A connecting passenger needs to be harder fought for than a HK captive (Cathay or partner).
There are plenty of OWEs that spend US$100k on CX annually over many years, sit quietly in F and don't even consume alcohol, and there are OWEs that "game the system" and only fly CX on short haul on Y and arrive at the airport 8 hours early to lounge hop and only fly in premium cabins on partner redemptions which they then "maximize" for insta.
Incidentally, I think the former is far more common than the latter. CX also does a very good job of tracking passenger's spend (even non members) so I am certain they can distinguish between the two. As for upgrade priority, I just got upgraded to F on a long haul with my OWE on the booking, completely full flight, and it's not the first time, so I don't think the upgrade priority is quite that straightforward.
Incidentally, I think the former is far more common than the latter. CX also does a very good job of tracking passenger's spend (even non members) so I am certain they can distinguish between the two. As for upgrade priority, I just got upgraded to F on a long haul with my OWE on the booking, completely full flight, and it's not the first time, so I don't think the upgrade priority is quite that straightforward.
Quote:
My recent flights with CX, I have taken 4 flights in Oct, 3 flights in Nov and 2 flights in Dec. I got greetings from the purser on all of my Y/CL flights, and meal order taken from the cabin crew for 75% of those flights. Incidentally, I did not get any greetings on the only J/CL flight I took in Oct, besides the cabin crew came over to take my orders.Originally Posted by Non Compos Mentis
Are there other data points? Also no water or greeting on yesterday's flight for me ( OWE). [Apologies OT]
I recall previously ISM will greet OWE either before take off or before landing, but now its seems to be under the discretion of the ISM as I only got it once recently.
I dont think CX will stop doing this (greetings + pre set water/blanket/pillow on seat) until 2027, if indeed there are much more DM from 2027 with the relaxed criteria.





