Cash Upgrading to Business on DSC reference no.: is it worthwhile?

[marki]

I appreciate people's reflection on the worthwhileness of upgrading an economy or premium economy to a business class flight on an existing double-status credit reference number on Qantas from Mel-Syd-Auk-JFK. As I am low on the current SC side, to be able to make P1 would be an effort, and the cost would be approximately an extra 8K for both ways.

Out of sheer curiosity, I asked Grok AI on the X Platform.

Replied:

Upgrading from economy or premium economy to business class on Qantas flights, particularly on a route like Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD) to Auckland (AUK) to New York (JFK), can be pretty strategic if you're aiming to accumulate enough Status Credits (SC) to reach Platinum One (P1) status. Here's a breakdown based on the information available:

Status Credits and Upgrades:

• Double Status Credit Promotions: Qantas occasionally runs promotions where you can earn double status credits. If your flights or upgrades coincide with such a promotion, the SC earned could be significantly higher. However, these promotions are not guaranteed for every trip or booking.
• Upgrade Costs and Points: The cost of an upgrade in terms of Qantas Points can vary based on the fare type (economy vs. premium economy) and availability. For example, upgrading from a flexible economy fare to business class on domestic flights like MEL-SYD can start at 5,400 points one-way, but this number increases for international segments. The exact points required for your route would depend on the current Classic Upgrade Rewards table, but for a long haul like SYD-JFK, the points could be substantial, possibly in the range of 60,000+ points one-way based on historical data.
• Monetary Cost: You mentioned an extra $8,000 for both ways. This seems to reflect the difference in cash fare between economy/premium economy and business class, not just the upgrade cost in points.

Strategic Considerations:

• Value of Status: Achieving P1 status offers extra baggage allowance, priority check-in, boarding, and lounge access, among others. If you travel frequently, these benefits could outweigh the cost of the upgrade over time.
• Points vs. Cash: If you have many Qantas Points, using them for an upgrade might be more cost-effective than buying business class outright. However, you must consider whether you'd instead use those points for another reward or if the upgrade aligns with your travel goals.
• Upgrade Availability: Upgrades are subject to availability. Even if you have the points, business class seats might not be available for upgrade, especially on popular routes like SYD-JFK.
• Alternative Routes or Segments: Sometimes, breaking your journey or choosing flights with stopovers can increase SC earn, especially if those stopovers are in cities where you can earn more credits per segment. However, this must be balanced against the additional time and cost of travel.

Conclusion: Given your current low SC situation and the goal to reach P1, the decision to upgrade or not should consider not just the immediate cost but also the long-term benefits of higher status. If you can align your travel with a double status credit promotion, this could be particularly beneficial. Remember, the actual SC earned would depend on your original fare class and any promotions at the time of travel.

For the most accurate and current information on upgrade costs and SC earning rates, always check directly with Qantas' official resources or use their points calculator for precise figures.

Sources:

• For insights on Classic Upgrade Rewards and Status Credits:
  
  
• For understanding fare types and upgrade points:
  
  
• For general upgrade strategies and costs:
  
  

 

[fletty]

After reading through a lot of the P1 experiences thread I can't personally see the value in going out of one's way to attain it.

 

[marki]

After reading through a lot of the P1 experiences thread I can't personally see the value in going out of one's way to attain it.

Yep, it is becoming harder and Harder to Justify

 

[flyingfan]

AI’s first mistake is getting the airport code for Auckland wrong.

It is hard to justify. But I say that from the position of being a P1 - if you really want to experience that status and not die wondering what it’s like, don’t let the naysaying stop you.

 

[marki]

AI’s first mistake is getting the airport code for Auckland wrong.

It is hard to justify. But I say that from the position of being a P1 - if you really want to experience that status and not die wondering what it’s like, don’t let the naysaying stop you.

Lol, thank you for the observation. AKL - is Auckland - silly AI. I am P1 now, and I wonder whether it is worth keeping. The flights are tax-deductible, however. It eases the burden slightly. Making it more attractive, but the P1 gave me nothing apart from a good bottle of champagne this year. Minimal upgrades are or were available with classic rewards on international flights.

 

[flyingfan]

I am P1 now, and I wonder whether it is worth keeping.

Ok cool, I was on mobile and didn’t see your P1 status. You already have the status so it might be clearer to judge if you’re getting value from the benefits. I’ve had a 100% success rate with points upgrades for me and family, so possibly worthwhile if you can bank a lot of points. But that money would also pay for a fair amount of cash fares and the champagne of your choice.

You’d already know P1 isn’t three times better than WP - we can’t guest three people into the Flounge, we don’t get free upgrades all over the place.