I have an LAX-MNL V class fare with a return to LAX on Feb 2014. I've used the first half of the itinerary from LAX to MNL in late October 2013.

Fast forward to today, it turns out I need to get back to LAX by the 29th of Nov. and then fly back out to MNL first week of December.

Now, this would be a great opportunity to bring my spouse along from MNL-LAX-MNL so I priced out tickets and looked at award bookings. Economy booking was pegged at 90k miles while PEY was 108k miles...no brainer, so I booked her for PEY R/T.

I then called Marco Polo to change my V-class to M class and then was able to upgrade(20K miles) to PEY MNL-LAX on the same flight as my spouse on PEY. Fare diff was about 200usd, plus 100 change fee.

Now, grandma in LA wants us to bring our 2 year old daughter along and I'm out of miles (17k balance) so I priced out a PEY fare for my daughter and its about 2,300 usd. Too much for me, so I said, let me just book her in Y class at 1300 and I'll just switch with her when we get to the plane, I stay in her seat, while she is with mommy in PEY. I discussed this with the MNL reservations agent and it seems to be everything is fine with this.

All this was good until CX MNL calls me today to say that this is not possible as switching between diff class cabins is not allowed.

They left me an email and we will discuss options tomorrow.

I guess I can try to downgrade myself from PEY to Y to be with my daughter if that is what's needed for her to join us. My mom's really getting old (77 this year) so I want her to see my daughter with every opportunity. Or pay the extra 1k.

Any other suggestions?

77 is hardly old in this day and age, Chris De Burgh is 85 and still manages almost 200 concerts a year all over the world. Would it not make a ton more sense to fly your mum to see you. I also totally agree about CX not letting people switch cabins, you should stay in the cabin you paid for.

What about buying the 3k miles from AM (or those online brokers) and upgrade your daughter as well?

Btw switching between cabins for the whole flight is not strictly prohibited. What is not allowed is going across cabins during flight for flights heading to US.

The problem may be because your daughter will be regarded as "travel alone" under CX's system. Thus another option is to cancel ur +1's ticket and redeem for your daughter instead.

Yes, I plan to talk to CX MNL about that as well. Thanks!

I'm not sure if the $1300 Y fare OP mentioned was V class or what. But if thats the case...and he will have to spend more for a M class ticket + the cash to topup 3000 AM....you might as well pay for PEY straight out.

What a rip off AM. (surprise surprise )

MNL-HKG-LAX r/t Y: 90,000 AM
MNL-HKG-LAX r/t PEY: 108,000 AM

While...
MNL-HKG r/t Y: 20,000 AM
HKG-LAX r/t Y: 60,000 AM

MNL-HKG r/t Y: 24,000 AM
HKG-LAX r/t Y: 72,000 AM