Change to First Class on SYD-LAX (A380)?

[OccasionalFlyer]

Hi All,

Forgive my very simple questions (I am a long-time reader but brand new participant to the forums!). Having flown the SYD-LAX sector many times before in Discount Economy, but never on an A380, I (well, work...) have booked my next return flights in Premium Economy. The trip is a combination of work and holiday, so I am thinking of going all-out and changing things around to the following:

* Changing the outbound SYD-LAX flight to First class and pay the fare difference myself.

* Using points to request an upgrade on the return flight to Business.

I will be flying in May which seems to be a fairly quiet time (??) so hopefully the points upgrade for the return flight will be successful (my current status is PS/QP, if that makes any difference). My rationale for upgrading to First on the outbound flight is so that I can check out the First lounge in Sydney (never been in there before) - I would intend to arrive at the airport plenty early before the flight to savor the moment!

What are everyone's thoughts on the above changes? Also, looking at the "First Saver" fares they are around $9000 at the moment - are these likely to decrease at all, or is it a fairly safe bet that the First fares don't move so if I am going to do this I might as well do it now?

Thanks for any help!

 

[TheInsider]

The fares won't go down, most likely they will keep going up. Best to get it as soon as possible.

As for upgrades using points generally you want a full flight in Y (usually school holidays etc etc). As they generally overbook Y, then push up people to W and J.

 

[OccasionalFlyer]

Thanks for your reply. Interestingly, when looking at the Qantas website if booking F return the price is $8898 each direction, but if only booking one-way the price is $12617. That's a pretty substantial price difference! If I was to change my outbound flight only do you think it will attract the higher rate?

 

[Jobu]

The fares won't go down, most likely they will keep going up. Best to get it as soon as possible.

As for upgrades using points generally you want a full flight in Y (usually school holidays etc etc). As they generally overbook Y, then push up people to W and J.

I would have thought this is more relevant for operational upgrades rather than points upgrades, as a full Y cabin generally means more competition for points upgrades...

J

 

[JetLagged]

OccasionalFlyer - what status do you have on QF? This is relevant - I wasn't going to jump to the conclusion that by your nickname you maightn't have any/much - but surer advice can be givben with more detail.

 

[JetLagged]

AND - welcome to AFF!

 

[docjames]

Seems like a big cost $$ wise to upgrade from Y+ to F.

Why not go for paying for the Y+ to J, and list for points upgrade to F (from J).

Status etc will then have an impact.

Internationally, one way still remains >50% of the cost of the return, and sometimes more than the return price!

FWIW, if you're used to long haul Y, you'll enjoy Y+.

J and F are the next step entirely, but the price becomes prohibitive for some

 

[OccasionalFlyer]

Hi All,

Thanks for your replies and welcomes I am PS/QP at the moment.

It's a good point about doing a paid upgrade from Y+ to J and then try my luck with points from J to F. What's the likelihood of this happening, given the size of the F cabin on the A380? This is probably what I will end-up doing, purely because the cost of one-way F is a lot more expensive than I thought (as initially I was looking at return F at the reduced cost). Thoughts?

Thanks again!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hi All,

Thanks for your replies and welcomes I am PS/QP at the moment.

It's a good point about doing a paid upgrade from Y+ to J and then try my luck with points from J to F. What's the likelihood of this happening, given the size of the F cabin on the A380? This is probably what I will end-up doing, purely because the cost of one-way F is a lot more expensive than I thought (as initially I was looking at return F at the reduced cost). Thoughts?

Thanks again!

Hi there, I wouldn't hold out too much hope for a J-F points upgrade based on my own experience of 0 from 4 so far as WP, others on the forum have had more luck than me. J on the A380 is very good however with the fully flat SkyBed Mkll, v.quiet cabin. Try to get a seat in front section my personal faves are 11A /K
Enjoy

 

[Awesom Andy]

Perhaps upgrade to J both ways? Put yourself into the upgrade lottery for the first leg, and, if unsucessful, apply for the 2nd.

 

[BensAdventures]

If you were prepared to pay $9000 one way for first, I'd just pay that or less to fly J return. I love J in the 380's, so quiet and everything still feels new (even the engines...).

Put a request in for points upgrade and see how you go!

 

[gumpy]

Hi there, I wouldn't hold out too much hope for a J-F points upgrade based on my own experience of 0 from 4 so far as WP, others on the forum have had more luck than me. J on the A380 is very good however with the fully flat SkyBed Mkll, v.quiet cabin. Try to get a seat in front section my personal faves are 11A /K
Enjoy

That makes me sad... i applied for an upgrade J to F LAX - SYD in April... I won't hold my breath. =(

 

[serfty]

...
As for upgrades using points generally you want a full flight in Y (usually school holidays etc etc). As they generally overbook Y, then push up people to W and J.

I would have thought this is more relevant for operational upgrades rather than points upgrades, as a full Y cabin generally means more competition for points upgrades...

Agree. An empty premium cabin (I9 or A9) is more likely to indicate increased points upgrade chances than a full cabin (J1 or F1) would.

It does hold true for possible operational upgrades however.

 

[OccasionalFlyer]

Thanks everyone for the comments and thoughts. So do we think that upgrading to J both directions is probably more value for money than upgrading to F one-way?

 

[straitman]

Thanks everyone for the comments and thoughts. So do we think that upgrading to J both directions is probably more value for money than upgrading to F one-way?

That is what I would opt for.

 

[cove]

MrsCove bought I class saver J seats for 2 and they went for an upgrade on points. They both scored First both ways out of and back to Melbourne. The seats cost about $7k and the points were about 48k each way per person for the upgrade.
Her friend was so excited she had the spa treatment and a wonderful breakfast prior to departure so think MEL as the place to try from as there may be lower First class demand from there.
Sydney is harder so look at a quick flight to MEL as folks from Sydney won't be chasing you for the seat seeing most would not go backwards to go forwards.
At that time the travelers were PS status and travelled from Perth for that price in April 2010.
I hope this helps you in your quest for the A380 experience!

 

[OccasionalFlyer]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the replies. I really wanted to get the full A380 experience in F (with the Sydney lounge and all) but having flown Y most of the time I think Y+ or J will be a significant improvement anyway

I have sufficient points to request an upgrade from Y+ to J for one flight, and once I fly SYD-LAX the Y+ ticket will then give me enough points to upgrade another flight (i.e. the return flight). Will I be allowed to request an upgrade for both directions (from Y+ to J) even though I don't have enough total points right now, but will after the outbound flight? Or can I only request say the outbound upgrade now and then request the return upgrade once I have flown that sector and have sufficient remaining points?

Thanks!

 

[awilcockson]

Or can I only request say the outbound upgrade now and then request the return upgrade once I have flown that sector and have sufficient remaining points?

This is the way it works (and you will have to wait for the points to post as well, which can sometimes take a while).

 

[dfcatch]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the replies. I really wanted to get the full A380 experience in F (with the Sydney lounge and all) but having flown Y most of the time I think Y+ or J will be a significant improvement anyway

I have sufficient points to request an upgrade from Y+ to J for one flight, and once I fly SYD-LAX the Y+ ticket will then give me enough points to upgrade another flight (i.e. the return flight). Will I be allowed to request an upgrade for both directions (from Y+ to J) even though I don't have enough total points right now, but will after the outbound flight? Or can I only request say the outbound upgrade now and then request the return upgrade once I have flown that sector and have sufficient remaining points?

Thanks!

You can place the upgrade request online as soon as you have a confirmed ticketed booking in an upgradeable class.

However, if you do not have the required points in your account 24 hours prior to the flight, then the system will not process the upgrade.

Some others have reported different experiences, but this has worked for me. I even one time had a phone agent lodge the upgrade request for me, even though I did not yet have the points.

 

[Alanslegal]

Thanks for your reply. Interestingly, when looking at the Qantas website if booking F return the price is $8898 each direction, but if only booking one-way the price is $12617. That's a pretty substantial price difference! If I was to change my outbound flight only do you think it will attract the higher rate?

I wouldn't be willing to pay that, but then again, my money is limited

$9K can do ALOT of things once on land