Originally Posted by matio_svk (Post 35041533)

First time flying with CX, so I would be grateful to have my expectations set realistic...
Snatched a good premium eco fare to HKG from Europe for end of April and I am interested in mile-upgrading LHR-HKG (wishful thinking ) with Asia Miles, I was told by the CX hotline, that an upgrade to C would cost 25k oneway (which is fine), but there is no availability at the moment...
Give that I have no experience with CX, is it even realistic that some inventory will open up and if so, is there some pattern (weeks before, lastminute..etc) of I should just check every day..

Thanks

Originally Posted by ernestnywang (Post 35052318)

You can waitlist, assuming you have miles readily available.

Originally Posted by matio_svk (Post 35041533)

First time flying with CX, so I would be grateful to have my expectations set realistic...
Snatched a good premium eco fare to HKG from Europe for end of April and I am interested in mile-upgrading LHR-HKG (wishful thinking ) with Asia Miles, I was told by the CX hotline, that an upgrade to C would cost 25k oneway (which is fine), but there is no availability at the moment...
Give that I have no experience with CX, is it even realistic that some inventory will open up and if so, is there some pattern (weeks before, lastminute..etc) of I should just check every day..

Thanks

Originally Posted by mach9103 (Post 35053751)

What was the price you paid for the return if I may ask?

Originally Posted by matio_svk (Post 35054768)

VIE>LHR>HKG>LHR>VIE, around 770 Euros RT, imho very good price for premium eco

Originally Posted by beach86 (Post 35119484)

I have an upgrade certification to use (mid-tier benefit). ExpertFlyer showing F1A0. I have submitted an online request and had it denied. Is it worth to submit again closer to the date? Any magical timeframe or is F class never going to clear? Thanks.

Originally Posted by wyskevin (Post 35125288)

I suggest to phone the agent, play " I am DM" card, and politely request agent to release a first class seat for you.
CX might surprise you. ( It works for me most of time anyway. )

Originally Posted by Deltus (Post 35366161)

Is there a minimum time you have to wait after making a cash booking before you can upgrade with Asia Miles? I've just booked Economy seats on flights that have Premium Economy redemption availability, but when I rang up Cathay they said that there is only waitlist availability, but also told me that upgrades and award flights come from the same inventory. So it makes no sense that I can see availability for a new booking but only waitlist for an upgrade... Unless I have to wait?

Originally Posted by Deltus (Post 35366161)

Also, I tried the "ring up and get a booking put on hold" as suggested in the wiki on this thread, but got stuck in an endless loop being passed between the new bookings team ("we can't process the upgrade, you need to speak to the awards team") and the awards team ("you need a confirmed booking before we can process your upgrade"). What a waste of time...

Originally Posted by tentseller (Post 35367741)

Cabin class upgrades are from a different fare code bucket than straight award tix in that cabin.

All my J and PEY upgrades are cleared at gate or while I am in the lounge.

Originally Posted by etkuo (Post 35368562)

I think the only minimum time required is for the ticket to issue (which if bought on CX website is usually instant).

I agree with [MENTION=239882]tentseller[/MENTION]’s comment. Upgrade inventory and straight redemption come out of a different bucket, even though they will both ticket in the T(PEY)/U(J) fare class.

I think some of the info on the wiki above might be slightly out of date. There had been quite a few policy changes re: upgrades/redemptions/waitlists in the past few years.

Originally Posted by etkuo (Post 35368562)

I think the only minimum time required is for the ticket to issue (which if bought on CX website is usually instant).

I agree with [MENTION=239882]tentseller[/MENTION]’s comment. Upgrade inventory and straight redemption come out of a different bucket, even though they will both ticket in the T(PEY)/U(J) fare class.


I think some of the info on the wiki above might be slightly out of date. There had been quite a few policy changes re: upgrades/redemptions/waitlists in the past few years.


I have always wondered, for airport upgrade redemption, do we require T/U class availability or is it solely governed by unsold/unfilled seats at flight closes.

The odd times I had to wait till the airport to redeem my upgrades (due to no upgrade availability beforehand), it seemed to me that the upgrade clears based on empty seats and not T/U class availability. But I always wonder whether this is the actual policy.