I had great experience with CX in 2016 from ORD to CAN. The air host was super kind and she actually took care of my toddler when she saw me struggling with having a meal. She gave me a hand and let me have my meal. I really appreciated that. I flied with different asisan airlines before, CX was the only one did this for me. So I am so impressed! I will fly with CX again.

Yes I feel cathay has dropped a lot in term of quality now compared to before covid. Feels like flying a budget airline now. You have to pay for advance seating. The counter don't want to give me a seat change and keep saying I have to pay for advance seating or else it's randomly assign at first check in. You also have to pay for 2nd luggage now. I guess I won't be using cathay again after this unless I plan to visit hong kong (not just transit).

If it was a budget airline you would have to pay for your 1st luggage already, as well as pay for your meal. Feels like you have really high expectations for a budget airline then?

To be fair, CX lays out exactly what you pay for in terms of seat reservation and luggage, you just didn't read. But there are also other airlines you can fly on if you want to visit Hong Kong...

Which full service airline now allows for free advanced seat selection before online check-in in economy for low-tier/non FF members? I'd be interested to know because I don't know of any. BTW, for even the lowest-tier CX member, you can select your seat for free at online check-in which opens 48h before departure (in case you didn't know).

If CX is a 'budget airline', god prohibit OP from taking AC
https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...9Q&oe=662FCEF8

NH (just travelled, redemption) and KE (just ticketed for next Easter, cash)

That AC announcement is some fine Orwellian Newspeak.

I was able to select my choice of seat at booking and check in three bags.

That does indeed look like an attempt to tell people to go to hell and make them look forward to it :D

It all depends.
 

OWE membership benefits still exist as usual. The general rule of thumb is the smaller the aircraft, the better the service. The less the elite members/passengers overall, the better the service. I received a personal greeting post-it on the screen on an A321. I have also received no recognition on a full flight (PEY/Y).
I wouldn't call this poor service, but they have definitely cracked down additional charges on seat assignments and baggage allowance. In the past, you used to be able to use an OWE membership card to gain access but credit your miles/points to AM or the other FFPs of your preference. I can confirm that in recent experience you couldn't do that anymore especially if you are an outstation:

1. Seat assignments. Still possible but the system might force a payment when you switch FFP
2. Baggage allowance. From OWE's 2-piece in Y to a regular OW Member (No status) 1-piece in Y. It used to be absolutely fine in the past but the system required the staff to either enforce it or override it.

3. Seat Together: OWE + OW (No status). If it's not booked together then you couldn't even get the Priority Y/PEY seat during check-in. Even the F check-in agent mentioned the system no longer allows it.

System-wise and overall it is definitely more nickel-and-dime, but I would not call it poor service by any means.

For 1 and 2, could you not put down your OWE to use the benefits and then switch it through Finnair or retro claim miles when you are in the lounge? Don't change it through Cathay's website.

When I ran out of time, I usually just asked the lounge staff to swap the FFP numbers for me. For 1 and 2, it would definitely be an issue during check-in. I haven't tried that at the lounge. Would definitely try to avoid retro claim due to the high number of claims and flights to do. However, if that's the last resort, then I have no choice but to do it.

Try using Finnair's website to change your FFP when you are in the lounge. So far, it has worked for me. It will not be a retro claim as it is still a last-minute claim.

For 1, I have OW benefits through Qatar but 0 miles would be credited due to ticket fare. I would have free seat assignment due to my OW tier so I bought the cheapest Cathay Y ticket. I switched FFP online from QR to CX after I made my booking and I had a notice that said that I need to call CX or I'd lose my seat assignment. After calling CX, they said that they would keep my CX (Green so no benefit) FFP on my booking but they confirmed my seat assignment made using my QR FFP.

When I got to the airport I had to double check if I'd still get my OW benefits because I don't trust anything that happens at CX these days. I explained to the agent at the check in counter again, that the booking has my CX FFP but I also have OW benefits through QR and showed them my electronic QR card. They understood and "made a note on my booking" that I'd credit to Cathay but use Qatar benefits. The rest worked out fine from there.

TLDR, just call, explain, be polite, explain again, remain calm :)

Wish they would save everyone's time and energy by allowing two FFP numbers, like SQ!