Comping on CX?
 

As I just booked my 4th first class trip AMS-HKG in a month with CX, my agent said he'd call CX to get me comped to gold with them. Is that possible and will it offer perks above my BA gold? As I already have plenty miles/points in my BA account I wouldn't mind it...

CX - Marco Polo Club might comp you to Silver but I highly doubt they will comp you to Gold. MPO Gold is equivalent to BA Silver. BA does not have a Ruby level which is what MPO Silver is.

Once you get Silver, you have one year to get 60K miles to attain Gold. Once you reach Gold, you will then have another year to attain 120,000 miles to attain Diamond. Which is equivalent to BA's Gold.

Diamond members receive 1st priority on upgrades on CX fully booked flights.

[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 08-13-2001).]

i guess u dont need upgrade as you r always flying F. so the perks you will value is mainly guaranteed availbility, and priority treatment during disruption.

but if they offer u Golf, why not? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Just got a call from my agent, CX said: SURE! I gave them my info and am gold on them. Re. needing gold when I always do F, I know, it's useless but I was actually looking for a second OWE card, BA Gold is to easy to retain, I now have a new destiny, Diamond on CX!

Now that's a first! Congratulations!

I know that ions ago, CX used to issue Corporate MPO Cards which permitted access to lounges but that was way before OneWorld. They also issued Gold cards out like nobody's business!

So that's an interesting fact...

Cheers

I know thay my agent has been a CX agent for years, even he is extremely happy with my business (I buy 2 of these tickets a time). Maybe he had some kind of contact within CX.

What I CAN imagine is that it is cheaper for CX to offer me the miles on their own card than have to offer them through OW on my BA gold....

with 2-3 F ticket per month, you can write to Mr Mathison to get your GO card http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

though DM is really hard, give it a try if u gather 80k in F in 3 months http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

and more importantly, they have your 'loyalty' and keep your flying pattern and information

[This message has been edited by pegasus8228 (edited 08-15-2001).]

Although I'm not as fortunate as ScottC to fly on first class, I also have a question regarding comping on CX.

I am just mere 2000 miles short of Silver status at the moment, and I am planning a vacation in Xmas totaling 20000+ miles (on Y by the way...) Obviously, after this trip I will be entitled Silver Status, but I am wondering if I can ask them to Comp me to Silver NOW, so that I can enjoy the benefits during my vacation.

In doing so, how should I ask? Do I talk to the manager at the Marco Polo desk? (if so, anybody have any references?) or Do I send in a letter? I know CX staff obey the books strictly, and I'm wondering if they would listen into my requests.

I used to be CP Gold/AC Elite (OW Saphaire/Star Gold), a year ago, but I got fed up with these airlines, and I decided to restart my long journey to elite status on CX. So, if I send in my old Elite Card, and prove to them that I'm a regular traveller, would that help? I also plan additional trip in Febuary (during Chinese new year) totaling 10000+ miles, should inform them of my plan, and would that increase my chances?

Any input is appreciated, Thanks!

Ted

When I first got to silver (after losing one of those nice corporate cards they used to issue), I passed my 30th segment on a flight connecting through HK. I went to the Wing,and they checked on the computer, and said, "Sure, come in, you're formally silver now." So, it may be that after your first flight to whereever you are going, you will already be silver, and can use the benefits for the rest of your trip. Happy flying!

Commuter:

Is CX's computer system that sophisticated? It usually takes several days for the flight history to be posted on Marco Polo's webpage, so I thought it would take just as long. I fear that the computer fails to reflect my "new" status after the first flight, which means I have to go through terrible line-ups at Y counter. (Priority Check-in is the best benefit for me. Than lounge access, and then priority baggage. Oh, and possibly extra allowance)

I will contact the MPC desk anyhow, and will let you know what happens.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Gold given to you? I think you are pulling our legs but if not all I can say too is congrats.

I have many colleagues who have tried and failed so you have some agent.

Sorry Fakecd....What I meant was that at the lounge they will look up your record and can see (I think) how many miles you have to date. You show them you ticket and boarding stub and explain that you just arrived from XX city, so now you are over 30,000 miles. They will understand, and usually will be understanding, in my limited experience. You can always ask them to ensure that you can use priority check-in for next flight-- they can probably help if it might not be recorded by then....

As far as I have been able to find out agents have the "power" to nominate their best customers for gold. The agent I am with has been a CX agent for years and is in the heart of Chinatown over here, his business must mean quite a lot to CX. Considering the fact that I bought my own tickets and the same for 2 others (a total of 18 first class ticks) I feel I deserved it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

My dad just got comped to MPO Gold without even asking. He is not sure how he got it but it just arrived. This is not the first time it has happened. He has been traveling paid 1st for a very long time so that may have something to do with it. He always uses his BA Gold card so I am not sure what this will do. in his view, BA miles (from the US) is better than AsiaMiles.

interesting...if he always uses his BA Gold card...how does MPO know his contact details ? i would thus guess that the comp comes through his travel agent and not CX direct ?

Not sure, he does have a MPO card as he used to use it prior to 1W. So CX does have his address and number so maybe they matched up the name somehow? I will check with his travel agent as well.

Just wanted to update on my attemp of comping to silver.

Just called the MPC desk. A chinese agent answered my phone call, and I had this "bad feeling" from the start. She sounded like one of those "obey by the book" agent. Well, I explained my situation, and she seems to give no pity or understanding to what I had to say, but to answer "We can't do it because you don't have enough qualifying points"... --> duh, that's why I called them up and asked them if they could "comp" me in the first place!

I tried to explain that I fear I do not get my membership material in time for my onward travel, then she told me I could just explain my situation to the ground staff at the airport, and they could check up on their computer. So, this part sounds like what Commuter has said to me.

I will call again the next day, and I'm just hoping I can speak to someone who's got the authority to play around with elite staus matters.

Well, if they don't help you out, you can try at the airport. Once you've been checked in, I would imagine that the computer then views you as "flying." At that point you can say, "Well, I've now achieved Silver, according to the inanimate computer. May I use the lounge here?" They will probably be confused, but might let it go if you do it with a nice sense of humor.

If that doesn't work, there are always the more subtle methods:

1-threats
2-begging
3-crying

Commuter:

I'm actually not the big fan of lounge, I enjoy the time looking out the window at the runway, so lounge isn't the big issue. However, I really treasure the priority handling and the business class checkin, that's why I was insisting on this comping business.

I wouldn't try any of those "subtle" alternatives. I think they are for the selfish people... and I know for myself, that if their answer is "No", then no matter how much I cry, or threat, they won't listen. besides, this will expose my stupidity and cuase embarassment.

Maybe CX doesn't consider traveller like myself to be as much of a valued traveller; I guess one needs to fly FREQUENTLY on business/first class to be actually recognized. Because after all, we Economy class passengers are simply paying for the jet-fuel and their labor. Only upper class passengers will bring profit to the company.

Cathay has not learned the value of its customers. Many of us business travellers flying on full fare economy class tickets generate some serious bucks for them. I guess as the economy takes a turn for the worst they will learn the hard way who they should be treating better.

They do offer company Marco Polo clubs. My company has a bunch that circulate for people going on business trips. I know these cards get you into the lounge but I am not sure if they are good for anything else.