They are much better about it at HKIA check-in, I always get the passes for far gates there....however, frequently at the Airport Express check-in (at least in Central) they often don't pass them out.

The buggy passes are passed out at the CX/KA check-in counters. If you do not get that (or if you check in elsewhere), proceed to the Wing and present your BP. If the gate is far away, the lounge agent will issue a buggy pass. I do not know if that is applicable for transit, but you can still try at the Wing.

I have asked at the airport express, and they have always told me to pick one up at the F check in desk at the airport.

The Official guidelines from CX is that they will give you a buggy voucher if your gate number is 40+

Good call, I just never have asked at in town checkin.

you mean even as a gold you can ask for it?

While it won't hurt asking, I believe only DM or higher can get buggy vouchers. I did not recall I got any when I was GO. I am not sure if non-CX-Emeralds get them.

I got it only once before when I was AA EXP but CX GO/GR - that time the agent gave it to me proactively (she probably made a mistake). afterwards I tried to ask every time when the gate was far and it's always refused, saying it's for CX DM or above only and not for other oneworld Emeralds...

It's DM and up only (travelling in any class). Even revenue F customers who are CX GO can't get them (which I find quite astonishing frankly).

I think you are confused. When I was a Diamond I asked for it. Now I'm a gold, and I changed my profile accordingly.

I noticed I can get one easier if checking in at the 1st class counter (landside) than at the lounge. I have been Diamond for a few months, and gotten two at check in, but none at the lounge even when I asked (but I thinks gate was high 30s not 40 plus)

They are just as easy, but the gate number must be 40+.

I think I tend to agree with traveler18, if I remember right even for high 30s I had gotten them from the check-in agents but the experience at the CX lounges is quite a different story.

there's once where my flight was delayed for an hour and the gate was changed from sth like ~3 to ~36 (and the boarding announcement was made quite all of a sudden since the plane suddenly became ready to board after the delay). I thought as a courtesy the lounge agent would give me one esp given the situation - but I (together with 2 more DM colleagues on the same flight) was bluntly turned away by quite a rude agent (with the name Celia IIRC) saying that it's for gate 40 or above only, no exception, even though for gate 33+ you're recommended to take the APM...that's also how I came to know about this rule of gate 40+. I can understand if there's a rule they need to follow, but her attitude was just completely unacceptable.

there's also one instance when I asked for it at the Wing F lounge for my KA flight (I checked in at ITCI so no gate at that time yet and hence could only ask at the lounge when I knew the gate), and one male agent claimed that it's for CX flights only - I said I have been getting it for months for my KA flights. I argued with him for like 1-2 minutes before he then reluctantly called someone else and confirmed that I was correct, but then he murmured that it's a new change in rule etc (although it's been "new" for maybe a year already at that time)...

my overall experience at the lounge getting the buggy coupon is just quite a bit worse vs. at check in...

Yes, these rules started when MPC also became the loyalty programme for KA, as far as I remember. It is just your luck, or lack of. I never had any problem with lounges or buggy passes.

I already have enough miles to renew for the next membership year. I am uncertain if I shall fly enough to renew for the year after. Whatever is happening to OP may happen to me.

First of all, apologies for bringing up this old thread.

Like sxc, I don't foresee myself to be able to requalify for DM. As it stands, I'll be sitting at about 95,000 club miles at the end of my membership year.

Here's the question, should I make a mileage run to requalify or not? Even if I do requalify for DM, I'll be travelling significantly less in my next membership year (but definitely enough for GO).

If I don't, the 35,000 "excess" club miles that I've earned this year might be taken into consideration for my next membership year, which means that I could divert some of my travel to *A. What are your thoughts?

Any input, especially from the regulars, would be highly appreciated.