Best chance to upgrade - via SFO or LAX

[jacko]

Hi Everyone,

Lots of discussion about upgrading flights on this forum. I have a specific query which those who fly to the US regularly may be able to help with.
We are travelling to US (31 Dec, return 24 Jan) and will be booking the upgradeable fares. Is there more chance of an upgrade going via SFO (QF73, 74) or via LAX (QF11, 12 or QF108, 107)? Previous discussion seemed to indicate less traffic to SFO but those posts were dated 12-18 months ago so I'm wondering if that is changing?

Thanks....in anticipation of your great advice!

 

[Danger]

Hi, jacko. I have no experience on this subject but I would suggest that the advice is still more or less current - you would have more chance of an upgrade going to SFO than LAX. What is your QFF status?

 

[jacko]

good point - the upgrade request will be through Gold QFF. Would prefer to arrive and transit at SFO so hoping the feedback suggests this is the better option.

 

[drewbles]

I've been upgraded (involuntarily) on my last 2 SYD-SFO flights (once during the great seat re-allocation of 2009 with Y in Y+ seats, and the second the same but an 'at gate' upgrade from Y/Y+ to Y+ service in J seats).

QF73/74 tend to see a lot more leisure travel than SYD-LAX sectors.

IMHO, You'd have more chance of a successful upgrade on the SFO run than LAX, but that's just in my experience

(one upgrade was as a PS, the other as SG. Flew the SFO-SYD leg as a WP but was just Y+ seats with Y service, as pre-allocated prior to flight).

As a SG i'd say your chances are pretty good on this segment, and SFO is a much nicer airport I think.

 

[Maca44]

SFO is a much nicer airport I think.

SFO & LAX= chalk & cheese. Agree that SFO is much nicer, with nicer personnel etc

 

[markis10]

Your question is complicated by the timings, it could well be there is little traffic on both routes for business at that time of the year, I would not be surprised if the odds are the same but no one really knows until just before any given flight. I would take SFO over LAX any day regardless of the upgrade chances, its just so much more pleasant!

 

[dede]

I'm tossing up the same idea for over Christmas. I would have thought there would be more people going through LAX so Y might fill up quicker ensuring a better chance of an upgrade . I recently got an Op-up from LAX-MEL (Y to Y+).

Also the lounge is better at LAX isn't it? I understand the Sakura Lounge is the only alternative at SFO during transit. The Flagship Lounge at LAX was lovely recently (even the QF/BA First Lounge was alright)

 

[drewbles]

I'm tossing up the same idea for over Christmas. I would have thought there would be more people going through LAX so Y might fill up quicker ensuring a better chance of an upgrade . I recently got an Op-up from LAX-MEL (Y to Y+).

Also the lounge is better at LAX isn't it? I understand the Sakura Lounge is the only alternative at SFO during transit. The Flagship Lounge at LAX was lovely recently (even the QF/BA First Lounge was alright)

I've always been to the BA lounge at SFO (been directed there by Check-in).

Even if you are directed to the Sakura lounge, you can take the BA lounge (providing you're entitled to entry of course). The "F" Lounge in BA is just a room with better booze (slightly) and better food (marginally).

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the FL at LAX. It's ok, but it's just a quieter AC with self-serve drinks/food, although the breakfast waffle iron is always good

 

[dede]

Great advice, thanks. I'm booking tomorrow.

 

[Blackadder]

Managed upgrades both ways on QF 11/12 on my latest trip to the LOTFAP as a SG, arriving back on QF 12 today with the upgrade request made earlier this week.