Old Oct 29, 2013, 4:27 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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:
  1. VIP (Heads of State, Government Bodies, or Canto Pop/Movie stars)
  2. CX Diamond Plus
  3. CX Diamond Invitation, Diamond
  4. CX Gold
  5. CX management staff on travel duty
  6. oneworld Emerald
  7. CX staff on duty nominees , other airline staff nominees, CX staff on personal travel
  8. oneworld Sapphire
  9. CX Silver
  10. oneworld Ruby
  11. CX Green
  12. Asia Miles
  13. Non status
In the event of a tiebreak being needed, generally those with lower "Boarding Numbers" will take precedence (lower BN takes priority). The earlier you check in, the lower your BN. Asking for an upgrade at check-in will not work, so don't. This is definitely one case of where "if you don't ask, you don't get", does NOT apply. The amount you paid for your ticket or the fare class of your ticket does not appear to affect your upgrade chances.


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:
  1. Try upgrading using Manage My Booking on the website (not always successful)
  2. If self-service doesn't work, try calling Marco Polo hotline to check availability
  3. 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.
  4. 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:
  1. Call Marco Polo club to check for availability on the flights/dates you want, or check for normal redemption availability on the website.
  2. 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.
  3. Put the booking on hold.
  4. 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).
  5. Have telephone sales/travel agent issue your revenue ticket.
  6. Call Marco Polo/Asia Miles back. Give them the revenue ticket number against the PNR and ask them to issue your upgrade.
  7. 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.
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The Ultimate Upgrade Question thread

Old Dec 12, 2018, 5:58 am
  #946  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,671
Originally Posted by Frayed_Yak
Does anyone have any indication on how many seats CX typically oversells?

On a YVR-HKG flight later this month, I see J9 W8 Y0. I'm flying PEY as a OWE with a reasonable CX spend/CIV score (I believe). But with W8, I don't want to gets my hopes up that the rolling op-ups will reach me...
I thought CX will try and cannibalise PE and J for any Y fare.

But I guess you're looking at school holidays homecoming season. Plenty of students can afford Y so CX is trying for W and J fares.
percysmith is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2018, 10:05 am
  #947  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 7
Can someone advise what the flight loadings are across all classes forCX 318 , BCN-HKG Friday, 21 Dec 2018, 12:15 dep
CX 199, HKG-AKL Saturday 22 Dec 2018, 15:20 dep
Adgwn is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2018, 10:46 am
  #948  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,435
Originally Posted by adgwn
can someone advise what the flight loadings are across all classes forcx 318 , bcn-hkg friday, 21 dec 2018, 12:15 dep
cx 199, hkg-akl saturday 22 dec 2018, 15:20 dep
tw pos:
Code:
121decbcnhkgcx                                                
 21dec  fri   bcn/z1     hkg/7                                
cx response ** direct connect participant **                    
** cathay pacific - an **                  6 fr 21dec 0000      
13cx  318 j9 c9 d9 i9 w1 r1 el y6 b5 bcnhkg 1215 07201 359 0   
          h5 k2 ml ll vl sl nl
Code:
122dechkgaklcx                                                
 22dec  sat   hkg/z8     akl/5                                
cx response ** direct connect participant **                    
** cathay pacific - an **                  6 sa 22dec 0000      
13cx  199 jl cl dl il wl rl el yl bl hkgakl 1520 07251 359 0   
          hl kl ml ll vl sl nl                                  
14cx  113 j1 cl dl il wl rl el yl bl hkgakl 2125 13301 77w 0   
          hl kl ml ll vl sl nl                                  
15cx*7401 j4 c4 rl y4 bl hl          hkgakl 1725 09301 789 0
us pos:
Code:
bal                                                          
ok bal                                                          
121decbcnhkgcx                                                
an21decbcnhkg/acx                                               
** amadeus availability - an **            6 fr 21dec 0000      
 1   cx 318  j9 c9 d9 i9/bcn hkg  1215    07201  0/359    12:05
             w1 r1 el y6 b5 h5 k2 ml ll vl sl nl                
122dechkgaklcx                                                
an22dechkgakl/acx                                               
** amadeus availability - an **            6 sa 22dec 0000      
 1   cx 199  j3 cl dl il/hkg akl  1520    07251  0/359    11:05
             wl rl el y8 bl hl kl ml ll vl sl nl                
 2nz:cx7401  j4 c4 rl y4/hkg akl  1725    09301  0/789    11:05
             bl hl                                              
 3   cx 113  j6 c4 d3 i1/hkg akl  2125    13301  0/77w    11:05
             wl rl el y9 b3 hl kl ml ll vl sl nl
Adgwn likes this.
ernestnywang is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 4:57 pm
  #949  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: CX Go
Posts: 9
CX883 2018.12.15
Originally J award ticket for my birthday. It was great for being op-up to F in the check-in counter.
No "Happy birthday" printed on the ticket. Can only access to Oneworld Lounge in LAX. So I think it is regular op-up with blessings from nice ground staffs (yes, more than 2 ground staffs greeted me in the counter).
I'm greatly appreciated and the overall experience was brilliant.
MilesLove is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 7:36 pm
  #950  
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 27
hi, can anyone let me know how the flight load looks for the flight cx 321 hkg - bcn 23th of december as well as cx 254 lhr to hkg 1st of Jan.
Thank you and much appreciated!
lukelim89 is offline  
Old Dec 17, 2018, 6:50 am
  #951  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 246
Just a question. Does overbooking happen often for the W cabin? And if availability in W is zero while J and Y are clear, what are the chances for op-ups from W>J? And will op-ups be confined to passengers in the W cabin or will the people in Y get a shot? Thanks!
Solblanc is offline  
Old Dec 17, 2018, 7:14 am
  #952  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,671
Originally Posted by lukelim89
hi, can anyone let me know how the flight load looks for the flight cx 321 hkg - bcn 23th of december as well as cx 254 lhr to hkg 1st of Jan.
Thank you and much appreciated!
W1
J3 W5
percysmith is offline  
Old Dec 17, 2018, 7:15 am
  #953  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,671
Originally Posted by Solblanc
if availability in W is zero while J and Y are clear, what are the chances for op-ups from W>J?

high

Originally Posted by Solblanc
will the people in Y get a shot?
no. Unless the whole PE cabin gets upgraded. Otherwise the redemption (me) in PE will be upgraded to J before the DM+ in Y.
percysmith is offline  
Old Dec 17, 2018, 7:47 am
  #954  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by percysmith

high

no. Unless the whole PE cabin gets upgraded. Otherwise the redemption (me) in PE will be upgraded to J before the DM+ in Y.
Awesome. Thanks! Im keeping my fingers crossed as OWS booked in E that there wont be any DMs flying out of BRU.
Solblanc is offline  
Old Dec 18, 2018, 1:44 am
  #955  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
Totally unexpected but please take note for tour group participaters.

My wife and I were on a winter european holiday tour originating in Singapore. Tour group uses QATAR.

SIN->DOH-> VIE
ZUR->DOH->SIN

Not expecting anything because tour group would book the cheapest EY tickets possible.
But upon check in, they took my MPC number and I was awarded with 30 club point and 3,000 mile, both sectors in total. Not bad.

The icing on the cake is both of us were op-up to J at DOH->SIN sector, totally pleasantly surprised. I guess the MPC Gold is quite worthwhile.

Thank you, CX and QR.

(Audio)
Audio is offline  
Old Dec 19, 2018, 10:35 am
  #956  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA Plat, National EE, Marriott Plat, HH Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 401
flying CX885 LAX to HKG 11:05am on 1/19/19... on an R fare. Requested an Asia miles upgrade but waitlisted. I am a sapphire oneworld member (AAdvantage) and that is what is on my ticket. They claimed it helped waitlist but also said to keep calling back. Thoughts on likelihood?
kar don is offline  
Old Dec 19, 2018, 11:44 am
  #957  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 7
Flight loads

Originally Posted by adgwn
Could someone please advise the updated flight loadings across all classes for CX 318 BCN-HKG 21 Dec 2018, 12:15 dep
CX 199, HKG-AKL Saturday 22 dec 2018, 15:20 dep. many thanks in advance

Last edited by Adgwn; Dec 19, 2018 at 2:05 pm
Adgwn is offline  
Old Dec 19, 2018, 3:05 pm
  #958  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,435
Originally Posted by Adgwn
Originally Posted by adgwn
Could someone please advise the updated flight loadings across all classes for CX 318 BCN-HKG 21 Dec 2018, 12:15 dep
CX 199, HKG-AKL Saturday 22 dec 2018, 15:20 dep. many thanks in advance
TW POS:
Code:
121DECBCNHKGCX                                                
 21DEC  FRI   BCN/Z1     HKG/7                                
CX RESPONSE ** DIRECT CONNECT PARTICIPANT **                    
** CATHAY PACIFIC - AN **                  2 FR 21DEC 0000      
13CX  318 J9 C9 D9 I9 WL RL EL Y8 B8 BCNHKG 1215 07201 359 0   
          H7 K7 M6 L6 V5 S3 N3 Q1 OL
Code:
122DECHKGAKLCX                                                
 22DEC  SAT   HKG/Z8     AKL/5                                
CX RESPONSE ** DIRECT CONNECT PARTICIPANT **                    
** CATHAY PACIFIC - AN **                  2 SA 22DEC 0000      
13CX  199 J1 CL DL IL WL RL EL YL BL HKGAKL 1520 07251 359 0   
          HL KL ML LL VL SL NL
US POS:
[code]
BAL
OK BAL
121DECBCNHKGCX
AN21DECBCNHKG/ACX
** AMADEUS AVAILABILITY - AN ** 2 FR 21DEC 0000
1 CX 318 J9 C9 D9 I9/BCN HKG 1215 07201 0/359 12:05
WL RL EL Y8 B8 H7 K7 M6 L6 V5 S3 N3 Q1 OL
122DECHKGAKLCX
AN22DECHKGAKL/ACX
** AMADEUS AVAILABILITY - AN ** 2 SA 22DEC 0000
1 CX 199 J3 C2 D1 I1/HKG AKL 1520 07251 0/359 11:05
WL RL EL Y3 BL HL KL ML LL VL SL NL
ernestnywang is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2018, 11:18 am
  #959  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA Plat, National EE, Marriott Plat, HH Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 401
Originally Posted by kar don
flying CX885 LAX to HKG 11:05am on 1/19/19... on an R fare. Requested an Asia miles upgrade but waitlisted. I am a sapphire oneworld member (AAdvantage) and that is what is on my ticket. They claimed it helped waitlist but also said to keep calling back. Thoughts on likelihood?
anyone?
kar don is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2018, 12:06 pm
  #960  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,704
Originally Posted by kar don


anyone?
Your AA membership doesn't count for anything when doing Asia Miles upgrades, that's not right. Asia Miles reps are notorious on here for telling people stupid things that aren't right.

Loading is here
F2 A2 J9 C9 D9 I2 W9 R2 E0 Y9 B9 H9
K9 M9 L9 V9 S0 N0 Q0 O0

I don't know how to interpret that....cheapo PEY sold out, but I fare also only 2 seats left. I guess it looks good?

Fwiw it seems like from people posting here, PEY generally has the best odds of op-ups, and by extension I would think PEY->biz Asia Miles upgrades should have a decent chance. The reason is the PEY cabin tends to be elite (in-particular CX elite) light.
QRC3288 is offline  

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