Unfortunately, you probably should forget abou greener pastures. Converting to CX you are joining one of - if not the - highest average annual spend mileage program globally. CX is blessed with an effective HK city monopoly, and enough ins with the government that they can effectively ward off LCC competition. So you combined an insanely well-off clientele with an airline in a de facto monopoly and MPC is what you get.

To be fair, CX's facilities in HKG are abundant, practical and well-done. And the program is extremely good to their own DM members onboard, with a very valuable consistency. So we all benefit there. And seat guarantee was a kick azz benefit over the years. But it has always been insanely restrictive, and MPC simply cannot do it for you. They must call another department, and that department must have a manager approve.

You were basically asking for a favor from the least likely place to find it. And another small note, but HK is a remarkably transitory city. People move here, become GO or DM as bankers for a few years, and move on. CX is used to the transitory nature of the city and unfortunately doesn't have an extensive track record of goodwill. It's basically a show-me attitude. I have encountered a number of friends moving from elsewhere, demanding DM or GO comps from CX, throwing a fit when they were denied (but still subsequently flew CX), and then moved out of HK a few years later. The behavior of the folks who have walked the path before inevitably has shaped the ways CX deals with its customers today.

I think they operate 2 tiers - DM and the rest, although even DM favours have been eroded.

On another note, remember QF was in desperate financial circumstances not so long ago, something which CX is not. So they may have been far more disposed to bending rules to retain customers.

Last of all, anyone who complains about the MPC and CX's inflexibility should try SQ. They make CX look as flexible as an elastic band.

From my perspective, this is an excellent summary of the situation. An attitude of entitlement sometimes permeates throughout the FT threads. While the OP�s ask is not egregious relative to other requests, there is a hint of DYKWIA.

Flying 38 sectors in the past 4 months is commendable. However, that does not put OP anywhere near the upper echelons of profitability/frequency/distance when compared to the many long term DM/DM+ flyers.

OP does make a comparison (intentional or not) between CX and QF. Expecting or demanding something from CX without understanding the program differences does not seem reasonable to me.

Dude sorry to hear about your unpleasant call centre experience. But if it's any consolation, the DM line is pretty good as far as phone service goes. And this is coming from someone who is ditching CX. Best of luck.