Had similar experiences as described above in ex-HKG and ex-YYZ. One was AA exp while the other was MPC silver. Check-in agent probably identified us as traveling together.

So what if one uses miles to upgrade from Y to J, is there any possibility that the person will get an op-up from J to F? How does the status level work? Do they op-up the non elite but paid J passengers first or op-up the miles upgrade elite member non- J paid passeneger?

Funny, but I would say the opposite. My experience is that outstattion managers have a lot of flexibility in managing op-up. Yes, they have the "priority" list, but they only manage a few CX flights daily so they give op-up more attention than they receive at HKG, where automation is the rule and exceptions are less frequent. The difficulty at outstation is to find CX personnel (as opposed to the local check-in staff who usually does not belong to CX and have no authority in op-up).

Here is my itinerary: BKK-HKG-JFK. I'm travelling with my friend who is MPC GR and we book the ticket at the same record locator code. At BKK, the check in agent asked me would I be accepting an Op-up if I would have to get it alone? And, I did. At HKG, we both got Op-up :D I just like to share this experience and confirm that information posted here are correct.

Cheers,

do this on a regular basis with very good success to the US and occasionally to Europe. Granted, DM status and usually BN# under 5 have the best results, but no guarantees. Can remember on a trip to LAX, Y>J with miles, and op-up to F with BN#50+, while on the return BN#1 with no op-up and flight will full, i guess truly full with F sold-out.

Sam7 are you MPC DM or GO?

I have very limited experience, indeed, but (as a lowly Oneworld Ruby) over Christmas I flew with my partner (different bookings, as different return dates) MEL to HKG (no offer) and HKG to PEK (offered upgrade for me, but I declined rather than asked for her to be op-uped to join me, perhaps a wrong question from me in retrospect). On the way home, no offer from PEK to HKG, but op-uped from HKG to ADL.

From this very limited sample, I was offered an op-up ex-HKG both times (as a lowly Oneworld Ruby) but not from other ports. Perhaps they are more generous in HKG? (Loads didn't really seem to explain it from PEK at least.)

On an unrelated note, I'll be flying CX again - my usual airline is QF and op-ups there have been exceptionally rare for me, but I had 2 or 4 offers of Christmas on CX. That would absolutely make me switch airlines of preference! (And I like the CX service too.)

A lowly GO ;)

Op-up on BOM sector
 

Just wondering, does anyone have experience with op-up on HKG-BOM nonstop sectors?

Is Y load sufficient for decent chance for SL or GO members to be op-uped to J? Does it happen often on this route?

In the past all of my BOM travel has been on SQ/9W but I am planning a switch to CX because SQ is too much of a hassle and while 9W has far better flight timings than CX and the 9W Y product is superior to CX (not much difference - 9W is just a tad better), the FFP on 9W is rubbish.