Last edit by: ZZ100
Is it possible to buy a (cheap) upgrade on Cathay Pacific upon check-in?
The short answer is no.
Cathay, as a general rule, does not allow you to purchase last minute upgrades if there are empty seats in Y+, J or F. The only way to upgrade a ticket is to pay the fare difference between your current ticket, and an available fare class in the higher cabins. Note that if your current ticket has restrictions (cancellation fees, non-refundable) these still apply.
There are been stories of people who have been offered cheap upgrades by Cathay, but this is more an exception than a common occurrence.
If I upgrade my ticket using asia miles, do I still earn miles?
Yes, you will earn miles for the original fare class that you booked, not the upgraded cabin.
How do I get a free upgrade / operational upgrade (op-up)?
Cathay Pacific does not upgrade passengers just because there are empty seats in higher classes. Upgrades will only occur where there is overbooking in lower classes.
The order of upgrades when required is believed to be:
I am travelling on an award ticket. Will I still be considered for a free upgrade?
Yes - there are many stories of passengers on award tickets, or who upgraded a class using miles, getting (additional) upgrades.
What happens if the aircraft has 4 or 3 cabins, but is only selling Business and Economy seats?
It is likely if you have Marco Polo status, and to a lesser extent oneworld status, you may be able to sit in either First Class seats (if booked in J) or Premium Economy (if booked in Y) with service of the original cabin. There doesn't appear to be consistency yet as to how these semi-upgrades are allocated. Some people have been able to choose seats in the higher cabin during online check-in, or some will get them on request at check-in. However, there is no entitlement to these seats.
Will I get an upgrade on my Birthday, or for my membership anniversary, or for reaching xx number of lifetime club miles?
Please see this link for members' experience with these kinds of upgrades: Marco Polo Anniversary Upgrades
I want to use Asia Miles to upgrade a BA flight. How do I do this?
As of 22 June 2018, it is no longer possible to upgrade BA flights with Asia Miles.
How do I upgrade a CX flight using miles?
If you already have issued your original ticket:
If you have not made any booking yet, and you want to check availability:
If you don't receive a new e-ticket before departure, call up Marco Polo club to double check if the upgrade has been issued.
The short answer is no.
Cathay, as a general rule, does not allow you to purchase last minute upgrades if there are empty seats in Y+, J or F. The only way to upgrade a ticket is to pay the fare difference between your current ticket, and an available fare class in the higher cabins. Note that if your current ticket has restrictions (cancellation fees, non-refundable) these still apply.
There are been stories of people who have been offered cheap upgrades by Cathay, but this is more an exception than a common occurrence.
If I upgrade my ticket using asia miles, do I still earn miles?
Yes, you will earn miles for the original fare class that you booked, not the upgraded cabin.
How do I get a free upgrade / operational upgrade (op-up)?
Cathay Pacific does not upgrade passengers just because there are empty seats in higher classes. Upgrades will only occur where there is overbooking in lower classes.
The order of upgrades when required is believed to be:
- VIP (Heads of State, Government Bodies, or Canto Pop/Movie stars)
- CX Diamond Plus
- CX Diamond Invitation, Diamond
- CX Gold
- CX management staff on travel duty
- oneworld Emerald
- CX staff on duty nominees , other airline staff nominees, CX staff on personal travel
- oneworld Sapphire
- CX Silver
- oneworld Ruby
- CX Green
- Asia Miles
- Non status
I am travelling on an award ticket. Will I still be considered for a free upgrade?
Yes - there are many stories of passengers on award tickets, or who upgraded a class using miles, getting (additional) upgrades.
What happens if the aircraft has 4 or 3 cabins, but is only selling Business and Economy seats?
It is likely if you have Marco Polo status, and to a lesser extent oneworld status, you may be able to sit in either First Class seats (if booked in J) or Premium Economy (if booked in Y) with service of the original cabin. There doesn't appear to be consistency yet as to how these semi-upgrades are allocated. Some people have been able to choose seats in the higher cabin during online check-in, or some will get them on request at check-in. However, there is no entitlement to these seats.
Will I get an upgrade on my Birthday, or for my membership anniversary, or for reaching xx number of lifetime club miles?
Please see this link for members' experience with these kinds of upgrades: Marco Polo Anniversary Upgrades
I want to use Asia Miles to upgrade a BA flight. How do I do this?
As of 22 June 2018, it is no longer possible to upgrade BA flights with Asia Miles.
How do I upgrade a CX flight using miles?
If you already have issued your original ticket:
- Try upgrading using Manage My Booking on the website (not always successful)
- If self-service doesn't work, try calling Marco Polo hotline to check availability
- If there is availability, you will need to issue the upgrade immediately to secure it. They may give you a few days grace before isssuing the upgrade, but this is now rarely given.
- In a few days, or longer if they are busy, your miles will be deducted, and you will be emailed a new e-ticket with the upgrade class details on it, and your online booking for your original booking class will disappear.
If you have not made any booking yet, and you want to check availability:
- Call Marco Polo club to check for availability on the flights/dates you want, or check for normal redemption availability on the website.
- Book a revenue ticket in the class of service for which you will be paying. Do NOT do this via the website -- call a CX telephone sales number/travel agent.
- Put the booking on hold.
- Call the Marco Polo/Asia Miles Service Center. Have them book the upgrade and give you a deadline to have the ticket issued. (It's usually about 72 hours).
- Have telephone sales/travel agent issue your revenue ticket.
- Call Marco Polo/Asia Miles back. Give them the revenue ticket number against the PNR and ask them to issue your upgrade.
- In about two or three days, you'll get a new ticket with the upgrade showing.
If you don't receive a new e-ticket before departure, call up Marco Polo club to double check if the upgrade has been issued.
The Ultimate Upgrade Question thread
#573
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA 1MM lifetime gold, Starwood gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 719
My wife and I (both BA emerald) travelled HKG-CEB with our 4 yr old son (BA sapphire) and 6 month old infant (no FF). We had booked premium economy. Whilst at the Pier F lounge, I was paged and offered an upgrade to J. They were clear that only I could be upgraded and my wife couldn't have the upgrade instead of me (as she had our infant attached to her name in the booking). I offered to let my wife have the upgrade and for me to sit in PEY with the boys, but she passed!
What was interesting is that the lounge staff said that the infant and associated adult could not be upgraded, even if The associated adult were emerald or even CX diamond. It's only for a finite amount of time that we will have this issue, so I guess no big deal.
Has anyone been upgraded with an infant?
What was interesting is that the lounge staff said that the infant and associated adult could not be upgraded, even if The associated adult were emerald or even CX diamond. It's only for a finite amount of time that we will have this issue, so I guess no big deal.
Has anyone been upgraded with an infant?
#574
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
My wife and I (both BA emerald) travelled HKG-CEB with our 4 yr old son (BA sapphire) and 6 month old infant (no FF). We had booked premium economy. Whilst at the Pier F lounge, I was paged and offered an upgrade to J. They were clear that only I could be upgraded and my wife couldn't have the upgrade instead of me (as she had our infant attached to her name in the booking). I offered to let my wife have the upgrade and for me to sit in PEY with the boys, but she passed!
What was interesting is that the lounge staff said that the infant and associated adult could not be upgraded, even if The associated adult were emerald or even CX diamond. It's only for a finite amount of time that we will have this issue, so I guess no big deal.
Has anyone been upgraded with an infant?
What was interesting is that the lounge staff said that the infant and associated adult could not be upgraded, even if The associated adult were emerald or even CX diamond. It's only for a finite amount of time that we will have this issue, so I guess no big deal.
Has anyone been upgraded with an infant?
Edit: IIRC, can't upgrade infants with miles either
#575
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
The accompanying parent for the infant cannot be upgraded for the same reason. However, as both parents are traveling, they can switched ONCE up front and the father can stay with the infant the entire trip.
#576
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA 1MM lifetime gold, Starwood gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 719
Thanks for the responses. So it was very nice of CX to offer one upgrade to me. This was within the constraints of what you say as my wife (emerald) was linked to infant and my son (sapphire) is only 4 yrs.
it worked out fine as I got the last row window seat in J and my family had bulkhead window and aisle in PEY. So there was just the curtain separating us and landing duties etc could be assisted with.
I feel that CX offering me the upgrade was a great gesture and much more than BA did in an overbooked DXB-LHR, where they just overlooked all of us presumably due to the infant in our booking.
PEY bookings to CX in future where possible!
it worked out fine as I got the last row window seat in J and my family had bulkhead window and aisle in PEY. So there was just the curtain separating us and landing duties etc could be assisted with.
I feel that CX offering me the upgrade was a great gesture and much more than BA did in an overbooked DXB-LHR, where they just overlooked all of us presumably due to the infant in our booking.
PEY bookings to CX in future where possible!
#577
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PHX
Programs: AA PRO
Posts: 352
AA EXPs, MPC nothings, biz to first with Asia Miles?
Hi all,
Brand new to the CX forum and we have actually never flown CX before.
Looking at tickets for June 2016:
party of 2 in same record, both AA EXP / OWE, I have Asia Miles account, partner does not.
PHX-LAX-HKG-MLE
<open jaw>
CMB-HKG-LAX-PHX
These are all sold in I class and all as CX ticket stock / CX metal / CX codeshares (for the PHX-LAX portion).
We are interested in upgrading the TPAC portions only, since HKG to Maldives and Sri Lanka is a 2 class A333.
I recently opened an Asia Miles account in order to check award availability, and possibly to transfer in Citi TY points (approx 200K in the account).
Questions (and many apologies if this is covered in the thread ...)
1. I don't see any award redemption inventory for the particular flights we want (schedule not that flexible due to work commitments). Can I waitlist BOTH of us for a mileage upgrade from biz to F, even though only one of us has an Asia Miles account?
2. Do I have to have sufficient Asia Miles in my account prior to the upgrade(s) being cleared, or can I transfer them from Citi after the upgrade is issued? If so, how long of a window do I have to do that? My reading of the award chart seems to indicate I would need 85,000 x 2 pax or 170,000 asia miles to upgrade both outbound and inbound. Is that right?
3. It is critical that I credit these flights to AA for next year's status. Is it possible to use Asia Miles to upgrade and then switch out the FF# after ticket reissued?
Should we just take the business class flights and be happy, and not worry about jumping through all these hoops for two TPAC segments? LOL (Having said that, I have heard so many things about legendary long haul CX F that I really would like to try it sometime...)
Thanks for your insight
Brand new to the CX forum and we have actually never flown CX before.
Looking at tickets for June 2016:
party of 2 in same record, both AA EXP / OWE, I have Asia Miles account, partner does not.
PHX-LAX-HKG-MLE
<open jaw>
CMB-HKG-LAX-PHX
These are all sold in I class and all as CX ticket stock / CX metal / CX codeshares (for the PHX-LAX portion).
We are interested in upgrading the TPAC portions only, since HKG to Maldives and Sri Lanka is a 2 class A333.
I recently opened an Asia Miles account in order to check award availability, and possibly to transfer in Citi TY points (approx 200K in the account).
Questions (and many apologies if this is covered in the thread ...)
1. I don't see any award redemption inventory for the particular flights we want (schedule not that flexible due to work commitments). Can I waitlist BOTH of us for a mileage upgrade from biz to F, even though only one of us has an Asia Miles account?
2. Do I have to have sufficient Asia Miles in my account prior to the upgrade(s) being cleared, or can I transfer them from Citi after the upgrade is issued? If so, how long of a window do I have to do that? My reading of the award chart seems to indicate I would need 85,000 x 2 pax or 170,000 asia miles to upgrade both outbound and inbound. Is that right?
3. It is critical that I credit these flights to AA for next year's status. Is it possible to use Asia Miles to upgrade and then switch out the FF# after ticket reissued?
Should we just take the business class flights and be happy, and not worry about jumping through all these hoops for two TPAC segments? LOL (Having said that, I have heard so many things about legendary long haul CX F that I really would like to try it sometime...)
Thanks for your insight
Last edited by intub8r; Mar 21, 2017 at 11:34 pm
#578
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
1. I don't see any award redemption inventory for the particular flights we want (schedule not that flexible due to work commitments). Can I waitlist BOTH of us for a mileage upgrade from biz to F, even though only one of us has an Asia Miles account?
2. Do I have to have sufficient Asia Miles in my account prior to the upgrade(s) being cleared, or can I transfer them from Citi after the upgrade is issued? If so, how long of a window do I have to do that? My reading of the award chart seems to indicate I would need 85,000 x 2 pax or 170,000 asia miles to upgrade both outbound and inbound. Is that right?
3. It is critical that I credit these flights to AA for next year's status. Is it possible to use Asia Miles to upgrade and then switch out the FF# after ticket reissue
2. Do I have to have sufficient Asia Miles in my account prior to the upgrade(s) being cleared, or can I transfer them from Citi after the upgrade is issued? If so, how long of a window do I have to do that? My reading of the award chart seems to indicate I would need 85,000 x 2 pax or 170,000 asia miles to upgrade both outbound and inbound. Is that right?
3. It is critical that I credit these flights to AA for next year's status. Is it possible to use Asia Miles to upgrade and then switch out the FF# after ticket reissue
2) I always thought "yes", but some folks report otherwise. The consensus seems to be you need something to be safe. Although that would suck to transfer some and then not have them clear. I recommend just trying to get on the waitlist now without any AM and see what they say, you'll only know if you try. Citi transfers in a few days, pretty quick. If they permit you to waitlist without enough miles, I'm confident if you clear at 14+ days out you'll be okay (they'll always give you a few days to ticket it). Where it will get tricky is if they dont clear until late, which is highly likely.....In this scenario, if you never want to use Asia Miles except for this, it might be best to then just pull your name off the waitlist.
3) here, there are no guarantees. Folks usually report it works and that's be my bet for the most highly likely outcome....BUT there are also occasional reports here of mess ups, where you get credit under Asia Miles not AA. I don't know AAs policy here my guess would be you're sol but you should check with the AA board. The usual disclaimer here is if you darn well 100pct need those miles for the original program then don't mess with it, because you are introducing the possibility that you'll be nearing Silver status (OW Ruby) on CX with that itinerary, which I'm sure will be zero solace to you given you'll probably miss out on your AA play or exec plat or whatever you're gunning for. (Aka you might get Asia Miles / Marco Polo Club Points not Advantage Miles / qualifying dollars or whatever they're called)
Btw, one final note. It is very very likely if F awards open they will come one at a time, and perhaps only one max. So maybe just use your AM for your wife to try F if availability opens, and you stay in J if you guys don't mind? This will also give you peace of mind for the AA miles situation in #3. Upgrading her I to Z (F redemption) won't affect your booking, even though you're using your miles.
Unless, of course she also needs status.
#579
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
2. Do I have to have sufficient Asia Miles in my account prior to the upgrade(s) being cleared, or can I transfer them from Citi after the upgrade is issued? If so, how long of a window do I have to do that? My reading of the award chart seems to indicate I would need 85,000 x 2 pax or 170,000 asia miles to upgrade both outbound and inbound. Is that right?
You don't need all AM to be in your account when ticket. You can top up your account if you have 70% of the AM in your account:
* If you can redeem all segments together, you need 85000 + 85000x70% = 144500 for redemption and top up the rest.
* If you redeem 85000 for one person and 85000 later, you need 85000x70% = 59500 AM and top up the rest to redeem for the first person. Then you can transfer 59500 AM and top up the rest to redeem for the other person.
Notes:
* You have to be careful about the expiration date for the upgrade booking.
* Top up is too expensive IMHO.
#580
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PHX
Programs: AA PRO
Posts: 352
Thank you so much for the replies.
Having gone through this thought experiment, I realized 12 hours after I posted this question that June is high monsoon season in South India / Sri Lanka / Maldives and that it wouldn't be too much fun to sit inside the overwater villa and watch the rain pour down over the turbulent and murky ocean. LOL
I think we might go to DPS instead. But also on CX.
I very much appreciate your replies - given the complexities of upgrading with Asia Miles and the necessity to credit to AA, my primary program, I think the best choice for us will be to save the Citi TY points for a flat out AWARD redemption on a future trip.
Again, thank you for the thorough and thoughtful replies. This was my first time on the CX forum but it won't be my last - you guys are so civilized compared to some of the others!
See you at HKIA sometime, in the Wing
Having gone through this thought experiment, I realized 12 hours after I posted this question that June is high monsoon season in South India / Sri Lanka / Maldives and that it wouldn't be too much fun to sit inside the overwater villa and watch the rain pour down over the turbulent and murky ocean. LOL
I think we might go to DPS instead. But also on CX.
I very much appreciate your replies - given the complexities of upgrading with Asia Miles and the necessity to credit to AA, my primary program, I think the best choice for us will be to save the Citi TY points for a flat out AWARD redemption on a future trip.
Again, thank you for the thorough and thoughtful replies. This was my first time on the CX forum but it won't be my last - you guys are so civilized compared to some of the others!
See you at HKIA sometime, in the Wing
#581
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
Recently flew BKK-HKG on a CX ticket on a 4-class 773, ticketed in coach with Emerald status. Checked loads a few days before departure and coach was no longer bookable, which made me hope for an op-up. At airport check-in, was upgraded to premium economy and then at boarding, upgraded again to business. Better than I had hoped and enjoyed the short ride. This was my 2nd op-up on about 10 short-haul CX segments in the past year. Certainly willing to pay more for CX on this route to access the lounges and the occasional up is another perk.
#582
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SYD | HGH
Programs: CX DM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton DM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,121
Y must be very oversold (that's why his boss had to book him PEY) and he must be the only single pax left after all the elite pax in PEY been upgraded.
#583
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
You don't need to be Green for opups. A friend of mine (actually the driver of my friend) recently got oped up on his very first flight with Cx with only Asia Mile membership from PEY to J Hkg - Syd.
Y must be very oversold (that's why his boss had to book him PEY) and he must be the only single pax left after all the elite pax in PEY been upgraded.
Y must be very oversold (that's why his boss had to book him PEY) and he must be the only single pax left after all the elite pax in PEY been upgraded.
#584
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
#585
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA EP, DL DM, DL 1M, Marriott Elite, Hilton Gold, SPG Elite
Posts: 140
I was op'd from PE to J on BOS-HKG this week. My first as a Oneworld Emerald. The flight was not full in any cabin class. It seemed entirely random and even surprised the counter agent.
Terrific flight!
Terrific flight!