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
Feb 21, 2019, 11:27 pm
#1021
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Feb 23, 2019, 5:31 pm
#1023
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SBA
Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler
Posts: 1,134
My flight LAX-HKG next week is full in PEY cabin.
As an OW Emerald I don't think I have a good chance to get an op-up, but is this the situation op-ups might happen to CX elites at the airport?
As an OW Emerald I don't think I have a good chance to get an op-up, but is this the situation op-ups might happen to CX elites at the airport?
Feb 24, 2019, 12:15 am
#1024
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YVR, KUL
Programs: AC, MH, BA, AF-KL
Posts: 2,904
Yesterday's CX888 HKG-YVR was full in Y and PEY, less so in J. EF was showing F1 A0 J6 C6 D6 I6 W0 Y0 a few hours before departure.
When boarding, a DM ahead of me got an op-up from J to F. I assumed that meant a bunch of PEY pax were upgraded to J. Strangely, J still had 5 empty seats including 11D/G which were empty since I started checking the seat map a week out.
I’m curious if any DMs have encountered something similar.
When boarding, a DM ahead of me got an op-up from J to F. I assumed that meant a bunch of PEY pax were upgraded to J. Strangely, J still had 5 empty seats including 11D/G which were empty since I started checking the seat map a week out.
I’m curious if any DMs have encountered something similar.
Feb 24, 2019, 12:20 am
#1025
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
You can't assume op-up....I've had a birthday upgrade processed at the gate before. Could be anniversary too I suppose. Could be something else.
Or, it could've actually been op-up if a bunch of seats in J were non-operable or not permitted to fly. I was on a 77W in November with 3 seats in J class closed off due to something broken.
Et cetera.
There are no doubt a lot of reasons that don't come right to mind.
Or, it could've actually been op-up if a bunch of seats in J were non-operable or not permitted to fly. I was on a 77W in November with 3 seats in J class closed off due to something broken.
Et cetera.
There are no doubt a lot of reasons that don't come right to mind.
Feb 24, 2019, 11:30 am
#1026
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: CX MPC DM
Posts: 416
For op up, normal scenario would be CX elites first, DM & GO. After that who knows, we are not privy to the algorithm used. Is it SL then OWE or the opposite? What are the tie breakers? Is there a revenue score and when is it factored in? Does BN (check in order) matter? Are some pax getting targeted with op up to lure them in to buying premium cabin and being selected over CX elites? This entire thread is based on trying to make sense of the logic.
The prevailing wisdom is never plan on an op up. If you really want an upgrade, either pay or burn some miles with an instant upgrade. I still try to check in as early as possible just in case that still matters. For PEY, I usually purchase R class tickets to give me the option for a redemption or instant upgrade.
Feb 24, 2019, 2:12 pm
#1027
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SBA
Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler
Posts: 1,134
Sure, the scenario would be an oversold condition where they start bumping up pax to make room. However, you can't really predict with certainty how it will play out. Do you know the full loading via EF? If J is full, nowhere to go. If Y is not full but PEY is and no other PEY tix are sold, then you'll enjoy a full PEY cabin without any op ups. I had colleagues (all CX GO and SL) on flights back to NYC right before LNY that were packed out with a few J seats left, but no op ups. The planes seemed full but not oversold as I was helping them out by monitoring loads via EF.
For op up, normal scenario would be CX elites first, DM & GO. After that who knows, we are not privy to the algorithm used. Is it SL then OWE or the opposite? What are the tie breakers? Is there a revenue score and when is it factored in? Does BN (check in order) matter? Are some pax getting targeted with op up to lure them in to buying premium cabin and being selected over CX elites? This entire thread is based on trying to make sense of the logic.
The prevailing wisdom is never plan on an op up. If you really want an upgrade, either pay or burn some miles with an instant upgrade. I still try to check in as early as possible just in case that still matters. For PEY, I usually purchase R class tickets to give me the option for a redemption or instant upgrade.
For op up, normal scenario would be CX elites first, DM & GO. After that who knows, we are not privy to the algorithm used. Is it SL then OWE or the opposite? What are the tie breakers? Is there a revenue score and when is it factored in? Does BN (check in order) matter? Are some pax getting targeted with op up to lure them in to buying premium cabin and being selected over CX elites? This entire thread is based on trying to make sense of the logic.
The prevailing wisdom is never plan on an op up. If you really want an upgrade, either pay or burn some miles with an instant upgrade. I still try to check in as early as possible just in case that still matters. For PEY, I usually purchase R class tickets to give me the option for a redemption or instant upgrade.
F1 A0 J9 C8 D0 I0 W0 R0 E0 Y9 B9 H9 K7 M4 L1 V0 S0 N0 Q0
It looks nobody gets op-up from PEY cabin. Is that right? When I checked CX site, Y was still being sold, but it was showing like 7 seats left (Flex), so it's getting full, I guess.
If I get an op-up, I just think I'm really lucky. That's all. PEY is the seat I paid for.
Feb 24, 2019, 6:03 pm
#1028
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: CRK MNL
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,288
New to Asiamiles redemption.
I have waitlisted for an award upgrade (J to F) for 2pax for my flight CX289 in April. EF shows:
F4 A4 J9 C0 D0 I0 W6 R6 E0 Y0 B9 H9K9 M9 L3 V9 S0 N0 Q0
What are my chances of getting this upgrade? Hoping to try out F class for the first time.
I have waitlisted for an award upgrade (J to F) for 2pax for my flight CX289 in April. EF shows:
F4 A4 J9 C0 D0 I0 W6 R6 E0 Y0 B9 H9K9 M9 L3 V9 S0 N0 Q0
What are my chances of getting this upgrade? Hoping to try out F class for the first time.
Feb 25, 2019, 8:26 am
#1029
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: CX MPC DM
Posts: 416
I just checked EF and it showed
F1 A0 J9 C8 D0 I0 W0 R0 E0 Y9 B9 H9 K7 M4 L1 V0 S0 N0 Q0
It looks nobody gets op-up from PEY cabin. Is that right? When I checked CX site, Y was still being sold, but it was showing like 7 seats left (Flex), so it's getting full, I guess.
If I get an op-up, I just think I'm really lucky. That's all. PEY is the seat I paid for.
F1 A0 J9 C8 D0 I0 W0 R0 E0 Y9 B9 H9 K7 M4 L1 V0 S0 N0 Q0
It looks nobody gets op-up from PEY cabin. Is that right? When I checked CX site, Y was still being sold, but it was showing like 7 seats left (Flex), so it's getting full, I guess.
If I get an op-up, I just think I'm really lucky. That's all. PEY is the seat I paid for.
Feb 25, 2019, 8:49 am
#1030
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
I just checked EF and it showed
F1 A0 J9 C8 D0 I0 W0 R0 E0 Y9 B9 H9 K7 M4 L1 V0 S0 N0 Q0
It looks nobody gets op-up from PEY cabin. Is that right? When I checked CX site, Y was still being sold, but it was showing like 7 seats left (Flex), so it's getting full, I guess.
If I get an op-up, I just think I'm really lucky. That's all. PEY is the seat I paid for.
F1 A0 J9 C8 D0 I0 W0 R0 E0 Y9 B9 H9 K7 M4 L1 V0 S0 N0 Q0
It looks nobody gets op-up from PEY cabin. Is that right? When I checked CX site, Y was still being sold, but it was showing like 7 seats left (Flex), so it's getting full, I guess.
If I get an op-up, I just think I'm really lucky. That's all. PEY is the seat I paid for.
Feb 26, 2019, 12:15 am
#1031
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SFO/DFW
Programs: AA-EP, A3*G, UA*S
Posts: 290
HKG-SFO CX 872 25Feb. Seat map in PY had been full for 2 weeks prior to departure. During boarding, BP was rejected by scanner and GA handed me a new one in J (as OWE).
EF showed 9 seats blocked in J at about 8 hours before departure, so not sure if that's indicative of anything.
Did not have same luck earlier in the week on SFO-HKG. Was told it was oversold by 7 in PY but no op-up.
EF showed 9 seats blocked in J at about 8 hours before departure, so not sure if that's indicative of anything.
Did not have same luck earlier in the week on SFO-HKG. Was told it was oversold by 7 in PY but no op-up.
Feb 26, 2019, 5:09 am
#1032
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 5
op upped on all segments
CX 811 / 901 BOS-HKG-MNL 2/8
CX 930 / 812 MNL-HKG-BOS 2/24
was booked PEY, I am MPC Silver
got the magic red light each time my BP was scanned, all 4 segments handed a J ticket.
i have gotten a segment or two before but this is the first time I got lucky on all.
CX 930 / 812 MNL-HKG-BOS 2/24
was booked PEY, I am MPC Silver
got the magic red light each time my BP was scanned, all 4 segments handed a J ticket.
i have gotten a segment or two before but this is the first time I got lucky on all.
Feb 26, 2019, 1:01 pm
#1033
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: CX Diamond, AA CK (quit 2018), Starwood Platinum, National EXC Elite
Posts: 283
As DM, failed 01/28, and 02/25 CX872 (HKG-SFO) - J to F, with Asia Miles Redemption request. Get the feeling that the mistake fares are taking away J to F opportunities. Quite how long will last, not sure.
Feb 26, 2019, 11:55 pm
#1034
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SBA
Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler
Posts: 1,134
How many days out? You said next week but didn't say which day of the week. If your still T-96 anything can happen. A bunch of Y pax can swoop in, CX might open up the discount fares. Maybe PEY is oversold. All you can really do is check in right at T-48 in case check in order still matters as a tie breaker.
F0 A0 J7 C7 D0 I0 W1 R0 E0 Y7 B7 H6 K5 M3 L2 V0 S0 N0 Q0
I also checked seat map and I can see 6 blocked and 2 available in J cabin and 2 (one is next to me) blocked and nothing is available in PEY cabin.
The 2 blocked seats in PEY cabin was available to take when I checked my seat at CX website.
Mar 3, 2019, 10:39 am
#1035
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northern Ireland
Programs: BA Silver, A3
Posts: 1,101
My partner is flying DUB to HKG Premier Econ Class E on 3rd April and trying to bid for an upgrade. I have just tried too and got the message "Unfortunately your trip is not eligible at this time."
Does the "at this time" mean that it will be possible at a future date?
Does the "at this time" mean that it will be possible at a future date?