I've been pondering this question as I've calculated based on my travel plans next year, I'll be at around 800 with a few months to spare before the end of my membership cycle. From all the research I've done, I don't feel it will be any added value for me to go on a MR just to try and hit diamond.
- I don't fly that often, mostly just long-haul J every 3-4 months with a few short-med flights here and there. Therefore the chances of me being op-ed up will be slim, based on the fact that I don't travel that much compared to others. I've thought about trying to book PEY on my long haul flights and testing my luck, however I've realized I NEED to guarentee my comfort on a 15 hour flight.
- Other perks such dedicated telephone line, or better availability for seat redemptions won't really matter based on my current flight patterns.
- I don't value F lounge access that highly. CX J lounges are perfectly fine for me and to be honest, I usually go to the airport as late as possible and just pop in for a bowl of dan dan noodles.

As cool as it would be to actually hit Diamond and knowing that next year will probably be one of my best chances, it's just not worth it nor neccessary for me. The 1000 mid tier benefit however... not sure if it would be worth it to try and get that if I'm close.

Oh, my bad!
Yea, when you fly business class, the gold perks are useless and MPC need to work on that

Yeah, MPC Gold is rather useless, when you fly business class, I already raised some suggestions, see
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...customers.html

But isn't it the same across any airlines that offer business?

Yes. I figure you get the following perks for being SL & GO flying CX J only:
1. extra luggage. It does come in handy when you've done some shopping.
2. guest 1 pax into lounge for GO.
3. Better chance and flexibility to use your miles.
4. Better chance to op-up into F

and I guess that's about it. However are you really missing compare with SL & GO flying Y?
1. priority check in
2. lounge access

My wife moves in between DM and GO each year depending on travel patterns. A few differences i have seen:

- DM call centre is much, much better. They answer instantly whereas the Gold line can take close to an hour at peak times.
- Gold rarely gets a greeting/water bottle onboard in Y.
- Not much difference in upgrades.
- no difference in flexibility if you need someone to push the boundaries of ticket terms. Both give a little but not a lot.
- priority boarding, J queue can often be enormous, F is rarely more than a handful of people.

Actually, the loyalty programs are there to create loyalty. And when the perks don't do so for J flyers, it's not a proper loyalty program. A proper loyalty program should fit all (or largely all) their customers. Not only those flying with cubic meters of luggage and/or have siblings not having lounge access on their own (because siblings not flying J themselves).

For example, China Airlines, just gives straight discount on new tickets (IIRC 5-10%), based on the previous flying. So, an instant "reward", good for loyalty, far better then having to accumulate miles on 10 flights and then HOPE, there is award available for the dates you want to fly. At least, CI did so, some 2 yrs ago, I don't know about the current situation.

Agreed. Premium flyers contribute the most to Cathays bottom line, and yet someone who flies exclusively in J would benefit the least from Gold. Talk about misaligned incentives.

If you are primarily a Y or Y+ flyer, than GO is good for you. If you are already a C flyer, then only DM is good for you, GO's benefits come with the C ticket already.

As for DM vs. GO, here's the run-down.

1) F-check-in - so much faster, very good service, and they are more generous to overlook little issues like over-weight baggage, etc.
2) F-call-center/MPO - again much faster, very good service, and again they are more generous to go above-and-beyond to grant you what you ask for.
3) On-board service - some crew will give DM very good service, and actively offer food from class above (but don't expect this, the point is *some* crew)
4) Problem resolution - DM will get the full service. Case in point: if I complain about luggage issues I always get a good amount of cash (my stays are generally short). As GO they keep making excuses and low-ball cash compensation.

I'm sure others can think of more. But these are the ones that stands out for me.

We have been complaining to Cathay about this forever. Instead of beefing up benefits for premium flyers, Cathay's dumb solution is to take away benefits from low-end frequent flyers. So afterwards Premium flyers are NOT happy (most of us don't get pleasure seeing benefits taken away from frequent Y flyers), and they upset their base of frequent Y flyers. A big loss-loss situation.

Recently to amend that situation they gave more Club points to Y and Y+ flyers, but the damage is done. So not only has Cathay lost their loyal base of low-end frequent flyers, they still have a bunch of upset premium flyers, and Cathay is wondering why they are losing money?

What is the GO benefits taken away for Y flyers?
The only one I can think is the 72 hour V class ticket...

I thought its no longer V class / lowest fare bucket anymore?

yeah, that's the GO benefit taken away for Y flyers....

I don't like long lines, and I guess most people, if given the choice, would prefer shorter lines. For that reason, and many more other fellow DM members have said, I think DM and GO are miles away!

Previously, they never responded/budged when I asked 'can you ask if an exception can be made from your relevant department', asking for an upgrade award seat to be released.

Today, they finally were willing to do that.

Plot twist, the response was still negative after the hold. LOL.