I am sure install angle flat in PY will increase demand but how much those passengers are willing to pay and can that cover the cost is a total different story. This is similar to lounge access. Sure probably everyone would want this but CX just can't provide this to everyone. They just need to draw the line to determine who have access.

Look at it this way, the lounge space (resource) at HKG is fixed. Let's just say there are 100 SL flying Y and 100 other guests (J pax, DM, GO, oneworld Sapphire, etc) . Not admitting those 100 SL to the lounge means each guests have doubled the personal space (resource). And if CX doesn't decrease the number of lounge staffs, the staff (resource) to guest ratio will also double. Shower wait time will probably decrease too. That's what I meant by focusing the resources on higher tier members. I know the numbers are probably not 100 to 100 but this is just for sake of simple calculation.

you guys are all over-analyzing on this issue.

People fly because they need to fly for whatever reason. Majority don't fly in order to solely enjoy lounge access.

If lounge benefits disappears so be it. FFP benefits are destined to be diluted one form or other so no point stressing over it.

Or you are under-appreciating the importance of the issue.

No one flies just to go to lounges but it is part of the experience (and even necessity, e.g. freshen up, on transit) that makes the difference. It's like saying that no one flies just to have inflight meals; but does it mean if they cut inflight meals it wouldn't matter?

point taken.

However i'm a mere Silver and been for 10 years now... my view is when CX is charging me for HK$4800 for a ticket to Bangkok in Y, and Emirates charging me $5500 for J, well you know where my business will flow to. Regardless of lounge benefit.

Well, speaking strictly N.A. to HKG, the price differentials are between different airline's Y prices only, hence, what benefits mattered. Take me for example, I was very happy with AA PLAT over the years (just 50K) until I've experience CX lounge with CX, and decided as good as those 100% bonus miles are, the overall CX SL experiences with lounge is worth the jump, and I did, and rest is history. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this experience.

So you gave up alliance wide lounge benefit (except for your pure domestic flights) as AA Plat (sapphire) in exchange for CX only lounge when flying CX as a SL? :confused: I am afraid I can't follow the logic on why SL lounge access was part of the reason in this case unless you planned to fly less which I believe wasn't the case as you are DM now.

Yeah seems like a downgrade.

I was looking long term. As few years ago I kept asking both forum which is better: CX DM or AA EXP, I've decided (wisely) that CX DM is the way to go.

Ah you're CX DM now, no wonder you're Cathay Boy! :D

But as someone who flies intra-Asia this seems like a huge step back. It's harsh but absent the SL lounge benefit, MPO feels punishing as an FFP on the lower end. J sectors earning 1.25 vs 2 (sector count), full accruing Y fares skyrocketing to the point of being noncompetitive in long-haul, no soft landing and tier resets, the abysmal earn/burn, oh and the lack of viable bank partners outside of Greater China... (I do have HSBC premier but not everyone has the same reach)

I've flown Y with quite the frequency (~30 sec) but honestly flying 2 years' CX for status have been fraught with bad outports, delays, and lost baggage. The upsell to MH J for work trips and AA/BA for OW directs are compelling, along with the switch to BAEC.

Hope this isn't seen as a rant, it's just a rebuttal to those who assume the hoi polloi can't bring their business elsewhere (sorry HKG captives ;) )

MH J pricing is definitely attractive.

If you are looking long-term, why didn't aim for lifetime AA Plat instead especially since now you are planning to scale back your flying? You just need to stay alive and hope the terms don't change. It shouldn't be hard for you back then when credit card miles still count towards the lifetime status. Anyway so how did lounge access have anything to do with your switch? Just to have lounge access on US domestic flights?

After the last 5 years as CX DM, I have no regrets. Even if I do realized I lost about 1 million miles of bonus points and a chance at lifetime Plat.

People do have different opinions on why they should choose one programme over another. There is nothing right or wrong, but just a matter of preference of the comfort or benefits afforded by different programmes.

I used to fly UA to HKG a lot. Then I switched to CX all of the sudden and started from GR to eventually become DM. I did that primarily because of priority waitlisting and seat guarantees. My wife prefers CX because she can use my miles :( and secondarily, CX lounges.

I never returned to the UA programme. I am also a CA Gold by primarily flying UA international. Should I be banking my miles on US, I can be a UA Platinum. I still prefer being a CA Gold and give up all the benefits being a UA member flying UA.

It is often how the flyers value the benefits. Lounge access is somewhat important for some flyers like my wife.

CX seems to forget about multiple sectors fliers that really value lounge access. MH J upsell is very competitive and often it's only $600 RMB to $1000 RMB more. That's nothing. I really hope CX doesn't really believe they have the HK fliers held captive, and think more long-haul fliers won't care about reduced lounge benefits.