say I have my YVR-HKG now upgraded.
So I guess the learning lesson here is that in person HKG staff is much better than calling in lol.
Jan 3, 2026 | 8:20 pm
#1517
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: CX, SQ, QF
Posts: 342
With Asia Miles upgrades, do others have the same experience that even when booked in an upgradable fare class, the CX website can indicate the sector as ineligible for upgrade?
I see this consistently when booked in W or R on a medium or long haul sector and connecting in HKG on to a shorthaul where PEY isnt sold and hence that sector is in Y. Is this the reason the first leg shows as ineligible for upgrade even though clearly by CXs rules it is upgradable?
The net result is always having to speak to the call center (or at counter upon check in) but it seems silly this cant be better handled by the website given how many pax will have this type of booking
I see this consistently when booked in W or R on a medium or long haul sector and connecting in HKG on to a shorthaul where PEY isnt sold and hence that sector is in Y. Is this the reason the first leg shows as ineligible for upgrade even though clearly by CXs rules it is upgradable?
The net result is always having to speak to the call center (or at counter upon check in) but it seems silly this cant be better handled by the website given how many pax will have this type of booking
Jan 3, 2026 | 9:12 pm
#1518
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: HKG, EXT, AGP
Programs: CX Gold (OW Sapphire), APEC
Posts: 171
With Asia Miles upgrades, do others have the same experience that even when booked in an upgradable fare class, the CX website can indicate the sector as ineligible for upgrade?
I see this consistently when booked in W or R on a medium or long haul sector and connecting in HKG on to a shorthaul where PEY isnt sold and hence that sector is in Y. Is this the reason the first leg shows as ineligible for upgrade even though clearly by CXs rules it is upgradable?
The net result is always having to speak to the call center (or at counter upon check in) but it seems silly this cant be better handled by the website given how many pax will have this type of booking
I see this consistently when booked in W or R on a medium or long haul sector and connecting in HKG on to a shorthaul where PEY isnt sold and hence that sector is in Y. Is this the reason the first leg shows as ineligible for upgrade even though clearly by CXs rules it is upgradable?
The net result is always having to speak to the call center (or at counter upon check in) but it seems silly this cant be better handled by the website given how many pax will have this type of booking
Jan 3, 2026 | 9:40 pm
#1519
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: CX, SQ, QF
Posts: 342
Jan 8, 2026 | 4:38 pm
#1521
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Diamond (OW Emerald), former SQ Krisflyer Gold
Posts: 2,607
One could go from Y directly to J on a flight only where PE is not sold.
As to whether its worth it, that depends on you. PE is definitely a reasonable step up from Y. And if the flight is very full and you have status there is always then a chance of an op-up to J.
Jan 8, 2026 | 10:58 pm
#1524
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: CX GO, IHG Dia Amb
Posts: 826
If youre planning on 548/549, better do it quick before CX puts the 77W in which would have PEY. Would be fine if its 542/543 which is likely to be a 773.
Jan 9, 2026 | 1:59 am
#1525
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,041
Hah! Yes, I second the above poster's thoughts about securing that bookable upgrade from Y straight to J as soon as possible while the schedule is still showing an A333 (which doesn't have PEY). It's only a matter of time before the aircraft type of CX548/549 gets changed to 77W as CX finalizes its summer schedule, which essentially closes the path of upgrading from Y straight J once PEY is open for sale.
Jan 9, 2026 | 2:26 am
#1526
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 289
Hah! Yes, I second the above poster's thoughts about securing that bookable upgrade from Y straight to J as soon as possible while the schedule is still showing an A333 (which doesn't have PEY). It's only a matter of time before the aircraft type of CX548/549 gets changed to 77W as CX finalizes its summer schedule, which essentially closes the path of upgrading from Y straight J once PEY is open for sale.
Jan 11, 2026 | 11:10 am
#1528
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: HKG, EXT, AGP
Programs: CX Gold (OW Sapphire), APEC
Posts: 171
Hi all,
I have used miles to upgrade from an R-class PY ticket to J on a particular flight. On Manage my booking, the fare code it now shows is U, and my original PY seat and points earning information are no longer present. Will I have to reach out to the airline to claim the miles and points that came with my R-class ticket in the days after my flight? Or will the points and miles be credited automatically?
I have used miles to upgrade from an R-class PY ticket to J on a particular flight. On Manage my booking, the fare code it now shows is U, and my original PY seat and points earning information are no longer present. Will I have to reach out to the airline to claim the miles and points that came with my R-class ticket in the days after my flight? Or will the points and miles be credited automatically?
Jan 11, 2026 | 3:18 pm
#1529
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 178
Hi all,
I have used miles to upgrade from an R-class PY ticket to J on a particular flight. On Manage my booking, the fare code it now shows is U, and my original PY seat and points earning information are no longer present. Will I have to reach out to the airline to claim the miles and points that came with my R-class ticket in the days after my flight? Or will the points and miles be credited automatically?
I have used miles to upgrade from an R-class PY ticket to J on a particular flight. On Manage my booking, the fare code it now shows is U, and my original PY seat and points earning information are no longer present. Will I have to reach out to the airline to claim the miles and points that came with my R-class ticket in the days after my flight? Or will the points and miles be credited automatically?
auto , do nothing . just some known IT issue.