Yes, I read the first post of this thread so I'm not expecting much of anything. I never expect much of anything on BA, either!

It's EWR-HKG-SIN, RT. When I booked the fare originally, PE was $1700 and Business was something like $4K, so that's what I'd expect to see (and that's more than I want to spend). Really, I only want to upgrade the outbound EWR-HKG leg, so if there were a way to do that for substantially less than $2300, I'd consider it.

I'll be on the lookout for that, for sure.

This is good recommendation.

Op: #1 might not be too bad, especially for one way. You should check. It might only be $300 USD or do plus the Asia Miles.

This will be really easy if you already have Asia Miles. If you're not an Asia Miles regular, since I don't think any currencies transfer instantaneously to AM, this is more of a pickle.

If you DO have Asia Miles and at least infrequently use them, then keep 30k miles in your account on standby, and then you get the airport ask 1) if biz "Instant Upgrade" award space are available (this is Asia Miles parlance for an Asia Miles upgrade award processed at the airport, instead of in advance), and if so how much the upfare to R is. This would be best.

Because if you aren't an Asia Miles regular, it will suck to transfer the miles to AM only to find out no inventory is available into U (biz award inventory) for the Instant Upgrade.

And as said above, only currency you can use to upgrade CX tickets is Asia Miles.

I have no Asia Miles (have never flown CX before). Unless I can create some by transfer Amex or Chase points into a new account, Option 1 is not possible at all. But thank you.

Well, based on my sample size of n=1, I am absolutely thrilled to report that the statistical likelihood was 100% tonight. I did in fact get upgraded to J upon arrival to EWR (and I did online check-in, too--wasn't expecting this!) My life is immeasurably better right now than it was 30 minutes ago. I was really dreading that long PE flight.

Well, congratulations - I've had good luck (100% in fact) with North America-HKG PE to J op ups when I was OW Sapphire/Emerald last year. Just withhold your excitement and keep the gopros/camera flash away or else the CX FFs will start their eyerolling and bashing, and just enjoy your flight! You will like CX as a BA FF.

Not to worry, I am not a yokel (although this being my first CX flight, I did have to ask the FA where they kept the headsets!) I am hoping that 100% holds up for my return flight next week :D Sadly, no upgrade for my connecting HKG-SIN flight in a few hours, but as that's a much shorter flight I can just about endure it ;)

Well I have such an experience from my last two trips where I bought round trip tickets (not the upgradable classes with miles, class V) from NYC to Hong Kong and Cathay just upgraded the flight from NYC to Hong Kong for me. But the return flight stays the same. I wonder if they will upgrade my flight again this time. I am flying again on Monday. I wonder why, is that because of my loyalty? I've been member since 2010 and once a gold member.

Anybody knows why?

Can anyone assist and reply with the seat availability for CX828 - 14June; Hubby's booked in E and wondering on capacity and if any chance of OpUp to PE; (MP Green)

He's presently booked in 1st Row Bulkhead Window in E - any reviews/comments on this seat (already checked on SeatGuru)

Much appreciated

I am one world emerald but nothing with CX. Do they offer upgrades at the airport for money instead of Asia Miles? Currently in PE would love to Business (booked flight thru Orbitz).

You can upgrade by paying the fare difference. The sub fare class is what matters. If your fare is non refundable then no. Short of just eating the cost and buying a J ticket. If you paid a lot and are in W class (full fare PEY), the difference might only be 1k USD. But most likely more.

Fyi Asia Miles are only eligible for W and E class upgrades. No E.

There is no let's make a deal, aka a reduced fare upgrade sale.

The status is irrelevant.

I called just now and they said since I booked through Orbitz I can't even pay for an upgrade. Its booked into R class. Does that mean I will also miss out on any tiny chance for an Op up?

Op up isn't affected.

Where are you flying?

Re paying the fare difference to upgrade

Few months before I also thought that the price is J minus [whatever your class fare]... But then I found that IF there's available sub-class for sale...

W / Y fare -> J fare
R / B fare sometimes -> C fare

But how is the mapping done... I don't know...

Depends on outport ;) On my DoD ORD flight last week they were offering $650 for W to J. It was even shown on the FIDS :p but seems that there were no takers.

Actually that's a bargain... I paid nearly US$1000 to move my HKG-JFK//YYZ-HKG Y booking to W...

When will they re-launch Enhance?