my sister recently suffered a spinal fracture at school in the uk, and i'll need to call CX to have her xmas return flight moved up end of this month so she can return to hk earlier to receive physiotherapy, etc etc.

she's wearing a back brace and has a cast on one leg, it would obviously be more comfortable for her to fly in J or F, so i was hoping to use my miles to upgrade her, except one-way LHR-HKG upgrades to either cabin are all but gone for the rest of the month and most of the next.

before i call the MPC hotline, does anyone know how much discretion the CSRs have in situations like these ? or know of someone at CX who might be better able to help ? i'm a cx gold but i guess we don't have any undocumented benefits in securing upgrades ...

If you don't manage to secure a vote, would it be economical to purchase a full F ticket?

i have the TA looking at that option too, and while i'm sure that cabin is wide open, i dont think it would ever be economical to purchase an F ticket when the company's not paying if i could use my miles, i'd like to do so !

Most airlines require a certificate signed by a doctor stating that the passenger is fit to travel and does not require any special care when there is an obvious medical condition. If special care is required, most airlines are quite happy to sell it to you (my father traveled once in somewhat similar circumstances and was required to buy 6 full Y tickets and travel with a nurse; in return the airplane was configured with a hospital type bed that took the space of 6 Y seats and was curtained off from the main cabin). You may wish to check with CX to determine what certification they require, if any, before allowing your sister to travel (it sounds like she is well enough to travel as a normal pax).

Just curious, what would you sister do if the flight attendants say "brace, brace, brace"? (I imagine it would be painful in that case)

it might be wise (and more efficient) to get a certificate from a doctor or hospital FIRST and THEN ask your LOCAL CX OFFICE in writing. Being in the diplomatic service, I found that asking local airline offices for specials favours (and we need a lot of those believe me) seems to work better than going through HQ or the 'appropriate' channels.

Your sis will not be able to sit in exit row as pax need to be able to assist in an emergency.