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
Sep 24, 2015 | 8:41 am
#316
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
If this is the case it would be entirely contrary to the conversation I had with the CX phone rep. My undertanding was that in order to process an instant upgrade, the passeneger needed to have the sponsor's information i.e. address, DOB, etc. but no mention of the sposnor needing to travel on the same flight.
Unless there is a change recently, they have to be to the same flight. I was denied to upgrade my wife at the airport because I was not traveling with her.
CX phone agents do NOT process instant upgrades. It is only done at the airport. He/she might have mistaken that you were asking about regular upgrade.
Sep 27, 2015 | 1:18 am
#317
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 18
Hello, travelling YYZ-HKG-HND in J next year and wondering if it would be possible to upgrade, using cash obviously, the HKG-HND leg, to F, and preferably only either the HKG -> HND flight or the return (without having to pay a price similar to return flights). Or even HKG-HND return in F if need be?
Reason I ask is that YYZ-HKG does not offer F service and I do not want to pay F prices for the entire intinerary only to travel in most of it (YYZ-HKG) in J.
Reason I ask is that YYZ-HKG does not offer F service and I do not want to pay F prices for the entire intinerary only to travel in most of it (YYZ-HKG) in J.
Sep 27, 2015 | 8:38 am
#318
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 8,239
Hello, travelling YYZ-HKG-HND in J next year and wondering if it would be possible to upgrade, using cash obviously, the HKG-HND leg, to F, and preferably only either the HKG -> HND flight or the return (without having to pay a price similar to return flights). Or even HKG-HND return in F if need be?
Reason I ask is that YYZ-HKG does not offer F service and I do not want to pay F prices for the entire intinerary only to travel in most of it (YYZ-HKG) in J.
Reason I ask is that YYZ-HKG does not offer F service and I do not want to pay F prices for the entire intinerary only to travel in most of it (YYZ-HKG) in J.
Depending on your underlying fare class, you could be in for some sticker shock. If you're flying D or I, for example, you can expect to see probably ~4k USD (aka, almost the full value of F the HND round trip) tacked on. There will not be some bargain to be found doing it this way. Fyi, you can do this in advance - aka CX is not going to charge you F class to/from YYZ if only available on the HND sectors. However, where you may be onto something is CX's online booking engine won't let you choose sub fare class, and it may well be it's forcing you into fly J or C class ex YYZ on the longhauls, which is unnecessary. If this is the case, just call CX or a travel agent to get it booked properly. I **think** you should be able to get an I or D fare ex YYZ to HND, and then upfare only the HND sectors, all done well before the flight date.
However, I can never figure out how CX calculates the value of each sector but IME an overwhelming percentage is on the long hauls not the intra Asia connecting sectors. Others can chime in if I'm off base. But I'm assuming you're hoping to buy some discounted biz fare ex Toronto, in which case the HND sector "value" is going to be low, meaning the upfare to F will probably be very close to full fare F for those sectors. If you are actually intending to buy J or C fare ex YYZ to HND, then I think you're just confused - CX isn't charging you F on the non-F sectors!
What are ex YYZ I or D fares these days? 4k USD or so? If so, I think you should expect to roughly double your price to 8k if you upfare the two HND sectors to F. Ie, the round-trip upfare will be in the ballpark of 4k USD on a base 4k D or I fare ticket.
Sep 27, 2015 | 2:45 pm
#319
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Hello, travelling YYZ-HKG-HND in J next year and wondering if it would be possible to upgrade, using cash obviously, the HKG-HND leg, to F, and preferably only either the HKG -> HND flight or the return (without having to pay a price similar to return flights). Or even HKG-HND return in F if need be?
Reason I ask is that YYZ-HKG does not offer F service and I do not want to pay F prices for the entire intinerary only to travel in most of it (YYZ-HKG) in J.
Reason I ask is that YYZ-HKG does not offer F service and I do not want to pay F prices for the entire intinerary only to travel in most of it (YYZ-HKG) in J.
Sep 27, 2015 | 2:46 pm
#320
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 18
Yes you can upgrade it, sector by sector. Presumably they'll offer you the cash upgrade from your biz fare class to A (if available) or F (if A is gone). I have never been so lucky to get A on same day cash upgrades and have to pay up for full F.
Depending on your underlying fare class, you could be in for some sticker shock. If you're flying D or I, for example, you can expect to see probably ~4k USD (aka, almost the full value of F the HND round trip) tacked on. There will not be some bargain to be found doing it this way. Fyi, you can do this in advance - aka CX is not going to charge you F class to/from YYZ if only available on the HND sectors. However, where you may be onto something is CX's online booking engine won't let you choose sub fare class, and it may well be it's forcing you into fly J or C class ex YYZ on the longhauls, which is unnecessary. If this is the case, just call CX or a travel agent to get it booked properly. I **think** you should be able to get an I or D fare ex YYZ to HND, and then upfare only the HND sectors, all done well before the flight date.
However, I can never figure out how CX calculates the value of each sector but IME an overwhelming percentage is on the long hauls not the intra Asia connecting sectors. Others can chime in if I'm off base. But I'm assuming you're hoping to buy some discounted biz fare ex Toronto, in which case the HND sector "value" is going to be low, meaning the upfare to F will probably be very close to full fare F for those sectors. If you are actually intending to buy J or C fare ex YYZ to HND, then I think you're just confused - CX isn't charging you F on the non-F sectors!
What are ex YYZ I or D fares these days? 4k USD or so? If so, I think you should expect to roughly double your price to 8k if you upfare the two HND sectors to F. Ie, the round-trip upfare will be in the ballpark of 4k USD on a base 4k D or I fare ticket.
Depending on your underlying fare class, you could be in for some sticker shock. If you're flying D or I, for example, you can expect to see probably ~4k USD (aka, almost the full value of F the HND round trip) tacked on. There will not be some bargain to be found doing it this way. Fyi, you can do this in advance - aka CX is not going to charge you F class to/from YYZ if only available on the HND sectors. However, where you may be onto something is CX's online booking engine won't let you choose sub fare class, and it may well be it's forcing you into fly J or C class ex YYZ on the longhauls, which is unnecessary. If this is the case, just call CX or a travel agent to get it booked properly. I **think** you should be able to get an I or D fare ex YYZ to HND, and then upfare only the HND sectors, all done well before the flight date.
However, I can never figure out how CX calculates the value of each sector but IME an overwhelming percentage is on the long hauls not the intra Asia connecting sectors. Others can chime in if I'm off base. But I'm assuming you're hoping to buy some discounted biz fare ex Toronto, in which case the HND sector "value" is going to be low, meaning the upfare to F will probably be very close to full fare F for those sectors. If you are actually intending to buy J or C fare ex YYZ to HND, then I think you're just confused - CX isn't charging you F on the non-F sectors!
What are ex YYZ I or D fares these days? 4k USD or so? If so, I think you should expect to roughly double your price to 8k if you upfare the two HND sectors to F. Ie, the round-trip upfare will be in the ballpark of 4k USD on a base 4k D or I fare ticket.
Sorry for the mix-up, reason I asked is that at the time of booking, attempting to do so online in F would result in a 13k CAD fare, with indeed, the first leg in J instead of I, a huge upcharge for no benefits (that apply to me).
A dummy booking today for the same dates (8 months or so from now) resulted in 7.5k CAD D fare, or 19k (!) CAD J+F fare, while HKG-HND in F has remained around 5k USD.
So basically the question would have been better phrased as whether I could upcharge HKG-HND (preferrably one-way, but return if prices in the former are high) without touching the the YYZ-HKG leg at all (as I fare is good enough for me).
Sep 27, 2015 | 4:42 pm
#321
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 8,239
However, I presume you would like confirmation in advance. In that case I recommend talking with a travel agent so you can tell them exactly what you want, or perhaps CX. Anyone else on here know for sure?
Regardless of when you do it, you should expect that the I fare HKG-HND-HKG sectors are worth very little. So basically be prepared to pay 4-5k USD for the upfare from I, since I is pretty cheap. So I think your all-in cost will be 8-9k USD.
Sep 27, 2015 | 4:48 pm
#322
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Thanks for your reply, yes, it is a I fare, bought for 4.8k CAD, or 3.8k or so USD, all booking attempts through the CX website.
Sorry for the mix-up, reason I asked is that at the time of booking, attempting to do so online in F would result in a 13k CAD fare, with indeed, the first leg in J instead of I, a huge upcharge for no benefits (that apply to me).
A dummy booking today for the same dates (8 months or so from now) resulted in 7.5k CAD D fare, or 19k (!) CAD J+F fare, while HKG-HND in F has remained around 5k USD.
So basically the question would have been better phrased as whether I could upcharge HKG-HND (preferrably one-way, but return if prices in the former are high) without touching the the YYZ-HKG leg at all (as I fare is good enough for me).
Sorry for the mix-up, reason I asked is that at the time of booking, attempting to do so online in F would result in a 13k CAD fare, with indeed, the first leg in J instead of I, a huge upcharge for no benefits (that apply to me).
A dummy booking today for the same dates (8 months or so from now) resulted in 7.5k CAD D fare, or 19k (!) CAD J+F fare, while HKG-HND in F has remained around 5k USD.
So basically the question would have been better phrased as whether I could upcharge HKG-HND (preferrably one-way, but return if prices in the former are high) without touching the the YYZ-HKG leg at all (as I fare is good enough for me).
Have you checked with your TA on what they can arrange for you?
Sep 29, 2015 | 9:19 pm
#323
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold, HH Gold, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 102
The new regional seat was medicore at best, but I'm not complaining about the free upgrade though. One thing was the day after, the same flight was subbed to a 747 which was a rarity since the jumbo does the route like 5 times a year. Talk about luck!
Sep 29, 2015 | 10:12 pm
#324
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 19
Could someone help me check the inventory on the following?
Two tickets booked thru TA, LAX-HKG with PE (R) and trying to upgrade to J. The PE tickets have already been confirmed.
10/6 LAX - HKG -- CX883
11/2 HKG - LAX -- CX882
Thank you!
-Tom
Two tickets booked thru TA, LAX-HKG with PE (R) and trying to upgrade to J. The PE tickets have already been confirmed.
10/6 LAX - HKG -- CX883
11/2 HKG - LAX -- CX882
Thank you!
-Tom
Sep 29, 2015 | 10:55 pm
#325
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Oct 6 CX 883: F1 A1 J1 C1 D1 I0 W0 R0 E0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0
Nov 2 CX 882: F3 A3 J9 C9 D9 I9 W3 R1 E0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L7 V3 S0 N0 Q0 O0
Sep 30, 2015 | 12:53 am
#326
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: AA & SPG Plat
Posts: 387
Sep 30, 2015 | 9:29 am
#327
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 19
We are flexible, so +/- 1-2 days of outbound date is OK if it will increase the likelihood to upgrade to J.
What about CX 881 or 897 on the same day, 10/6?
-Tom
Oct 4, 2015 | 7:29 am
#328
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,598
AM Y+ to J chances
Dear Cathay friends,
Was wondering your thoughts on the likelihood that my request for AM upgrade using miles, from Y+ to J, would clear on the following sectors:
NEW YORK JOHN F CX 841 R 24NOV 0900
KENNEDY INTL
HONG KONG
HONG KONG CX 197 R 25NOV 2100
AUCKLAND
AUCKLAND CX 198 R 29NOV 1430
HONG KONG
HONG KONG CX 840 R 30NOV 1625
NEW YORK JOHN F
KENNEDY INTL
Thank you and best always
Was wondering your thoughts on the likelihood that my request for AM upgrade using miles, from Y+ to J, would clear on the following sectors:
NEW YORK JOHN F CX 841 R 24NOV 0900
KENNEDY INTL
HONG KONG
HONG KONG CX 197 R 25NOV 2100
AUCKLAND
AUCKLAND CX 198 R 29NOV 1430
HONG KONG
HONG KONG CX 840 R 30NOV 1625
NEW YORK JOHN F
KENNEDY INTL
Thank you and best always
Oct 7, 2015 | 2:22 am
#329
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LAS
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 1,221
Is it still possible to pay the fare difference from economy to premium economy online using change flight tool at manage my booking? I remember doing this once but apparently I can no longer see any other cabins?