Hey all - I've done a search but there was only a 2004 thread about it, so perhaps the info is different.

Ive got a return flight from HKG-MEL that was booked through Asiamiles / MPC, first leg is tonight. Cost was 45,000 asiamiles for economy (as biz redemption was full at the time of booking - a shame as it is only 60,000 for return biz).

I spoke to the Asiamiles person about getting upgrades to business closer to the date, and she said that after Monday (as in a few days ago), Asiamiles wouldn't be able to do anything as it would take 3 days to reissue the ticket, so it would have to be done through MPC. She also said that if I managed to get an upgrade (either one way or both) it would simply be a ticket reissue - so I'd pay a US$30 rebooking fee and then they'd take the 15,000 mile balance out of my account.

A couple of quick questions

1 - Would the AM service desk at CLK be the place to look into this or should I try it at the Wing?

2 - Was AM correct in that it would only be 15,000 miles, and that redemption tickets are able to be reissued at a higher class at the airport?

3 - The flight tonight looks pretty full, so I suspect the weekday return might be a better chance. Again, do I just ask at Melbourne checkin about using points, or should I see the people in the lounge?

Sorry if I haven't done the right search or if the answers are blindingly obvious!

Cheers
AT

I'm confused. Why would you ever talk to the generic AsiaMiles desk when you are an MPC member? In my experience MPC can reissue to a higher class up until the flight is released to the airport (i.e. up to about 3 or 4 hours before the flight). I have had ticketing deadlines for reward bookings set at 12 hours before the flight on occasion.

On the fly you ask at check-in, and they will either do it or put you on a waitlist for upgrade. Let them know you are on the waitlist when you get to the lounge and they will page you if it clears.

(That's how it works at the ports I've tried anyway, but that doesn't include MEL)

Cool - thanks. No joy at the airport when checked in, but will try at the Lounge both ends.

Further call with MPC suggested that there was zero chance of having an upgrade processed on the Mel-Hkg leg, as it would technically involve reissuing a ticket that was already in use (I guess since it was a return redemption flight). Nothing to lose by asking at checkin or in the lounges.

Cheers
AT

Actually, CX handsover the flight to SYD CX office a night before. Last time I tried to rebook my flight to CX 110 (departs 7:30am from SYD) the night before, and MPC said that I could only try at the check in counter in SYD, as they had already handover the flight to SYD airport. (and obviously, I could not ring SYD office, as it was not in office hour). So, that's right, "3 or 4 hours before the flight" only applies to certain airports.