Airline Membership - esp Marco Polo Club

RedCanadaHat

Hiya,

I am flying to Australia in Dec with Cathay Pacific. I am already an AsiaMiles member but I’m thinking is it worth joining Cathay’s Marco Polo club in order to gain access to the airport lounge and possibly receive an upgrade? It will be the lowest membership (Green – I think it goes up to Silver and Gold). What do you think my chances would be of getting a free upgrade with this membership on the first attempt? (I shall be travelling alone)

Another reason I’m thinking of joining it is because I have a 9 hour layover in Hong Kong on the way back and it would be nice to sit in their lounge - but some airport lounges have a 3 hour max visit :-(

If anyone is a member of this club – or any other airline club for that matter I’d really appreciate some insight.

Thanks.

malkie76

Are you positive that their lowest membership entitles you to lounge access? If so it'll be one of the few airlines which do. However, if an airline will permit anyone to enter their lounge then there probably isn't much in the lounge worth having.

Chances of upgrade are practically zero. Upgrades will always be offered to their highest status frequent flyers, then their middle then lowest, then offered to full fare passengers without status, then finally onto their status holders who aren't frequent flyers (ie you!)

Not saying it doesn't happen to non-status, discounted ticket holders, just trying to manage your expectations.