Upcoming Changes to MPC
Feb 10, 2025 | 9:07 am
#76
Moderator: Cathay Pacific
Join Date: Jan 2024
Programs: CX DM-
Posts: 1,302
Feb 10, 2025 | 9:22 am
#77
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 3,087
I work at a major investment bank. Virtually everyone that travels on the floor made good use of the benefit for both work and personal travel (as mentioned in above posts, it's basically a de facto waiver on change fees and a 'free option' to lock into a lower fare class, with the flexibility to not issue the ticket until very close to departure time).
I can understand how this was too good to be true. But I still think there could have been some middle ground instead of what we have today.
And yes the benefit was killed mainly out of revenue protection for guess where but...CTS. (Ironically, I don't think the CTS route performed as well as they wanted it to be this year. Hahaha)
I can understand how this was too good to be true. But I still think there could have been some middle ground instead of what we have today.
And yes the benefit was killed mainly out of revenue protection for guess where but...CTS. (Ironically, I don't think the CTS route performed as well as they wanted it to be this year. Hahaha)
Feb 10, 2025 | 9:29 am
#78
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 635
I work at a major investment bank. Virtually everyone that travels on the floor made good use of the benefit for both work and personal travel (as mentioned in above posts, it's basically a de facto waiver on change fees and a 'free option' to lock into a lower fare class, with the flexibility to not issue the ticket until very close to departure time).
I can understand how this was too good to be true. But I still think there could have been some middle ground instead of what we have today.
And yes the benefit was killed mainly out of revenue protection for guess where but...CTS. (Ironically, I don't think the CTS route performed as well as they wanted it to be this year. Hahaha)
I can understand how this was too good to be true. But I still think there could have been some middle ground instead of what we have today.
And yes the benefit was killed mainly out of revenue protection for guess where but...CTS. (Ironically, I don't think the CTS route performed as well as they wanted it to be this year. Hahaha)
Feb 10, 2025 | 9:45 am
#79
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 1,064
The issue that I suspect CX is trying to solve is that people perceive the program to be too complex and too difficult to earn status/perks.
The majority of this thread is focused on IYKYK aspects of the Cathay program - thats a serious problem if youre trying to entice people to commit to the airline / program. Its great if youre on the inside track (where I generally count myself as being!) but a challenge to broader appeal.
The majority of this thread is focused on IYKYK aspects of the Cathay program - thats a serious problem if youre trying to entice people to commit to the airline / program. Its great if youre on the inside track (where I generally count myself as being!) but a challenge to broader appeal.
Feb 10, 2025 | 9:45 am
#80
Moderator: Cathay Pacific
Join Date: Jan 2024
Programs: CX DM-
Posts: 1,302
I think the 3/4 weeks that seems to be the de facto policy with the ability to extend if the flight isn't very full seems like a reasonable middle ground. Or they could go back to unlimited but only for the actual diamond rather than the whole truck to solve the CTS problem.
Feb 10, 2025 | 10:11 am
#82
Moderator: Cathay Pacific
Join Date: Jan 2024
Programs: CX DM-
Posts: 1,302
Feb 10, 2025 | 10:29 am
#83
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 7,226
May I ask if you mean award seat or revenue seat availability or something else?
Feb 10, 2025 | 5:25 pm
#84
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 8,245
Or a recent flight when the F cabin section was blocked off but opened to me solo (J class flight) when a few seats in rows 11-26 were still open, and it was apparently done "automatically by the system" according to the agent. (I had asked for rows 11-12, which I was told were full, but it didn't matter since the system put me in row 1 anyway).
Feb 10, 2025 | 8:00 pm
#85
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 722
I think based on his replies that CXwaterboy has the same experience/understanding as me.
I am getting the sense that you have had some bad agents haha. The official T&Cs say that the ticketing deadline extension for diamonds is as communicated from time to time. I can't find the communication but if you look at the second response in the thread below, you will see what it was communicated as (officially). Its meant to be 5 days but somehow I always end up with a longer deadline (3 weeks usually - maybe CX had a quiet change of heart). In any case, if you want to force it, there are cheeky ways to force a longer than 5 day deadline.
Honestly, I don't really care for the 1,600 and 1,800 benefits since I find them a bit impractical - but there seems to be a split opinion on this in this thread. The ticketing extension is much more practical for me (and it seems some others). If they want to get rid of mid-tier benefits and swap out with rollover or some other perks (maybe more generous ticketing deadline but I can think of a few others), I am all for it.
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...onditions.html
Ticketing arrangement for Diamond Members
i. On CPA marketed and operated flights, Diamond Members and their travel companions travelling on the same reservation may receive an extended ticketing deadline (“Ticketing Deadline Extension”) when booking their tickets through Customer Care, subject to the terms below. The applicable Ticketing Deadline Extension is as determined by CPA and will be notified to Diamond Members from time to time.
Removal of DM no ticketing deadline benefit wef 1 Sep 2024
I am getting the sense that you have had some bad agents haha. The official T&Cs say that the ticketing deadline extension for diamonds is as communicated from time to time. I can't find the communication but if you look at the second response in the thread below, you will see what it was communicated as (officially). Its meant to be 5 days but somehow I always end up with a longer deadline (3 weeks usually - maybe CX had a quiet change of heart). In any case, if you want to force it, there are cheeky ways to force a longer than 5 day deadline.
Honestly, I don't really care for the 1,600 and 1,800 benefits since I find them a bit impractical - but there seems to be a split opinion on this in this thread. The ticketing extension is much more practical for me (and it seems some others). If they want to get rid of mid-tier benefits and swap out with rollover or some other perks (maybe more generous ticketing deadline but I can think of a few others), I am all for it.
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...onditions.html
Ticketing arrangement for Diamond Members
i. On CPA marketed and operated flights, Diamond Members and their travel companions travelling on the same reservation may receive an extended ticketing deadline (“Ticketing Deadline Extension”) when booking their tickets through Customer Care, subject to the terms below. The applicable Ticketing Deadline Extension is as determined by CPA and will be notified to Diamond Members from time to time.
Removal of DM no ticketing deadline benefit wef 1 Sep 2024
My previous agents have no problem holding my booking for the stated timeframe from the communication. They just wouldn't hold the price.
Feb 10, 2025 | 8:43 pm
#86
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 289
It depends on the destination and how you see it. Economy Flex is like 30-50% more expensive than Lite, but gives you extra luggage and front row seat selection (Useless if you are a CX/Silver or OWS above) and free changes. But it's the cost per SP is usually better than business class tickets. So if you need to accumulate SP without breaking the bank, Economy Flex might be worth considering.
Feb 10, 2025 | 11:35 pm
#87
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: HKG,SIN,CAN
Programs: CX MPC DM, HU FWC Gold
Posts: 378
Just by saying BUD (1600 SP)
If their "new" DM+ is 2400 SP, that would be nonsense as CX uses a "200" points tier after DM. (1400 for F lounge invitation, 1600 BUD, 1800 Gold invitation).
"Blanking" 1200 to 2400 will just let people stay at 1200. (rollover does not mean a thing as 1200 is somehow easy for DMs)
The thing is BUD is hard to use as they have no "certain" rules on how to use it (faced A class was selling but did not clear my BUD).
CX seems to have a problem with "Understanding" customer needs. In their mind, customer complains about BUG/BUD so we can just "cut" it to solve it.
If their "new" DM+ is 2400 SP, that would be nonsense as CX uses a "200" points tier after DM. (1400 for F lounge invitation, 1600 BUD, 1800 Gold invitation).
"Blanking" 1200 to 2400 will just let people stay at 1200. (rollover does not mean a thing as 1200 is somehow easy for DMs)
The thing is BUD is hard to use as they have no "certain" rules on how to use it (faced A class was selling but did not clear my BUD).
CX seems to have a problem with "Understanding" customer needs. In their mind, customer complains about BUG/BUD so we can just "cut" it to solve it.
Feb 10, 2025 | 11:47 pm
#88
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: HKG,SIN,CAN
Programs: CX MPC DM, HU FWC Gold
Posts: 378
One more thing regarding UO(ex-KA)
CX is still doing nothing to UO, especially ex-HKG. (Which cannot buy CX-coded UO flight)
By adopting some ports that KA operates and for travellers, CX should think of how to adopt Scoot/euro wings style operation for CX MPC.
CX is still doing nothing to UO, especially ex-HKG. (Which cannot buy CX-coded UO flight)
By adopting some ports that KA operates and for travellers, CX should think of how to adopt Scoot/euro wings style operation for CX MPC.
Feb 11, 2025 | 1:37 am
#89
Moderator: Cathay Pacific
Join Date: Jan 2024
Programs: CX DM-
Posts: 1,302
Thanks for your info. Is there official statement / terms that states holding ticket = holding current price / fare class so next time I can show it to another bad agent?
My previous agents have no problem holding my booking for the stated timeframe from the communication. They just wouldn't hold the price.
My previous agents have no problem holding my booking for the stated timeframe from the communication. They just wouldn't hold the price.
They will quote you the current fare and email you the reservation. At MMB, you just proceed as normal. Well basically thats how the travel agents used to deal with ticketing. The old policy of ticketing at online check-in was much more generous.
If you dont need the tickets, you can just let it expire. When you want to issue, just call CS again. The up-to-date fare is guaranteed for 24 hours. If you held I-fare but they want you to ticket D, they are just incompetent.
Feb 11, 2025 | 2:18 am
#90
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 22,127