Cathay Pacific has introduced a new upgrade bidding system called Upgrade Bid. Launched after feedback collected from Cathay Pacific Insights members, the program gives eligible passengers the opportunity to bid for an upgrade to business class.
The Upgrade Bid option is available to customers who purchased economy or premium economy tickets on selected Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon routes. Eligible travelers who have opted in to receive promotional messages from the airline will receive an email invitation to place a bid seven days before departure. Passengers can also check availability and submit bids by signing in at the Upgrade Bid site.
The initial rollout covers selected flights between Hong Kong (HKG) and the following destinations: Adelaide (ADL), Amsterdam (AMS), Bangkok (BKK), Brisbane (BNE), Cebu (CEB), Chiang Mai (CNX), Chicago (ORD), Colombo (CMB), Denpasar (DPS), Dubai (DXB), Kathmandu (KTM), Rome (FCO), and Seoul (ICN/GMP). Additional routes will be added in the coming months. At this time, routes to China and India are excluded from the bidding program.
Certain fare types are not eligible to participate. Passengers holding redemption bookings in fare classes G, Z, U, T and X cannot place bids, even on flights that otherwise qualify. Winning bids are confirmed 48 hours before departure, and successful bidders are notified by email.
Upgrade Bid aims to offer passengers a transparent and flexible way to request a premium seat while helping the airline manage cabin inventory. Travelers interested in bidding should ensure their contact preferences allow promotional communications and check the Upgrade Bid site for current eligibility and instructions before their flight.