business class on points with Y RTW fare?

[suey]

I will be travelling to the las vegas in october for work and then onto the UK/China and back to australia, so will be doing a RTW fare as it works out the best (economy).

My partner is coming with me to Vegas, then returning to Australia and I will be taking him on points.

As we are actually going to get married while we are there (yep, an elvis drive through wedding ), and it is my birthday the day we fly there, so I was going to try and do the trip to Vegas in business class. So I was thinking that I would book him on points business class and try and get myself an upgrade from my Y fare on points. I can't book the whole RTW flight in business because A, the business can't really afford it and B, two other colleagues are coming on the trip and it wouldn't be right for me to fly in business and them in economy, even though I am the boss.

But, I was wondering what the chances are that I will get a points upgrade on a Y RTW fare. I don't think it is an e-deal or anything like that (I usually don't qualify for an upgrade on points as I get cheap flights whenever possible), so I am hoping it would be likely. It would be no fun for my partner to be in business and me in economy if my plan didn't work out, but I guess that could happen if the upgrade didn't come through.

 

[docjames]

Unforunately the only way to guarantee being in business is to find an awards seat and book it, or buy one.

The points upgrade lottery is just that - a lottery.

If it's an RTW fare it'll be in the "L" bucket of fares, so techincally upgradeable. That's a start. You are correct the e-deals are not upgradeable.

Secondly, it'll depend how many other pax are requesting upgrades, and what thier staus is.

As Gold (according to your profile) you'll be behind CLs and Plats in the queue.


I'd say the chance is realtively slim. Sorry. Probably not the answer you wanted.

Have you considered paying for premium economy? Or using points for both your seats (if you can find seats for points or use anyseat award)?

 

[markis10]

You are correct the e-deals are not upgradeable.

Not correct and a common misconception, upgradable fares are based on fare bucket not classification, and its quite common to see them listed as upgradable, its just that most of the non upgradable buckets happen to be red e deals.

 

[docjames]

Not correct and a common misconception, upgradable fares are based on fare bucket not classification, and its quite common to see them listed as upgradable, its just that most of the non upgradable buckets happen to be red e deals.

I have never seen an upgradeable fare in a red edeal. I'm sure it happens about as often as a bronze ffer getting an op up.

I know there are examples but didn't want to make it confusing for the op.

 

[markis10]

I have never seen an upgradeable fare in a red edeal. I'm sure it happens about as often as a bronze ffer getting an op up.

I know there are examples but didn't want to make it confusing for the op.

Its a lot more frequent than you think and you are confusing the OP by providing the wrong information, up-gradability depends on the fare type, not its classification, so many red-e-deals can be upgraded, not on all routes but commonly ex SIN/Europe/NZ and AUS-Japan for instance:

 

[docjames]

Okeydokey.

 

[suey]

Oh that is not such good news....

I would book the flight in business, the problem is that would mean I would need to book the entire RTW fare in business which is not doable, I just want to book the syd-lax segment in business (but wanting to try for a points upgrade) since I can't book just one segment.

Are there any other suggestions on a better way to book the flights so I can do just the one segment business, as I can book my partner in business on an award seat.

 

[docjames]

At the risk of giving you the wrong information again, have a look at the T+Cs on the oneworld website but I believe you can pay a sector surcharge to go from Y to Y+, but not Y to J (paid and confirmed at the time of booking).

Happy to be corrected (again), but it should be buried in the T+Cs on oneworld.com in the fare rules etc.

ISTR it's was $1000 to UG Y to Y+, then increased to $1250. That's a single trans-pac leg (eg. SYD-LAX).

Not that that helps you if you want to be in J. I guess that would be an option and then hope to score a Y+ to J upgrade, witht he backup of Y+ not being so bad, and your partner could take downstairs on 744 (or near-back-of-J seating on the 380) and come visit you during the flight.

 

[mosanator]

So you already have the J seat award booked?

 

[suey]

Well after all my pondering etc yesterday, I went to book the award flight and there were no J award flights left, so Y it is for my partner. At least we are going on the A380 and I usually get a bulkhead in Y, so should be as comfortable as it can be We will just have to smile sweetly and tell the check in agent we are going to get married and hopefully they will be nice to us - well I can always hope can't I

Thanks for the help

 

[mosanator]

"Well after all my pondering etc yesterday, I went to book the award flight and there were no J award flights left, so Y it is for my partner."

Yeah thats why I asked. You got to look very early for J Award seats. I am assuming you managed the Y award.

 

[straitman]

Well after all my pondering etc yesterday, I went to book the award flight and there were no J award flights left, so Y it is for my partner. At least we are going on the A380 and I usually get a bulkhead in Y, so should be as comfortable as it can be We will just have to smile sweetly and tell the check in agent we are going to get married and hopefully they will be nice to us - well I can always hope can't I

Thanks for the help

Hopefully the yield management or check-in gods will smile upon you.

Congratulations on the wedding also.