Oct 29, 2013, 4:27 am
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
Jan 15, 2019, 11:25 am
#991
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
For MAA to HKG, chance is slim. It is W2 R0 E0 because of the married segment CX884. It is in fact W9 R9 E9. For CX884, it is difficult to say. There are potentially many CX elites and AA EXP on that route.
Jan 15, 2019, 7:48 pm
#992
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA Plat, National EE, Marriott Plat, HH Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 401
interesting! Would CX be able to change my MAA to HKG to an R fare to use asia miles for an upgrade (obv for $$$)
Jan 22, 2019, 9:39 pm
#993
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: AA, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 501
Bought the SFO-HKG PE sale on black friday which booked into E fare. On return flight, was upgraded to J, as OWE on A350 (CX 892). Flight to HKG J looked full, when I was upgraded on my return flight there were 3 empty seats. This was done on the day of, my online checkin the day before still reflected my PE seat. Probably helped to have a weekday return versus a weekend.
Jan 23, 2019, 1:02 pm
#995
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA Plat, National EE, Marriott Plat, HH Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 401
Bought the SFO-HKG PE sale on black friday which booked into E fare. On return flight, was upgraded to J, as OWE on A350 (CX 892). Flight to HKG J looked full, when I was upgraded on my return flight there were 3 empty seats. This was done on the day of, my online checkin the day before still reflected my PE seat. Probably helped to have a weekday return versus a weekend.
Was PE completely 0'ed out?
Jan 23, 2019, 3:50 pm
#996
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,960
Expert flyer has been all wonky lately with CX. Was flying SFO-HKG-SFO in PE. Showed almost full on way out then around a day left 9+ open in each cabin. I verified I could at least book 6 seats in any cabin, but arriving at airport staff said it was fully booked (while they were still selling tickets online). Same thing on way back. Return ended up overbooked in Y and PE and my wife and I got upgraded to J. Walked back to PE to see at least 2 open seats left. Must have had some last minute no shows or something strange was going on with seat management. At least we got to keep the upgrade :-)
Jan 23, 2019, 4:13 pm
#997
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA Plat, National EE, Marriott Plat, HH Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 401
Expert flyer has been all wonky lately with CX. Was flying SFO-HKG-SFO in PE. Showed almost full on way out then around a day left 9+ open in each cabin. I verified I could at least book 6 seats in any cabin, but arriving at airport staff said it was fully booked (while they were still selling tickets online). Same thing on way back. Return ended up overbooked in Y and PE and my wife and I got upgraded to J. Walked back to PE to see at least 2 open seats left. Must have had some last minute no shows or something strange was going on with seat management. At least we got to keep the upgrade :-)
Jan 24, 2019, 3:06 am
#999
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
Expert flyer has been all wonky lately with CX. Was flying SFO-HKG-SFO in PE. Showed almost full on way out then around a day left 9+ open in each cabin. I verified I could at least book 6 seats in any cabin, but arriving at airport staff said it was fully booked (while they were still selling tickets online). Same thing on way back. Return ended up overbooked in Y and PE and my wife and I got upgraded to J. Walked back to PE to see at least 2 open seats left. Must have had some last minute no shows or something strange was going on with seat management. At least we got to keep the upgrade :-)
otoh, maybe a tour group missed a connection
Jan 24, 2019, 8:00 am
#1000
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: MPC, KF, Accor, SPG, HH
Posts: 901
Ticketed R for CX 690 31 Jan and CX 659 4 Feb.
Gunning for a W>J upgrade but told the outbound is waitlisted when they are still selling I both ways with 4 seats left. E is still selling for the outbound. Inbound is cleared. Wonder what's up with CX redemption inventory
Gunning for a W>J upgrade but told the outbound is waitlisted when they are still selling I both ways with 4 seats left. E is still selling for the outbound. Inbound is cleared. Wonder what's up with CX redemption inventory
Last edited by CXFlyerBoy; Jan 24, 2019 at 8:28 am
Jan 24, 2019, 9:36 am
#1001
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA Plat, National EE, Marriott Plat, HH Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 401
Ticketed R for CX 690 31 Jan and CX 659 4 Feb.
Gunning for a W>J upgrade but told the outbound is waitlisted when they are still selling I both ways with 4 seats left. E is still selling for the outbound. Inbound is cleared. Wonder what's up with CX redemption inventory
Gunning for a W>J upgrade but told the outbound is waitlisted when they are still selling I both ways with 4 seats left. E is still selling for the outbound. Inbound is cleared. Wonder what's up with CX redemption inventory
My longhaul flight opened up about 48-72 hours prior on both cases (west and eastbound) for U inventory.
Jan 24, 2019, 10:02 am
#1002
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Hong Kong, Mainland China
Programs: MPC DM
Posts: 16
Hi FT, casual lurker. Quick question about a free op-up i've had recently.
Cathay Dragon Flight from HKG to XMN. Flight was delayed thrice. (About 3 hours total from intended departure). I recently signed up for MPC and started off with green. Got an Economy ticket from a booking agent (Category S?)
I usually travel on discounted economy tickets through the likes of Skyscanner booking sites. On this occasion, while queuing up in the MPC green lane for boarding, I was given a ticket which shows cat J and told that it was a 'first class' seat all the way at the front row. (Im a pretty frequent low-budget traveller so you can only imagine the s***-eating grin of delight at the op-up)
Anyone able to shed any light on how I was eligible? As I read, my status should be pretty low on the priority list for op-ups.
Cheers
Cathay Dragon Flight from HKG to XMN. Flight was delayed thrice. (About 3 hours total from intended departure). I recently signed up for MPC and started off with green. Got an Economy ticket from a booking agent (Category S?)
I usually travel on discounted economy tickets through the likes of Skyscanner booking sites. On this occasion, while queuing up in the MPC green lane for boarding, I was given a ticket which shows cat J and told that it was a 'first class' seat all the way at the front row. (Im a pretty frequent low-budget traveller so you can only imagine the s***-eating grin of delight at the op-up)
Anyone able to shed any light on how I was eligible? As I read, my status should be pretty low on the priority list for op-ups.
Cheers
Jan 24, 2019, 10:07 am
#1003
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: MPC, KF, Accor, SPG, HH
Posts: 901
Hi FT, casual lurker. Quick question about a free op-up i've had recently.
Cathay Dragon Flight from HKG to XMN. Flight was delayed thrice. (About 3 hours total from intended departure). I recently signed up for MPC and started off with green. Got an Economy ticket from a booking agent (Category S?)
I usually travel on discounted economy tickets through the likes of Skyscanner booking sites. On this occasion, while queuing up in the MPC green lane for boarding, I was given a ticket which shows cat J and told that it was a 'first class' seat all the way at the front row. (Im a pretty frequent low-budget traveller so you can only imagine the s***-eating grin of delight at the op-up)
Anyone able to shed any light on how I was eligible? As I read, my status should be pretty low on the priority list for op-ups.
Cheers
Cathay Dragon Flight from HKG to XMN. Flight was delayed thrice. (About 3 hours total from intended departure). I recently signed up for MPC and started off with green. Got an Economy ticket from a booking agent (Category S?)
I usually travel on discounted economy tickets through the likes of Skyscanner booking sites. On this occasion, while queuing up in the MPC green lane for boarding, I was given a ticket which shows cat J and told that it was a 'first class' seat all the way at the front row. (Im a pretty frequent low-budget traveller so you can only imagine the s***-eating grin of delight at the op-up)
Anyone able to shed any light on how I was eligible? As I read, my status should be pretty low on the priority list for op-ups.
Cheers
I am inclined to think the following aligned.
1. Flight was not elite heavy (i.e. not enough CX and OW higher tier elites to be upgraded.
2. Low check-in sequence (did you check in way early)
Happened to me on my first op up 5 years ago as GR. Q class ticket, upgraded from Y to PY HKG to SIN on CX 735,
Jan 24, 2019, 10:12 am
#1004
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Hong Kong, Mainland China
Programs: MPC DM
Posts: 16
Welcome to FT and welcome to MPC.
I am inclined to think the following aligned.
1. Flight was not elite heavy (i.e. not enough CX and OW higher tier elites to be upgraded.
2. Low check-in sequence (did you check in way early)
Happened to me on my first op up 5 years ago as GR. Q class ticket, upgraded from Y to PY HKG to SIN on CX 735,
I am inclined to think the following aligned.
1. Flight was not elite heavy (i.e. not enough CX and OW higher tier elites to be upgraded.
2. Low check-in sequence (did you check in way early)
Happened to me on my first op up 5 years ago as GR. Q class ticket, upgraded from Y to PY HKG to SIN on CX 735,
I took the same route as a non-MPC passenger 4 times in the last 2 months. That's what prompted me to try out for the MPC membership. Would Cathay/MPC have placed that under consideration during op up?
Despite the short journey, i thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Was very cool!
Jan 24, 2019, 5:45 pm
#1005
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
The fellow above has posted good reasons. Yet there is another, which is related to what you mention and it's possibly correct. CX is known to, sometimes (but certainly not always) upgrade members who are bumped up a tier the first time. I've seen two colleagues get upgraded their first flight as SL. Personally, 12+ years ago when I first hit SL just starting out with CX I was given an op-ups HKG-SIN. And I've read about it on here.
Now I've never heard about this dynamic before for Green, but I think it is at least a possibility you got the upgrade as your first flight as an MPC member.
Now I've never heard about this dynamic before for Green, but I think it is at least a possibility you got the upgrade as your first flight as an MPC member.
