Discount Business to First, Still possible with Points?

[jakob]

Title says it really but...

Went to request upgrade online for an I class fare on Qantas... and got the following (note enlarged reason)

Upgrade - not available


An upgrade is not available on this itinerary due to one or more of the following reasons. The flights are:

• not operated by Qantas
• restricted or heavily discounted airfare (for example, Red e-Deal flight) a Classic Award or an Any Seat Award purchased with Frequent Flyer points
• do not have an upgradeable class
• a discounted Business Class airfare
• a prize ticket or a promotional offer
• part of a group booking. Contact a Qantas Office for an upgrade
• a voucher for future travel
• already flown

Now obviously i'll have to call and ask anyway....

But before i do, thought i'd ask to see if anyone had come across this before?
Couldn't see anywhere in the points upgrade T&C's that I fares are excluded...

hopefully will still be ok for upgrading

thanks,

jakob

 

[Will]

Well this is certainly news to me...

The website says
"Flight upgrades are not available on Award Flights and on domestic and international airfares booked in E, N, O P, Q, U, X and Z class" - nothing about I though.

Nothing in the T&C about it either...

Let us know!

 

[simongr]

Has it been ticketed yet? I find that until ticketing I get the same message.

 

[markis10]

Perhaps some upcoming yet to be announced "enhancements" are starting to filter through the cracks, there was another thread on the discount PE fares ex SIN showing as being ineligible for upgrades?

 

[winfred]

It happens to me all the time. Most cases QF can't explain but I always manage to do it by phone.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

It happens to me all the time. Most cases QF can't explain but I always manage to do it by phone.

+1

Maybe there are some I fares that can't be upgraded, but usually when you get that error message, you haven't been ticketed, or you need to call because the QF engine seems to be coded to not allow any I fares to be upgraded via the website.

 

[jakob]

Well it seems all ok....

A similar issue last year with I class upgrades was easily sorted by phone, but at that time there was no 'discount business' in the list of exceptions, so I was a bit more concerned this time.

Once again upgrade request now processed by phone... I chose not to ask about the website message in-case it triggered the friendly phone agent to decide suddenly that the ticket was no longer eligible... (unlikely but taking no chances A380 suite too nice)

I class fares certainly seem to have been easier to get on Qantas in the last year or so (seems likely linked to 'GFC') So hopefully no changes coming soon to the list of exceptions to upgrades..

jakob.