Cathay Pacific Upgrades: Upgrade Bid, Asia Miles and Paid Upgrades

For fares, cabins and Hong Kong connections before you book, see our Cathay Pacific flights guide.

1. 1

   Check eligibility

   Enter the family name and booking reference on Cathay Pacific's Upgrade Bid page, or follow the invitation email.

2. 2

   Choose a bid

   Each flight has a preset range, and the bid must fall within it. The amount is separate from the ticket price.

3. 3

   Bid for everyone on the booking

   Cathay Pacific's terms require one offer covering all passengers in the booking. The amount is multiplied by the number of passengers.

4. 4

   Wait for the result

   Cathay Pacific can accept a bid at any time from 50 hours before departure and emails successful bidders at least 24 hours before departure. The card is charged only if the bid is accepted.

5. 5

   Check in afterwards

   Online check-in may not be available until the result arrives, so wait for the email before checking in.

Upgrade Bid moves passengers to the next cabin only: Economy to Premium Economy, or Premium Economy to Business. It applies to flights both marketed and operated by Cathay Pacific.

• Award (redemption) tickets are not eligible.
• Tickets must be issued on Cathay Pacific ticket stock and in selected booking classes.
• Bids can be changed or cancelled up to 26 hours before departure, unless already accepted.
• Accepted bids are generally not refundable. Exceptions include a cancelled flight rebooked without the upgrade, or Cathay Pacific being unable to seat you in the upgraded cabin.
• Changing flights or missing the flight after acceptance forfeits the upgrade without a refund.
• A regular or extra-legroom seat bought for the original cabin can be claimed back after a successful upgrade.
• Baggage, fare conditions, Asia Miles and Status Points stay based on the original ticket.

Cathay Pacific does not publish acceptance rates or a winning amount. A higher bid within the range improves the chance, but nothing is guaranteed.

Asia Miles can upgrade a Cathay Pacific ticket to the next cabin, but only when the original ticket was bought in an eligible fare class and fare type. In Economy, Cathay Pacific's fare table lists Essential and Flex as eligible and Light as not eligible.

Upgrade space is limited and released by the airline. Cathay Pacific's availability checker shows Asia Miles and bookable upgrade space up to 180 days ahead, but it does not cover itineraries with transit flights, multi-city trips or open-jaw journeys.

Cathay Pacific lets travellers upgrade by paying the difference between the current fare and the fare in the higher cabin, through Manage Booking. Change fees may also apply, depending on the fare type bought.

This is the only upgrade confirmed at the time of the request. The new ticket carries the conditions, baggage and mileage earning of the premium fare. The Cathay Pacific flight changes and cancellations guide explains change fees by fare type.

Tickets bought through a travel agent must be changed by that agent, including paid upgrades.

• Need certainty, such as for a special occasion or a long overnight flight: book the premium cabin or pay the fare difference.
• Happy to take a chance: an upgrade bid costs nothing unless it is accepted.
• Holding Asia Miles: book Essential or Flex and check upgrade space early.
• Travelling as a group or family: remember a bid covers everyone on the booking, so the cost multiplies.
• Connecting through Hong Kong: an upgrade may be available on one flight but not the other. Consider whether a mixed-cabin trip is acceptable.

Choosing a seat in the upgraded cabin is covered in the Cathay Pacific seat selection guide.

Does Cathay Pacific give free upgrades?

A complimentary upgrade is possible, but treat it as a surprise, never a booking strategy. Don't buy Economy unless you're comfortable making the journey in Economy.

Cathay Pacific has specific upgrade benefits for eligible frequent flyers, subject to availability. Those are different from hoping someone moves you at check-in. A miles upgrade uses miles, and an upgrade bid costs money if accepted. If a better cabin matters, compare buying it outright with the upgrade options your ticket qualifies for. Until an upgrade is confirmed, plan around the cabin you've booked.

How much should I bid for a Cathay Pacific upgrade?

There isn't a bid amount anyone can honestly say will win. Start with the minimum Cathay Pacific offers for your booking, then compare the total you've already paid plus the bid with the price of buying the higher cabin outright.

Set a limit based on what the upgrade is worth to you. Check whether the amount is per person and which flight it covers, especially if you're travelling as a couple or connecting through Hong Kong. Don't stretch your budget chasing acceptance. If you need the better cabin, compare a confirmed upgrade instead.

Can I use Qantas Points to upgrade a Cathay Pacific flight?

Currently, you can't use Qantas Points to upgrade a Cathay Pacific-operated flight through Qantas's partner upgrade programme. Being in the same airline alliance doesn't automatically allow that.

You can use Qantas Points to book an available Cathay Pacific Classic Flight Reward in a higher cabin, with taxes, fees and carrier charges payable. That's a new reward booking, not an upgrade to your existing ticket. If you've already bought Economy, check Cathay Pacific's own upgrade options and your ticket's eligibility. Don't buy it assuming your Qantas Points will move you into Business later.

Should I book the premium cabin or gamble on an upgrade?

If the better cabin is important to making the journey comfortable for you, book it outright. You know what you're paying and which cabin you have.

An upgrade bid makes sense if you're happy to fly in your original seat and would enjoy the upgrade as a bonus. Compare the combined ticket and bid cost with buying the higher cabin, then set a firm limit.

The test is simple: if the upgrade doesn't happen, will you still be comfortable with your booking? If the answer is no, don't gamble. Our Premium Economy and Business class guides help you compare the cabins.

• Fare type checked: Light cannot be upgraded with Asia Miles
• Operating airline checked: Upgrade Bid needs a Cathay Pacific-operated flight
• Bid amount multiplied by every passenger on the booking
• Online check-in left until the bid result arrives
• Paid seats noted in case a refund can be claimed
• Original ticket conditions understood, as they still apply after an upgrade bid