20 yr Qantas FF and NEVER been upgraded... are upgrades like Rainbow Unicorns??

[ajw373]

The chances of an upgrade as a silver are slim. Though considering how long you have been a member did you ever receive an upgrade certificate when these were in use or did you not fly enough to receive one? If I recall these were back in the days of Tier Credits and were received after x number of credits or miles cannot recall which.

 

[Austashes]

I would put the odds of a free upgrade at about 1%. Of course there will be some people who will do much better than than and some will do worse..

More likely 1 chance in a hundred

 

[elbarto]

More likely 1 chance in a hundred

So 1% then.

 

[Robert Qld]

It is interesting.. I do wonder where all the "stories" that if you "dress well, ask nicely" actually come from... it seems once or twice a year these upgrade stories appear in the press.... a friend is a flight attendant and she says it just rarely happens...

Those stories really only apply to North American Airlines. Different economic situation, different culture, different beast really. People just really confuse the fact that because it happens there, that it happens here. Doesn't really.

I also think that since the QFF is so strong and really engrained in our culture, QF would rather see people use their points to upgrade (and reduce QF's liability that goes with points) then give away random freebies.

Also I tend to think, down the back of the bird with QF is just nowhere near as awful as say AA, DL or UA, thus less people even trying to catch a sneak a peak behind the curtain.

My one free (and totally unexpected) upgrade was AY HEL-BKK. No complaints here though I guess it was partly due to being a route that caters more for tourists then business people (thus overselling Y) and thus as somebody with status (was OWS) I guess I was the one who won the golden ticket

 

[medhead]

Since I've been flying about 100 flight a year, I've had 2 or 3 with Qantas and 2 with Virgin Australia. Many years ago, I was on a TSV-BNE flight and they sat me in the last row of J with Y service. Half an op-up?

You might like to read:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ion/the-operational-upgrade-thread-18198.html

 

[Mal]

If I tallied my intl flights on qf, I think I get an op up around 20pc where there could be an upgraded cabin. Yes, they do happen and I have been very lucky.

Flying solo. Flying during peak economy booking times (eg first/last days of school holidays) do contribute.

Qantas has always treated me well as a Wp. However even now, I don't count on it and have seen my op ups reduce since wp1 came about.

Domestically, its less than 5pc....

 

[Awesom Andy]

Perhaps try a different airline. I've received op-ups on BA and CX, but none on QF.

 

[madrooster]

I recently had an op-up from Y -> J with 2 companions on QF1 so op-ups do happen for those with status.

A CSS I was having a chat to did mention that there's on average about 5 or so platinums in Y on the A380 flights, then maybe 20 golds.

 

[Austashes]

Not upgraded but as a WP I have had a CSS bring me a better pair of headphones and a drink as a welcome. Nice.

 

[jono88888]

Many years ago, long before Australia even had a place in my life and I knew anything about FF status, I flew London to Frankfurt on a Friday evening - too long ago to remember which airline. Having gone straight from work I was still in my suit. As we were queuing to board an airline employee walked down the line and asked 5 of us to stand aside and we were then asked if we minded moving to business, and not surprisingly none of us minded.

But it was easy to spot that among the folks queuing up we stood out being the ones who were dressed 'professionally'.

That said, if I was to be getting on an aircraft I'm always going to dress for comfort rather than for the slim chance of winning the upgrade lottery.

I do think that 30 years on from that initial upgrade, loyalty programs play a more prominent role and any upgrade today is more likely to be due to status than a suit. Nowadays as WP I have had the odd upgrade, and as somebody who always travels down the back end, it's always most welcome.

 

[serfty]

So from this feedback, I AM more likely to see a rainbow unicorn than ever get an upgrade... esp as I'm a lowly Bronze and travelling on a sale fare.... ahhhh but a girl can dream!! ...

More likely 1 chance in a hundred

So 1% then.

Back in the 90's, as a then top level Gold flyer they actually did give 'courtesy upgrades'. I received such on my regular MEL/SYD runs about 1 in 3, but only when on full economy. I did not know they were termed 'courtesy upgrades' until I received an apologetic letter advising they were being discontinued.

Other that that, about 10 time in 1000+ flights, so 1% is reasonable- and that's for a high status flyer.

 

[kempvet]

If you fly overseas with QF flight number try to make sure that it is on BA metal, I have been upgraded several times Y to PE (but then again I am OWE) but it also occurred when I was bronze with QF (again on BA metal). I think that your chances of being upgraded with a QF flight number on QF metal is next to nothing

 

[elbarto]

Except these days finding a BA flight with a QF code will be rather difficult

 

[cirqueboy]

A few years ago as SG I got an OpUp from Y to Y+ SYD-BKK and again BKK-LHR. The OpUp in SYD occurred in the lounge and they said "it's only to BKK, you probably won't get it BKK-LHR". After some time in the lounge at BKK, I went to the gate, the machine beeped and the gate agent said "We've been calling you". Inside voice said to myself "Well, I've been in the lounge, so maybe you should have tried there?". Nonetheless, another OpUp Y to Y+ for the BKK-LHR leg. Both OpUp's were obviously because of an oversold Y cabin in mid December.

Also, as SG, got an OpUp on AA from SSA - REC in Brazil (the flight is MIA-SSA-REC). We did MIA-SSA in whY. +1 was SG at the time, we both received the UG. This OpUp was because of a light load SSA-REC before the aircraft turned around to do the same trip in reverse.

Expecting OpUp's is pointless though. If your travel coincides with prime OpUp material, you might get lucky, but don't count on it.

All of mine were a total surprise. That's how it should be

 

[JohnK]

Other that that, about 10 time in 1000+ flights, so 1% is reasonable- and that's for a high status flyer.

That sounds a little low for someone of your status and knowledge. I think mine would be ~4%-5% op-up ratio.

 

[stomplad]

So bit of a random question.. I've been a Qantas FF for 20 yrs (can't believe I'm ageing myself so much) and in that time I've been an on/off Silver but never Gold member. I've had Qantas Club membership.. again on/off.. and usually take anywhere between 4-10 flights per year domestic and occasionally international. In that time I have NEVER been offered an upgrade... I'm flying to HK in a few weeks and trying to decide if I should push my luck and ask for an upgrade on check in (i'm travelling solo)... OR are they like rainbow unicorns and only appear for the truly lucky (or serious Frequent Flyer...)?????

Here you are, a rainbow unicorn, now maybe comp upgrades will come your way

 

[serfty]

That sounds a little low for someone of your status and knowledge. I think mine would be ~4%-5% op-up ratio.

You fly at peak times - I generally don't these days.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

That sounds a little low for someone of your status and knowledge. I think mine would be ~4%-5% op-up ratio.

1 in 100 flights sounds about what my experience is too.
Of course, those chances would increase if it were all Y flying.

 

[chonetsao.co.uk]

Have only been op-uped once with Qantas. Numerous times with BA. Never with AA.

Now I use points to upgrade on Qantas flight. Almost 100% successful rate.

 

[Doomy]

I got a pleasant surprise when we recently flew back from Frankfurt to Brisbane (via Singapore).
While checking into the Sakura Lounge I noticed the seat numbers where different to the ones I had selected online.
So I log on to Seatguru and check them and it looked likewe had a upgrade from Y to PE, I didn't want to get to excited because I figured it might be a mistake and would be rectified at the gate but low and behold when we sat down we had jagged an upgrade!
Wrapped was a understatement considering it's a 11.5 HR flight. No mention was made at the check-in counter which I found a bit strange, maybe it was a computerised decision and they were unaware at check-in. I am a Gold FF for reference.