CX AA-codeshare tickets: how does upgrade work?
 

Not sure if this was ever asked. Say I bought CX tickets, in the future, on AA-codeshare only (effectively bringing my business to AA and yet still flying CX). Does that mean those tickets I can only use AA miles to upgrade and not CX miles since it's AA-codeshare and technically it's an AA ticket?

Follow-up to that, if that is the case, I bought AA-codeshare Y, does that mean I can use AA miles to upgrade directly from Y to J since AA bracket doesn't have Y+ upgrade but only straight Y-J upgrade? If yes this may be another loop-hole for AA spenders to enjoy.

In few words, no to everything you asked.

In more words, codeshares just cause upgrades to be more difficult if not impossible. You will not be able to use AA miles to upgrade on a CX operated flight, no way, no how. You might, theoretically, be able to use Asia Miles to upgrade according to MPC published rules, but in many cases this will also be impossible due to the ticket being on AA stock.

I don't think you can upgrade using AA miles for AA-operated/CX-operated or CX-marketed/AA-operated flights. I believe your only option is AM, but you may want to check with MPC.

No. You cannot use your AA miles to upgrade on CX. AA miles can only be used for one-class upgrade on flights marketed and/or operated by AA, BA and IB. So on BA it's Y to Y+.

Urgh, so codeshare stinks. Thanks for info.

I've also heard that if you book the AA flight numbers and hoping to get the op up, it won't happen.

How about the other way around....CX Metal - AA Coded - has anyone had any experience using Asia Miles to upgrade? I'm thinking about J to F.

(The reason for buying the ticket on an AA code is AA will offer starting Jan 1 2X EQM (qualifying miles toward Executive Platinum) vs. 1.5X EQM on the same CX coded flight.

I can't speak for revenue tickets, as those, when flying AA, were typically routed via Japan (though I have received an opup when on AA U class redemption!), but, when flying the competition (UA* operated by NH), I have been opuped to C class (from K class, 016 stock)

I've had the misfortune of booking an AA-coded CX-operated flight and being unable to upgrade using either Asia Miles or AA miles.

Not true. I am CX Gold, booked W-class premium econ on AA8931 (CX873) SFO-HKG. Checked-in online and got op-up to J about 6 hours before departure.

About six weeks ago, booked on AA flight numbers, as MP Silver, I was op-upped from Y to Y+ ORD-HKG.

The problem came about when I tried to access the lounge. Since it was an AA ticket, CX didn't let me in. I'm Gold for the next year, so this should no longer be the case. (Right?)

It's been a long time, but I've scored op'ups before on AA codes/CX metal HKG<>SFO from Y to Y+. I've been buying J tickets lately, both CX and AA coded, and never upgraded to F.

Curious why a DM would be buying AA codes as they are premium over CX ticket stock? Unless said DM has an attachment to the USG.

It think there is some difference, Y to Y+ or Y to J upgrade are a lot easier than J to F.. given CX is less likely oversold premium cabin, which is, "most likely", the only case to op-up a J passenger... and they do fly out with unfilled F cabin.

BTW, i do get op-up from Y to J in AA stock, CX operated flight. however, that's probably like 3 years ago... so the procedure be changed.

Strange. I was in a similar situation as you CX operated, AA coded flight but had no problem to access lounge as SL on CX metal. I was given lounge invite for HKG-SFO and JFK-HKG, although it was an all AA-coded booking. They didn't give you lounge invite? Or were you using mobile boarding pass?

What I should have said is that in neither case, ORD-HKG or HKG-LAX, did a lounge invitation print. The agent at ORD told me I could enter with my boarding pass, but my connecting flight was late and I would only have had a few minutes in the lounge, anyway, so I didn't try. The agent at in-town check in in Hong Kong told me it didn't print because it was an AA ticket. She may have been making that up, or maybe there was something wrong with my ticket. I didn't have much time in HKG, either, so I didn't bother to try to get in. Maybe I should have.