Jul 17, 2017, 12:11 am
Last edit by: sxc
Routes included in upgrade bid trial: Adelaide, Amsterdam, Bangkok, Brisbane, Cebu, Chiang Mai, Chicago, Colombo, Denpasar (Bali), Dubai, Kathmandu, Rome and Seoul
https://upgrade.cathaypacific.com/offer/CathayPacific
2014 Enhance discussion thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-marco-polo-club/1584763-cx-upgrade-bidding-discussion-experiences.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-marco-polo-club/1819458-upgrade-bidding-coming-back.html
https://upgrade.cathaypacific.com/offer/CathayPacific
2014 Enhance discussion thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-marco-polo-club/1584763-cx-upgrade-bidding-discussion-experiences.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-marco-polo-club/1819458-upgrade-bidding-coming-back.html
Upgrade Bid
Oct 17, 2017, 11:54 pm
#91
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
HKG->SIN
J0 C0 D0 I0 Y3 B3 H2 K1 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0
SIN->HKG
J4 C2 D0 I0 W0 R0 E0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V7 S4 N0 Q0 O0
There are more EY than the upgrade class, zero availability business Class HKG->SIN, zero PEY availability SIN->HKG
.....looks like upgrade bidding is working.....
(Audio)
Oct 18, 2017, 12:00 am
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
Even if there’s no chance of the bid being successful CX also gets data on what people are willing to pay and can work out the price elasticity of their fares. Well I would hope they’re using the data that way.
Oct 18, 2017, 12:07 am
#93
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
I look at it the other way. People had bidded and are successful and have moved into the upgrade class and hence there is no more availability, EY continue to have spaces because of the seats left vacant by the upgrades.
(Audio)
Oct 18, 2017, 12:17 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
How far away are your flights? afaik upgrade bids are processed at around 55 hours before departure.
Oct 18, 2017, 12:34 am
#95
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
Nov 13, 2017, 1:10 pm
#96
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: PVD, BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,664
I have a trip coming up in late January booked in PE. BOS-TPE/MNL-BOS.
Just checked and the HKG-TPE and MNL-HKG legs are available for upgrade bids, but the BOS-HKG (and vv) legs are not available for upgrade (at this time, anyway).
Pricing:
TPE: $180 - $720 USD (+$12 tax)
MNL: $180 - $720 USD
Might be worth it for $200 or so per leg, but not much more than that. I can "suffer" in PE for a couple short 2hr flights.
I have another BOS-HKG trip coming up in 9 days, but it's not showing eligible for Upgrade Bid. Any idea why that might be? According to CX, they've rolled out Upgrade Bid to all destinations aside from India and Japan.
Just checked and the HKG-TPE and MNL-HKG legs are available for upgrade bids, but the BOS-HKG (and vv) legs are not available for upgrade (at this time, anyway).
Pricing:
TPE: $180 - $720 USD (+$12 tax)
MNL: $180 - $720 USD
Might be worth it for $200 or so per leg, but not much more than that. I can "suffer" in PE for a couple short 2hr flights.
I have another BOS-HKG trip coming up in 9 days, but it's not showing eligible for Upgrade Bid. Any idea why that might be? According to CX, they've rolled out Upgrade Bid to all destinations aside from India and Japan.
Nov 13, 2017, 2:54 pm
#97
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,437
I have a trip coming up in late January booked in PE. BOS-TPE/MNL-BOS.
Just checked and the HKG-TPE and MNL-HKG legs are available for upgrade bids, but the BOS-HKG (and vv) legs are not available for upgrade (at this time, anyway).
Pricing:
TPE: $180 - $720 USD (+$12 tax)
MNL: $180 - $720 USD
Might be worth it for $200 or so per leg, but not much more than that. I can "suffer" in PE for a couple short 2hr flights.
I have another BOS-HKG trip coming up in 9 days, but it's not showing eligible for Upgrade Bid. Any idea why that might be? According to CX, they've rolled out Upgrade Bid to all destinations aside from India and Japan.
Just checked and the HKG-TPE and MNL-HKG legs are available for upgrade bids, but the BOS-HKG (and vv) legs are not available for upgrade (at this time, anyway).
Pricing:
TPE: $180 - $720 USD (+$12 tax)
MNL: $180 - $720 USD
Might be worth it for $200 or so per leg, but not much more than that. I can "suffer" in PE for a couple short 2hr flights.
I have another BOS-HKG trip coming up in 9 days, but it's not showing eligible for Upgrade Bid. Any idea why that might be? According to CX, they've rolled out Upgrade Bid to all destinations aside from India and Japan.
Also, if just talking about TPE-HKG alone ex-TPE, for even just 180USD, this is more than the fare difference between round-trip E and round-trip I. I never understand this system. Seems it would be cheaper to buy a higher class ticket right away.
Nov 13, 2017, 10:11 pm
#98
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA SL, CX GR, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 579
I have a trip coming up in late January booked in PE. BOS-TPE/MNL-BOS.
Just checked and the HKG-TPE and MNL-HKG legs are available for upgrade bids, but the BOS-HKG (and vv) legs are not available for upgrade (at this time, anyway).
Pricing:
TPE: $180 - $720 USD (+$12 tax)
MNL: $180 - $720 USD
Might be worth it for $200 or so per leg, but not much more than that. I can "suffer" in PE for a couple short 2hr flights.
I have another BOS-HKG trip coming up in 9 days, but it's not showing eligible for Upgrade Bid. Any idea why that might be? According to CX, they've rolled out Upgrade Bid to all destinations aside from India and Japan.
Just checked and the HKG-TPE and MNL-HKG legs are available for upgrade bids, but the BOS-HKG (and vv) legs are not available for upgrade (at this time, anyway).
Pricing:
TPE: $180 - $720 USD (+$12 tax)
MNL: $180 - $720 USD
Might be worth it for $200 or so per leg, but not much more than that. I can "suffer" in PE for a couple short 2hr flights.
I have another BOS-HKG trip coming up in 9 days, but it's not showing eligible for Upgrade Bid. Any idea why that might be? According to CX, they've rolled out Upgrade Bid to all destinations aside from India and Japan.
Nov 13, 2017, 11:44 pm
#99
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
Nov 14, 2017, 9:39 am
#100
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: CX DM, SPG Pt, Le Club Accor GO, Shangri-La GC Jade
Posts: 1,327
Just saw that my PEK-HKG flight is eligible for upgrade bid....
To upgrade my Y seat (fare class Y), the bid range is from HK$4,520 to HK$9,000, with a suggested bid of HK$6,800......
But to upsell my Y fare seat to J fare, I only need to pay HK$4,800 for round trip (or HK$2,400 one way). So I pay nearly double and get less CPs and less luggage allowance.... Brilliant...
Update:
So happen I also have a HKG-SHA and HGH-HKG flight in system that allows me to put in a bid....
Both are HK$2,000 to HK$5,600 with suggested bid at HK$3,800 (plus $70 third runway construction fee for ex-HKG)... Honestly who will place a bid at such a price?
To upgrade my Y seat (fare class Y), the bid range is from HK$4,520 to HK$9,000, with a suggested bid of HK$6,800......
But to upsell my Y fare seat to J fare, I only need to pay HK$4,800 for round trip (or HK$2,400 one way). So I pay nearly double and get less CPs and less luggage allowance.... Brilliant...
Update:
So happen I also have a HKG-SHA and HGH-HKG flight in system that allows me to put in a bid....
Both are HK$2,000 to HK$5,600 with suggested bid at HK$3,800 (plus $70 third runway construction fee for ex-HKG)... Honestly who will place a bid at such a price?
Last edited by sscywong; Nov 14, 2017 at 9:44 am
Nov 15, 2017, 4:00 am
#101
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LAS/DXB
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 1,193
FRA-HKG-SIN is on upgrade bid for premium economy, but even the lowest bid option is more expensive than simply changing the flight to premium economy right now via change flights option. Minimum bid for both is 1600 SGD - change flight is 739 SGD. Huh?
Nov 15, 2017, 7:16 am
#102
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Just saw that my PEK-HKG flight is eligible for upgrade bid....
To upgrade my Y seat (fare class Y), the bid range is from HK$4,520 to HK$9,000, with a suggested bid of HK$6,800......
But to upsell my Y fare seat to J fare, I only need to pay HK$4,800 for round trip (or HK$2,400 one way). So I pay nearly double and get less CPs and less luggage allowance.... Brilliant...
Update:
So happen I also have a HKG-SHA and HGH-HKG flight in system that allows me to put in a bid....
Both are HK$2,000 to HK$5,600 with suggested bid at HK$3,800 (plus $70 third runway construction fee for ex-HKG)... Honestly who will place a bid at such a price?
To upgrade my Y seat (fare class Y), the bid range is from HK$4,520 to HK$9,000, with a suggested bid of HK$6,800......
But to upsell my Y fare seat to J fare, I only need to pay HK$4,800 for round trip (or HK$2,400 one way). So I pay nearly double and get less CPs and less luggage allowance.... Brilliant...
Update:
So happen I also have a HKG-SHA and HGH-HKG flight in system that allows me to put in a bid....
Both are HK$2,000 to HK$5,600 with suggested bid at HK$3,800 (plus $70 third runway construction fee for ex-HKG)... Honestly who will place a bid at such a price?
.They probably want to be fair to those who buy upfront, but that defeats the point of having upgrade bidding (perhaps except for those whose tickets were paid for by employers and they like to sit in a better cabin).
Nov 15, 2017, 4:36 pm
#103
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 178
I personally believe this trial is made by some management trainee/mid-level management who feels they need to do something to remain relevant.
Later, before they rotate to another department/swire company they will say 'the trial has not been well received so let's forget about it'.
Just like many things that has been happening behind the scene at CX in recent years. I wonder why they're losing money and where waste is in this organisation???
Later, before they rotate to another department/swire company they will say 'the trial has not been well received so let's forget about it'.
Just like many things that has been happening behind the scene at CX in recent years. I wonder why they're losing money and where waste is in this organisation???
Nov 17, 2017, 7:17 am
#104
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: OW/AA, DL, UA; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,936
Yeah, that sounds about right. The "recommended" bid amount was ridiculous. $1,665 per leg (HKG-AKL). The minimum was $895, iirc. If you're comfortable paying the minimum bid amount for the upgrade, then that's what I'd bid. I'm guessing you'd have a pretty decent chance of it clearing.
The recommended amount is a bad joke. Seriously. If someone wanted to pay that much for the upgrade, they would've just purchased a J fare in the first place.
The recommended amount is a bad joke. Seriously. If someone wanted to pay that much for the upgrade, they would've just purchased a J fare in the first place.
The actual fare difference between PE and Biz on this segment is £1000 gbp at the moment, and I think the current "wisdom" on upgrade bids is for one's minimum offer to go a bit higher than 20 - 40 % of the fare difference.
While CX says they consider Marco Polo elite status in "weighting" an upgrade bid, not sure if they consider an equivalent OWE status in that "weighting."
Not sure if the bidding software essentially lowers the minimum offer threshold closer to their "55 hours before departure" cut-off, but I might wait and see......
Nov 17, 2017, 7:28 am
#105
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Monitoring this thread is like watching a fascinatingly bizarre science experiment..... what the hell????
These bid prices sound crazy!
And you don't even get extra miles or CP for the upgrade bid? Am I missing something? Why wouldn't you just buy the upfare?
These bid prices sound crazy!
And you don't even get extra miles or CP for the upgrade bid? Am I missing something? Why wouldn't you just buy the upfare?