How do you guarantee yourself upgrade on HK Intl flight?

[avinashm]

If I buy a "Freedom" fare, am I guaranteed an upgrade request if there are available J seats despite no reward business seats showing up on ExpertFlyer???

 

[serfty]

No - the upgrades book into the reward fare bucket - Z - no Z then no points upgrade.

 

[Pleb Status]

You also need to be an SG or WP to request an upgrade to HKG (this is different to domestic and short haul international)...

 

[andyhui01]

The only way to guarantee an upgrade is to buy a Business class ticket.

How many seats left in the cabin?

 

[avinashm]

I am Velocity Gold. I was going to purchase a HK Freedom fare so that I can upgrade using points. :/

 

[avinashm]

Plenty of seats left in the J cabin.

 

[andyhui01]

Check daily from around T+40 . Seats may pop up but it depends if VA releases more Z class fare buckets.

IIRC, before departure, they do process points upgrade waitlist before UpgradeMe bids so your chances are pretty high.

 

[Bagpuss]

I am Velocity Gold. I was going to purchase a HK Freedom fare so that I can upgrade using points. :/

As a gold member you can upgrade to Business as following, (those these a premium economy seats which aren't available on the HK a330:

From Premium Saver (O) for 45,000 points
From Premium (R or W) for 25,000 points

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Redeem/FlightUpgrades/upgrademe-points/