Flying CX as Marco Polo Silver vs OW Sapphire
Sep 8, 2018, 3:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 7
Flying CX as Marco Polo Silver vs OW Sapphire
I’m currently MP Silver, but considering switching to AAdvantage, as I believe my travel patterns will make it easier for me to get to OneWorld Sapphire with them. Will I have a better shot at free upgrades on long haul flights as a Sapphire?
Also, the flight I take most is an AA codeshare, so I should be able to get full AA miles for it regardless of fare class, correct? Thanks!
Also, the flight I take most is an AA codeshare, so I should be able to get full AA miles for it regardless of fare class, correct? Thanks!
Sep 9, 2018, 1:56 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: CGK
Posts: 2,375
I’m currently MP Silver, but considering switching to AAdvantage, as I believe my travel patterns will make it easier for me to get to OneWorld Sapphire with them. Will I have a better shot at free upgrades on long haul flights as a Sapphire?
Also, the flight I take most is an AA codeshare, so I should be able to get full AA miles for it regardless of fare class, correct? Thanks!
Also, the flight I take most is an AA codeshare, so I should be able to get full AA miles for it regardless of fare class, correct? Thanks!
If you can make OWS with AA why not? It’s going to be a lot more useful, and it’s relatively harder to maintain top tier status with CX anyhow (except if you fly full fare premium cabin all the time with CX)
Sep 9, 2018, 5:46 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 7
One major downside I see is being able to upgrade myself with miles on CX, but i rarely get to do that anyway because Cathay only allows on full price fares.
Sep 9, 2018, 7:47 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Taiwan
Programs: CX DM (OWE), Accor Gold
Posts: 379
The major benefit of CX SL is lounge access when flying CX metals, but no companion.
If you travel solo and mostly on CX flights, there is no big difference between CX SL and AA sapphire regarding to lounge access, priority checkin and boarding, and baggage allowance.
But, CX SL is definately easier to get op-up than AA sapphire when flying CX.
The above only focus on the membership benefits.
However, you might also considerate the mileage programme, which one suits you better, Asia Miles or AAdvantage??
If you travel solo and mostly on CX flights, there is no big difference between CX SL and AA sapphire regarding to lounge access, priority checkin and boarding, and baggage allowance.
But, CX SL is definately easier to get op-up than AA sapphire when flying CX.
The above only focus on the membership benefits.
However, you might also considerate the mileage programme, which one suits you better, Asia Miles or AAdvantage??
Sep 10, 2018, 3:45 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: CX GO (in hibernation mode), AA EXP, SPG GO, HH DM
Posts: 316
why would you recommend that? I fly almost 90% on CX metal but hold a OWE status via AA. I don't even think I would make CX GO with my flight pattern. I guess to each their own. to the OP, general rule is expect to fly for what you pay for ... all else is gravy
Sep 10, 2018, 7:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Taiwan
Programs: CX DM (OWE), Accor Gold
Posts: 379
I also agree that people should expect to fly what they pay for.
Nevertheless, CX SL still hold an advantage over AA members to get op-up, though this would be only gravy....
Sep 10, 2018, 7:49 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,345
As I mentioned above, there is no big difference between CX SL and AA sapphire when traveling solo on CX metals.
I also agree that people should expect to fly what they pay for.
Nevertheless, CX SL still hold an advantage over AA members to get op-up, though this would be only gravy....
I also agree that people should expect to fly what they pay for.
Nevertheless, CX SL still hold an advantage over AA members to get op-up, though this would be only gravy....
Sep 10, 2018, 11:54 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 7
Either way, of course I’d expect to fly what I pay for, but looking for any advantage to get those free op ups when they do happen.
Sep 11, 2018, 6:36 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA EXP; CX SL
Posts: 6
I'm somewhat in the same position (both AA Plat/Sapphire along with MPO SL). Was wondering which one I ought to put on my reservation and use when checking in (I can always change it at the gate back again). Would my SL give me priority with IRROPs or op ups compared to Sapphire?
Sep 11, 2018, 9:05 am
#12
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), TK Elite (*G), BT VIP, HH D, BW DS
Posts: 484
That being said, there might be other unknown factors considered in addition to status when figuring out who gets the double beep.
Sep 11, 2018, 9:26 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: HKG
Programs: BA Silver, MU Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 482
According to a friend of mine who works for CX as a GA, CX SL gets priority over OWS for op-ups. The logic seemingly is to prioritise their own members over partners. Same way as CX GO gets higher priority than partner OWE.
That being said, there might be other unknown factors considered in addition to status when figuring out who gets the double beep.
That being said, there might be other unknown factors considered in addition to status when figuring out who gets the double beep.
Sep 11, 2018, 10:42 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: pleb
Posts: 563
AA Plat/OWS is definitely easier to attain than CX SL. I've flown CX as both MPC SL and AA OWE, and have gotten op-ed up as both. I'm sure CX would rather reward their own members and I haven't flown enough to be able to determine a trend, but in terms of gaining status, AA is much quicker.
Sep 11, 2018, 11:17 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA EXP; CX SL
Posts: 6
I wouldn't say that there's an automatic priority for SL even over OWE (given the benefits they receive in flight, CX probably considers them), but I'm not sure how the system really works or favors one or the other. I solely fly CX but bank to AA and would have reached GO this year but with the same flights plus a few more could easily reach EXP (I wouldn't even dream of OWE with CX). Still thinking of/maybe regretting the decision I made to switch to AAdvantage versus sticking with MPO though... For the flights I take, to make SL is equivalent to AA Plat/OWS and to GO is equivalent to Exp with AA.