Oct 2, 2015, 3:08 am
Last edit by: sxc
Related threads:
What are the best value segments under the new system?
Switching out of Marco Polo: What do you choose and why?
FAQs as answered by AgencyGuy:
When will the mid-tier benefits be awarded?
They will be awarded as the member hits the mid-tier milestone. Not at the end of the membership year. These will be valid for a year commencing the day they are granted. No points are deduced when members are awarded these benefits.
Does that mean a member reaching 1800 tier points will get all three mid-tier benefits?
Yes, each benefit will be made available as the member hits the 1400, 1600 and 1800 point milestones
What mid-tier benefits will be awarded as of the conversion date of 15 April 2016?
The mid-tier benefits will kick in automatically after 15th April, if your converted club points balance exceeds the mid-tier thresholds. So for a Diamond tier member, if your converted balance is 1800 points you will immediately have access to two first class lounge guest passes, four bookable upgrades and one companion Gold card.
A Gold member on his/her way to Diamond pick up four short/medium upgrades along the way, but a renewing Diamond gets nothing?
You are correct, Silver, Gold or Diamond members on their way to renewal, don’t get additional benefits until they reach the mid-tier thresholds. But they will get there, I guess the benefits are designed to recognize members who go the extra mile after they have passed their renewal thresholds.
Is there any requirement on the underlying booking sub-classes when using a mid-tier upgrade "coupon"?
Yes, the original flight needs to be booked in an “upgradable” sub-class, the same sub-classes that qualify for Asia Miles upgrades
Is economy upgraded to Premium Economy or business for flights with Premium Economy?
It is always a one class upgrade so Economy to Premium Economy, if a flight does not have Premium Economy then the upgrade is to Business.
Are the sub-classes for the upgraded bookings A, I, and E (if applicable)?
I don’t know what these subclasses are yet other than that they will be revenue instead of redemption sub-classes. I guess they will be announced later.
What miles will be awarded for a flight upgraded using a upgrade coupon? The original ticket class, or the upgraded class?
I understand that both points and miles will be credited based on the upgraded class.
Green Re-Qualification
For Green members, if their membership year ends before 15 April 2016, like now, their membership will automatically be renewed. If their membership ends after 15 April and they have ANY club points at that time, they will be automatically renewed for another year (even if they are below 100 pts). If their membership ends after 15 April and they have no club points at that time, they will lose their Green membership or have the option of paying the US$100 fee to renew.
What are the best value segments under the new system?
Switching out of Marco Polo: What do you choose and why?
FAQs as answered by AgencyGuy:
When will the mid-tier benefits be awarded?
They will be awarded as the member hits the mid-tier milestone. Not at the end of the membership year. These will be valid for a year commencing the day they are granted. No points are deduced when members are awarded these benefits.
Does that mean a member reaching 1800 tier points will get all three mid-tier benefits?
Yes, each benefit will be made available as the member hits the 1400, 1600 and 1800 point milestones
What mid-tier benefits will be awarded as of the conversion date of 15 April 2016?
The mid-tier benefits will kick in automatically after 15th April, if your converted club points balance exceeds the mid-tier thresholds. So for a Diamond tier member, if your converted balance is 1800 points you will immediately have access to two first class lounge guest passes, four bookable upgrades and one companion Gold card.
A Gold member on his/her way to Diamond pick up four short/medium upgrades along the way, but a renewing Diamond gets nothing?
You are correct, Silver, Gold or Diamond members on their way to renewal, don’t get additional benefits until they reach the mid-tier thresholds. But they will get there, I guess the benefits are designed to recognize members who go the extra mile after they have passed their renewal thresholds.
Is there any requirement on the underlying booking sub-classes when using a mid-tier upgrade "coupon"?
Yes, the original flight needs to be booked in an “upgradable” sub-class, the same sub-classes that qualify for Asia Miles upgrades
Is economy upgraded to Premium Economy or business for flights with Premium Economy?
It is always a one class upgrade so Economy to Premium Economy, if a flight does not have Premium Economy then the upgrade is to Business.
Are the sub-classes for the upgraded bookings A, I, and E (if applicable)?
I don’t know what these subclasses are yet other than that they will be revenue instead of redemption sub-classes. I guess they will be announced later.
What miles will be awarded for a flight upgraded using a upgrade coupon? The original ticket class, or the upgraded class?
I understand that both points and miles will be credited based on the upgraded class.
Green Re-Qualification
For Green members, if their membership year ends before 15 April 2016, like now, their membership will automatically be renewed. If their membership ends after 15 April and they have ANY club points at that time, they will be automatically renewed for another year (even if they are below 100 pts). If their membership ends after 15 April and they have no club points at that time, they will lose their Green membership or have the option of paying the US$100 fee to renew.
Changes to MPC announced for 15 Apr 2016
Sep 30, 2015, 1:00 am
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
For Gold, we get 4 bookable upgrades at 1000 points.
For Diamond, we get 4 bookable upgrades at 1600 points.
For members like me who only fly J, it seems to be better just keeping Gold as I can get 4 upgrades every year. If I am a DM, it's much harder to get those upgrades. Since I fly only J, the benefits of DM over GL is minimal. I could care less about F lounge access.
Am I missing something here? Are those upgrades supposed to be the same for GL and DM?
For Diamond, we get 4 bookable upgrades at 1600 points.
For members like me who only fly J, it seems to be better just keeping Gold as I can get 4 upgrades every year. If I am a DM, it's much harder to get those upgrades. Since I fly only J, the benefits of DM over GL is minimal. I could care less about F lounge access.
Am I missing something here? Are those upgrades supposed to be the same for GL and DM?
Sep 30, 2015, 1:01 am
#77
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
.
Precisely.
So you can use it basically for J-F long-haul F upgrades. Huge change.
Sep 30, 2015, 1:02 am
#78
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: AA & SPG Plat
Posts: 387
1200 TP - DM
1600 TP - 4 u/g passes
1800 TP - 2 more
2000 TP - 2 more
etc...
Sep 30, 2015, 1:11 am
#79
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: AA & SPG Plat
Posts: 387
June 2016 - Renewed 600 TP / Gold
Nov 2016 - Attained 800 TP / Gold Mid Tier - 4 regional u/g
Jan 2017- Attained 1200 TP / DM
I would assume you get at least 1 year to use your GO 4 regional u/g. But what happens if you reached DM. Can you use your 4 GO vouchers for long hauls?
But with CX, I know the answer is probably no.
Sep 30, 2015, 1:13 am
#80
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: CX DM, SPG Pt, Le Club Accor GO, Shangri-La GC Jade
Posts: 1,327
With CX's cost cutting, I wasn't expecting them to give any mind-blowing benefit anyways. But yes - I much rather if they gave upgrade vouchers for every X00 TP above 1200. That would really encourage DM's to fly beyond 1200 TP. I recall reading on here, quite a few fly 200k+ annually.
1200 TP - DM
1600 TP - 4 u/g passes
1800 TP - 2 more
2000 TP - 2 more
etc...
1200 TP - DM
1600 TP - 4 u/g passes
1800 TP - 2 more
2000 TP - 2 more
etc...
Sep 30, 2015, 1:15 am
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: AA & SPG Plat
Posts: 387
Sep 30, 2015, 1:19 am
#83
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: GVA
Programs: CX-DM, BA-GGL, Marriott-TI, HHonors-DM
Posts: 271
Agreed. I have been using seat guarantees at least twice a month. If it's only going to guarantee to Y fare, chances are I will be flying another airlines instead of paying full fare in Y.
Sep 30, 2015, 1:24 am
#84
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Sep 30, 2015, 1:30 am
#85
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: BR Gold, MPC Silver
Posts: 320
Thanks Cathay...after 10 years, I think its time to really shop around.
Let's see:
1. No more 3 day guaranteed unless Y booking class. Why even offer it? This is not even a benefit anymore.
2. Instead of 4 RT (LAX-MNL-LAX) per year, its now 7.5 trip per year
3. I'm not really seeing the value of lounge passes esp for LAX and HKG and being a solo flyer 90% of the time.
Only other question is, once you qualify for a tier, does the points reset?
Let's see:
1. No more 3 day guaranteed unless Y booking class. Why even offer it? This is not even a benefit anymore.
2. Instead of 4 RT (LAX-MNL-LAX) per year, its now 7.5 trip per year
3. I'm not really seeing the value of lounge passes esp for LAX and HKG and being a solo flyer 90% of the time.
Only other question is, once you qualify for a tier, does the points reset?
Sep 30, 2015, 1:33 am
#86
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
yes it resets
Thanks Cathay...after 10 years, I think its time to really shop around.
Let's see:
1. No more 3 day guaranteed unless Y booking class. Why even offer it? This is not even a benefit anymore.
2. Instead of 4 RT (LAX-MNL-LAX) per year, its now 7.5 trip per year
3. I'm not really seeing the value of lounge passes esp for LAX and HKG and being a solo flyer 90% of the time.
Only other question is, once you qualify for a tier, does the points reset?
Let's see:
1. No more 3 day guaranteed unless Y booking class. Why even offer it? This is not even a benefit anymore.
2. Instead of 4 RT (LAX-MNL-LAX) per year, its now 7.5 trip per year
3. I'm not really seeing the value of lounge passes esp for LAX and HKG and being a solo flyer 90% of the time.
Only other question is, once you qualify for a tier, does the points reset?
Sep 30, 2015, 1:36 am
#87
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: CX DM, SPG Pt, Le Club Accor GO, Shangri-La GC Jade
Posts: 1,327
Sorry to say but, honestly you are one of those CX really wanna downgrade...
My business travel who are all Y (ok, once W to LHR) can continue to use... Actually I utilise it quite often...
CX: YES! Low yield customer need more flights to reach higher membership tier now
Well, it's there. You don't use it is your own business...
My money is on "Yes"
CX: YES! Low yield customer need more flights to reach higher membership tier now
My money is on "Yes"
Sep 30, 2015, 1:38 am
#88
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver/ows, CX AsiaMiles (not even GR anymore!) missing my GO days
Posts: 1,581
A few quick thoughts from a recent convert to BAEC:
Loss of the seat guarantee on lower fare classes is a big blow, and that's a benefit I used a lot when I was GO. But keeping it in its old form wasn't realistic considering how much revenue they were leaving on the table. This one goes in the "at least it was good while it lasted" category.
One thing that sticks out at me is the relatively weak reward for booking E over MLV. In the Long column for a flight HKG-LHR, MLV earns 35 points versus 45 for E. In BA, you'd get 35 tier points for the equivalent economy fare, but 90 tier points for premium economy. This means you need six round trips in E on CX to get close to sapphire versus ~8 in MLV, compared to three in BA's lowest premium economy fare to get close to their sapphire level versus against ~8 in mid-range economy.
I haven't examined the differential between other classes, but at first glance the jump in qualifying points between J and F doesn't seem so large, either.
Loss of the seat guarantee on lower fare classes is a big blow, and that's a benefit I used a lot when I was GO. But keeping it in its old form wasn't realistic considering how much revenue they were leaving on the table. This one goes in the "at least it was good while it lasted" category.
One thing that sticks out at me is the relatively weak reward for booking E over MLV. In the Long column for a flight HKG-LHR, MLV earns 35 points versus 45 for E. In BA, you'd get 35 tier points for the equivalent economy fare, but 90 tier points for premium economy. This means you need six round trips in E on CX to get close to sapphire versus ~8 in MLV, compared to three in BA's lowest premium economy fare to get close to their sapphire level versus against ~8 in mid-range economy.
I haven't examined the differential between other classes, but at first glance the jump in qualifying points between J and F doesn't seem so large, either.
Sep 30, 2015, 1:46 am
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
The introduction of upgrade instruments also means - the endless Op-Up is now officially over.
1. There is only 1 UL flight - DFW-HKG.
2. If you park your miles at the dAArkside, you in fact will land 19150 EQM for SFO-DFW-HKG RT. 5 of these can almost land you an EXP, which is equivalent to DM.
The best part - EXP has 8 eVIP systemwide upgrades (no fare class restrictions) and you will earn 200K in miles, which is enough for 3 one-way J USA-HKG award on CX.
(Although it is widely expected that AA will change its program similar to UA/DL, which will eventually affect RDM earning, still EXP it will still be a cheaper option re-qualifying than DM.)
2. If you park your miles at the dAArkside, you in fact will land 19150 EQM for SFO-DFW-HKG RT. 5 of these can almost land you an EXP, which is equivalent to DM.
The best part - EXP has 8 eVIP systemwide upgrades (no fare class restrictions) and you will earn 200K in miles, which is enough for 3 one-way J USA-HKG award on CX.
(Although it is widely expected that AA will change its program similar to UA/DL, which will eventually affect RDM earning, still EXP it will still be a cheaper option re-qualifying than DM.)
Sep 30, 2015, 1:52 am
#90
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 565
Whether the upgrade passes are a material benefit depends on whether you're able to use them. Currently, it's often not possible to use miles to get an upgrade at short notice on popular routes. After the passes are introduced, there's no reason more availability would open up and F will still be busy with redemptions from partner airlines, one suspects.
So the "four upgrades" will likely only equate to four upgrades for those who are able to plan their travel far in advance.
So the "four upgrades" will likely only equate to four upgrades for those who are able to plan their travel far in advance.