SL vs EM op-up priority
Mar 27, 2019, 8:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 6
SL vs EM op-up priority
So when they process op-up, will they give priority over SL or EM first? I have both SL and EM and deciding which one should I use for OLCI.
In the past I always thought that EM should give you better chance and I consistently get op-up from Y to PY on BKK-HKG-JPN routes. But one time after I got op-upped I ask to change my FF from EM to SL at BKK check-in counter and the agent said he need to call and ask if I will still eligible for op-up, before he told my that his supervisor said SL priority is over EM so I should keep the upgraded seat.
So anyone has experience or any idea regard SL/EM thing? Thank you.
In the past I always thought that EM should give you better chance and I consistently get op-up from Y to PY on BKK-HKG-JPN routes. But one time after I got op-upped I ask to change my FF from EM to SL at BKK check-in counter and the agent said he need to call and ask if I will still eligible for op-up, before he told my that his supervisor said SL priority is over EM so I should keep the upgraded seat.
So anyone has experience or any idea regard SL/EM thing? Thank you.
Mar 27, 2019, 9:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: MNL
Programs: CX MPO DM, Le Club Accor Platinum, World of Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,284
So when they process op-up, will they give priority over SL or EM first? I have both SL and EM and deciding which one should I use for OLCI.
In the past I always thought that EM should give you better chance and I consistently get op-up from Y to PY on BKK-HKG-JPN routes. But one time after I got op-upped I ask to change my FF from EM to SL at BKK check-in counter and the agent said he need to call and ask if I will still eligible for op-up, before he told my that his supervisor said SL priority is over EM so I should keep the upgraded seat.
So anyone has experience or any idea regard SL/EM thing? Thank you.
In the past I always thought that EM should give you better chance and I consistently get op-up from Y to PY on BKK-HKG-JPN routes. But one time after I got op-upped I ask to change my FF from EM to SL at BKK check-in counter and the agent said he need to call and ask if I will still eligible for op-up, before he told my that his supervisor said SL priority is over EM so I should keep the upgraded seat.
So anyone has experience or any idea regard SL/EM thing? Thank you.
Mar 28, 2019, 12:26 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Tokyo, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Dublin
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 880
Mar 28, 2019, 1:05 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 6
Mar 28, 2019, 3:11 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SFO/HKG
Programs: ex-UA 1K, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 535
If your op-up was processed before you arrived at the airport, it probably wasn't done at the front desk. My guess is the unagent would be unlikely to downgrade because there'd be a chain of reactions that would happen after - new seat for you, someone else should get upgraded instead, etc. I dont have direct knowledge but just using logic. Given that what the agent said doesn't make any sense, I wouldn't put much stock into anything else.
Mar 28, 2019, 8:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: HKG
Programs: BAEC Gold, CX MPC Gold, Avis preferred plus, MyWaitrose card
Posts: 286
To add a data point, I have had several opups over the last year (Y to PEY/J) when my BA Emerald number is in the booking, but absolutely none when my CX Gold number is...
Mar 29, 2019, 7:36 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: OneWorld Emerald (BA GGL), *A Silver (Miles & Less), Skyteam Pleb (KLM FlyingBlue), Mucci Platinum
Posts: 898
Does CX have a way to track frequent flyers on a more granular basis? For example to assign a higher upgrade priority to "high golds" (those who are close to diamond) vs "low golds" (those who just managed to sneak over). Likewise a OWE could be anywhere on the range from a CXMP green through to a CXMP diamond plus in terms of their actual travel on CX flights.
Yes, I know that CX can't even get a website or app right, but you would think it's not too difficult to track each individual flyer's actual value to CX.
Yes, I know that CX can't even get a website or app right, but you would think it's not too difficult to track each individual flyer's actual value to CX.
Mar 29, 2019, 10:55 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Taiwan
Programs: CX DM (OWE), Accor Gold
Posts: 378
OWE even get more attentive service more than CX GO onboard. It doesn’t make sense to me at all but that’s how it is... I guess that’s the strategy of CX to attract OWE flying with them...
I always think CX GO stands in an awkward position- difficult to get but benefit/privilege is low.
I always think CX GO stands in an awkward position- difficult to get but benefit/privilege is low.
Mar 30, 2019, 12:49 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PVG
Programs: BA Gold, TK E+, ex AA EXP
Posts: 510
as a EM (BA) I get op up 50% on the time on my Y PVG-HKG flights, which are elite heavy, but I also spend a lot on CX with LH in J or F, before the $ was implemented, my op-up were not so frequent
Mar 30, 2019, 3:32 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: OneWorld Emerald (BA GGL), *A Silver (Miles & Less), Skyteam Pleb (KLM FlyingBlue), Mucci Platinum
Posts: 898
I think most of us would rather have the op-up than the greeting!
Mar 30, 2019, 4:53 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
I beg to differ. I would say OWE should have a higher priority.
Setting aside the 1-sector requirement, while an OWE can heavily "invest" on CX while earning the status somewhere else, a SL can also heavily "invest" on other OW airlines while earning the status with CX.
If giving op-up will help increasing revenue, while OWE may not heavily "invest" on CX prior to the op-up, at least CX knows this OWE is willing to spend (or at the minimum travel). On the other hand, even a SL may be so loyal to CX, the op-up may not result as much impact as OWE.
CX is doing that now.
Because now all MPC members earn CP instead of club miles, and CP is earned based on fare classes, CX in fact knows who are "high golds" vs "low golds".
Setting aside the 1-sector requirement, while an OWE can heavily "invest" on CX while earning the status somewhere else, a SL can also heavily "invest" on other OW airlines while earning the status with CX.
If giving op-up will help increasing revenue, while OWE may not heavily "invest" on CX prior to the op-up, at least CX knows this OWE is willing to spend (or at the minimum travel). On the other hand, even a SL may be so loyal to CX, the op-up may not result as much impact as OWE.
Does CX have a way to track frequent flyers on a more granular basis? For example to assign a higher upgrade priority to "high golds" (those who are close to diamond) vs "low golds" (those who just managed to sneak over). Likewise a OWE could be anywhere on the range from a CXMP green through to a CXMP diamond plus in terms of their actual travel on CX flights.
Because now all MPC members earn CP instead of club miles, and CP is earned based on fare classes, CX in fact knows who are "high golds" vs "low golds".
Mar 30, 2019, 5:38 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
feel that SL are CXs most captive client base.
SL fly too little in premium to get gold... yet frequently enough (likely for business in Y) - hence they get to this place called SL.
Given their pattern of flying, its likely they will not qualify for ows anywhere else and enjoy lounge benefits. but they get this from special lounge perk from CX much makes them want to fly CX more (very good move).
in other words, it is hard to see a SL getting SL mainly from OW flights given the Y bias (and likely to be in lower fare classes which make it hard to accumulate CX Cps).
so who to opup? the SL who is a CX captive already? or OWE who is probably higher value overall - ie the person whose total yearly airline spend most definitely higher than the SL, but may/may not fly CX more?
SL fly too little in premium to get gold... yet frequently enough (likely for business in Y) - hence they get to this place called SL.
Given their pattern of flying, its likely they will not qualify for ows anywhere else and enjoy lounge benefits. but they get this from special lounge perk from CX much makes them want to fly CX more (very good move).
in other words, it is hard to see a SL getting SL mainly from OW flights given the Y bias (and likely to be in lower fare classes which make it hard to accumulate CX Cps).
so who to opup? the SL who is a CX captive already? or OWE who is probably higher value overall - ie the person whose total yearly airline spend most definitely higher than the SL, but may/may not fly CX more?
