Does this count as an op-up? I'm calling it one.

[Febs]

Finally my first op-up (of sorts).

I've always been of the opinion that QFF points are best reserved for long-haul international flights in Y, as that way 1) Both myself and my family/girlfriend can get the benefits, and 2) I get the "most" (IMO) out of them.

Never spent points on an upgrade (always held out for that elusive op-up), but now that I have a fair few points (well over the 280,000 I'm saving up for 2 x Award Explorers) I figured I'd blow 5,000 on an ODU to J SYD-MEL. Mostly 'cause I wanted a decent brekky and a comfy seat to sleep in, on QF401 (6am).

Up to the QP counter, asked for an ODU...was told "Sir, we won't be taking any points from you today. Due to the load in economy, this upgrade is complimentary." Then handed a boarding pass for 2J.

(Makes me wonder if it would have been an op-up at the gate anyway? )

Just thought I'd share.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[simongr]

Well if no points were taken and no $ were exchanged then I reckon this was an op-up.

The question is - were you flagged as a candidate before you asked for the points upgrade or because you asked for a points upgrade...

 

[MelUser]

I was travelling (2 pax) from Mel to Bne in January and in Q Club asked for an ODU. The lady checked and said - no that fare is inelligible - sorry [it was a cheap and nasty red e deal so I knew technically not supposed to get an upgrade].

Anyway, at the gate, the boarding pass rejected and went back to desk where we got 2 J seats and no points taken.

I don't know if it was coincidence or due to request?

 

[Flying Fox]

Finally my first op-up (of sorts).

I've always been of the opinion that QFF points are best reserved for long-haul international flights in Y, as that way 1) Both myself and my family/girlfriend can get the benefits, and 2) I get the "most" (IMO) out of them.

Never spent points on an upgrade (always held out for that elusive op-up), but now that I have a fair few points (well over the 280,000 I'm saving up for 2 x Award Explorers) I figured I'd blow 5,000 on an ODU to J SYD-MEL. Mostly 'cause I wanted a decent brekky and a comfy seat to sleep in, on QF401 (6am).

Up to the QP counter, asked for an ODU...was told "Sir, we won't be taking any points from you today. Due to the load in economy, this upgrade is complimentary." Then handed a boarding pass for 2J.

(Makes me wonder if it would have been an op-up at the gate anyway? )

Just thought I'd share.

Cheers,
- Febs.

Ah, call it an op-up cos it gives the rest of us some hope of getting one!!!!

 

[serfty]

Post #1 and #3 are certainly op-ups, they indicate 2 of the ways one can become aware of them (checkin-counter, Gate).

I once discovered I was op-upped when using Quick-Check. (e.g. Allocation on 763 was 4J rather than twenty-something). Could print that BP fast enough lest it was revoked. (I was half expecting it as the Friday 5pm MEL-BNE aircraft went U/S - I was on the 5:30.)

 

[Febs]

The question is - were you flagged as a candidate before you asked for the points upgrade or because you asked for a points upgrade...

That's the real question for me...

For what it's worth...
- A colleague (WP) went to the desk and said "My colleague got an upgrade to business, can I have one too?" and was told "Only if you're Platinum." Again, no points taken.
- Another colleague (WP) was called to the desk (I think) for an op-up.
- A third colleague (also WP) didn't get upgraded.

J was full by the time the flight took off.

My thinking is...
- They had a certain amount of upgrades to give out. They probably had a list of WP's to be allocated upgrades, but prioritised those who asked for points upgrades first, as a gesture of goodwill?

Anyway, regardless of the reason, I'm certainly not complaining. Breakfast was nice and the seat was a lot more comfortable than I imagined. Oh dear...

Post #1 and #3 are certainly op-ups, they indicate 2 of the ways one can become aware of them (checkin-counter, Gate).

There's also that extremely rare op-up during OLCI. Many refuse to believe it, but I saw it with my own eyes.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[bryman]

I was lucky enough to get an op-up at Singapore a few months ago.

Walked up to the gate and the lady ripped up my old Y boarding pass and gave me the new J one. I didn't ask for it, but very gladly took it!

A very pleasant surprise, particularly given I had the hangover of the century for the flight back home to Melbourne.

 

[delsbells]

Hi,

Once I (bronze member) was lucky enough to be upgraded to J (from discount Y)on a flight from LAX to MEL via Auckland. I checked in at SFO, spent time in the sports bar in LAX before heading to the gate where they requested people with non-Qantas issued BP's to come to the counter. They told me I had been upgraded to J. All I can say is I enjoyed the flight back! There was only me and one other lady up there and she was trying to pay for her husband to be upgraded to join her but was told that wasn't allowed. It seems the rest of business should have been full but for some reason the people supposed to be there didn't make it to LAX in time? It truly does happen!

 

[Danger]

With regard to Febs's post, is there a suggestion here that maybe WP get points-free (ie. no points deducted) ODUs or am I just being too optimistic?

 

[Mal]

With regard to Febs's post, is there a suggestion here that maybe WP get points-free (ie. no points deducted) ODUs or am I just being too optimistic?

Hehe, we are talking about Qantas here

Op-Ups with Qantas happen at opportune moments that can rarely be predicted.

 

[Tooner]

Hehe, we are talking about Qantas here

Op-Ups with Qantas happen at opportune moments that can rarely be predicted.

It's a bit like the Section 8 from M*A*S*H. If you want one, you won't get it!

 

[JohnK]

Congratulations on the op-up.

Mostly 'cause I wanted a decent brekky and a comfy seat to sleep in, on QF401 (6am).

Oh no! Hotels are for sleeping and hotels and restaurants provide a really really nice breakfast.

An aeroplane is used to get from A-B where a car, bus or train is not suitable or convenient.

 

[Febs]

Thanks.

Oh no! Hotels are for sleeping and hotels and restaurants provide a really really nice breakfast.

An aeroplane is used to get from A-B where a car, bus or train is not suitable or convenient.

Fair enough (and as it was, I got no sleep anyway).

What about if I try for an ODU on the way home, so I can sample some better wine. That a valid reason?

 

[Jobu]

I've received operational upgrades 3 times in the last 18 months.

Two of the three times was during the school holidays and the plane was packed in economy (but not in J).

All three times were given to me without asking.

I've never received an op upgrade when I've asked for one.

I usually buy fully flexible Y tickets. Not sure if this helps or if it's just my WP status.

Cheers,

JOBU

 

[Harpoon]

I've never been upgraded.

One day it will happen!!!!!!

Do upgrades usually occur when they over-sell Y and everyone turns up? Is that the main reason? Obviously there are an unlimited amount of reasons but surely that would be the most common?

Also, do most upgrades happen for QFFs on checkin or happen afterwards before boarding? Just curious.

 

[NM]

Do upgrades usually occur when they over-sell Y and everyone turns up? Is that the main reason? Obviously there are an unlimited amount of reasons but surely that would be the most common?

The most common cause if when there are more people wanting to get on the flight (in economy) than there are economy seats, but there are seats available in business class (same can happen from business to first class). This may be due to overselling (generally only on international flights), disrupted passengers wanting to move to a different flight, cancelled flights resulting in passengers moving to another flight, or a change in aircraft type/model resulting in less seats than originally expected.

Also, do most upgrades happen for QFFs on checkin or happen afterwards before boarding? Just curious.

Can be either at check-in or at the gate, depending on when the upgrade was processed. I have had both happen.

 

[kkutasi]

I've never been upgraded.

One day it will happen!!!!!!

Do upgrades usually occur when they over-sell Y and everyone turns up? Is that the main reason? Obviously there are an unlimited amount of reasons but surely that would be the most common?

Also, do most upgrades happen for QFFs on checkin or happen afterwards before boarding? Just curious.

the only time i have ever received an op-up was on CX in discount Y in HKG waiting to travel back to SYD in 2005. At the time i had no status either.

they had overbooked and insisted that I take another flight the following day. All they offered as compensation was a lousy $20 meal vouched

so i had a massive argument with the lady at the counter and after 30 mins she got a supervisor involved and i received a boarding pass for row 80 or so.

happy with this, i just headed off with a friend with status who got me into the F lounge (which was excellent). Anyway, I got the boarding time wrong, so eventually an attendant in the lounge approached me and told me they were awaiting my boarding (my friend was going to MEL 30 mins later)

they arranged a golf buggy to drive me directly to the gate and when i arrived, they tore up my boarding pass and handed me a new one for Row 2A! they closed the gate behind me, so it was obvious that i was last on board

So the lesson is, i can't work out whether i got an op-up because of my argument at the check in counter, or whether it was because i was last to board... but it certainly had nothing to do with status or asking nicely!

 

[JohnK]

so i had a massive argument with the lady at the counter and after 30 mins she got a supervisor involved and i received a boarding pass for row 80 or so.

Were you on a 747? If I remember correctly row 80+ is upper deck business class.

they arranged a golf buggy to drive me directly to the gate and when i arrived, they tore up my boarding pass and handed me a new one for Row 2A! they closed the gate behind me, so it was obvious that i was last on board

So the lesson is, i can't work out whether i got an op-up because of my argument at the check in counter, or whether it was because i was last to board... but it certainly had nothing to do with status or asking nicely!

Not sure why but it would appear that you received a double op-up.

 

[NM]

Were you on a 747? If I remember correctly row 80+ is upper deck business class.

Yes, 80-88 are upper deck business class on CX 747 aircraft.

 

[kkutasi]

Were you on a 747? If I remember correctly row 80+ is upper deck business class.

no. was definitely supposed to be at the back. maybe it was row 60 or 70 then... it has been 3 years!

why do you say though that it was a double op-up?