How to get free upgrades on Cathay Pacific flights

On 15 Oct 2025, Cathay announced an evolvement of its membership programme, designed to deliver a smoother, simpler and better experience for members. A host of new features and privileges will be introduced to our Green, Silver, Gold and Diamond members, with changes taking effect on 1 January 2027. The transition period will commence on 1 January 2026, giving members a year in advance to prepare with ease. Learn more here.

Looking for a way to make your journey extra special? As a Gold or Diamond member, you’ll be able to earn Bookable Upgrades when you achieve certain mid-status milestones, and enjoy them for either yourself or a loved one at no extra cost, allowing you to bump up your seat to the next available cabin class on your flight – the perfect surprise gift or self-indulgent treat for any time of the year. Read on to learn how our Bookable Upgrades work. 

How to receive your Bookable Upgrades

As a Cathay member, in addition to earning Asia Miles, you’ll accrue Status Points every time you fly with us or spend using one of our co-branded credit cards. More Status Points means one thing: more perks.  

Once you hit enough Status Points (1,000 points for Gold members, 1,600 points for Diamond), your Bookable Upgrades will be credited to your member’s account as part of your mid-status benefits – it’s that easy. 

The terms of your upgrades will depend on your membership status. Here’s how the two statuses differ.  

Bookable Upgrades for Gold members

Upon earning 1,000 Status Points, you’ll receive four Bookable Upgrades applicable for flights booked in Economy, Premium Economy or Business class. Want to impress a loved one? The upgrade benefit can be used either on yourself, or whoever you’re travelling with. You’ll have 12 months to use your upgrades from the day you receive them.  

For Gold members, bookable upgrades are applicable to ultra-short, short or medium Cathay Pacific flights, which includes destinations in countries such as Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia and the UAE. A full list of destinations sorted by distance can be found here.  

Bookable Upgrades for Diamond members

Like Gold members, you will be able to redeem up to four bookable cabin class upgrades upon earning 1,600 Status Points, but with an added benefit: the upgrade is applicable to any Cathay destination – meaning you’ll be able to score a luxurious upgrade and additional leg room whether you’re flying to the Chinese Mainland, the United States, or anywhere in between. 

You’ll also be able to extend your upgrade to anybody within your Redemption Group, even if you aren’t travelling with them. Make a family member’s honeymoon trip or post-graduation flight one to remember by bumping them up a class – an unforgettable gift, especially with the holidays on the horizon. 

How to use your Bookable Upgrade 

Find your Bookable Upgrades online on your Cathay membership profile. 

All you have to do is log into your online Cathay account to access your mid-status benefits summary page. Once there, click “Request a Bookable Upgrade” and fill in the relevant travel information, including the name of the person to be upgraded, as well as your flight number and additional information. Requests can be made up to two hours before the scheduled flight departure time. 

Once your upgrade has been processed and approved by our team, your flight booking will be automatically updated to reflect your cabin class upgrade. 

Alternatively, we’ll inform you of the result of your request at the check-in counter.  You can also ask for updates if you’re visiting any of our Cathay lounges prior to your flight. For those with a mobile boarding pass, aside from being notified at the gate, your status will also be automatically updated right before your flight if your upgrade is successful.  

For more information on bookable upgrade, please refer to our Member Benefits page here.   

This story was originally published in December 2023 and updated in December 2025.