Hi All,

We booked our flights to Japan for next year with Cathay Pacific, with the intent to upgrade these from economy to either premium economy or business.

However, it seems that we cant. We are told that there are no upgrades available currently (I can see seats are available however), and we should regularly monitor the website... Despite having the points I mightn't be able to use them for upgrades? I thought that if you had the points it was easy as upgrading and away you go? Seems a bit odd if not?

Also stumbled across the upgrade waitlist stuff, but cannot find that stated anywhere on the Cathay website....upgrades seem a bit like a secret or something with this airline...

Are other airlines the same, as I am considering cancelling the Cathay flights and going to SIA....

Flights to Japan are in high demand. So upgrade chance is much lesser

SQ upgrade chance is even lesser.

Such a pain haha.
Good thing I haven't transferred the points into Cathay yet then... Was really banking on using them for upgrades...

With 4 seats needing to be together as we have kids, sounds like I don't have much chance here..

Not sure where you got the idea that you would be able to upgrade as long as you had the points. If that were the case no airline would be able to sell revenue tickets.

Airlines allocate seats for redemption/upgrades, the number depending on route. As sbs2716g said, flights to Japan are in extremely high demand now so they literally do not need to give out 'free' upgrades. With your four seats requirement, that would be even harder, no matter the airline. You can be placed on waitlist, but they don't tell you your position in queue so you can only hope they let you know weeks before the actual flight.

When you say that you "can see seats are available" I get the impression you are seeing seats that are FOR SALE? That is not what you need to be able to upgrade. As lattesnow said airlines allocate a certain number of seats (sometimes zero!) for redemption(Miles purchase) OR upgrade. Seats for sale do not equal seats available for upgrade.

I don't think it is possible to upgrade with miles from Y to J.

Plus not all classes of tickets are upgradable with miles.

Thanks all, I ended up just downgrading the tickets to lite as they were cheaper. I can't upgrade anymore (sounds like it would be unlikely I could upgrade anyways) and get free seat selection with kids anyways.

Saved $900 this way, just need to find another good way to use the points....

On day of departure at the airport, yes, not before as others said.