I'm not expecting a free upgrade. I'm wondering whether CX actively offer cash upgrades in order to free up cabin space in lower cabins.

"I'm OWE (BA Gold)" added for context only, there'r no entitlement implied.

Apologies, my poor interpretation

Then QRC3288 has probably answered your question, except that CX will after youhave made your booking also invite you to bid for the next available class (check your MMB page), but as always is not guaranteed

As per cash upgrade I don't think that airport staff can help you - someone correct me if wrong - they process eligible upgrades via AM

you could call the airline beforehand and pay the fare difference, I've heard before from the guys here that for rebooking into a higher class theyhave had their rebooking fee waived

Ah! This this what I was kindof hoping for...I have the booking in the CX app and will keep an eye out for notification (or do they offer them via the website only?), hoping for a bargain....you never know! Thanks. And forgive me for not perhaps explaining myself properly in the first place.

This thread may be of interest to you:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...grade-bid.html

I have seen it in their website version of MMB, with orwithout an email, for some flights not all

Whether it's worth it though will be your call :)

Definitely no need to apologize!

I would say temper your expectations, my interpretation of the bidding system is that it's often not even made available, and when so, it's not often good value. It's definitely not really a way to plan to arbitrage the cash price of J, is my interpretation. (And maybe that's CXs point.) I have followed the other thread the poster shared about upgrade bids here, and am sometimes slack jawed at the prices. That said it seems some people do pay for them.

​​​Good luck.

Does CX offer the equivalent of AUP, since pandemic?

MH offered AUP but for HKG-KUL the missus and I were more than happy to sit in the back as redeemed.

concur, very valid - even the minimum bid is usually not of great value, they leverage an empty seat to milk the cow to the max

yet apart from that I can't recall the airline proactively taking cash for an upgrade, so OP may have to call reservations beforehand or settle for PY ...?

Thanks for all the advice. Yeah, it's a relatively 'short' 9 hour flight (in comparison to the 15 or so from LHR I'm on beforehand...which is thankfully in J), so I'm prepared to suck it up.

I also read the 'Upgrade Bid' link and agree that the consensus does seem to be that it's overpriced. Given that HKG-MEL-HKG cost me £1500 in PE a while back, and LHR-HKG-LHR is a redemption flight, I could quite easily double the ticket price if I got carried away.

I saw one example of a bid of $1650AUD being rejected for HKG-SYD. I might go to £500/$1000AUD, but it looks like that's unlikely to be offered.

Ah well, I'll just make the most of the Pier lounge beforehand and count myself lucky :)

Hi All,
I'm sure this has been asked and answered many times. Can one upgrade from an Economy Asia Miles award ticket to a Premium Economy seat using cash? If so, how is that calculated? TIA.

I just wonder if there's any chance one can pay the fare difference for upgrade on the same flight without penalty? I saw one penalty waived case in previous replies but I think he is DM, so I'm not sure if others can do it on the phone. I really should have paid for the fare upright but sometimes I change my mind when the flight gets closer. Thanks in advance!

Definitely, if you are Gold or Diamond, I'd say go call up CS and ask, there's no harm in doing that.

IIRC the airline welcomes ppl to do this regardless of status (?) - it works in their favour since it generates additional revenue for a premium seat which may otherwise be unoccupied

Thanks for the reply! Just called CX and paid for the upgrade from to PEY with change penalty waived, despite being a CX green/BA Silver member. There was a short hold but easily dealt with. Thank you all.

Rare chance/occurrence (Very thankful indeed). Bought a last minute Y at it's lowest rate to tokyo. Got double bump into J.

First time I felt DM made some sense 😂. But yes very thankful

It is all about the money
This is CX = Hong Kong
"No Money, No Talk!"