I am wondering if it's possible to use VIPOW of AA to upgrade my next YYZ-HKG flight from coach to business? Anyone has some comments?

Sounds great, but no dice. VIPOWs are for usage on AA marketed and operated flights only.

The only way to upgrade with anything AA on CX is with miles on a full fare [Y or B] coach ticket.

Whoa! Am I making a mistake. I'm about to hit CX Diamond, but have signed up for the Platinum challenge to take advantage of more mileage accrual on American (though I mostly fly CX). Is it going to be a problem to use these miles? Should I stay with Marco Polo??

Commuter, IMO, stick to Marco Polo to get Diamond status; then take the Platinum challenge after June if you can.

I've found it almost impossible to use AA miles to upgrade on CX from business to first (AA Award code 40X). An AA agent I spoke to said D & I class business fares are not eligible. However, the AA Member Guide on aa.com does not specify this, even in fine print.

If you travel mainly on CX, the bonuses & incentives with Marco Polo/Asia Miles will probably be more attractive and useful. If you travel frequently within Asia on CX, then you'll definitely find MPO/Asia Miles more attractive. Moreover, you could use Asia Miles to travel BA metal over the Atlantic. You cannot do so with AAdvantage. Caveat, Asia Miles transatlantic awards might require more miles depending on destination. I think it's worth it to fly BA ClubWorld over the Atlantic; AA J class product cannot compare.

Diamond will also get you a guaranteed C, J or Y seat on CX if booked at least 24 hours in advance! Diamond will also get you a 20% discount at The Elemis Day Spa at the Wing! You cannot get these benefits with AA.

[This message has been edited by Mr. Strong (edited 01-16-2002).]

Ooops.

[This message has been edited by Mr. Strong (edited 01-16-2002).]

You can't use AA miles to upgrade, but you can use AA miles to get award tickets.

Since accumulating AAdvantage miles is fairly easy, you can fly on CX, get miles on AA, and use the miles on CX.

Don't forget that you can only get AA miles for CX fares booked in H or higher. Asiamile would credit all fares down to L.

Also, since CX trans-Pacific flights are pretty full in all classes these days, space for award travel on CX using AA miles might be harder to come by. Award space on CX flights using Asia Miles will probably be greater, especially if you're Diamond.

As far as using AA miles to book F or J class award tickets on CX, when I made my reservations at least a month ahead, I,ve never had a problem.

You CAN use AA miles to upgrade full-fare tickets.

i have converted form MPO Diamond to AA EXPLT.
so for my one experience, AA EXPLT is more attractive. you can find comparison with a search, but there are the highlights
1. 3x mile bonus, VIPOW
2. good CX awards ex-N.A.
3. well treated by CX
4. the full fare upgrade
5. AADV is still better than MPO as a program and more flexible (MPO is good in service, but not flexible enough)


downsides
1. many CX disc econ fares are not qualified (but if u have a canadian address, u can get the miles)
2. no lounge access in FL/AC fro domestic travel
3. guaranteed seat on CX
4. thin coverage of AA/AADV is u r based in asia

I agree with pegasus. AA's program is more flexible, esp. if you are EXP, it is a wonderful program. Just two weeks ago, I issued an award tix on CX using AA miles for a flight departing the same day. I don't know if this can be done with AsiaMiles.

But I am also drawn to the guaranteed seat benefit and I have gone for MPC Gold. (Diamond is a bit too much for me.)

AA also requires less miles to upgrade CX flights but they are limited to transpacific services (no?) and fare classes are also limited.

But with AsiaMiles, you can upgrade CX flights under almost any fares and on any routes, using miles, but more miles, perhaps.

[This message has been edited by Chiangi (edited 01-16-2002).]

This is a very interesting topic. The title is misleading. Please continue it on its own thread which I'm about to start.

The last 4 trips on CX were sold out in coach and I was given an op upgrade each time. I tend to fly out of LAX on the 11:30pm departure and ever since UA pulled their non-stop from that market, the Cathay flights have been running very full. You can't count on the upgrade but it you are EP on AA, you stand a very good chance.