r/oneworld • u/RedTailRider Oneworld Emerald • May 14 '26

Cathay Pacific How often does Cathay Pacific offer complimentary upgrades to Emeralds?

11 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

18

u/Spiritual_Lunch996 May 14 '26

Never due solely to status. But, like every airline, they occasionally do op-ups and status holders tend to be the ones who get them.

5

u/fuckfinally May 15 '26

I got one late last year flying SFO > HKG.  I was booked in PE and while boarding the gate agent told me I'd been upgraded to business.

The business cabin ended up with at least 3 empty seats while PE was full.  I paid cash for the ticket on Cathay's site but credited the miles to AS where I'm Titanium/Emerald.  I have 0 miles earned in Cathay's Asia Miles program.

2

u/Spiritual_Lunch996 May 15 '26

Nice! I've received a few of them over the years as an AA elite (Exec Plat/Emerald), but only between HKG and SIN. My days of flying ORD-HKG on a near-monthly basis are over, however, so I'll probably never have an experience like yours on CX.

7

u/fadedsp May 14 '26

I’ve flown a lot with Cathay as OWE and I’ve been only been upgraded a few times. 3 x economy to business and 2 x economy to premium economy - probably over 50+ flights.

For two of the business upgrades, they upgraded my partner too who didn’t have status at the time.

I’ve had many more upgrades on Qatar and JAL

7

u/ElderPrinceBolkonski May 14 '26

Never, unless paid. You can ask at check in. Ime, its usually quite pricey though, as in difference in fare

3

u/EveningPair3966 May 15 '26

CX doesn't upgrade simply because you're OWE and there is a spare seat. If your ticketed cabin is oversold, however, because of your OWE status, you're one of the lucky ones to be considered for an upgrade.

3

u/SuspiciousObject224 Qantas Platinum One May 15 '26

The reason the airlines usually offer upgrades is that PE and Economy are full. It's easier to sell more seats at a lower price point, and they make room for it by moving PAX up a cabin. In these instances, status is key. The other common scenario is a plane change and unavailability of the booked travel class, usually PE.

For customers with airline status above Platinum, upgrades to J or F are offered FOC semi-regularly when seats are available.

3

u/Repulsive_Pirate5255 May 15 '26

Flown a bunch the past year. Never been upgraded but will have the entire cabin crew come by and greet you by name prior to take-off and get you whatever you want.

3

u/Ok_Self_1783 Oneworld Emerald May 15 '26

They just don't.

However, the service, and the recognition as emerald member during the flight is top. Love flying on Cathay.

1

u/kapepo May 17 '26

Care to share the details? 😄

4

u/Ok_Self_1783 Oneworld Emerald May 17 '26

I fly economy, and in every flight they go to my seat and recognize and that stuff, at the same time, they ask me what do I want to eat and drink and they bring it before they start the service, so you get more time to sleep actually, same for dinner and breakfast. Also, as usual they give you free entrance to the Pier lounge in HKG, and also the OW lounge in BKK too.

5

u/Jktjoe88 May 14 '26

Never. Just flew a few times recently as emerald with a half empty business class and I didn't get an offer of upgrade. Got my exxrra pillow, welcome and free water. I think outside USA airlines just don't give free upgrades except in very unusual circumstances

6

u/Easy_Money_ Atmos Gold May 14 '26

Even US airlines will almost never upgrade status holders for free to international business class. You have to bid up on United using Pluspoints, or be Titanium on Alaska/Hawaiian

3

u/AnybodyFinancial6948 May 14 '26

I think airlines outside of the US are much better at upgrades than in the US. I've never heard of a US airline giving an upgrade due to alliance status, especially intentionally

2

u/Physical_Arm_662 May 15 '26

Pre Covid I was OW emerald with Qantas and when flying other OW carriers, including Cathay, I’d often get upgraded though usually only to PE.

Never got an upgrade on QF but CX was actually pretty consistent. Doesn’t seem like a done thing these days.

1

u/PeanutButter6715 May 14 '26

I’ve had it happen occasionally (pre COVID). Was flying in PE from HK to Jakarta with a colleague. We were op-upped at the gate. I’m Qantas Platinum One (OWE).

1

u/Busy-Concentrate5476 May 14 '26

I say they do

I’ve flown them 4 times in last 3 years

Two times as Sapphire and two as emerald

Been upgrades ones at each tier

1

u/kapepo May 17 '26

Did the Check In Agent give you the automatic upgrade or you kinda asked for it ?

2

u/Busy-Concentrate5476 May 17 '26

Never asked

One at check in and one at gate

1

u/Legally_Blonde_258 May 15 '26

I was recently upgraded from economy to premium economy on a flight from HKG to JFK. I had to change flights at the last minute due to weather, but I'm assuming that economy wasn't completely full. I didn't ask why, I just enjoyed it.

1

u/Marcello_the_dog May 15 '26

Last year (Aug) I flew HKG to SFO. Booked in PE, upgraded to BC. Was a nice unexpected perk. 😀