Upgrades on CX
Apr 17, 2006 | 9:19 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Upgrades on CX
Wow, I'm astounded at how un-busy this forum is. Perhaps some smarties are lurking in the sidelines. 
I usually fly United, but now that I'm based in Beijing, I'll be flying Cathay from time to time, particularly when I need to go to Taipei.
I was looking through the Asia Miles website, and I can't find anything about upgrade certificates, how to earn them, etc. Am I missing something?
On United, when I fly 10,000 miles, I get four (4) 500-mile upgrade certificates for domestic flights. When I fly 25,000 miles, I get two (2) confirmed regional upgrades. And as a top-tier member, I get six (6) systemwide upgrades per year.
Does Asia Miles not have anything similar?
I usually fly United, but now that I'm based in Beijing, I'll be flying Cathay from time to time, particularly when I need to go to Taipei.
I was looking through the Asia Miles website, and I can't find anything about upgrade certificates, how to earn them, etc. Am I missing something?
On United, when I fly 10,000 miles, I get four (4) 500-mile upgrade certificates for domestic flights. When I fly 25,000 miles, I get two (2) confirmed regional upgrades. And as a top-tier member, I get six (6) systemwide upgrades per year.
Does Asia Miles not have anything similar?
Apr 17, 2006 | 8:22 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: HKG
Programs: CX DM, NH Plat, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 404
The AsiaMiles upgrade with miles "cost" is fairly steep ... eg 40K from paid J to F for LAX-HKG. Now for a 15 hour flight where the actual fare difference is almost $3K USD one-way that has a value. On some of the shorter flights, while less miles needed you have to weigh out your personal needs. Also, CX on regional services in Asia often runs "regional business class which does not have the lie-flats" and on flights under 3hours is not really worth it (IMHO). Welcome to China and Asia!
Apr 18, 2006 | 12:15 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Nr. Lugano
Programs: LH SEN, IHG Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,615
Originally Posted by mattmacinnis
That's too bad. I guess I'm spoiled. Air Canada, Lufthansa and other European carriers do this. Qantas used to, but they've moved away from "upgrade credits" to points-only.
Apr 18, 2006 | 8:03 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Air Canada has two types of upgrades. Some are Y/B only. The rest are from most discount Economy fares.
Kills me that AC still uses paper certificates! Sheesh..
So what's the point of the Marco Polo Club if I can earn miles and redeem them for upgrades using just the free Asia Miles plan?
Kills me that AC still uses paper certificates! Sheesh..
So what's the point of the Marco Polo Club if I can earn miles and redeem them for upgrades using just the free Asia Miles plan?
Apr 18, 2006 | 10:09 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,341
Originally Posted by mattmacinnis
So what's the point of the Marco Polo Club if I can earn miles and redeem them for upgrades using just the free Asia Miles plan?
(That said, there have been Asia Miles members who received complimentary Silver status after they passed the 30,000-mile threshold.)
Apr 18, 2006 | 2:23 pm
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
Originally Posted by mattmacinnis
So what's the point of the Marco Polo Club if I can earn miles and redeem them for upgrades using just the free Asia Miles plan?
Apr 18, 2006 | 2:55 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,810
Asiamiles is still being used by BA for members with addresses in the Far East. If you sign up with CX, you would use MPC for status and Asiamiles for redemptions. If you sign up with BA, you would use BAEC for status and Asiamiles for redemptions.
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:22 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: HK
Posts: 669
No.. definitely no SWU or CR-1 or 500-milers. There is also no 100% status bonus miles, or triple miles promotion. But what you get is a better service, a better seat and a more enjoyable experience. Since you said you mainly fly between PEK-HKG-TPE, you are much better off qualifying elite status based on flight sectors instead. About 8 roundtrips annually gives you Silver, 15 for Gold and 30 for Diamond.
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:46 pm
#12
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
Originally Posted by pacificboot
No.. definitely no SWU or CR-1 or 500-milers. There is also no 100% status bonus miles, or triple miles promotion. But what you get is a better service, a better seat and a more enjoyable experience....
Apr 19, 2006 | 8:27 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Aside from the TPE flights (which will be 3-4 times a year, tops), I can just fly Air China, earn United miles, and go from there.
I wish Air China were in the Star Alliance -- then I could use United miles to upgrade on Air China. Actually, I hope Air China buys Cathay Pacific, then Air China joins Star Alliance, then Cathay becomes part of Star Alliance, then United allows upgrades on Cathay using United points.
What's that, 6 months away? 12? tee hee..
I wish Air China were in the Star Alliance -- then I could use United miles to upgrade on Air China. Actually, I hope Air China buys Cathay Pacific, then Air China joins Star Alliance, then Cathay becomes part of Star Alliance, then United allows upgrades on Cathay using United points.
What's that, 6 months away? 12? tee hee..
Apr 21, 2006 | 3:48 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Hong Kong / Singapore / Bangkok
Programs: SQ Krisflyer Gold / Hilton Hhonour Diamond / Starwood SPG Gold / CX Former Gold, now Green
Posts: 347
Originally Posted by mattmacinnis
Actually, I hope Air China buys Cathay Pacific, then Air China joins Star Alliance, then Cathay becomes part of Star Alliance, then United allows upgrades on Cathay using United points.
What's that, 6 months away? 12? tee hee..
And then what will Cathay be like if Air China buys CX..?