Oct 29, 2013, 4:27 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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:

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

In the event of a tiebreak being needed, generally those with lower "Boarding Numbers" will take precedence (lower BN takes priority). The earlier you check in, the lower your BN. Asking for an upgrade at check-in will not work, so don't. This is definitely one case of where "if you don't ask, you don't get", does NOT apply. The amount you paid for your ticket or the fare class of your ticket does not appear to affect your upgrade chances.

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

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Aug 30, 2017 | 8:14 am

#706

swingaling

Join Date: Apr 2017

Location: PVD, BOS

Programs: AA EXP

Posts: 1,664

Quote:

Originally Posted by QRC3288

Your odds are low. I wouldn't spend any more time thinking about it than you already have if you're the type who gets disappointed.

Thanks for the advice.

I definitely would never count on an op up and I'm perfectly content to fly in PY. As long as I'm not in Y, I'll be a happy camper.

If asking the GAs has no impact on upgrades, then I probably won't bother them about it.

Sep 2, 2017 | 8:19 am

#707

seeyouatthepier

Join Date: Sep 2017

Posts: 19

Hey everyone, sorry bit unsure if I should called MP (I think the lines are really bad at the moment due to the storms and I imagine a lot of flight changes), but I upgraded a 2 leg flight to Business, and one is waitlisted (return) (Australia -> HK) but the other upgraded (HK -> NY) (Also Return)

I read that I should get them to action the ticket but they did email me to confirm the upgrade but no new eticket. I can pick seats on the manage booking and the flight is not for another 3 weeks or so. It also mentioned that there is a date a bout a week before they will decide to issue a new ticket. Just wondering if I should just wait it out till the week before or call like mentioned in previous posts (in saying that I do notice some of those posts are 2 years ago) so not sure if things have changed! Been about a week since booking.

Sep 4, 2017 | 9:53 pm

#708

Milesjamie

Join Date: Nov 2002

Location: Boston, MA

Posts: 188

equip switch upgrade to J = lounge?

Was booked in premium economy, but HKG outbound leg had equipment swap for a 333 Regional configuration. So CX "upgraded" me to J.

Does one get J lounge access as part of that, where it was just an equip swap?

Sep 4, 2017 | 10:00 pm

#709

QRC3288

Join Date: Nov 2007

Location: Hong Kong

Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood

Posts: 8,242

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milesjamie

I think you get upgraded into I class, which is a revenue biz class bucket. I *think* you'll get a lounge invite, although not 100% sure.

Sep 5, 2017 | 9:28 am

#710

andersonCooper

Join Date: Jun 2015

Location: New York

Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott

Posts: 1,484

Quote:

Originally Posted by QRC3288

I think you get upgraded into I class, which is a revenue biz class bucket. I *think* you'll get a lounge invite, although not 100% sure.

Could second this. A recent aircraft swap made my E into I, instead of J.

Sep 7, 2017 | 7:42 am

#711

466SHH

Join Date: Jan 2013

Posts: 745

Quote:

Originally Posted by andersonCooper

Could second this. A recent aircraft swap made my E into I, instead of J.

Happened to me too this week. Both flights went from E to I.

Sep 7, 2017 | 8:13 am

#712

fakecd

Join Date: Apr 2001

Location: HKG/HND/OOL

Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.

Posts: 3,586

Quote:

Originally Posted by 466SHH

Happened to me too this week. Both flights went from E to I.

only exception... when you booked in E and if flight gets cancelled and you choose a flight that offers no PEY they consider it voluntary downgrade and booked to Y cabin

Sep 8, 2017 | 9:41 pm

#713

fakecd

Join Date: Apr 2001

Location: HKG/HND/OOL

Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.

Posts: 3,586

i really feel that OW status is little use now. i dont have enough data points but anacdotally my mom who is Silver gets upgraded almost 60% of time on touristy route flying at touristy day of week... i have been OWE (and OWS before) and even i can see flight oversold in economy for BKK (which has to be tourist heavy but also MPC heavy) i never had much charm.

so i get a feel that it is MPC silver ahead or OWE since revamp... just my feeling

Sep 8, 2017 | 10:01 pm

#714

QRC3288

Join Date: Nov 2007

Location: Hong Kong

Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood

Posts: 8,242

Quote:

Originally Posted by fakecd

fwiw, I think the CIV thing is overstated on here. Masse at MPC told me explicitly it is used as a tie-breaker between tiers, and that OWE does not get preference over DM and GO for op-ups.

He said the check-in staff do have discretion, but this is generally just for "issues". There are many variables involved getting flights out on-time, irrops, issues that roll into other issues, and whatnot. The system is not 100% DM will always get the upgrade over another, but in most normal circumstances it works the way described I think.

There are a few other caveats which apparently have been in play for some time: sometimes when members first make certain tiers, they do get an upgrade which is placed in the system similar to your birthday upgrade or anniversary upgrade, etc. Aka it is intentionally placed there.

But the idea that OWS or OWE are outflanking MPCs in upgrades would go 100% opposed to what I've been told, and I also haven't seen it in practice very often. Once or twice, yes. But regularly, definitely no.

Sep 9, 2017 | 1:23 am

#715

fakecd

Join Date: Apr 2001

Location: HKG/HND/OOL

Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.

Posts: 3,586

Quote:

Originally Posted by QRC3288

But the idea that OWS or OWE are outflanking MPCs in upgrades would go 100% opposed to what I've been told, and I also haven't seen it in practice very often. Once or twice, yes. But regularly, definitely no.

i agree. when i was lowly silver back in the ages i had more upgrades than now! crazy!

maybe the silver does count for something!

Sep 9, 2017 | 3:24 am

#716

cxfan1960

Join Date: Nov 2006

Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF

Posts: 8,171

Quote:

Originally Posted by fakecd

only exception... when you booked in E and if flight gets cancelled and you choose a flight that offers no PEY they consider it voluntary downgrade and booked to Y cabin

CX will do that up front for a E ticket, but I believe if there is no PEY due to change of equipment, they will still reseat the passenger in I to avoid refunding the fare difference.

Sep 9, 2017 | 4:02 am

#717

G-CIVC

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG

Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE

Posts: 3,086

Personally I am happy if MPC is further prioritized over OW elites. Or better just consider ow elites as non status.

Here comes the data point as some of you have seen on my IG - CX806 a few days ago: family member A of mine got opup PE to J as a brand new CXAM (only made him sign up a few days ago); family member B OWR no op up. Separate tickets, both awards. Interestingly, family member A was under 18 and was in the non-bassinet PE seat originally. Ground knew they were traveling together as they checked in together

It's good. My parents are now asking me to do the numbers to see if they should switch from BA to MPC.

Sep 9, 2017 | 4:20 am

#718

fakecd

Join Date: Apr 2001

Location: HKG/HND/OOL

Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.

Posts: 3,586

believe me i am believer i shud expect to fly in cabin paid for and i buy J when i want that comfort.

but...

i must say i used to believe i was up the foodchain as OWE and i admit there was element of bias in choosing CX Y over other cariers just in case this was the case... i also got out of my way to choose a full flight for high frequency routes sacrificing my own preference.

unfortunately i am a captive audience here.. for weekend get away from HKG i guess CX Y is most sensible