- Joined
- Jan 21, 2010
- Posts
- 387
Hi
My wife and I have just returned from the UK (from Syd). It was booked through QF and we went (S) via SNG, returning via BKK. We had upgrade requests in for Business or, if unavailable. Prem Economy for every leg except Syd - SNG although we are also lowley Bronzes. so we didn't hold out much hope. The pecking order for the lottery is well documented although there seem to be the odd quirks. However, I think that, as the system is probably algorithm driven, you can safely bet that Bronze is definitely at the bottom!
Having said that we did get an upgrade into London, picking up QF1 from Dubai. Why Dubai? We didn't have enough points to use the whole way so elected to take our chances with the lottery and so Qantas had to connect us to Dubai. It worked well as the leg flown by Emirates SNG to DXB for which we couldn't upgrade anyway) was empty and we got the upgrade into Heathrow.
Coming back was a different story as the planes were packed. Despite having upgraded to K as we had to move our flights, it made no difference. If I had originally paid the extra fare in the hope of improving my chances I would have definitely been gnashing my teeth
As an aside, I will never ever fly A380 economy again. Emirates was marginally better than QANTAS but it was awfully cramped. AND the window seat is no longer a good seat as the wall is too far away to lean on!! Better to be in the isle. The refurbished A330 was much better especially having the option of a 2 seat configuration when there is just 2 of you. Anyway, I digress.
My point is this. We went out of season and came back in holidays. Be aware of when you travel as that will probably affect your chances to get upgrades if you are in the lottery. Me? I'll pay for Prem Ec or Business in the future. I don't fly enough for the risk/reward to be good enough with the lottery.
And - by the way - I have previously booked with points for Business using a mix of QANTAS and Cathay to the UK via Narita. I don't know if the Japanese still allow a 24 hour visitor pass but if you have 6 - 10 hours layover it is well well worth visiting the town of Narita. It's beautiful . Everyone thinks it's just an airport!
The CX experience was terrific too.
My wife and I have just returned from the UK (from Syd). It was booked through QF and we went (S) via SNG, returning via BKK. We had upgrade requests in for Business or, if unavailable. Prem Economy for every leg except Syd - SNG although we are also lowley Bronzes. so we didn't hold out much hope. The pecking order for the lottery is well documented although there seem to be the odd quirks. However, I think that, as the system is probably algorithm driven, you can safely bet that Bronze is definitely at the bottom!
Having said that we did get an upgrade into London, picking up QF1 from Dubai. Why Dubai? We didn't have enough points to use the whole way so elected to take our chances with the lottery and so Qantas had to connect us to Dubai. It worked well as the leg flown by Emirates SNG to DXB for which we couldn't upgrade anyway) was empty and we got the upgrade into Heathrow.
Coming back was a different story as the planes were packed. Despite having upgraded to K as we had to move our flights, it made no difference. If I had originally paid the extra fare in the hope of improving my chances I would have definitely been gnashing my teeth
As an aside, I will never ever fly A380 economy again. Emirates was marginally better than QANTAS but it was awfully cramped. AND the window seat is no longer a good seat as the wall is too far away to lean on!! Better to be in the isle. The refurbished A330 was much better especially having the option of a 2 seat configuration when there is just 2 of you. Anyway, I digress.
My point is this. We went out of season and came back in holidays. Be aware of when you travel as that will probably affect your chances to get upgrades if you are in the lottery. Me? I'll pay for Prem Ec or Business in the future. I don't fly enough for the risk/reward to be good enough with the lottery.
And - by the way - I have previously booked with points for Business using a mix of QANTAS and Cathay to the UK via Narita. I don't know if the Japanese still allow a 24 hour visitor pass but if you have 6 - 10 hours layover it is well well worth visiting the town of Narita. It's beautiful . Everyone thinks it's just an airport!
The CX experience was terrific too.
