Is CX worth an extra HKD1500 compared to AC?
 

As titled. I am buying a HKG-YYZ Y ticket soon, and the price difference between CX and AC is exactly $1500. Normally I would have gone for the cheapest ticket available, but here's the caveat:

It's my birthday!

My outbound trip sits squarely on my birthday. Needless to say I am (opportunistically) looking for a free birthday upgrade. Should I fork out some extra cash for a chance of upgrade with CX, who has a far superior J product than AC? Does AC offer upgrades at all? Or am I better off saving the money for something else as they will not entertain upgrades for AM nobodies.

The upgradable factor is my only consideration for choosing between the flights.

Thanks.

Can't really comment on the birthday part. Too many factors come into play.

But CX Y is also better than AC Y, at least for now.

If AC is routing through YVR, definitely choose CX. As AC flies her 10 abreast 77W on HKG-YVR.
I would not be too optimistic regarding upgrade chances. Both airline's HKG-YYZ J class seem to be full for the past couple times I flew with them. Nonetheless, both airline's hard product is very good. (of course, CX is superior for soft product)

All my options are direct flights...YVR timing sucks and you arrive YYZ in the wee hours of morning.

I wonder if the Y hard product difference between CX and AC justifies the extra cash?

economy is economy.... difference is not worth the price...

On a 15 hour flight a 1.5 inch difference is quite significant, but the degree that it affects you definitely depends on your height/size (AC offers 1 less inch of legroom as well). The older CX seats (in the 77Ws - not the 350s) offer double padding, so that could be another thing to consider. I'm not sure if it justifies $1500 for you; the frequent flyer program/alliance you use most would probably determine which airline I would take because it's quite a long flight and you don't want to waste those miles.

Additionally, if you purchase a CX Y ticket you'll at most be upgraded to PEY, not J.

If you don't have any status on CX, suggest you keep that HKD1500 in your pockets and fly AC.


There's a separate thread here on birthday upgrades.

No status...just a lowly AM member with 20K miles so i guess this diminishes my chances for an upgrade.

Thanks for the help guys - guess I'll go for AC afterall...

btw there's an Aeroplan member only sale on AC ex-HKG

Several reports of birthday upgrades from Y straight to J (indeed that was my own experience a year or so ago).

Then don't count on an birthday upgrade , you are not even a MPC member
So better stick with AC which is cheaper in your case

Not if it's 10 seats across on AC vs 9 across on CX (for the time being!) Big difference IMO for HKD $1,500 ~ USD $200.

OP: Suggest also checking into premium economy fares. Consider them if the upfare is not too high.

Worth to pay the difference to be on CX IMHO

I will choose CX for extra HKD 1500. AC is just like cattle shipping...

What are the RT Asia Miles worth to you?

Happy wandering

Fred

well just a quick update - I eventually had to choose CX because my TA misquoted the Aeroplan fare and my just-created aeroplan account froze for some reason...
and seeing the CX N class fares availability for my dates ran very low so I just snagged up the $1500 as a safe bet...

So now I get 10k Asia Miles and 50 Club Points, if I decide to sign up for MPC. Should I, just for the birthday upgrade lolz?