Europe flights - upgrades and routing

[anakin]

Hi gurus,

My partner and I plan to fly from ADL to Europe 8~10 May, returning ~28 June. Our current thinking is to get return tickets from ADL to LHR, travel around Europe via rail, and get a one-way air ticket from our final destination back to LHR.

I am a QFF Gold with 350k points, so we were planning to book an upgradable economy ticket on QF and try to score an upgrade award (either to PE or business). However upgradable tickets are roughly 50% more expensive than sale fares, so:

• is it worth taking the gamble buying the upgradable fares and submitting an upgrade request, or are upgrades too hard to get so are we wasting our money?
• are we better flying (and more likely to get an upgrade) on QF81/QF82 ADL <-> SIN on a 333, or via the MEL/SYD route on a 388?
• would we be better going via FRA instead of LHR?

Cheers

 

[samh004]

Have you considered using your points for an ASA, an award that will earn points and status back? I haven’t looked admittedly, but you might manage a deal in Y or PE, or even J, you certainly have the points for it.

There’s also a Valentines Day companion sale on right now in PE/J, but not sure if it matches your dates. It might cost more but less in the long run too, and then you can think about upgrading to F

 

[Alanslegal]

I am a QFF Gold with 350k points, so we were planning to book an upgradable economy ticket on QF and try to score an upgrade award (either to PE or business). However upgradable tickets are roughly 50% more expensive than sale fares, so:

If this was coming out of my pocket, I would not pay 50% more to purchase a chance to enter the upgrade lottery.

 

[medhead]

I'm a bit surprised by the price differential mentioned. I have already booked a SYD-LHR flight 10 may returning 21 may and upgradable was $3500 v ~$2000. I was having another look the other day and it seemed upgradable fares where down to ~$3000 or a bit less. Anyway as a platinum I'm not really expecting to get an upgrade even if all the family keeps telling me I'll get one.

BTW if you do fly on 10 May I'm happy to try guesting you to the first lounge in Singapore or LHR.


Sent from the Throne (80% chance) using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Limewood]

I agree ASA Any Seat award) is the go get award points and status points, consider buying a cheaper ticket to Singapore then ASA higher class one to Europe. However, you've left you run for ASA a bit late normally have to book 10mths to a year out to get them from Oz departure at lowest points cost. ASA are upgradable but its a well known lottery.

 

[anakin]

Thanks for the suggestions. Sadly I don't have enough points to book an ASA. :-(

Medhed thanks for the offer! If I end up booking for 10th May I will drop you a line.